Remember that most cancer patients don’t want to be treated differently just because they have cancer. Talk to your friend or loved one like you did before. Tell jokes, talk about what’s going on in the neighborhood or at your kids’ school, favorite TV shows, etc. This can briefly help take patients’ minds off of cancer.
Full Answer
Are you prepared to talk about cancer with someone you know?
At some point, someone you know will likely get cancer. When it happens, you should be prepared to communicate appropriately about the disease. Many cancer survivors share similar stories of awkward encounters and upsetting comments made by well-meaning individuals.
What do you need to know about cancer treatment?
The type of treatment that will be given, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, etc. How treatment will be given, such as how radiation will be delivered, or if a treatment drug will be given by mouth, injection, or infusion.
What should I not say to someone with cancer?
Don't try to tell the person with cancer what to think, feel or how to act. You don't know what they're going through, so don't act like you do. Instead of saying "I know how you feel," try saying "I care about you and want to help."
How do I make cancer treatment decisions?
Step 1: Set your ground rules. Before exploring treatment options, establish some ground rules. You'll be more comfortable with any cancer treatment decisions you make if you: Decide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't.
How do you convince a cancer patient to get treated?
AdvertisementDecide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't. ... Decide how you want to make your treatment decisions. ... Have realistic expectations. ... Keep the focus on you. ... Accept help.
What do you do if someone refuses treatment for cancer?
If you feel your loved one is refusing treatment because of denial, or because of fear of undergoing treatment, talk to the oncologist. You may want to visit a counselor or support group together.
What should you not tell a cancer patient?
Don't minimize their experience. Try not to say, "Don't worry, you'll be fine." You don't know that. Instead say, "I'm really sorry," or "I hope it will be okay." And don't refer to his or her cancer as "the good cancer." These statements downplay what he or she is going through.
How do you make someone with cancer feel better?
Although each person with cancer is different, here are some general suggestions for showing support:Ask permission. Before visiting, giving advice, and asking questions, ask if it is welcome. ... Make plans. ... Be flexible. ... Laugh together. ... Allow for sadness. ... Check in. ... Offer to help. ... Follow through.More items...
Is it OK to refuse cancer treatment?
Can you refuse chemotherapy? Yes. Your doctor presents what he or she feels are the most appropriate treatment options for your specific cancer type and stage while also considering your overall health, but you have the right to make final decisions regarding your care.
Do cancer patients have the right to refuse treatment?
Informed Consent That means they must disclose as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision about your care. When a healthcare provider sufficiently informs you about the treatment options, you have the right to accept or refuse treatment.
What does a cancer patient want to hear?
Instead of hearing “What can I do?” cancer patients want to hear that you already have a specific task in mind. Many cancer patients will decline needing help when they are asked the broad question “What can I help with?” Choose something specific and get started on it.
How do you motivate a cancer patient?
Here are their suggestions.Take care of the grocery shopping, or order groceries online and have them delivered.Help keep their household running. ... Bring a cup of tea or coffee and stop by for a visit. ... Give the primary caregiver a break. ... Drive the patient to appointments.More items...•
What do you say to a cancer patient?
Here are some ideas:"I'm not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care"."I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this"."How are you doing?""If you would like to talk about it, I'm here"."Please let me know how I can help"."I'll keep you in my thoughts".
What are the emotional stages of cancer?
The Five Stages of Dealing with a Cancer DiagnosisState 1: Denial. ... Stage 2: Anger. ... Stage 3: Bargaining. ... Stage 4: Sadness and depression. ... Stage 5: Acceptance.
What do you say to someone with terminal cancer?
Don't say, “It's going to be OK” ... But do say something. ... Do make clear that you'll be there for them. ... Do be careful about saying, “I'll pray for you” ... Do try to create a semblance of normalcy. ... Do ask how they're doing — today. ... Do be a good listener. ... Don't get squirmy at the end.
Is Stage 4 a terminal cancer?
Is stage 4 cancer always terminal? Stage 4 cancer is not always terminal. It is usually advanced and requires more aggressive treatment. Terminal cancer refers to cancer that is not curable and eventually results in death.
How to make a decision about cancer treatment?
Ask your doctor how much time you have to decide. Delaying your decision and spending time worrying about it can drain your energy, so don't draw out the process too long.
How to keep track of what your doctor tells you?
Record your conversations. Try to keep track of what your doctor tells you by taking notes. You might also ask if it's OK to record the conversation. This record will be a good reference if you have questions later.
How to make a reasonable treatment decision?
To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, what treatment options are available and how likely these treatments are to work under these circumstances. Talk to your doctor about trustworthy websites, books and patient education materials to supplement your discussions.
Why do you partner with your doctor?
Partnering with your doctor to make decisions about your cancer treatment may make you feel more confident as you begin your cancer treatment. Find out how to get involved.
What to ask your doctor about your health?
Your health in general. If you have other health conditions, ask your doctor how treatment will affect those conditions.
How to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision?
Effective communication with your doctor is the best way to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision. To make communicating with your doctor easier, try to: Speak up when you don't understand. If you need further explanation or clarification, tell your doctor.
Why is it important to have a close friend at your appointment?
It may help to think about how you've handled difficult decisions in the past. And it may help to have a close friend or family member at your appointments to help you decide .
How would you like to be treated if you had cancer?
You’d like people to not patronize you, but you need them to acknowledge the reality and sometimes the pain and stress of your situation and treat you with empathy and compassion. You’d want them to listen.
How to help people going through cancer?
People going through cancer treatment want to maintain their weight. Don’t say “God never gives you more than you can handle.”. You don’t always know where other people are spiritually. You’re imposing your belief system and values on them. That makes it about you, not them. Don’t tell — ask.
What is cancer etiquette?
Cancer etiquette is interacting with someone with cancer in friendly, empathetic and appropriate ways. It’s showing that you acknowledge what he or she is going through — both physically and emotionally. It’s the awareness that cancer can affect everything in that person’s life.
What to do when someone says something wrong?
If it’s possible, it can make all the difference to return to familiar routines — driving, exercising, doing chores or shopping. Do apologize if you say something wrong. At one point you’ll likely put your foot in your mouth, which you may sense right away. Or the person may tell you.
Can cancer affect everyone?
It’s the awareness that cancer can affect everything in that person’s life. You should respect, too, that everyone responds differently to events and experiences. People may not respond the way you would — and that’s OK. Accepting this can go a long way in talking with and helping someone you care about who has cancer. Advertising Policy.
How to deal with anger in a patient?
Remain calm if the patient vents out his anger. Be supportive and not take the anger personally.
What is the most important thing to know about helping someone?
The most important thing to realise is that there is no magic formula, phrase or approach that is the ’right’ thing to say or do in all circumstances and for all situations. There isn’t a right set of words or attitudes that will always help. It’s not a skill that everyone else but you has. If you want to help someone who’s facing a difficult time, just wanting to help and offering to be there for that person is what matters most. Most of us feel that we don’t know what to say. But the important thing is not what we say – it’s that we’re there and that we listen. When you understand the few simple rules of good listening, you’ll be a great help and support. Listening can help build a relationship between you both that allows you to be even more supportive and to know what your relative or friend needs.
How to help someone with a syphilis?
Give space and time to stay alone. Try not to take the illness very lightly and at the same time do not be over protective – It’s important to allow your relative or friend to be sad or upset at times. You may find that they want to talk about difficult topics, such as the chances of being cured, whether it’s worth having another course of treatment or making a will.
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Why do you need to take a break from cancer?
Sometimes taking a break is recommended by the cancer care team, and that's OK. It might be due to side effects, to do more tests, because of a holiday or special event, or because of other health problems. But some patients who are actively on treatment might wonder if they can take a break for personal reasons. Maybe they want a break from some of the side effects. Maybe they have travel plans. Maybe a family or life situation has come up that they need to deal with or take care of.
How is cancer treatment planned and scheduled?
How Treatment Is Planned and Scheduled. To plan and schedule cancer care and treatments, a lot of information must first be collected. This information often needs to be shared with different specialists , as well as with patients and their caregivers, to help decide what treatment option is best. Once a treatment is decided on, care can be ...
How important is communication in cancer care?
It can be a very involved process. Although treatment and care decisions are mostly made by patients and their cancer care teams, communication with others is very important. Sometimes, though, patients and caregivers might find themselves being the ones having to do most of the communicating.
What to do if you don't get a treatment plan?
If you don't get a written treatment plan, you can ask for a treatment schedule to be written out for you. A treatment schedule includes: The type of treatment that will be given, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.
What are the types of support treatments?
Supportive treatments or therapies that might be needed, such as pain medicine, physical therapy, oxygen, or medical equipment
What is treatment planning?
Treatment planning involves figuring out the exact doses of the treatment that will be given and how long it will last.
What to do if you are not getting the information you need?
If you are not getting the information you need or if you think others on your health care team need more information than what's being given to them, talk to your cancer care team about what can be done to improve communication.
What to say when you talk about cancer?
try saying, “This is not easy to talk about right now. Can we talk another time when I am up for it?”
How to talk about your diagnosis?
While it’s important to talk about your feelings and diagnosis with someone, remember: you get to decide the information you’re comfortable sharing. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries to help protect your emotional state. For instance, some patients may want to keep this information from their employer or children initially, or tell different people varying amounts of detail. Just make sure to let the person know if you have decided not to tell certain people, or if you’d prefer, they didn’t share the news until you’ve had a chance to tell others.
How to not feel guilty after telling someone?
Be kind to yourself. Be kind to yourself throughout this process. It is normal to feel emotionally drained after a conversation like this. Try to not feel guilty if you need to do something to help you recharge your batteries after telling someone. Lastly, if you need a break, take it.
Do you have to tell everyone about a diagnosis?
You don’t have to tell everyone at once, and to make the process more manageable, start with immediate family members and close friends. When you’re ready, it’s important to be upfront with your supervisor if your diagnosis will affect your work. Many employers are willing to be flexible and work with their employees on making accommodations.
Is it hard to tell someone you have cancer?
Telling someone you have cancer can be difficult. There will never be a perfect time to share this news, and often, people worry this information will place a burde n on those closest to them. These barriers—difficulty, timing, and guilt—may sway people to avoid the topic entirely, and instead try to deal with a cancer diagnosis privately.
Can you talk about cancer with everyone?
Another factor to consider when discussing your diagnosis is whether you want to use the specific word “cancer” or something a bit vaguer, like “medical condition.” You don’t need to share every detail about your health with everyone , and it’s OK to tell someone you’re not comfortable discussing a particular aspect right now (or, ever). This may be a good opportunity to consult with a professional about the words you decide to use, particularly in special circumstances such as speaking to young children or your employer.
How to find out about cancer treatment?
But, there’s lots of information about cancer treatments available from other sources, too. There’s also a lot of misinformation out there. You might find out information on the internet, by talking with family and friends, by going to a support group, or even by watching TV. It’s very important to be careful about where you’re getting information. Pay attention to who is sponsoring the website or advertisement, or who is giving the information you find or hear.
How to write down your cancer questions?
Your doctor and cancer care team know your situation best. Write down your questions as you think of them. Bring any and all questions to your cancer care team. Write down the answers you’re given.
How does cancer care team determine treatment options?
How your cancer care team determines your treatment options. Depending on the type of cancer, you might have a very limited number of treatment options, or you might have many. Your cancer care team uses established treatment guidelines to figure out what treatments should be offered to you. These treatment guidelines are based on research ...
Why are treatment options different?
This is because some cancers have subtypes and features that might have different treatment recommendations. For example, there are many types and subtypes of breast cancer and different ways to describe them. Some have special features that affect their treatment and outlook. There are also patient factors that tell the cancer care team what options may or may not work best, such as other health problems.
What are the options for cancer patients?
There are other options to help someone with cancer, too, These include: Palliative care: Palliative care can help any person with a serious illness, such as cancer.
What is clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests treatments on people. Sometimes these are new treatments that are being studied for the first time. Sometimes a clinical trial uses a treatment that’s already approved for a certain type of cancer and tests it on a different type of cancer.
What is the process of choosing the best treatment for your situation?
Choosing the best treatment for your situation is a decision that needs to be made after all information has been shared with you, and after you’ve had time to ask questions and have them answered. This process is called informed consent and allows people to play an active role in making decisions that affect their health.
How to help someone who has cancer?
1. Get Them Groceries. This is incredibly helpful, especially if the person you love is a parent with a busy family life. They are going to want to be able to keep their house running smoothly, but their job is to beat cancer. You can help buy groceries or any other household goods they might need. 2.
What to do if you don't know what to cook for cancer patients?
If you don’t know what they might need from the store, cook them a meal. That’s one less thing they have to worry about. And it’s not just for them, but if they usually prepare meals for others, this saves cancer patients both time and energy.
How to feel connected to someone who has cancer?
It can be extremely isolating. One way for people to feel connected is through genuine outreach and communication from those around them.
What to do when a gift isn't the best fit for you?
If a physical gift isn’t the best fit for either of you, then do something for your loved one that they can’t do or don’t have the time or energy to do for themselves through an act of service.