All over the world, one in five people are diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Almost on the age of 85 one by two Australians can be diagnosed with cancer.
When this happens to someone you care about, it can be difficult to know what to say and the way to help them. However, providing your friend with the precise support can make an enormous difference as they face the emotional and physical challenges of a brand new diagnosis and treatment.
Here are six ways to provide meaningful support to a friend diagnosed with cancer.
1. Recognize and respond to emotions
When faced with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it’s normal to experience different situations (*6*)emotions including fear, anger, grief and sadness. Your friend’s moods may change. Feelings are also common change over timefor instance, your friend’s anxiety may decrease, but she or he may feel more depressed.
Some friends might want to share details, others prefer privacy. Always ask permission to discuss sensitive topics (similar to changes in physical appearance or thoughts about fears and anxieties) and do not make any assumptions. You can tell them that you feel uncomfortable since it validates the difficult situation they are facing.
Once they feel comfortable talking, follow their lead. Your support and willingness listen without judging can provide great comfort. You don’t need to know the reply. Just acknowledging what was said, giving your full attention and being present for the person can be very helpful.
2. Understand their diagnosis and treatment
Understanding your friend’s diagnosis and what they’ll undergo after they are treated could also be helpful.
Being informed can reduce your worries. It can also help you listen higher and reduce the quantity of explaining your friend has to do, especially after they’re drained or overwhelmed.
Browse reputable sources similar to Cancer Council website for accurate information so you can have meaningful conversations. But remember, your friend has a trusted medical team that gives personalized and accurate advice.
3. Check in commonly
Cancer treatment can be isolating, so checking in commonly, texting, calling or visiting can help your friend feel less alone.
Normal conversation and sharing a joke can be greatly appreciated. But everyone deals with cancer in a different way. Be patient and versatile in your support – some days can be tougher for them than others.
Remembering key dates – similar to the subsequent round of chemotherapy – can help your friend feel supported. Celebrating milestones, including the tip of treatment or anniversaries, can boost morale and remind your friend of positive moments on their cancer journey.
Always ask if it’s a superb time to visit because your friend’s immune system could also be violated due to cancer or treatment similar to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If you’re feeling unwell, it is best to postpone your appointments, but they might still appreciate a call or text.
4. Offer practical support
Sometimes one of the simplest ways to show care is thru practical support. Help could also be offered in quite a lot of ways, and your friend’s needs may change at the start, during and after treatment.
For example, you could offer to pick up prescriptions, drive them to their appointments so that they have transportation and company to check-in, or wait with them at their appointments.
Meals will all the time be welcome. However, it will be important to remember about cancer and its treatment affect taste, smell and appetite, in addition to your friend’s ability to eat enough or absorb nutrients. You might want to check first in case your child likes any particular foods. Good nutrition can help increase their strength when dealing with the negative effects of treatment.
There may additionally be family responsibilities you can help with, similar to babysitting, grocery shopping, or pet sitting.
5. Explore support together
Studies they showed Mindfulness practices can be an efficient way for people to cope with the anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
If that is something your friend is focused on, it is perhaps fun to explore a category together (online or in person).
You can also help your friend connect with organizations that provide emotional and practical help, similar to the Cancer Council support linewhich offers free, confidential information and support to all people affected by cancer, including family, friends and carers.
Peer support groups it can also reduce your friend’s sense of isolation and foster shared understanding and empathy with individuals who have been through similar experiences. primary care doctors can help with referrals to support programs.
6. Stick with them
Be involved. Many people feel isolated after their treatment. This could also be because regular meetings have been reduced or stopped – which can mean the lack of their safety net – or because their relationships with others have modified.
Your friend may additionally experience emotions similar to worry, lack of self-confidence, and uncertainty as she or he becomes accustomed to: recent lifestyle after completing their treatment. This can be a vital moment to support your friend.
But do not forget: take care myself can be vital. Providing good nutrition, sleep, exercise and emotional support will help you get through this difficult time for each you and the friend you love.
Our research the team is developing recent programs and resources to support caregivers of individuals with cancer. While this can be a difficult experience, it can even be incredibly rewarding, and your small acts of kindness can make an enormous difference.