What to Do When a Loved One Says, "I Have Cancer"
Tuesday, 18 October 2016Anyone who has been given a cancer diagnosis makes an immediate re-calibration of every previously held ambition.
Friends and loved ones often don't understand how priorities held for a lifetime can change overnight when someone learns that he or she has cancer.
Reactions to a cancer diagnosis, regardless of the prognosis, will vary according to personality… but, each person will experience an onslaught of fear, worry and uncertainty.
A recent report from the National Cancer Institute estimated 14 million people in the U.S. have had a cancer diagnosis, but that number is expected to grow to 19 million by 2024. More and more people must struggle with how to face the new reality of a life-threatening disease.
And, over on the sidelines, friends and loved ones struggle with how best to support them.
Consider these five approaches to supporting your loved one with cancer...