Cancer etiquettes: Tips on how to converse with a Cancer patient

Cancer is a life-altering disease. It affects your physical as well as mental health. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, there are many emotions that one deals with, be it anger, helplessness, sadness or confusion.

While the patient gets support from their family and friends, the people around the patient can get tongue-tied as to what to say to them. You want to offer a helping hand to them and stay in touch with them in their tough times. So here are some things to keep in mind while conversing with a cancer patient. 

Be a good listener

Listen to them wholeheartedly. Encourage them to talk about their experience and form a connection with them to help them vent out their feelings to you. Offer them words of comfort and lend a helping hand to them whenever needed. 

Don’t be judgemental

Keep it natural and easy-going. Be supportive and help them to cope up with their journey. Avoid asking them questions about their treatment, medications, chemotherapy etc to not upset their peace of mind and don’t be intrusive.

Avoid preaching

While talking to them you might be tempted to suggest them some lifestyle tips or some ways to cheer up, but you don’t know what they are going through. So don’t preach to them and don’t force them to stay positive and happy all the time. Respect their experience and their emotions and simply offer a helping hand and a comforting presence.

Encourage them

Someone suffering from cancer is bound to feel depressed, upset and helpless. So share success stories of cancer patients with them to relieve their mental pressure and to give them confidence and strength to fight the disease.

Keep it light-hearted

While conversing with a cancer patient, try to keep the conversation light-hearted and talk to them about normal, everyday things like movies, social events, trips etc and try to talk about pleasant things to keep their spirits up and to keep them connected to the outside world.

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