I’m going Pink for October and the following post is published in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month. The following information is strictly my opinion based on articles I have come across and read and also from past experiences of my own.
If you know someone with breast cancer, it can be difficult to talk to them. Most people do not know what to say, for fear of making the patient miserable. We are constantly afraid that words which we think are comforting can sometimes be misconstrued as being too cliché, so much so that the essence of it is lost to begin with. On the other hand, when we don’t say anything and keep silent, the patient might be left to feel as a recluse, not knowing what we feel or think.However, here are a few things I think we should keep in mind when we are with a breast cancer patient:
- Never tell them “You should not have done this” or “You should not have done that”. It is hardly ever their fault that they have cancer to begin with.
- Support them and their choice. If a patient chooses to have mastectomy done instead of just a removal of the breast tumor, don’t undermine their decision.
- Too many suggestions for cancer remedies can overwhelm the patient at times. Some cancer patients smile and take in this information out of courtesy, but try not to force these *tried and tested methods on them.
- Give them a hug and a smile. Sometimes your presence is all the support they need.
- Sometime all they need to hear are things other than cancer. So tell them stories about what you have been up to, and if you have the ability to tell a good joke, go ahead.
- Offer to pray with the patient. Knowing that God is with them, keeping a watch over them is very comforting.
- Just listen. And believe that that your loved one will get well.
More reading material here:
What to say to someone with Cancer
What do you say to someone with Cancer?
Little Miracles
Our Journey of Love
Breast cancer is such a tricky subject. I guess prayers and hugs work quite well, hor?
The Giddy Tiger says: Very tricky, and any kind of cancer for that matter. 🙂
Nice info!! 😀
Of cos, it’s also important for females to do their self-examination every so often. )
The Giddy Tiger says: Yep, good that breast cancer awareness has gotten even to you 🙂
I know only too well for having survived cancer before. Thank you for the lovely post – it really touched me! As I have recently bloghopped here via PE I hope you’ll allow a link/backlink to your lovely blog.
The Giddy Tiger says: Thanks for coming by, you’re a true survivor! And yes, of course I welcome a link back to my blog.
thanks for the post. it is so sweet of u to write this :p
The Giddy Tiger says: You are most welcome!
Very enlightening, yes.. It is so true ~ sometimes, we really don’t know what to say..
The Giddy Tiger says: You’re absolutely right, that’s why sometimes silence is golden.
And when somebody says that she is a breast cancer survivor, don’t look straight to her chest, it’s d*mn rude.
BTW, whatever happened to Commentluv?
The Giddy Tiger says: You’re absolutely right. Oh, I removed that plugin because it didn’t work really well. Let me investigate further 🙂
LOL! I am late… Happy belated birthday to your darling, k?
Anyway,I think there are always hopes for the cancer patient if they work a little bit hard on their diet at least,my MIL did it. 🙂
The Giddy Tiger says: There is always hope if we believe 🙂
thanks for sharing, my dear. it’s true what they say, that there’s really no appropriate words except to be there for them when they need us. I’ve had a couple of relatives who had cancer, and sometimes it’s just awkward trying to think of something “appropriate” to say. I definitely try to distract them like what you said in #5…
The Giddy Tiger says: I know what you mean.
I think this is a great post. Often I feel so guilty around sick people and I do not know how to act. This will help me loads. Thanks. 🙂
The Giddy Tiger says: Do feel free to add on to my list, if you have any other suggestions 🙂 Glad to know this post helps.