How To Tell If Someone Is a Cancer Patient

Not all Cancer Shows.

Many people are fighting the dreadful disease of cancer these days. It seems that more and more are suffering. Many people you know may be fighting cancer and you don't even know it. Cancer doesn't always leave a calling card that announces the person is suffering. Today's treatments are better equipped to fight this disease with less side effects than in earlier years. You may know of people going through chemo now and they still carry on with their everyday lives. It is important to know if a friend or loved one is fighting cancer so that you can be supportive of them through the fight. A cancer patient needs lots of love and support as cancer is a hard thing to fight alone.

Step 1

The most important thing to know is that each cancer patient deals with their cancer battle in a different way. Your friend or loved one may not want to talk about their disease or they may be open to talk about it freely. It is important to respect their wishes and help them in what ever way works best for them. If they are not able to discuss it, find ways to let them know you support them and are there for them if they do need to talk.

Step 2

Chemo and radiation have many lasting side effects that only a cancer survivor can know. They can ravage the body and leave you weak and lifeless. A cancer patient will need lots of TLC through their treatment. It often helps if someone comes over to clean their home or do simple things such as laundry. A warm cooked meal, can go a long way to helping a cancer patient. Make sure that you check with them to see what foods they can tolerate as chemo and radiation can often cause nausea.

Step 3

The most important thing about dealing with a cancer patient is to never stare at them. When you are suffering from this disease and losing your hair from harsh treatments, you already feel like a freak. You don't want people staring at you and making you feel worse about yourself. Even true sympathy and care can come across to making the patient feel bad about themselves. Never assume anything about anyone unless you know for sure. Let that person tell you about their disease and don't pry.

Step 4

Be more kind than is necessary. People need kindness whether they are suffering from a disease or not. Cancer patients often feel alone in the battle because people feel uncomfortable talking about the disease. One of the worst things you can do to a cancer patient is tell them horror stories about other cancer patients. Many people tend to bring up these stories to have something to talk about, but it can make the cancer patient feel truly uncomfortable. Be kind and considerate and don't talk about their cancer anymore than they want to.

Step 5

Be there for the cancer patient. Be there to help them and support them. They will need lots of support. They will sometimes want to be alone. Sometimes they will cry and sometimes they will be angry. Going through cancer is often like the stages of death. Bear with your loved one or friend as they are going through this disease. It takes a lot of strength to fight this disease and many people end up doing it alone. Be there for them, and they will truly appreciate your efforts.

Tips

• Don't stare.
• Don't assume you know how they feel.
• Be there for them.
• Let them talk when they want to and be silent when they don't.

 

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