What to say to someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer?
What do you say to someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer? What do you do? There is no hard and fast rule. Every relationship is different. We offer advice to help you in the right direction. Zelf kreeg ik, Pien, tot drie keer toe de diagnose borstkanker. Hoe lief bedoeld alle appjes ook waren, ik leerde dat ze niet allemaal even behulpzaam waren. Daarom deel ik uit ervaring wat mij destijds erg hielp.
Diagnosed with breast cancer, now what...
A friend of a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer. In the first few weeks, the world is turned upside down, not only for her but also for her loved ones. Communication can run on hold during this period. Yet, messages of support are especially welcome at that time. So be sure to reach out. Just don't always expect a response.
Later in the process, it can actually become quieter and lonelier. The biggest shock is over and life goes on for others, but for your loved one, it often feels different. It is precisely during this phase that a message of support can make a world of difference.
1. Be open: say that you don't know what to say
What is the right thing to say or do? Because it is difficult to figure that out, silence often follows. Fortunately, that doesn't have to be the case. To break the ice, it is best to be honest. Just say: ‘I don’t really know what to say,’ or: ‘I notice that I’m finding it hard to find the right words.’ You can also say: ‘I’m thinking of you.’ You will see that connection and understanding develop. The conversation will get going naturally, and any tension will disappear. After all, you are only human.
2. Let me help you....
Let me help you by cooking for you tonight. Let me help you by picking the children up from school. Let me help you with a household chore. I have time on Monday and Tuesday to drive you somewhere. Offer help where you can. Try to be as specific as possible about how you can help someone. That way, they don't have to think about it themselves and just answer ‘yes’.
3. Say: "I am here for you"
If you have breast cancer, you certainly live in uncertainty for the first few months. You don't know what is yet to come. What the test results will be. How you will get through treatments. It is all terrifying. Nothing is as supportive as having loved ones you can turn to for tears, a lament, a hug, or simply to be together. A tip for you: stay by the patient's side as they go through their medical process. Say: "I am here for you." Mean it, and support them through thick and thin.
4. Which day would be convenient for a visit?
Humans are social beings. We thrive on personal interactions, especially with those we feel comfortable with. During difficult and emotional times, it is incredibly valuable to offer support and visit regularly, even if only for a short while. However, always try to take the patient's energy level into account, or visit specialists who provide home care. In short: coordinate with the family in advance and visit at convenient times. A card is always welcome.
5. Really not sure what to say to someone with cancer? Send them a card!
Do you still find it difficult to strike up a conversation with someone who has cancer after reading the tips above? Don't feel bad; that is okay. An accessible way to still show support is to send them a card We know from experience how incredibly warm it feels when a card arrives in the mail. The knowledge that someone is thinking of you is heartwarming. A small gesture, but with an immense impact. And simple to do! Via our website easily send a card to someone who could use one.
How Stamps can be of help
When you are ill or grieving, you have a lot to deal with. With Stamps, you don't have to share the same story over and over again. Our user-friendly and free app makes it easy to share your health updates with family and friends. At the end of a program, you can easily create a memory book.
Get started today with the Stamps app. Don't go through a difficult time alone. With Stamps, you stay connected to friends and family, can plan and coordinate appointments and meals from 2025, and experience love wherever you are.
