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Supporting a friend through breast cancer
continued from page 2
Enrol support. Don't try to do all this alone - get as many other friends in to help as you can. Also, use the health services' resources. Most hospitals now have a cancer care nurse who is fully trained to offer support.
Get support for you. Your friend will not be the only one who needs support. Don't overstretch yourself and be realistic about what you can do. Make sure that you yourself have help through your fear about her illness. Lean on others - or ring the Cancer BACUP helpline on 0808 800 1234 - if you feel that you need to talk about what is happening.
Finally, if your friend does not recover, the journey that you will both take will be a hard one. Our feature on facing bereavement will help you get through it.
More resources
BACUP, a UK-based support group, has an excellent website that gives you access to information, support groups, a telephone helpline and more. In particular, read the excellent section on how to listen to a friend who has cancer.
Breast Cancer Care is the leading provider of breast cancer information and support across the UK. If you or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer, ring their helpline or visit their website for support.Tel: 080 88 00 6000
What to Do When You Really Want to Help and Don't Know How by Susan Quilliam. My own book on how to help those around you is relevant here. Order it by ringing Vine House Distribution's credit card line on 01825 723398.
The Breast Cancer Book by Val Sampson and Debbie Fenlon (Vermilion, £9.99)
Enrol support. Don't try to do all this alone - get as many other friends in to help as you can. Also, use the health services' resources. Most hospitals now have a cancer care nurse who is fully trained to offer support.
Get support for you. Your friend will not be the only one who needs support. Don't overstretch yourself and be realistic about what you can do. Make sure that you yourself have help through your fear about her illness. Lean on others - or ring the Cancer BACUP helpline on 0808 800 1234 - if you feel that you need to talk about what is happening.
Finally, if your friend does not recover, the journey that you will both take will be a hard one. Our feature on facing bereavement will help you get through it.
More resources
What to Do When You Really Want to Help and Don't Know How by Susan Quilliam. My own book on how to help those around you is relevant here. Order it by ringing Vine House Distribution's credit card line on 01825 723398.
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