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Supporting a friend through breast cancer
continued from page 1
Respect a decision. When it comes to treatment, your friend may not necessarily make the same decision you would choose. She may opt for surgery when you would go the other way. Remember that it is her life, not yours, so support her decisions.
Give practical help. Cancer treatment is far less exhausting and debilitating than it used to be, but your friend may still need practical help - cleaning, shopping, washing, babysitting, phone calls to make to family, friends and colleagues. Don't offer to do more than you can - but do offer!
Living with illness
Expect a mourning process. Whatever treatment is offered, there will be a sense of loss. Surgery can leave a patient feeling that she has lost her femininity and sexuality. Radiotherapy can remove fertility. So expect your friend to grieve.
Support the fear. Every cancer patient fears a recurrence, so don't dismiss your friend's worries, however positive her prognosis. You can again help by gathering information about her particular situation - and, as always, by listening and understanding.
Affirm life. It will also help to support your friend to live life to the full, to get out, to do things, to enjoy things. If she feels unable to do this, depression may be setting in - she may need to see her GP.
Respect a decision. When it comes to treatment, your friend may not necessarily make the same decision you would choose. She may opt for surgery when you would go the other way. Remember that it is her life, not yours, so support her decisions.
Give practical help. Cancer treatment is far less exhausting and debilitating than it used to be, but your friend may still need practical help - cleaning, shopping, washing, babysitting, phone calls to make to family, friends and colleagues. Don't offer to do more than you can - but do offer!
Living with illness
Expect a mourning process. Whatever treatment is offered, there will be a sense of loss. Surgery can leave a patient feeling that she has lost her femininity and sexuality. Radiotherapy can remove fertility. So expect your friend to grieve.
Support the fear. Every cancer patient fears a recurrence, so don't dismiss your friend's worries, however positive her prognosis. You can again help by gathering information about her particular situation - and, as always, by listening and understanding.
Affirm life. It will also help to support your friend to live life to the full, to get out, to do things, to enjoy things. If she feels unable to do this, depression may be setting in - she may need to see her GP.
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