What Should I Say?

You may be wondering what you can say to your loved one with cancer to relieve their pain and anxiety. You may have accompanied your loved one during his or her medical appointments, and you may have felt like the healthcare professional seemed to have all the answers. However, no one expects you to have every answer.

CancerCare and ACS have some advice for talking to a loved one with cancer. Be a listener first. Some loved ones with cancer may just need to express their feelings; others may not want to talk about cancer at all. Encourage him or her to share feelings with you-but don't push your loved one to talk. You may want to share your own feelings, too.

Sometimes, you don't have to say anything. You may not know the right words to make your loved one feel better, but just being present often is a great comfort to your loved one. Try giving a hug or simply holding hands.