Six Tips To Help You Talk About Your Cancer

1. Practicing what you want to say can help you keep in control.

Suggestions regarding what you might think about include

• *who do you want to tell?*
• *do you want to tell people how your treatment is going?
• *would you prefer a family member to tell people for you?
• *do you want to see people?
• *who do you want to see?
• *do you want to tell people the type of cancer you have?

2. Remember there are no rights or wrongs when it comes to the language you use to describe how you feel.  It can be useful to let others understand what works for you and that each day could be different.

3.  Letting people know how you would like them to respond when you’re feeling a bit down can make it easier for you and them.  This can also help you get the support you need when you need it.

4.  It is a good idea to let your work and any social groups that you belong to know how you want to talk about your cancer.

5.  Take the time you need to think about what the next phase of your life might look like.  Then, importantly, let your partner and loved ones know.

6.  You might find comfort in speaking with other people who are going through the same thing, for example

• A group of people at work who are living with or have had cancer.
• A charity support group or a network of people with the same type of cancer and/or treatment as you.

Further reading

Practical suggestions for helping a friend with cancer

Cancer blog

The Cancer Shop – All The Items You Need When You Have A Cancer Diagnosis

How To Support Someone Going Through Chemo: Easy and Not So Easy Tips