How Should You Help? Try This!
How can you help? Get some ideas from these breast cancer survivors … and download the tip list!
Remember that, just like each person, each breast cancer journey is unique. Personality, life situation, support network, values and beliefs all affect how a person will react to treatment, side effects – and social support.
How should I offer to help?
Surprisingly, asking a newly-diagnosed patient what you should do to help is not always helpful! Most newly diagnosed patients don’t know what they should be doing, much less you! Learn how to offer help. (Tip: Be specific!)
What about food?
Cancer treatment can affect what and when a patient can – or wants– to eat. Get some ideas about organizing meals and what to prepare.
What about organizing help?
Organizing the people who want to help a patient can be as helpful as the help! Whether it’s an old-fashioned phone tree, an email list or a sign-up website, organizing help helps the patient get what they need, when they need it.
What about the kids?
A parent’s cancer is a special challenge for children of any age. Patterns are disrupted and parents are stressed. Listen to some observations of children as their mothers went through breast cancer treatment. Learn how to help the children, too.
Should I visit?
Visiting patients during treatment can bring welcome distraction from side effects and the world of cancer… or be a burden on a bad day. Learn about visiting, and what to do while you’re there.
What should I do for the caregiver?
Partners, spouses, significant others, children and best friends can all take the role of the primary caregiver. Added to the concern for their loved one are often household responsibilities and personal care for the patient.
The best thing!
What is the best thing you can do for a loved one in treatment? It depends on the person!
The kindness of strangers!
What is the best thing you can do for a loved one in treatment? It depends on the person!
This website is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.