What to say to someone who just found out they have cancer?

What to say to someone who just found out they have cancer?

Here are some ideas:

  • “I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care”.
  • “I’m sorry to hear that you are going through this”.
  • “How are you doing?”
  • “If you would like to talk about it, I’m here”.
  • “Please let me know how I can help”.
  • “I’ll keep you in my thoughts”.

What can I do for a friend going through chemo?

10 Tips for Supporting a Friend with Cancer

  1. Ask before you visit.
  2. Set up a phone team.
  3. Offer to help with daily tasks.
  4. Listen.
  5. Take your cues from your friend.
  6. Remember that everyone’s illness is different.
  7. Reconsider gifts of food.
  8. Give thoughtful gifts.

Does cancer spread more slowly in the elderly?

In order to achieve a survival benefit from screening, patients should have at least a 5-year life expectancy. Many cancers in the elderly are slower growing and may not contribute to morbidity and mortality (risk of lead-time bias).

How do you cheer up someone with cancer?

Although each person with cancer is different, here are some general suggestions for showing support:

  1. Ask permission. Before visiting, giving advice, and asking questions, ask if it is welcome.
  2. Make plans.
  3. Be flexible.
  4. Laugh together.
  5. Allow for sadness.
  6. Check in.
  7. Offer to help.
  8. Follow through.

What should you not say to a cancer patient?

10 Things Not to Say to Cancer Patients

  • Say this: I can’t begin to understand, and I don’t know what to say, but I am here for you.
  • Say this: If you ever feel like talking, I am here to listen.
  • Say this: What day can I come over?
  • Say this: What are you and your doctor thinking of doing?

What makes chemo patients feel better?

Ginger chews, ginger ale and saltines helped Kakutani. Eat small amounts of food throughout the day, said Joanne Taylor, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She also found that chicken, salmon, broccoli and beet juice helped her feel better during chemo.

Is cancer less aggressive in elderly?

The old idea that cancer is less aggressive in the elderly is not entirely without merit: breast and prostate cancers tend to grow more slowly in older patients. But other types—colon and bladder cancer and certain leukemias, for example—are usually more aggressive and harder to treat.

How long can an elderly person live with pancreatic cancer?

Results: Overall median survival was 6.2 months. Patients who underwent surgical therapy had the best median survival rate of 26.5 months, followed by patients receiving chemotherapy (6.6 months), chemoradiotherapy (5.7 months) and best supportive care (3.4 months).

How do you help a cancer patient emotionally?

Ways to Cope with Your Emotions

  1. Express Your Feelings.
  2. Look for the Positive.
  3. Don’t Blame Yourself for Your Cancer.
  4. Don’t Try to Be Upbeat If You’re Not.
  5. You Choose When to Talk about Your Cancer.
  6. Find Ways to Help Yourself Relax.
  7. Be as Active as You Can.
  8. Look for Things You Enjoy.

How can I boost my immune system during chemo?

Here are eight simple steps for caring for your immune system during chemotherapy.

  1. Ask about protective drugs.
  2. Get the flu shot every year.
  3. Eat a nutritious diet.
  4. Wash your hands regularly.
  5. Limit contact with people who are sick.
  6. Avoid touching animal waste.
  7. Report signs of infection immediately.
  8. Ask about specific activities.

Do you ever fully recover from chemotherapy?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again. Read the resource Managing Cognitive Changes: Information for Cancer Survivors for more information about managing chemo brain.

How do you clean the toilet after chemotherapy?

Wash out the bucket with hot, soapy water and rinse it; empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet, then flush. Dry the bucket with paper towels and throw them away. Caregivers should wear 2 pairs of throw-away gloves if they need to touch any of your body fluids. (These can be bought in most drug stores.)

Is 85 too old for chemotherapy?

In most cases, it does not. A healthy older person often has the same chances of responding to treatment or being cured than a younger one. Even for patients with more health issues chemotherapy may help decrease cancer symptoms and growth, and help people live better and longer.

What actually kills you with pancreatic cancer?

If a person can live without a fully functional pancreas, then what, ultimately, kills most pancreatic cancer patients? When most patients die of pancreatic cancer, they die of liver failure from their liver being taken over by tumor.

How long can a 90 year old live with pancreatic cancer?

Why are cancer patients so mean?

Cancer patients simply want to be their old selves, Spiegel says, so they often can fail to make their new needs clear to their loved ones and caregivers, which can lead to frustration and anger.

How long is your immune system compromised after chemo?

Now, new research suggests that the effects of chemotherapy can compromise part of the immune system for up to nine months after treatment, leaving patients vulnerable to infections – at least when it comes to early-stage breast cancer patients who’ve been treated with a certain type of chemotherapy.

Does chemo permanently damage immune system?