8 Things Never To Say To A Cancer Patient

Cancer. It sucks. Maybe the only thing more devastating than receiving your diagnosis is having to tell your friends and family members, and bracing yourself for all of the well-meaning, yet totally hurtful things they are going to say. Ok, maybe it’s not worse than your diagnosis, but it sure isn’t fun, and it definitely isn’t encouraging. Most of the people in our lives have the best intentions, and yet when it comes right down to it, they don’t know how to react, or how to be helpful. This list is a good place to start.

8. My cousin’s neighbor’s sister had breast cancer…

Every diagnosis is different, every patient reacts to treatment differently, and bottom line, what they are going through is not the same as anyone else you know that has cancer. Take time to ask thoughtful questions about where they are at as far as processing their diagnosis, and then actually listen to their answers.

Instead: Focus on what this individual is going through.