Offer specific practical support such as cooking meals or transport to an appointment.

What do you say to someone with a terminal diagnosis. Acknowledge what has been said. Let the person know that youre willing to listen and never underestimate the value of your presence. Cook some food clean the house send cards keep in touch often.

Cancer is an illness that not only creates complications for one person but changes the lives of many over the course of the diagnosis disease and treatment. There are really only two things that need to be said to someone you love facing cancer of any stage. Notice cues from the person and respond to these.

It might be different to what you thought. Im sorry to hear what you are going through. Ask permission to raise sensitive topics.

Let each other talk even if you disagree with what the other person is saying. Sometimes the right thing to say to a person who has cancer is nothing at all. Anxiety about saying the wrong thing may encourage you to say nothing which can feel disappointing.

Finding out that somebody you care about has cancer such as leukemia lymphoma or myeloma can be shocking emotional and devastating. Everyone wishes the circumstances were otherwise. Let the individual scream shout punch the wall shake a fist to the sky or whatever else will help.

Dont however try to replace a. Ask the other person what they think or how they feel. And then show up give a.