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What to say when you hear someone has terminal cancer. Just tell me what you need. It can sound as if you are not listening to their worries. If someone you know is going through this know that your support is valued.

Equally sending love hugs strength courage etc. Im sorry Im not the best at giving advice but ill try my best. It must be so hard to summarise what your feeling.

Here are a few suggestions for things you could say and things you should avoid saying when someone you know has a sick family member. Sometimes the right thing to say to a person who has cancer is nothing at all. Here are a few more conversation starters.

Often the person will want to talk about their illness. But the persons care continues with an emphasis on improving their quality of life and that of their loved ones and making them comfortable for the following weeks or months. Do tell the person you are thinking of them praying for them keeping them in your thoughts etc.

There are really only two things that need to be said to someone you love facing cancer of any stage. When you reach out to someone to express sympathy your message will be dictated by your relationship with them. Are you sorry that they are going through this.

Listen to what the person has to say without judgment and make sure the individual knows. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If youre really stumped about what to say its OK not to address the illness directly but ask what you can do and to make sure the person knows youre there and available says Kimberly Borzym a chaplain at Advocate Hospice in Chicago.