With almost one in two Australians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, it's likely you will know someone with cancer in your lifetime. You may want to reach out and offer your support but feel unsure how to approach the conversation. We've made a few suggestions below:
Be a good listener
Listening is one of the ways to show you care. Everyone's experience is different and even if you've had cancer yourself, what another person goes through may not be the same as you experienced. Try not to assume how they might be feeling and make time to listen to their concerns.
If they want to share their experience, allow them the time to do so, and try to avoid interrupting, and not offer advice unless your friend has specifically asked you for it. You could offer to drive them to appointments and sit with them during treatment. This is a great chance to be free of distractions and really listen.
Help around the house
Cancer can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed, both physically and emotionally. Many find it hard to ask for practical help. Instead of simply asking what you can do, try to be specific with your offers. For example:
- Would you like me to put your bins out each week?
- Can I mow the lawns?
- I'm going shopping, can I pick up any groceries or your prescriptions?
Other ways you can help around the house include:
- Doing laundry
- Changing the bed sheets
- Gardening - watering, weeding or tending to the plants
- Cleaning common areas or bathrooms
These gestures can significantly ease the individual or family's load and provide much-needed support during a challenging time.
Mind children or pets
If the person with cancer has children, coordinating school/after-school commitments drop off and pickup, can be exhausting. By offering to pick up or drop their child/children or even offering to look after their children for a few hours can be a huge help.
If they have a dog, offer to take it for a walk around the park every few days. These small gestures can make a difference in managing the day-to-day routines that continue even after a cancer diagnosis.
Meal preparation
The side effects of treatment, often makes shopping and meal preparation difficult. Help by preparing easy, nutritious meals that they can pull from the freezer and defrost It is important to check what they can/cannot eat as during treatment many people experience changes in their sense of taste and smell, and often things they used to eat, they find it difficult to tolerate now.
If they have young children,, offer to make meals that are easy for the children to eat For some healthy recipe ideas check out our Live Lighter website.
Coordinate offers of help
Consider organizing a support system using a tool such as the Gather My Crew mobile app. Gather My Crew is a free and easy to use app that helps you coordinate the support that is really needed. The app can help you roster transport to appointments , playdates for the kids, laundry, grocery shopping, social visits and more. Set up a 'support crew' today and make sure that the person you care about gets the help they need.
Continue to offer support
It's important to continue to offer support beyond their diagnosis and treatment. Cancer treatment and recovery can take months, or even longer, so do your best to support your friends throughout their journey. Your support can make a meaningful difference in what is a challenging time.
