What To Say To Someone Who Has Cancer

Almost everyone knows someone that has battled cancer these days, including myself, and it can be hard to find the right words to say.

You want to be supportive and sympathetic, but I always worry about saying the wrong thing. Unless you've had cancer yourself, avoiding awkward conversation is tough and can even be hurtful if you don't know better.

Well, a blog from the Huffington Post gives some advice with talking to people diagnosed with cancer about their diagnosis, especially if they've just recently been diagnosed.

The first thing you want to avoid is the "I'm so sorry," comments. Rachel Yahne, the author of the blog and cancer survivor, says someone battling cancer doesn't want or need pity.

Saying "Couldn't you have done something to prevent it?" is another thing that you absolutely should NOT say. People might ask if the cancer could have been avoided if they'd only eaten better, or avoided a particular chemical, but these kinds of comments are a sure-fire way to upset someone.

Positivity goes a long way, and making it seem like cancer is the victim's fault doesn't help anything.

There are a few things to say to people diagnosed with cancer that they might even be glad to hear.

Yahne says asking them what they learned from the experience is a way to brighten their spirits. Battling cancer is a highly emotional time in someone's life where one might learn more about themselves and life in general than they ever knew before. Being able to talk about their newly learned strengths and weaknesses, fears, life lessons, and even things they're proud of, can do a lot of good.

Just telling them that they are beautiful or saying "I'm so glad you fought," helps motivate the person to keep up the good fight. We're happy you're with us and keep kicking cancer's butt!