By National Cancer Institute Content Team — 2021
Cancer can have a long-lasting impact not only on your body, but on your relationships.
Read on www.cityofhope.org
CLEAR ALL
You not calling, as a friend, can actually compound the grief and loss they are feeling. Just pick up the phone, even if you get it wrong, just have a conversation and do your best. Your friend with cancer is still the same person they were before.
For the first time in forever, Nathan Adrian truly has no idea if he’ll have a strong swim Friday. And at this point, it doesn’t really matter to the five-time Olympic gold medalist. He’s simply elated to be back.
‘Skin cancer worked its way into my lymph nodes. I was devastated.’
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Includes Frequently Asked Questions about how to communicate and cope.
Although being in a close relationship during the cancer journey can dramatically improve outcomes, the stress of treatment and the diagnosis itself can take a toll on couples, sometimes in a negative way.
While some may say cancer does not discriminate, certain demographic groups bear a disproportionate burden as it relates to incidence, prevalence, mortality, survivorship, outcomes, and other cancer-related measures.
Information and conversation are key to facing the challenges of care
“For your husband, your illness may have made him acutely aware of not just your mortality, but also his own.”
We each have the power within ourselves to make this diagnosis seem like a gift. Use it to weed out the toxic relationships and reinforce the positive support squad you deserve.
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A common sentiment among cancer survivors is that having cancer really tells you who your friends are.