As of: March 6, 2024, 3:58 p.m
By: Judith Braun
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If a person gets cancer, it not only has consequences for their own life.
Relatives also often suffer.
How a loved one can deal with such a situation.
A cancer diagnosis is usually a shock for those affected.
At the same time, the situation has an impact on those around you - such as relatives, friends and acquaintances.
According to information from the
German Cancer Society
, in addition to patients, relatives often also need support in how they can deal with the terrible news, the cancer disease and the cancer patient.
Cancer: How relatives of cancer patients can deal with a diagnosis
The first priority is the well-being of the sick family member.
However, relatives should not lose sight of their own needs.
© Pond5 Images/IMAGO
Relatives are often not aware that they themselves need support and a strategy for dealing with the exceptional situation.
“You believe that you have to shoulder all the burdens without making any demands and as a result you lose awareness of your own needs,” says Prof. Petra Feyer, CEO of the Berlin Cancer Society, to the
ONKO internet portal
.
However, sooner or later this leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Therefore, relatives of cancer patients are advised to do the following:
Get help
: If you feel anxious about your loved one's cancer, then confide your concerns to someone.
This could be, for example, a close friend or a psycho-oncologist with whom you can talk openly about your feelings.
According to the German Cancer Society,
free advice and support is available
nationwide at the psychosocial cancer counseling centers of the 16 state cancer societies.
Ask the patient about their wishes
: To relieve yourself, as a relative, pay attention to how you communicate with the cancer patient.
Because there are sentences that it is better not to say to people with cancer.
Well-intentioned advice can sometimes be perceived as patronizing and misunderstood by the person concerned.
It is therefore advisable to ask the sick person directly about their wishes and needs.
For example, you could ask exactly what issues the person concerned needs help with and what they would like to do themselves in everyday life.
To avoid misunderstandings, you should also formulate your wishes in first-person messages when dealing with sensitive topics.
Taking your own feelings and needs seriously
: Even if the support and well-being of the sick family member is the top priority during this difficult time and phase of life, relatives should not lose sight of their own needs.
Therefore, keep checking how you are feeling in the situation, what is good for you and what you want.
Finally, ensure moments of joy and relaxation - without having a guilty conscience.
By regaining your strength, you can continue to support the sick person and give them active support.
Clarify pressing financial questions
: Cancer patients are often no longer able to work full-time and are dependent on financial help.
Therefore, support the sick person in clarifying their financial situation and discuss with them how things should continue economically.
Use time together wisely
: Every hour that you can spend with the sick person becomes a precious and valuable asset after the diagnosis at the latest.
Therefore, you should consider how you would like to use the time together and how you can still bring a little joy into the life of the sick person despite the stroke of fate.
It's best to concentrate on the here and now and try to see the good in order to create connection and depth in your life and in that of the sick person.
No one can take this experience away from you.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.