Almost everyone I know has been affected in some way by cancer. Whether fighting it personally or supporting a friend or family member though it, we have all been touched by this terrible disease.Last month, I attended high tea at the beautiful King Edward Hotel to talk about cancer and how we can best support the women in our lives who are dealing with it.
Lena, from Listen to Lena, hosted this informative and empowering event, where we listened to Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley speak about the heartening breast cancer statistics (breast cancer deaths have decreased by 42% since the peak in 1986), as well as inspirational stories from a cancer survivor.
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| Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley from St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr. Brezden-Masley also shared with us some ideas about how to best support a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Here are some tips:
- Ask her how she’s doing. This seems simple, but many people are too afraid to ask.
- Volunteer to accompany her to doctor’s appointments; if so, take notes because she may be too overwhelmed to remember everything
- Ask her what she needs. It may be helping out with meals or babysitting her kids for an afternoon… ask so that your time/resources are concentrated on what she would find most helpful.
Breast cancer is a horrible disease, but we can all be empowered to enrich the lives of the women around us who are battling it. Through supporting each other and arming ourselves with knowledge about our own family’s cancer history and ways we can take better care of our bodies, we are taking baby steps towards a future where the word cancer doesn’t seem as scary.
Find out more at HerHistory.ca.
This article has come at a timely point. My mom is struggling with stage 4 breast cancer.
I am devastated. I never realized or understood how cancer affects families until now. It has really opened my eyes to all THOSE around me.
So sorry to hear that your Mom is going through a difficult time. I'm sure your love and support mean the world to her. Thinking of you and your family… stay strong.
Lisa, this post was really moving. It's so true how almost everyone we know has been touched in some way by cancer. Be it personally or through a loved one, cancer strikes the lives of everyone. I have dozens (not joking…dozens) of loved ones who have had breast cancer or who are undergoing treatment now.
What a great event this sounds like. Thanks for sharing.
Such great tips. Unfortunately, I also know too many people affected by cancer. Sometimes it may feel like we can't help out but it's just about the little things that go a long way. Thanks for sharing
What a fantastic post! I think many people don't know how to react or help out when they find out a loved one or friend has cancer. As Maya said, I agree, it is the little things and knowing that people care!
Very true, Maya… the little things really *do* matter. 🙂
Thanks Christine. It is sad to hear how many people (many of them friends and loved ones) are fighting this terrible disease, but nice to know we can support them in some small way.
Thanks MTM. 🙂 A blogging friend was diagnosed with cancer recently and it helped knowing what to say to her that would make her feel supported.