Cancer causes 20% of deaths and is the leading cause of death in Europe after cardiovascular disease.

Cancer is a major public and global health problem and the patient receiving such a diagnosis is influenced by all aspects and radically changes his/her life and priorities.

Despite the fact that there are state-of-the-art therapies and technology and the illness can be defeated, most people are afraid of this terrible diagnosis. Most of the time, as a friend or relative, you do not know how to react and, most importantly, how to behave to a person diagnosed with cancer.

A cancer patient has probably and definitely is depressed, has insomnia and has been pressed not only with cancer treatment itself, but also psychologically. Gradually, he/she will not want to stay alone at home, so help is always welcome.

Phrases such as "I'm very proud of you," aim to make him/her feel better mentally. Do not tell a cancer patient that he/she is brave because this increases the anxiety and the fear, but you can praise him after every successful treatment.

Listen to him/her whenever he/she wants to talk. Be interested in other aspects of his/her life, not just about the illness itself. For example, you can talk about a good book you just read or comment on a good movie, preferably a comedy to distract him/her from stress.

It is important during your visit to manage to change his/her mood and give him/her the power to fight this terrible illness without talking about it.
You can help him/her choose to talk to a psychologist. Very often support provided by expert advice has a better effect to the patient.

Therefore, if the patient has a positive attitude, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy, he can succeed in overcoming the stress and of course the health problem.

Anna Papetta, Psychologist, B.A.,

Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the Veresies Clinic