Top tips for supporters Professor Jane Turner AM is a psychiatrist and member of BCNA’s Strategic Advisory Group. She shares some of the best ways supporters can help a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer. • Ask what would be helpful to them. • Be a good listener and be responsive. • Google is not your friend. Resist the desire to seek information and rely on your health professionals and trusted sources such as BCNA. • Don’t make assumptions. • Look after yourself so that you too can get through this. This may include exercising, spending some time apart doing the things you enjoy, or talking to a health professional or counsellor. • Ask about changed roles and discuss expectations. Negotiate what is important and what is not, such as domestic tasks. • Set short-term goals and try to have things to look forward to. • Be prepared to share What has worked before in your relationship may be fine – or not. You need to navigate new paths. sadness and grief. If they are upset, don’t tell them not to cry. There are tears to be shed – for both of you. • Let other people help. • Discuss what information they want shared and with whom – they may find it helpful for you to give updates but you need to check how much they want others to know. Read more about how you can support someone diagnosed with breast cancer on My Journey.
Chris and Cindy
Anne and Ros
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bcna.org.au
Issue 91 | June 2022
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