Hi there student nurse, welcome to the forum and I'm impressed that you are asking the best way to approach patients diagnosed with cancer. I have been in the hospital so many times over the last 5 and a half years that I've lost count, although I am in Canada, not the UK.  I don't think it matters much where we're from; suffering from cancer doesn't choose favorites and I'm sure we share a lot of the same feelings about it. I've always found that the best a nurse, or anyone for that matter, can say is "how are you doing today?" and/or "can I get you anything," or can I help you with that?" Some of us are quite okay talking openly about our diagnosis and some are not. I'm not sure what demands you have to meet as a student nurse, but here where I am, nurses are going steady all the time and don't have much time to actually spend with patients. Some people are in denial about their cancer diagnosis, so tread lightly there, and still others are really angry about having this terrible disease, so you almost need to know a little bit about your patient before approaching them. Whatever else you do, or don't do, don't say "I know how you feel." Unless you have cancer yourself, you really don't know how we feel.   

As for me, I have always been really open about my disease and will talk openly about it,, but I'm likely among the minority. Most people that I've encountered would rather not talk about it at all, and I guess one has to respect the differences in people.

Thank you for asking this question. You will make a great nurse when you're fully graduated!

I'm sure others on here will have something to offer as well. Good luck with your studies.

Lorraine