Wow that's a difficult question! 

You need to develop very good active listening skills and learn very early that cancer patients are as diverse as everyone else. For example, I will happily talk to strangers in a pub or on a train about my condition and its effects on my life but I have friends who are living with cancer to whom these things are very private and they would be very uncomfortable discussing it with anyone - especially someone much younger than they are.

The best way round this is to simply ask at an early stage whether they are comfortable talking to you, if they say no just say well I'll keep this as brief as I can to do my job then.

Bear in mind just where they are on their care pathway as their mental state and attitude will be influenced by this. This can range from newly diagnosed and scared out of their wits through long term survivors who are relatively comfortable living with cancer through to end of life and at peace with the World and the fact they will shortly be leaving.

Always remember that these are human beings and not just "patients" - treat them as you would want others to treat you, or the people that you love, if you were in their situation and you won't go far wrong. 

Finally - a genuine smile goes a very long way :-)

Dave
x

ps for what NOT to say check out www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../12-things-never-to-say-to-someone-who-has-cancer

Wow that's a difficult question! 

You need to develop very good active listening skills and learn very early that cancer patients are as diverse as everyone else. For example, I will happily talk to strangers in a pub or on a train about my condition and its effects on my life but I have friends who are living with cancer to whom these things are very private and they would be very uncomfortable discussing it with anyone - especially someone much younger than they are.

The best way round this is to simply ask at an early stage whether they are comfortable talking to you, if they say no just say well I'll keep this as brief as I can to do my job then.

Bear in mind just where they are on their care pathway as their mental state and attitude will be influenced by this. This can range from newly diagnosed and scared out of their wits through long term survivors who are relatively comfortable living with cancer through to end of life and at peace with the World and the fact they will shortly be leaving.

Always remember that these are human beings and not just "patients" - treat them as you would want others to treat you, or the people that you love, if you were in their situation and you won't go far wrong. 

Finally - a genuine smile goes a very long way :-)

Dave
x

ps for what NOT to say check out www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../12-things-never-to-say-to-someone-who-has-cancer