Many patients even say it’s the hardest part about receiving a cancer diagnosis.
If you’re still trying to process the news yourself, you may not want to rush into this conversation. On top of the range of emotions you’re likely to be dealing with, you’re also probably trying to gather and understand a whole raft of information about your cancer and considering your different treatment options.
However, depending on your diagnosis and personal situation, there may be some practical reasons to tell your family earlier than you think. For example, you may want someone to be with you during appointments to help you understand and gather all the facts. You may need help with transport, childcare or other tasks while you’re getting treatment. And if surgery is needed, you might need help at home as you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days.
If you do think the time is right, here are some things you might like to consider when choosing how to tell people about your diagnosis.
Cancer is a very personal experience, and people have different levels of comfort about sharing personal health information with colleagues. You might consider how much you share about your cancer and how you would like to answer questions from concerned colleagues.
Even if you decide not to tell anyone about your cancer diagnosis, you can still get advice, counselling, financial or practical help from a number of different cancer support services. If you would like help, please reach out to your Icon care team who can help you find services in your local area.
Telling young children about a cancer diagnosis can be especially challenging. They may worry that their parent or grandparent won’t recover or that they will get sick too. Cancer Council of Australia has developed an information booklet on Talking to Kids About Cancer that can help.
Recently, we asked our Icon Facebook community to share their advice for telling friends and family about their diagnosis. Below is some of the personal experience they shared that may be helpful to you:
Hardest thing to do, just keep it simple and honest. Be truthful and don’t hide anything.
Learn as much as you can first and then tell family. That way you can give as much info as possible. Helped with my kids.
Being open and honest and raw with loved ones. We cried together, laughed together and nothing was off the table. We addressed everything and anything. There would never be an elephant in the room.
It was very difficult but I put myself together and I told them. They were very supportive and full of love and understanding.
It was really hard to tell my adult kids, but honesty is the only way because they need the facts to understand what's happening. They're part of your village and you will need them for strength, you just don't know it yet.
My cancer was found while having a routine check for something else, so I was so shocked I just couldn’t hide that something was wrong. So I sat family down and explained what I knew at the time. Since then I have involved them in every appointment, treatment, surgery etc. I feel the more they know and involved the more prepared they are.
We were very upfront with everyone about my hubby's cancer. We wanted to increase awareness of the occurrence and to make sure that others are having precautionary testing on a regular basis. Early detection is a life saver.
Telling friends and family. Cancer Council. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/after-a-diagnosis/telling-friends-and-family
Telling others about your cancer. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/telling-others-about-your-cancer.html
The content found on the Icon Cancer Centre website is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. It is not a substitute for consulting with a qualified medical professional. Our website is designed to provide information and support to the general public. Please be mindful that we do not dispense medical advice, and for personalised medical guidance, we strongly advise you to consult with a qualified medical professional or doctor.
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