What can I do? What can I say?

 

When someone has breast cancer it’s scary for them – and for you! What can you do to really help? What should you say? Is it better to just listen? There are as many ways of being a good co-survivor as there are people! The qualifications? A willingness to be yourself and be present.

What else do I need to know?

Breast cancer can change the lives of those affected and those around them. Get help on how to talk about tough subjects, stay flexible, make adjustments, deal with change and stay open and honest with each other about feelings, needs and expectations.

Talking with Your Partner
Talking with Your Children
Support After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Sexuality and Intimacy After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
End-of-Life Care
Follow-up After Breast Cancer Treatment

Want to learn more about breast cancer? Read our other Fact Sheets  or visit our section on Support.

How else can I help? 

Looking for more ways to lend a hand to those with breast cancer? There are lots of ways to help out, show you care and make others aware:

• Create an online calendar to organize meal deliveries, rides and other tasks to assist your loved one as he or she travels the breast cancer journey.
• Bring together family, friends and coworkers to help support and care for your loved one through a caring social network and planner. CaringBridge provides sites where friends and family can stay connected and updated on someone’s health event and leave messages of hope and encouragement. The planner also gives you the power to set a community of support in motion by organizing meals, tasks and other helpful activities.
• Join us in a Komen Race for the Cure® or More than Pink Walk, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.
• Komen is lucky to have so many corporate partners in the fight against breast cancer Learn how you can participate in raising money and awareness for breast cancer by participating in these events or buying these everyday products.

Need someone to talk to? Necesita hablar?

Feeling overwhelmed? Call our Breast Care Helpline and talk with one of our trained and caring staff members. The helpline can help you find more information, talk you through your questions or just help you get through a rough spot. Call the breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636), Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET or email at helpline@komen.org. Se habla Español.

 

Updated: April 7, 2021