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Monday, April 10, 2017

Cancer: Telling Family and Friends (Research, Video 3:11)

You’ve received the phone call about a positive biopsy. Yes, it’s cancer. Now what? At some point after the diagnosis, a decision must be made about how family and friends will be told this information. This may be difficult, particularly for those who don’t want to burden others with their problems or who are used to handling their problems independently. But sharing this information is supported by research as contributing to quality of life.

In a study including 45 cancer patients, researchers investigated the association between cancer patients' ability to share information about their illness with selected others and their quality of life. This was the conclusion:

Encouraging patients to share information about their experience of cancer may help to improve their quality of life. Attachment security (emotional bonding with others) seems to promote social sharing.

In this video, Tamarin Severin, who was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts, shares the plan she created to inform her husband, son, mother, and later her friends. She put a lot of thought into how to do this and was very pleased with the results.


Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

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