In our new podcast episode Wait a minute !, one wonders on the eve of the Pink October event: What to say, or not to say to a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer? How to support him in illness, therapy, difficult times such as times of joy? If words can comfort, support a sick person, these words can also fall flat, miss the point, exasperate, even unintentionally hurt.
Avoid comparisons
We will therefore discuss the support of the sick person (with, we hope, the right words) with Charlotte Pascal. Breast cancer survivor, she publishes My best friend has breast cancer at Flammarion (16.90 euros). Charlotte Pascal offers this “little practical guide for those who accompany their friend in the fight against the disease”. As breast cancer affects one in eight women in 2020, so many women, and more rarely men, need you, us, to face this ordeal.
In this episode, Charlotte Pascal returns to the delicate moment of the announcement of the disease to relatives. She advises friends, “Try to keep your wits and think before you speak. The exercise is perilous, especially associated with strong emotions. “She suggests avoiding comparisons, for example by banning:” It’s okay, it’s a small cancer! You know Michel, he has cancer, and it is much more serious, him ”. “Even if it is cancer that can be treated, [la rémission] is not 100%. There are still people dying [du cancer du sein]. And we don’t know if it’s going to be us or not. So, we don’t want our cancer to be minimized by the people who are supposed to support you, ”adds Charlotte Pascal in this interview. “People always put themselves in the place [du, de la malade] by making comparisons. Avoid! », She advises again.
Respect the wishes of the sick person
During therapy, Charlotte Pascal also explains why innocuous sentences, such as: “Rest, don’t do too much, spare yourself a little” can annoy a sick person. ” [La personne malade] knows his limits very well, really very well, even too well. If she wants, and if she’s having a party, let her do it, ”she emphasizes.
You can listen to the entire interview with Charlotte Pascal on your favorite platform, and above.
Wait a minute ! is an original podcast by 20 Minutes. You can find it and subscribe for free on all online listening platforms, including Apple podcast and Spotify. By subscribing for free, you will find our 970 episodes, and will be alerted to new broadcasts. You can also find our episodes in the “Podcasts” section of the 20minutes.fr site. To send us comments, reviews and ideas: [email protected]
