Do you have breast cancer? How are you coping with this journey with your family and friends?

When your doctor tells you that you have breast cancer, it may feel like your whole life has suddenly changed. That's normal. But it doesn't just affect you. It also affects your family and close friends who love you and are around you. They may feel scared, angry, sad, and helpless, just like you. That's why it's so important for you and your loved ones to understand, communicate, and support each other during this difficult journey.

Let's learn about this together.

When you first learned about this condition, you probably searched for a lot of information about it. You searched the internet, books, and doctors to find out how to cope with it. Just like you, your family and friends are also searching for information. They are searching for information about how to best help you and what to expect going forward.

So, the best thing you can do is involve them in this journey.

• Talk to them about your medical condition, that is, your breast cancer diagnosis .
• Tell them what treatments are being offered and what to expect. Being open in this way will help them overcome any unnecessary fears they may have.
• Whenever possible, when you go to see the doctor, take someone close to you with you . That person can ask the doctor questions and write down important things in a book. Then, if you forget something, that person can remind you. Also, he or she can explain this information to others.

Be willing to adapt to changes.

While you are undergoing treatment, managing the daily tasks at home can be a big challenge. Your husband, wife, mother, father, or best friend can help you share some of the burden during this time.

If someone wants to help you, think of clear, specific things they can do for you. Instead of just saying, "I need help," you can ask for things like:

• "Can you pick up the child from school this afternoon?"
• "Can you prepare some food for me at home on the day I go to get my medicine ?"
• "I need to talk for a bit, do you have a little time?"

Also, remember, not everyone can do everything. Everyone has their own unique talents. Think about it, some of your friends are great at listening to your sadness. Others are great at making you laugh with jokes. Others are great at cooking, taking care of the kids, and doing outdoor chores. So, try to choose the right person for the right job.

If you feel like someone is doing something for you that is difficult for them, delegate it to someone else next time. You can also make a list of things you need help with and ask them to pick something they would like to do. In the meantime, don't forget to thank those who help you and remind them to take care of their lives and health .

It is very important to maintain good communication.

As you receive treatment, your needs may change from day to day and week to week. Some weeks you may need a lot of help. Other weeks you may be so well that you can do things on your own. It is important to talk openly with your family about these changes.

Some things can be a little difficult and uncomfortable to talk about, but it's better to talk about them quickly, before they become big issues.

The table below lists some topics that you and your family should discuss.

It may be hard to talk about these things at first, but it will get easier with time. Remember that everyone is on the same team. Sometimes the wrong words may be said, the wrong things may happen. But be patient with each other.

Get outside help if necessary.

It's important to remember that you don't have to go through this journey alone. When you feel like the burden is too much for you or someone in your family to bear, it's wise to seek outside help.

• Counseling: You can meet with a counselor as a family. Ask your doctor if there are mental health professionals or counselors at the hospital where you are receiving treatment. They can help you make decisions together.
• Support Groups: There are other people in the world who are going through the same thing as you. Ask the hospital staff about support groups that people like you can join. Some cancer organizations also run online support groups. Joining these can help you feel like you are not alone.

Things like this will give you and your loved ones great strength to manage this difficult time.