New campaign encourages open conversation about cancer

It is often difficult to find the right words to use when discussing a cancer diagnosis. Fondation Cancer hopes the new campaign "Comment te dire?" (How to tell you?) will encourage patients and loved ones alike to speak openly about the illness.

The campaign will target current and former patients, as well as their support circles, asking them which words helped them come to terms with their diagnosis.

Martine Risch, a psychologist with the foundation who specialises in treating people affected by cancer, said it is common for someone to struggle to speak about a diagnosis, because the illness causes fear. She said people often did not know what to say to someone with cancer out of fear of saying the wrong thing, which frequently leads to people saying nothing at all. Prior to the pandemic, Risch encountered many patients who expressed disappointment about how many people in their close circle withdrew following a diagnosis, at a time when a cancer patient is most in need of support.

There is no such thing as the perfect response to such a situation, according to Risch. However, some things hurt more than others, she said, such as statements that disregard the severity of the diagnosis, or others that fail to support or understand the patient's need for companionship or support.

Despite this, Risch said it was important for friends and family of cancer patients to stay in touch, rather than distancing themselves from a patient for fear of handling the situation poorly. One option is simply to say they don't know which words to use, she added.

The foundation's campaign is particularly focused on obtaining witness accounts from patients or their loved ones, which they will seek to publish on their website and social media. In order to participate, simply visit Cancer.lu, and complete the questionnaire which is available in German or French at present.