Do you know that rejection and stigmatization kills more than the actual illness?  

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. About 9.6 million people died from the disease last year, according to the World Health Organization — about one in every six deaths. In the United States, an estimated 610,000 people died from cancer last year, according to the American Cancer Society. 

With the ever-increasing number of people living with cancer and other long term illness, how then can we provide meaningful support and care to the victims? 

To answer this question, I recently had the opportunity to speak with Tracey Wallace, an expert caregiver and Head of Marketing at Eternava. 

“We know that care and support are needed in so many different ways to help reduce the negative effects on both the person living with long term illnesses and their families,” she says. 

Although the overall population of the U.S. will increase by 19% by 2030, cancer incidence will rise by more than double that number (45%). However, the good news is; today, people are managing a cancer diagnosis better than ever before, and many are able to manage their treatment over the long term or are even experiencing remissions.

Beyond traditional medicine, (which is vital to physical healing), we need emotional healing that comes from compassion, comfort, and connection with friends and families.

Comfort care is an essential part of medical care. Remember that encouragement and support can help a person with cancer regain hope, even when they feel beaten down by cancer and/or its treatment. 

Below, therefore, are five (5) healthcare tips on how to provide meaningful support and care to family and loved ones suffering from cancer and other long term illness. 

1. Understand The Condition Of The Person:

The first step to providing assistance to someone suffering from cancer and other long term illness is to get familiar with the condition and cancer case of the person. Know what type it is and what stage it is in.

Ask the patient certain questions, ask your cancer center for information, ask questions at doctors’ appointments, research and read more about this condition online. 

Having appropriate information helps to ease some of the victim’s concerns. The victim feels comfortable talking to you, as he knows quite well that you understand how he is feeling. 

2. Be A Good Listener:

Simply listening to someone with cancer may sound easy, but it can be difficult at times. 

Create an environment in which the person with cancer feels comfortable talking about it. It’s not necessary or even possible for you to resolve all of the persons' problems, and any attempt to do so will likely end in frustration for both of you. Listening, though, is an important part of caring for someone with cancer or other long term illness. 

“Most people, suffering from cancer and other long term illness, tend to feel better when they have someone who is willing to listen to them talk with empathy and understanding,” says Tracey. Try to listen to the person and talk about their feelings and emotions about the illness. Remember that it’s easier listening than coping with the loss of your loved ones. 

3. Ensure The Person Gets Involved: 

People like to feel in charge of their own affairs, so even if you're offering physical care to a person with cancer or other long term illness, it's important to let them feel useful!

You can provide care and assistance to someone suffering from cancer and other long term illness by encouraging the person to get involved in the healthcare process. The individual must be involved in decision-making. The goal is to prevent or relieve any psychological effect of the illness and to improve the quality of life of the individual. 

4. Humor Medicine:

Another simple step to providing assistance to someone suffering from cancer and other long term illness is to distract him/her from the illness. 

Laughter is a strong therapy. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Humor can be the best medicine. Be sensitive to the times that your loved one needs to express grief, but be ready to laugh and smile as well. 

5. Help Them Find Help And Support:

Battling cancer and all other types of long term illness is tough. The person needs all the help they can get. Some people who are recently diagnosed may find it hard to take that first step to cancer treatment. Your support and assistance may be helpful. 

There are many online resources that give inspiration on how to care for people suffering from cancer and other long term illness.

In conclusion:

We believe our loved ones live through us, therefore, understanding the potential changes in the way you relate to specific family members and friends suffering from long term illness may help you take steps to grow healthy, mutually supportive relationships during their challenging time.