This story at a glance…

1. Supporting a friend with cancer can feel overwhelming, but there are practical ways to help.

2. 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will face breast cancer in their lifetime.

3. CNN's Sara Sidner shares five tips based on her breast cancer journey.

4. A special note for those facing cancer.

5 Ways to Support a Friend Facing Cancer 

When a loved one shares the news that they have cancer, your heart sinks. You want to be there for them, but how? You don’t want to say the wrong thing, and you don’t want to be intrusive. For many, breast cancer strikes close to home—1 in 8 women in the U.S. will face it in their lifetime. But knowing the right way to offer support can be difficult, especially since every cancer journey is unique.

CNN’s Sara Sidner, a breast cancer survivor herself, offers five meaningful ways to walk with someone through their cancer battle. Her advice is drawn from her own experience and the journey of her friend and fellow survivor, Ananda Lewis.

1. Reach Out Without Expecting a Response
When cancer treatment begins, life becomes overwhelming. Sidner stresses the importance of reaching out with love but without requiring anything in return. A simple message like, “I’m here for you—no need to reply,” can mean the world. Often, just knowing that someone cares without feeling pressured to respond brings comfort.

2. Feed the Body and Soul
During treatment, cooking can become a tiresome task, and certain smells can trigger nausea. Instead of sending another blanket or candle, Sidner recommends something more practical: food. Whether it’s a meal delivery service gift card or a homemade dish left on the porch, this gesture can offer nourishment without adding stress. Be sure to ask about dietary preferences and avoid strong-smelling ingredients that might be overwhelming.

3. Treat Them With Care, Not Pity
While cancer is serious, your loved one doesn’t want to be treated like they’re fragile or helpless. Sidner suggests lightening the mood where possible—laugh together, talk about everyday things, and keep the friendship going as normally as possible. Sometimes, sharing a funny story or sending a cheerful meme can lift their spirits more than you realize.

4. Share Wisdom, Not Worry
It’s natural to want to relate by sharing personal experiences or stories about others who have had cancer. But Sidner cautions against sharing horror stories or overwhelming them with too much information. Instead, focus on helpful tips—like advice that eased someone else’s treatment experience. Connecting them with survivors who’ve gone through similar treatments can offer guidance and reduce their anxiety.

5. Respect Their Space and Time
Sidner and Lewis emphasize the need for space, especially when energy levels are low. Avoid bombarding your loved one with detailed questions about their diagnosis or treatment plan. Instead, let them share what they’re comfortable with, in their own time. Your role is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where they can be themselves without the weight of constant medical updates.

A Special Note for Those Facing Cancer
Cancer is just a word, not a [life] sentence. It’s a chapter in your life, a diagnosis, but it’s not who you are. Don’t give it power over you. Instead of asking God “why,” start asking “what”—what do You want me to learn through this? Though it may seem overwhelming, when you focus on the lessons God is teaching and the positive steps forward, the journey becomes lighter and healing becomes more attainable. Be mindful of what you feed—both physically and spiritually. Are you nourishing your body with foods that strengthen, or feeding cancer with unhealthy choices? Are you speaking life and encouragement into your spirit, or letting negativity grow? Remember, words have power, and what you say and believe shapes your healing. Just as sickness entered your body, healing can follow. “For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Christ lives in you, and with His power, healing is always possible.

Reflection
Supporting a friend through cancer is a delicate dance of love and patience. As believers, we are called to bear one another’s burdens, offering grace and compassion without expecting anything in return. "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18).  Just as Jesus cared for the sick and weary, we can show His love by simply being present. Whether through a quiet act of service or a gentle word of encouragement, we reflect God’s heart for the hurting.