CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- April 7 is World Health Day and one disease that affects nearly everyone is Cancer.  

We spoke with Dr. Ashley Sumrall, a neuro-oncologist at Levine Cancer Institute, about what to say and how to help someone who's battling cancer.  When someone learns they have a cancer, it “may be the most difficult news anyone has heard before,” says Dr. Sumrall.

It’s especially difficult for the patient, but it can be almost as hard for family and friends.

“It’s always difficult to share bad news with friends and loves ones and often times even though we care about people we say the wrong thing,” she says.

Being supportive is key, but that means different things to different people. Dr. Sumrall says just being there and listening is huge. Also certain common phrases may not work for everybody.

“I often hear people share their news with family members and they're met with lots of different reactions. A lot of people talk about cancer like a war or a journey and often times these phrases aren’t helpful for families,” she says.

When it comes to offering help, taking initiative can go a long way.

“Imagine you were just diagnosed and you go and tell your family and friends - the number one thing people say is usually, ‘let me know what I can do to help’. While people mean well, it actually places the burden back on the patient.”

Instead, Dr. Sumrall says offer ideas of how to help. Simple tasks can go a long way.  Offering transportation or arranging play dates for kids, delivering cooked meals or helping with household chores can be a big help. Also, keep in mind it's not just the patient that's affected, but also their family.

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