Health Tip: Talking About Your Cancer Diagnosis

(HealthDay News) -- If you've been diagnosed with cancer, your family and close friends can be a great source of physical and moral support.

The American Cancer Society suggests how to tell loved ones about your diagnosis:

Don't wait to tell them. Sooner or later, they'll all know. They might feel hurt or left out if they haven't heard about it from you.
Explain what type of cancer you have and how it will be treated. Let loved ones know they can't catch it from you.
Allow friends and family to help you, and tell them what kind of help you need.
Tell the people who are closest to you how you feel. Or seek a support group or counselor to help you talk about your feelings.
If you have friends or family who tell you to "cheer up" when you're not feeling well, politely ask them to just listen without telling you what to do.
Do not force people to talk about your cancer. Instead, find others who are more open to discussion.
If you're feeling sad or depressed, reach out to someone.