Finding the Right Words to Say to Comfort Cancer Patients
- Singer-songwriter Sam McClymont, 38, of ‘The McClymonts’ is undergoing treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease.
- She draws attention to positive ways people wishing to offer words of encouragement to cancer patients can avoid inadvertently coming off as dismissive. This includes acknowledging the emotions associated with hair loss and body changes during treatment.
- The American Cancer Society recommends that people wishing to offer encouragement to cancer patients “Try to hear and understand how they feel. Don’t make light of, judge, or try to change how the person feels or acts. Let them know you’re open to talking whenever they feel like it.”
- “Triple-negative” means the cancer is not fueled by any of the three main types of receptors: estrogen, progesterone, or the HER2 protein. Because of this, the cancer won’t respond to certain common therapies.
- In addition to surgery and radiation, chemotherapy is a mainstay of treatment for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Different chemotherapy combinations may be used to treat this aggressive form of cancer.
Singer-songwriter Samantha McClymont of ‘The McClymont Sisters’ is living with aggressive breast cancer. During her months-long journey, the mother of two points to something many cancer patients often experience but may find hard to share with concerned loved ones.
McClymont recounted some of the comments told to her by people attempting to be supportive as she navigated her way through the various stages of battling cancer.
Read MoreView this post on Instagram
Samantha, 38, is part of a country music group. Alongside her sisters Brooke and Mollie, they’ve produced songs like “Don’t Wish It All Away,” “Here’s to You and I,” and “Forever Begins Tonight.”
“Listening and being there for support is the best thing you can ever do,” McClymont said in a candid Instagram post.
View this post on Instagram
“Someone needs to feel like they are being heard during this process. So, before you say to someone with cancer, ‘It’s only hair,’ maybe pause, realize what a significant change they are about to embark on, and allow your friend the space to grieve their old self,” McClymont added.
While acknowledging the desires of loved ones simply wishing to offer words of encouragement, the singer-songwriter hopes by sharing the power of words, cancer patient supporters will focus more on listening when offering support.
“Listening and being there for support is the best thing you can ever do,” McClymon said.
Expert Resources on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Chemo Plus Immunotherapy for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- New Study Identifies Genes Linked to Increased Risk for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Treating Early Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- More Than 80% of Women With Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Experienced a Prolonged Event-Free Survival With Keytruda Plus Chemotherapy Regimen
Thoughtful Ways to Support Loved Ones Battling Cancer
As McClymont suggested, when talking to someone diagnosed with cancer, one of the most helpful things to do is listen. This advice is also recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
“Try to hear and understand how they feel. Don’t make light of, judge, or try to change the way the person feels or acts. Let them know you’re open to talking whenever they feel like it,” the ACS says.
It’s not uncommon for cancer patients to associate their diagnosis with a sense of stigma, which can lead to feelings of depression and isolation. It’s during these emotional moments that having support matters most. Remember to be respectful and sincere.
Some helpful conversation starters may include:
- What do you need, and how can I help make your day easier?
- I know you’re going through a lot, and I want you to know that I care.
- If you want to talk about your treatment, its side effects, or something unrelated to your diagnosis, let me know. I’m always here to talk.
Remember, mental health professionals are also available to help patients and their loved ones work through the new dynamics of their relationship following a diagnosis.
Sam’s Breast Cancer Journey
Sam MyClymont was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) means your cancer is not fueled by any of the three main types of receptors — estrogen, progesterone, or the HER2 protein. Because of this, the cancer won’t respond to certain targeted therapies, including hormone therapy or HER2-targeted agents like Herceptin. Chemotherapy is typically the treatment, and there are several options.
WATCH: Treating triple-negative breast cancer.
If the triple-negative breast cancer patient does not have many symptoms, oral chemotherapy like Xeloda (generic name: capecitabine) may be prescribed. If the patient becomes resistant to the oral chemodrug, IV (intravenous) chemotherapy may be offered weekly or bi-weekly.
McClymont described her cancer journey as a “full-time job” while also raising a family.
“Being diagnosed at 38 with triple-negative breast cancer has certainly been life-changing. Everyday I am learning to give up control of things I cannot change, and hand myself over to fighting this,” McClymont said on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
McClymont has leaned on family to help her with her children on tough chemo days.
“I am so thankful to Ben and our family and friends, who have spent so much time with the boys while I have been undergoing chemotherapy,” McClymont said.
“These last few rounds have knocked me pretty hard, so they have had sleepovers with their cousins, play dates with friends, and time with their Grannies. I can’t wait until I can keep up with the boys again,” she added.
Understanding Sam’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease and accounts for about 20 percent of all breast cancers. The treatment approach varies from patient to patient and may include a combination of different treatments.
Early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treatments may use a combination of chemotherapy drugs.
For example, a CMF regimen is an abbreviation for combining chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil. AC stands for doxorubicin (Adriamycin) with cyclophosphamide, and ACT just indicates that a taxane drug is added to the regimen. Likewise, TC is an abbreviation for a regimen of Taxotere and cyclophosphamide.
In 2021, the FDA approved the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab for the treatment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is already used to treat other cancers, including melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Doctors heralded the FDA’s approval of pembrolizumab as a potentially paradigm-shifting advancement in breast cancer treatment.
For patients with stage 2 or 3 TNBC, adding the immune-boosting medication pembrolizumab to combination chemotherapy before surgery increases chances of living free of breast cancer, explains oncologist Dr. Sylvia Adams, director of the Breast Cancer Center at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
She was one of several researchers involved with the pembrolizumab trials. “It changes the standard of care and should be discussed with all patients diagnosed with stage 2-3 TNBC,” she adds. “Yes, it’s a game-changer, though there is much more to be learned.”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
