Well-Meaning But Harmful: Unsolicited Cancer Advice Can Deepen Pain for Patients & Families
Los Angeles, CA – A california woman is urging peopel to reconsider sending articles about cancer research to loved ones battling the disease, explaining that such gestures, while often made with good intentions, can inflict emotional pain and offer false hope. The plea, shared with the nationally syndicated “Dear Abby” advice column, highlights a common experience for those navigating serious illness.
The writer detailed receiving numerous articles and clippings about cancer therapies from friends after a close relative received an incurable cancer diagnosis. She noted the articles frequently detailed clinical trials years away from human application or focused on different cancer types altogether. This mirrored a previous experience when she herself was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago, even receiving information on preventing the cancer she already had.
“Although these items are most often sent with love, they do little to help the individual experiencing the illness and treatment and can cause anger and pain,” she wrote.She emphasized the importance of trusting the expertise of medical professionals, especially oncologists, to provide the most appropriate and up-to-date treatment information.
“Dear Abby” columnist Jeanne Phillips acknowledged the sender’s good intentions, explaining that people often feel helpless when a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness and seek ways to offer support. However, she reinforced the importance of relying on medical experts for accurate information.
Phillips advised readers to understand that these articles are sent “out of a desire to help,” but cautioned that the most reliable source of information remains the patient’s oncologist.
