Transcript

Some families, they don’t know how to support a woman. Women, I say, don’t treat them like they’re sick. Don’t treat them like they’re invalids. I think you have to take your cue from the woman. On the other hand, they want validation that this is – they’re going through a really tough time. So, it’s a balance. When they’re going through their treatments, I prefer they not be treated like they’re sick unless they really are sick. But, you have to also recognize that this is a really difficult thing.

Breast cancer patients are mostly women. A lot of times I get complaints that their husbands are not supportive. That’s because they don’t know how to be supportive. So, it’s really hard, sometimes it’s a difficulty in communication. It often leads to difficult problems at home. On the other hand, the husband himself is going through his own grief. That’s why we have psychologists. But, a lot of times it never even reaches us because they don’t bring this problem to us. You’ll find out much later what’s been going on at home.

So, there’s no right answer to that. I think the family has to find out what the patient needs, without directly asking. So, it’s a really difficult problem.

---

Go back