Telling people you have cancer takes energy. And, it is a decision you’ll likely have to keep making throughout and after your treatment. And, telling others can open up support in your family, community, university or workplace. 

We also know dealing with other people’s reactions can be intense, and it can be tough to manage how people try to help, which might not always feel helpful (even if it’s offered with good intentions). Read more in for carers, friends and supporters. 

Before telling people and in choosing who to tell you might think about: 

• How much information do I want/do I need to share? 

• What boundaries do I want to set? (e.g. you can ask me about x, but can’t ask about x, please check before visiting or offering help)

After you decide who to tell, how much information you want to share and about any boundaries you want to communicate, you might: 

• ask someone else to tell the people you want to know 

• choose to write and share something, which might be instead of a face-to-face conversation, or something you read during a conversation 

Talking to kids about cancer [website] by NSW Cancer Council