Here are some tips from young people with cancer that may give you some handy ideas.

• You may have only just found out that your friend has been diagnosed with cancer or you may have known for a little while. 

• Either way, there are a couple of things you can do to show your support for your friend.

• Here’s a quick list of things that they will appreciate. They've come straight from young people who have cancer, so you know it's good advice.

Top Tips

• Find out about the type of cancer they have and the tests and treatments they will undergo.

• ­Keep in contact regularly: visit them, call, text, Facebook, email... the list goes on and on.

• ­You don’t have to treat your friend any differently, they are still the same old friend!

• ­Don’t assume everything is always bad. There may be bad days, but there are plenty of good ones too.

• ­It’s okay to ask questions.

• ­Check ahead before visiting your friend (especially if they’re in hospital). Unfortunately, some days your friend won’t be feeling up to having visitors.

• ­Talk to your friend about other things that don't involve cancer. Just because they have cancer doesn’t mean everything else in their life suddenly disappears.

• ­Respect your friend’s choices in regards to treatments and medicine, it’s their body and their choice.

• ­Send your friend things to keep them occupied and amused (especially if they’re in hospital). Days can be long and boring when you’re being treated for cancer. Music, movies, funny websites, books, magazines – any distraction helps.

Cancer messing with your friends life?

Cancer messing with your friends life is a postcard for friends of young people living with cancer. It includes practical tips about what you can do to support your friend and stay connected through their cancer experience.

Download your free copy of the postcard at the bottom of this page.