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’s parent or brother or sister has been diagnosed with cancer or you may have known for a little while.

• Either way, there are some 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 a family member with cancer, so you know it's good advice.

Top Tips

• Find out about the type of cancer their parent or brother or sister has 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.

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

• Give your friend things to keep them occupied and amused when they're going to the hospital with their family members. Days can be long and boring when you’re waiting around in hospital. Music, movies, funny websites, books, magazines – any distraction helps.

• ­Or even better, offer to come along with them to the hospital to hang with them and keep them company for the day. Your friend might not say yes, but they will appreciate the offer.