Cancer Etiquette: What to Say, What to Do When Someone You Know or Love Has Cancer

"When a friend or loved one has cancer, do not tell anyone.

Let the patient decide who is to be told.

I had cancer and my dad told the gardener; my tenant told our mutual next-door neighbor; someone else told my ex-husband.

I thought it went without saying that medical issues are utterly private!!!

This book is necessary!

"
~ Written on 2008-04-04

"thought the book was very informative and at a reasonable price-service was quick. book was not too long or boreing--have friends who are dealing with cancer and thought this book would help--it did help on how to talk to them--thanks"
~ Written on 2007-01-10

"THAN YOU to the author is so inadequate for such a book as this.
If there was ever a book that everyone should read this is the one.
Having had three kinds of cancer myself, I can totally relate to so much of what Rosanne Kalick has written. Her book has brought tears to my eyes and smiles on my lips.
I know in my heart that most people mean well with their comments but at the same time they come across as appearing to be brash, uncaring and sometimes downright stupid. When we are in pain, or feeling so sick from our treatments it's often times hard to smile through it all and try not to react to these comments. I know also that many times we as patients tend to over react to what others may innocently say.
This book is a great guide for all of us, both patients, family, caregivers, friends or neighbors. We can all benefit from reading this book and hopefully applying it to our lives.
I have ordered several more copies of this book to share with others. I know it will be going through my church family as well as a lot of my friends. Some are already telling me they can't wait to get their copies."
~ Written on 2005-08-12

"Cancer Etiquette, by Rosanne Kalick, is not only an etiquette guide for friends, family, and caregivers of cancer patients. It not only tells us what to say or not to say; what to do or not to do; what to give or not to give. The book could be thought of as a guide for all our interactions in life, and the love, compassion, kindness, and joy that are so necessary. The author is a two-time cancer survivor who has been able to distill what has happened to her, including her good and bad interactions with people, into this detailed, valuable, life-affirming, and timeless guide."
~ Written on 2005-06-30

"This book will be helpful for everyone. We have all been in the situation of not knowing what to say or do for someone who has cancer...or any other life threatening disease for that matter.

The book is very readable. It's clear, conversational, not heavy-handed at all. Some of the stories are even humorous. It's got a lot of practical advice for friends and relatives, and also for doctors and nurses. There are suggestions of ways to help out and examples of well meaning, but NOT helpful things as well. Ms. Kalick also talks about connections and community and love. She tells of how groups of people have done things to support a cancer patient, and how much it meant to that patient. Again, there are good suggestions of how to go about organizing something.

Ms. Kalick speaks of her own experiences with treatment for 2 different cancers. She is able to tell what made her feel better, and what made her feel worse. Some of her descriptions are very moving, but she is able to poke fun at herself as well.

This book should be in every doctor's office in the country...for all to read in the waiting room, AND for the doctors and staff to read as well."
~ Written on 2005-06-18