Chances are you have a friend, a sister, or a co-worker that has been told that she has cancer.  Nearly one in every three women will be diagnosed with some form of cancer.  How will you handle it?  What is the right thing to say when someone you are close to hears those devastating words?

Nancy Welty, a nurse from Health East Breast Care Center, Kelly Moor, a cancer survivor and president of Treasured Chests, and Diana Low, employee at 5 Eyewitness News joined Elizabeth for their thoughts on the subject.

According the the American Cancer Society an estimated 269,800 women will die from cancer in 2009.  Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States today, just behind heart disease.  Most of us will be at a loss for words.  There are some things you want to avoid.  Don’t tell them, “It’s going to be okay”.  You don’t know that.  Don’t try to distract them with the joyous things happening in your life.  That will likely make them feel even more sad.  But most importantly, do not abandon this person.  They need you more now than ever.

On the other hand, you want to assure them that you will get through it together.  You are not going to leave them in their time of need.  And, be sure to offer to join them at their doctors appointments, chemo, or wherever you are needed.