Premature Breast Cancer?

[Maria Maria]

A really good friend of mine just got diagnosed with premature breast cancer. She's 12. I have no idea how to help her or not make things worse becasue I have a habit of making ignorant jokes that have to do with stuff like that (I know, I'm really trying hard to stop) but she REALLY needs comforting. She has no idea what's going to happen to her, and we're all scared to find out.
Please, if anybody knows how to handle this, your help will be greatly appreciated.

[sal]

It is unusual to develop breast cancer at such a young age. I would suspect that she a a genetic predisposition to developing breast cancer. Exposure to radiation is also a possibility. She should see an oncologist from a reputable institution to perform tests. Oncologist are specialist in this field. Family doctors as well as surgeons do not have this degree of experience with cancers.

[TravelDoc]

It is difficult to believe that she really has cancer.

At least, that it is "breast cancer."

That diagnosis rarely happens before the age of 20 and I have never even heard of anyone getting breast cancer that young.

Perhaps she has been misdiagnosed.

And despite the fact that I am a family doctor, the gentleman who suggested an oncologist is correct.

Have her seen by a pediatric oncologist at a University setting.

Hopefully, they will discover whoever read her biopsy slides was wrong - and yoiur friend will be perfectly fine.

[TravelDoc]

It is difficult to believe that she really has cancer.

At least, that it is "breast cancer."

That diagnosis rarely happens before the age of 20 and I have never even heard of anyone getting breast cancer that young.

Perhaps she has been misdiagnosed.

And despite the fact that I am a family doctor, the gentleman who suggested an oncologist is correct.

Have her seen by a pediatric oncologist at a University setting.

Hopefully, they will discover whoever read her biopsy slides was wrong - and yoiur friend will be perfectly fine.

[TXChristDem]

Just be yourself. If cracking stupid jokes is your thing, then being someone else will be fake to her.

Sit with her, pray with her, and let her know you are there for her. There is no road map or instruction book for helping a friend with cancer. Just be sensitive to her needs.