Lung cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers face many tough moments in which communicating about cancer care can be difficult:

• An acquaintance approaches a patient with an unproven herbal remedy that will CURE CANCER!
• A spouse wants to express their concern over the patient’s symptoms, or emotions the caregiver is experiencing.
• A healthcare provider believes a test the patient wants will not help them or will delay the start of treatment.

In some cases, the person attempting to share information may know less about the subject than the person they’re talking to, and risks being perceived as condescending. In other cases, the person sharing information may know more about the subject, but might not know how share in a way that’s comfortable for both.

Our #LCSM Chat on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 5 pm PT (7 pm CT, 8 pm ET) will focus on how to communicate effectively and compassionately in some common situations—even when one might feel frustrated, angry, or ignored.

Topics we will discuss include:

• T1: How can a cancer patient/caregiver kindly respond to well-meaning people who suggest unsolicited treatments?
• T2: How can a caregiver start a useful conversation with their cancer patient about significant symptoms or emotions?
• T3: How can a cancer patient or healthcare provider start an effective conversation about care preferences or clinical trials?
• T4: How can healthcare providers compassionately explain to cancer patients why proposed test/treatment is not a good option?

We hope you’ll join moderator Janet Freeman-Daily on Thursday April 7, 2016. If you’re new to tweetchats, please read this primer on how to participate in #LCSM Chats.