Communicating
Cancer Survival Toolbox®
Communicating means letting someone else know clearly what you think and feel, and also learning what the other person thinks and feels.
After listening to the Toolbox program “Communicating”, you will be better prepared to:
- Assert yourself or state positively what you want and need.
- Make “I” statements by saying “I think” or “I feel” instead of saying “you should”.
- Listen actively and check the message. This means listening carefully, showing the other person you are listening, and checking to see if what you heard is what the person meant to say.
- Match verbal with nonverbal communication, that is, match your words to your actions and facial expressions.
- Express your feelings by letting others know how you feel as well as what you think.
Listen Online
Track-by-Track Transcripts
Other Ways to Listen
- Listen as a Podcast — The Cancer Survival Toolbox is available free as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting app.
- Download the Toolbox – You can download the Toolbox programs for free from our online store.
Additional Resources
NCCS believes that cancer becomes a much lesser foe when faced by informed and knowledgeable health care consumers who know how to communicate their needs to those who can be helpful to them as they experience cancer. This booklet focuses on self-training steps and tools to assist and empower individuals dealing with cancer.
Teamwork is a helpful booklet published by NCCS that aims to help cancer survivors better communicate with their physicians. Developed by cancer survivors and health care professionals, this booklet addresses the need for good communication and provides a list of sound, practical questions that patients can use when talking with their doctor.
