How do you tell people and what do you tell ?????

I told work colleagues as we were a close knit team and I was going to be off and hate the guessing that goes on with  that.
I initially kept things a bit secret at the beginning as my SIL had just died  and we needed to attend the funeral and support my brother and his family. I expanded that information to all siblings except my brother and his family until after I had a plan. (His wife had died of cancer)
I told my close girlfriends.
So initally I set up messenger groups. Close family one group. Friends another. This way I updated as I had the appointments etc - I was 500k from home)
Then I realised I could  set up a private Facebook account and invite people in. So someone checking out my profile. ..didn't know I was dealing with cancer. But close friends could follow. I included pics etc. and let people know I would so if not wanting to see them to opt out.
I know of  someone who created a second secret group for the more graphic pics. ..if you want that.
My Facebook posts read like a diary. Each chemo was discussed and photographed. Side effects talked about. You could see my ballooning weight. The surgery. Reconstruction and reclaiming  my life. It was a way to really share and it helped me. I had reflective posts. Scared days posts. And fighting spirit posts. 
It's great to go back and read your own story.
Of course you can do that here but not everyone you  might want to see it. For me it was the real face of breast cancer. Not just the pink bits. Kath x

Hi @H_M_A  .....  A tricky one, I know .....

Initially I only told close family (and not even all siblings - just the ones i thought would be supportive, as I seriously thought I only had cysts.)  When the biopsy was positive  -  I expanded it to close friends.   I would do a 'form email' with 'hidden names using 'BCC' " - as it is easier than typing or sending out individual emails to everyone. Let them know in that email that you may not be able to reply to them specifically.

Are you still working?  If you have a surgery date, you will have to advise them - your surgeon will give you a timeframe for recovery ..... just the boss initially ... tho if you are working up to your surgery, you may feel like telling the others too.

Yes, it will upset them, but that is not your worry.  You need to concentrate on YOUR problems, not theirs.   Some will clam up & be unable to communicate with you - they may even shun you.  They are unable to face their own mortality & rather than say something wrong, will not say anything!  You will find support in unexpected people too!!    Accept any offers of help, especially after surgery - be it cooking some meals for you, mowing your grass or whatever - it is a win/win - they feel useful & it IS useful for you xxx

Just take one day at a time & do what you have to do to get you thru it xxx

take care, you can do this xxx

From the BCNA website where there's a wealth of information 

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/talking-to-family-and-friends/