Actor station: You are a medical student breaking bad news to a patient

remind yourself you are a medical student NOT a doctor, then start off by introducing yourself and ask the patient how aware they are of there current condition. Then ask them if they would like to bring in a friend or a family member in to sit next to them (this mentally prepares them for the bad news so it's not a shock).
Then say 'I have some news that may not be pleasant to here' followed by emotional re-assurance but do not instigate touching the patient. Then follow with medical reassurance, tell them it's not the end of the world and there are treatment options. Do NOT give a false sense of hope by over promising that they'll be cured and they'll be okay. Make sure you are empathetic and emotionally supportive throughout the whole encounter e.g. 'I can only Imagine how you must be feeling' instead of 'I know you must be feeling down'(as the last statement sounds unsympathetic).