How To Support Someone Undergoing Treatment for Cancer

When someone is diagnosed with cancer in your family or friend circle, it is usually a shock and not news anyone wants to hear. After the initial diagnosis is processed, those around a cancer patient are at a loss at what to do and how best to help or support the patient. Having been in this position as a cancer patient before, I thought I would compile a list of things you can do to support someone going through the treatment journey for cancer.

The best way to start is to call the patient and ask what you can do, and see what they say. However, some individuals may not be in a position to fully expressed themselves as they are not used to relying or depending on others.

Here are some creative ideas of what you can offer to do. Support can be:

Listening to any challenges and concerns

Driving a patient to and from medical appointments and treatment sessions

Cooking a meal

Dropping off dvds/cds/books

Pick up and delivery of the patient's favorite take out food

Helping with grocery shopping

Offering to babysit or looking after any children the patient may have

Assisting with household cleaning chores

Communication is extremely important as well. Whether you choose to make a phone call, send an email, mail a card or a note, or visit at home, keeping in touch definitely impacts the spirit of a cancer patient.

Getting a patient out of their home as long as they are feeling good, can be an important part of their recovery process. Being at home can be tiresome for a patient and any type of outing may lift the spirit of a cancer patient. Outings can be initiated by friends or family with an invitation. Extend an invite to a:

Movie

Spiritual or religious gathering

Cafe for tea or coffee

Breakfast, lunch or dinner at a restaurant

Fatigue and tiredness is a common side effect of many cancer treatments. Unfortunately, during this time, exercise is often neglected or sometimes considered too much work for a patient to take on. However, support can be extended by suggesting that you join a patient for easy exercising like:

walking

swimming

yoga

stretching

It is motivating when a patient has company to do things with, whether it is exercise, going shopping or just plain getting out of the house. The key is to lend a helping hand and I am sure anything you do will be appreciated. Remember you can make the difference in the life of another.

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