Helpful Tips on Caring for Cancer Patients
Cancer patients face many challenges, from physical symptoms to emotional stress. And caregivers have a major part in not just easing the burdens, but also looking after themselves at the same time. Both to be a better carer, and for better mental health.
These days, cancer is not always a death sentence. But it’s still a serious illness and sometimes can be terminal. Or at the very least exhausting, as often side effects from treatment, can prove more difficult than the disease itself.
To find cures for cancer, it’s important we ditch unkind, ineffective and out-dated tests on animals, and instead switch donations to humane research charities which receive no government grants and little publicity.
Offer Practical and Emotional Support
- Offer help for walking dogs, feeding other pets, child-minding, shopping, cooking and household chores.
- Maggie’s Centres are beautiful buildings with landscaped gardens near HHS hospitals, to give patients and carers somewhere to relax. A legacy from an architect and her husband. Most towns have agencies with volunteers to look after patients.
- Something to Look Forward To lets hotels, holiday home owners and theatres donate stays or visits.
- Macmillan Nurses provide palliative care. Funded by the NHS, it also offers a free phoneline, email support and live chat.
- Just listening is good, to help people deal with a cancer diagnosis. Share gentle walks or watch light films. Acknowledge your own emotions (it’s okay to feel sad and overwhelmed, if caring for others).
Tips to Help Prevent Cancer
You can’t always prevent it (genetics, asbestos etc). But it’s thought around half of all cancers can be prevented: Condensed advice from experts is:
Eat & Exercise Well (and give up addictions)
- Eat plant foods (or mostly). Limit meat and dairy. Take regular exercise and limit alcohol.
- Stay stay protected from hot sun. Also give up smoking.
Live a Natural Lifestyle
- Eat organically and avoid garden pesticides.
- Choose natural beauty/cleaning/laundry products.
- Choose natural hair dyes (especially for dark hair to avoid PPD).
- Use natural deodorants (applied near lymph nodes). Choose unscented products for pregnancy/nursing, affected medical conditions and near babies/pets.
- Breastfeeding helps reduce cancer risks for mothers later in life.
- Some HRT medicines are linked to cancer. And often comes from the hormone-rich urine of chained horses).
- Choose natural paints for your home. Read the book Home Detox by an oncology expert.
- And Holistic Cancer Care, by a medical herbalist who has decades of clinical experience with cancer patients.
Towards a Cancer-Free World
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine trains volunteers how to cook foods to prevent and treat cancer (plant-based and free from sugar and refined oils).
- Use your vote, for a world free from environmental toxins (fracking can cause cancer). American biologist Sandra Steingraber was told her bladder cancer diagnosis was due to her mother having the same condition – but she is adopted.
- Support holistic cancer charities. Penny Brohn (Bristol), Yes to Life (integrated medicine ) and The Holistic Cancer Centre (led by trained nurses) all offer free help by phone or online.
- Don’t bother with pink ribbon campaigns. These are promoted often by companies that use cancer-causing chemicals. The original US campaign had a peach ribbon. The cancer patient would not allow its use for toxic beauty companies, which is why the ribbon is pink.
Helping Manage Treatment Side Effects
Chemotherapy and radiation can cause a variety of side effects, so being prepared helps you offer practical comfort and reassurance:
- Nausea and vomiting: Help by serving bland foods, encouraging slow sips of clear fluids, and giving prescribed anti-nausea medication on time.
- Hair loss: This can be distressing. Offer gentle hair care tips, suggest scarves or hats, and be ready to support emotional adjustment.
- Skin changes: Radiation and some drugs cause dryness, redness, or sensitivity. Use mild, fragrance-free moisturisers, avoid hot water, and protect skin from sun.
- Fatigue: Encourage rest balanced with light activity as tolerated. Prioritise easy tasks to conserve energy.
- Mouth sores: Soft, cool foods and avoiding spicy, acidic or rough-textured items can ease discomfort. Good oral hygiene is key.
Organising Medical and Personal Care
Keeping track of medical appointments, treatments, and personal care tasks can quickly become overwhelming. Creating a clear system helps everyone stay on top of things without added pressure.
- Use a calendar or planner: Whether digital or on paper, note every appointment, medication schedule, and treatment session. Colour coding can make information easy to scan at a glance.
- Prepare ahead: The day before an appointment, gather necessary documents, a list of current symptoms or questions, and any medications the patient needs to bring.
- Coordinate with healthcare teams: Keep an open line with nurses, doctors, and specialists. Sharing notes or updates helps make appointments more productive and avoids repeated questions.
- Set reminders for medication: Timely doses are essential for effectiveness and edge off side effects. Alarms, medication apps, or pill organisers can all help avoid missed or doubled doses.
- Plan rest periods: Treatments can sap energy. Scheduling breaks after appointments or procedures allows the patient to recover without feeling rushed or pressured.
- Personal care routines: Help as needed while respecting privacy—assist with bathing, dressing, or grooming based on how they feel on any given day. Maintaining independence where possible supports their sense of control.
Adapting the Home Environment
Making the home a safer and more welcoming place benefits both comfort and health. Small changes can make a big difference, especially if mobility or energy levels are affected.
- Comfortable seating: Provide chairs with good back support and armrests to help the patient sit and rise safely. Cushions and blankets add warmth and cosiness.
- Improve lighting: Good lighting reduces the risk of falls. Bright, even lighting in hallways, bathrooms, and common areas is important. Night lights can help for trips to the bathroom after dark.
- Clear pathways: Remove clutter and rugs that can trip someone, especially if they use a walking aid or feel unsteady on their feet.
- Accessibility aids:
- Grab rails near the toilet and shower provide extra support.
- Non-slip mats in wet areas help prevent slips.
- Consider a shower seat if standing is difficult.
- Easy reach storage: Keep daily essentials like medications, water, snacks, and remote controls within arm’s reach, so patients avoid unnecessary bending or stretching.
- Temperature control: Ensure the room is at a comfortable temperature. Cancer patients can be sensitive to cold or heat, so fans, heaters, or blankets should be available as needed.
- Quiet zones: Designate spaces for rest and calm, away from noise or distractions; this helps the patient recharge physically and mentally.
