5 Creative Ways to Support Someone with Cancer
A Healthier Michigan
| 3 min read
It can be difficult to know how to respond when a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer. Emotional support and encouragement can be helpful to cancer patients, but often, cancer patients have logistical, physical and financial needs that you can help them with. Here are five creative ways to help someone with cancer.
A strong support system is important to the efficacy of treatment and the quality of outcomes. According toa survey from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, 64% of patients who rate their treatment quality as excellent also said they have strong support systems. Only 4% of patients who had poor treatment said they had strong support outside of their medical care.
1. Offer to lead a communication group or phone tree to share updates.
Keeping a network of friends and loved ones updated can be draining and daunting for someone with a cancer diagnosis. Offer to spearhead a communication tree or group chat and act as a contact person for your friend. This can also help cut down on the number of update requests and questions about the disease or treatment your friend receives. Make sure you get clear guidelines on what information they want shared and when.
2. Take care of their yardwork and mowing for them.
Talk to your friend about when it’s good to take care of their yard and garden. Get their blessing to work on their yard and schedule the work at a time that is not going to be disruptive or inconvenient. You can also organize a group workday with other friends to do yardwork together if this is welcome.
3. As far as gift cards go, consider ride services and parking passes.
You’ve probably thought to offer your friend or loved one rides when they need them but getting them gift cards for car and ridesharing services gives them the option to order a ride without asking or giving advance notice. Also, check with their hospital or cancer treatment center for parking passes, especially if monthly or longer passes are available. This can help them and their families worry about one less expense associated with treatment.
4. Spend time with them, even passively.
Not every visit or errand has to be productive. Especially if your friend is fatigued from the disease and treatment, it may be nice for them to spend time with someone. Bring a book, crosswords or puzzles, supplies for a favorite hobby, watch TV or a movie or talk.
5. Take care of their caregivers and family.
Offer to spend time with them while their caregivers take the day off. Offer babysitting or driving services for caregivers as well as the patient. Maybe you can take the kids to school on a regular basis or offer to take the kids to a movie or playground. If they have pets, you could offer to walk, feed and care for them.
Some things to remember as you are supporting someone with cancer:
- Cancer is not contagious. Make sure to supply physical touch in the form of hugs, handshakes and friendly shows of affection in line with their comfort.
- Don’t offer vague or nebulous help, like “let me know if you need anything.” Offer concrete and specific assistance or ask for a clear list of tasks or chores.
- Don’t show up for a visit unannounced or unplanned.
- Don’t comment on their appearance, good or bad, and especially weight loss or gain.
- Don’t make comparisons to other people you know who have had cancer.
- Stick around for the long haul. Often, support can dry up the longer the cancer treatment lasts. Many patients will be overloaded with messages of support and offers for help early on after the diagnosis, but support systems can wane over time.
