For most Americans, caregiving is a common part of their lives. According to the CDC, one in five adult Americans is a caregiver to a family member or friend with a disability or chronic illness.
While caregiving is common in American households, when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the path forward can feel overwhelming and full of uncertainties. Whether you are trying to be a supportive friend or you are the designated primary caregiver, you want to understand the right actions to take and words to say. This article explains how to support a loved one through a cancer diagnosis.
Offer Emotional and Social Support
Receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis is the last thing you would want to hear about your health. It can come with an array of emotions, including fear, anxiety, stress, and grief.
Supporting your loved one emotionally and socially will help them feel loved, included, and valued. People living with chronic health conditions face an increased risk of social isolation and loneliness, and making meaningful social connections can never be stressed enough. Maintaining the same social connection you shared before their diagnosis can provide a sense of stability when so much else in their life feels uncertain.
It is also important to note that they may no longer be able to enjoy some of the activities they once did. You should probably consider adapting those activities to suit their current abilities or finding new things you can enjoy together. Choose activities they can comfortably participate in, and focus on spending meaningful time together.
Additionally, help them join cancer groups. For instance, if your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should find mesothelioma support groups that they can join. It gives them a place to listen, talk, and feel less alone.
When providing social and emotional support to a cancer patient, it’s important to practice:
- Being empathetic and connecting with your loved one so they feel seen and cared for
- Inviting them to social activities that they can participate in
- Prioritizing actively listening to them
- Engaging in or discussing shared interests and hobbies
- Encouraging them without dismissing their experience
- Talking about things outside of the chronic condition
- Allowing them to vent if they want to
Offer Physical and Logistical Support
Depending on the type of cancer, your loved one will probably face physical limitations that are new to them. Some may be temporary, such as those experienced during surgical recovery, while others may be permanent. In the latter case, they may need time and support to adapt and learn new ways to manage daily activities and care for themselves.
You can help them adjust to these changes by offering practical support. However, you want to talk to them first about the assistance they need and feel comfortable accepting. This helps you provide meaningful support without making them feel that they’ve lost control over their daily lives.
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, making it difficult for your loved one to identify the support they need. Instead of asking, ‘How can I help?’ let them know you are there for them and suggest specific ways you can assist, such as preparing meals, running errands, or helping with appointments. Here are some ideas for physical and logistical support:
- Driving them to medical appointments
- Preparing meals, grocery shopping, cleaning, or helping with child care
- Picking up prescription medications
- Helping them schedule and keep track of appointments
- Gathering and organizing insurance documents and other paperwork
Endnote
There are several ways you can support a loved one with cancer, including emotional and social support as well as physical and logistical support. Most importantly, you want to learn about the specific type of cancer so you can tailor your support to their specific needs.
