What to Expect as a Cancer Caregiver

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Simply put, a support person needs support, too. Caring for a loved one with cancer requires emotional energy and a willingness to adapt to whatever tomorrow brings. Making sure you get the support you need can make a big difference in your ability to be there for your loved one.

Many shifts occur with the news of a cancer diagnosis. Some of the changes that caregivers can expect to encounter include:

• Different roles: Caring for someone with cancer often means taking charge of new duties, such as managing medical appointments and medication, and learning how to help without being overbearing.

• Increased responsibility: Depending on what roles your loved one had prior to cancer, you might need to step up in other areas, such as earning money, taking care of kids, cooking, or anything else that needs your attention now.

• New living arrangements: Your loved one may move in with you to make caregiving easier for you. Or perhaps they’re staying in the hospital or treatment center, which can require long commutes or adapting to a new living situation at home.

• Greater uncertainty about the future: One of the hardest parts of cancer is that you don’t know what the future holds – an emotionally challenging place to be, no doubt.

• Difficult choices: With cancer, there are many decisions that need to be made, and this can sometimes cause disagreements between family members or their loved one.

• Changes in communication: Relationship-wise, your loved one may have different needs, when it comes to listening and sharing. Having a support group or a professional counsellor can come in handy if they don’t feel comfortable talking with you about certain aspects of their experience.

Emotional Support for Cancer Caregivers

Exploring supportive resources can help you navigate this time of transition with a greater sense of peace. There are a variety of ways that you can access the support you need. If your family member or friend has been diagnosed with cancer, read on for more useful tips on how to be there for them, to the best of your ability.

• Resources and Links: Discover how support groups and online forums can help you connect to other folks in similar positions. Then check out some essential resources to learn more about cancer, caregiving, and how to get what you need.

• Choosing the Right Treatment: Imagine knowing that your loved one was getting the best tests and treatments available for their unique form of cancer. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety for everyone involved. Learn more about precision oncology and how it can increase your loved one’s chance of survival and overall quality of life both during and after treatment.

If someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, email or call us to learn what their best options are for moving forward. Register for a Precision Second Opinion, to discuss your loved one’s case more thoroughly – no cost, no commitment, no consequence.

With the combination of emotional support and the best tests and treatments that medical science has to offer, your loved one will have the optimal chance at a successfully recovery. Help them feel better, faster, by reaching out to CTOAM today.