Last Updated on July 6, 2025 by Nala Thorpe
There’s no denying the fact that a cancer diagnosis could upend a person’s life, especially if that person happens to mean the world to you. It can be devastating on your part, mostly because you feel as though having cancer entails a slim chance of survival. However, there’s always a road to recovery, and that can only be established when you provide the proper level of care as a loved one.
The months following the cancer diagnosis may entail a whirlwind of emotions. You may also want to prepare for when things get increasingly difficult as the cancer progresses. Even so, it’s the time and effort you put into caring for that person that makes a huge difference in their treatment and recovery. It’s all a matter of being focused, staying hopeful, and getting practical advice on how to deal with the problem head-on. Here’s what you can do to support and care for a loved one with cancer.
1. Let them know they’re not alone
Emotional support is the most critical part of helping a cancer patient in their journey. Knowing that they have cancer might be too much for them. They would try to convince themselves that they might not survive or may even do things out of desperation. Being a loved one who has genuine concern for them, you should stay level-headed and understand what they’re feeling.
The best thing you could give them from the outset is emotional support. Listen to them and reassure them that they’re not alone in their fight. That doesn’t mean redirecting them from the reality of their condition. You just have to validate their feelings and experiences, and be with them as things get more difficult.
2. Help them with tasks, but give them space
As their condition progresses, they may or may not lose the ability to complete the simplest tasks. Your job is to help them live normally and ensure that their dignity remains intact. Most patients may lose interest in doing daily chores, let alone activities that mean a lot to them.
Help them in following daily care routines, from preparing meals and taking them to their dentist appointment to making sure they take their medicine at the prescribed time. As you do so, make sure to provide them with the space to perform such tasks independently. If they insist on doing a task alone, step aside, but be ready to offer assistance.
3. Learn about the condition thoroughly
Caring isn’t just your responsibility. A big part of your role includes understanding the type of cancer they have and how it could improve over time. Educating yourself about the disease will help you understand the symptoms better and prepare for anything that may arise.
Even as they recover from a type of cancer that resulted from asbestos exposure, your loved one may experience mesothelioma remission, so it’s important to be prepared on what medical and legal steps to take. By being an informed family member or friend, you will make caring easier and more meaningful in the long run.
4. Help them establish social connections
Not many know this, but opportunities for socialization could make a positive impact on a person’s cancer experience. In one article published on the Society of Behavioral Medicine website, socializing allows a cancer patient to cope with the effects of stress better. An elevated mood through a growing social network consisting of friends, family members, and fellow patients can lessen the emotional pain they’re already feeling.
Endnote
A loved one’s cancer diagnosis is never the end of the road for them. You just have to make sure you have what it takes to be with them, no matter what.
