Support for

National Cancer Institute

Cancer Caregivers

Caring
for the
Caregiver

U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes
of Health
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet, When
Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer,
contains more detailed information for caregivers.
To view or print this booklet, go to our website at
www.cancer.gov. For more information call the NCI
at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
 Caring for the Caregiver

“You need to learn ways to take care of

yourself. Because if you’re not taking care
of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone
else. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” —Jane

Inside This Booklet

Who Is a Caregiver? ...............................................................1
Your Feelings..........................................................................2
Asking for Help ......................................................................4
Caring for Yourself ................................................................6
Going With Your Loved One to Medical Visits ..................9
Talking With Others ............................................................12
Remember ............................................................................15
 Who Is a Caregiver?
Are you helping a loved one get through cancer treatment? If you are, then this
booklet is for you. You are a “caregiver.”

You may not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may feel you are doing something
natural. You are just caring for someone you love. Some caregivers are family
members. Others are friends.

What does “giving care” mean?

Giving care can mean helping with daily needs. These include going to doctor visits,
making meals, and picking up medicines. It can also mean helping your loved
one cope with feelings. Like when he or she feels sad or angry. Sometimes having
someone to talk to is what your loved one needs most.

While giving care, it’s normal to put your own needs and feelings aside. But putting
your needs aside for a long time is not good for your health. You need to take care
of yourself, too. If you don’t, you may not be able to care for others. This is why
you need to take good care of you.

A New Role
Whether you’re younger or older, you may find yourself in a new role as a caregiver.
You may have been part of someone’s life before cancer, but maybe now the way
you support that person is changing. For example, you may be taking care of your
spouse who has always been healthy or an adult child taking care of your parent.
Whatever your roles are now, it’s normal to feel confused and stressed at this time.

If caregiving feels new to you, try not to worry. Many caregivers say that they learn
more as they go through their loved one’s cancer treatment. And if you need to, try
to share your feelings with friends, a counselor or a support group. Many caregivers
say that talking with others helped them. They feel they were able to say things that
they couldn’t always say to their loved ones.

1
Your Feelings
It’s common to feel stressed and overwhelmed at this time. Like your loved one,
you may feel angry, sad, or worried. Try to share your feelings with others who can
help you. It can help to talk about how you feel. You could even talk to a counselor
or social worker.

Understanding your feelings

You probably have many feelings as you take care of your loved one. There is no
right way for you to feel. Each person is different.

The first step to understanding your feelings is to know that they’re normal. Give
yourself some time to think through them. Some feelings that may come and go are:

■ Sadness. It’s okay to feel sad. But if it lasts for more than 2 weeks, and it keeps
you from doing what you need to do, talk to your doctor.

■ Anger. You may be angry at yourself or family members. You may be angry at
the person you’re caring for. Know that anger often comes from fear, panic,
or stress. Try to look at what is beneath the anger.

■ Grief. You may be feeling a loss of what you value most. This may be your loved
one’s health. Or it may be the loss of the day-to-day life you had before the
cancer was found. Let yourself grieve these losses.

■ Guilt. Feeling guilty is common, too. You may think you aren’t helping enough.
Or you may feel guilty that you are healthy.

■ Loneliness. You can feel lonely, even with lots of people around you. You may
feel that no one understands your problems. You may also be spending less
time with others.

2
What may help
Know that you are not alone. Other caregivers share these feelings. Talk with someone
if your feelings get in the way of daily life. Maybe you have a family member, friend,
priest, pastor, or spiritual leader to talk to. Your doctor or social worker may also be
able to help.

Here are some other things that may help you:

■ Forgive yourself. Know that we all make mistakes whenever we have a lot on our
minds. No one is perfect, and chances are that you’re doing what you can at this
moment.

■ Cry or express your feelings. You don’t have to pretend to be cheerful. It’s okay to
show that you are sad or upset.

■ Focus on things that are worth your time and energy. Let small things go for now.
For example, don’t fold clothes if you are tired.

■ Don’t take your loved one’s anger personally. It’s very common for people to direct
their feelings at those who are closest. Their stress, fears, and worries may come out
as anger.

■ Be hopeful. What you hope for may change

over time. But you can always hope for
comfort, joy, acceptance, and peace.

3
Asking for Help
Many people who were once caregivers say they did too much on their own. Some
wished that they had asked for help sooner.

Accepting help from others isn’t always easy. When tough things happen, many
people tend to pull away. They think, “We can handle this on our own.” But things
can get harder as the patient goes through treatment. As a result, many caregivers
have said, “There’s just too much on my plate.”

Take a look at how busy you are now. Be honest with yourself about what you
can do. Think about tasks you can give to others. And let go of tasks that aren’t as
important right now.

Asking for help also helps your loved one.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, if you get help for yourself:

■ You may stay healthier and have more energy.

■ Your loved one may feel less guilty about your help.

■ Other helpers may offer time and skills that you don’t have.

4
How can others help you?
People may want to help you but don’t know what you need. Here are some things you
can ask them to do:

■ Help with tasks such as:

● Cooking ● Yard work
● Cleaning ● Childcare
● Shopping ● Eldercare

■ Talk with you and share your feelings.

■ Help with driving errands such as:

● Doctor visits
● Picking up your child
● Going to the pharmacy

■ Find information you need.

■ Tell others how your loved one is doing.

Know that some people may say, “No.”

Some people may not be able to help. There could be one or more reasons such as:

■ They may be coping with their own problems.

■ They may not have time right now.

■ They may not know how to help.

■ They may feel uneasy around people who are sick.

5
Caring for Yourself

Make time for yourself

You may feel that your needs aren’t important right now. Or that you’ve spent so
much time caring for your loved one, there’s no time left for yourself.
Taking time for yourself can help you be a better caregiver. Caring for your own
needs and desires is important to give you strength to carry on. This is even more
true if you have health problems.
You may want to:

■ Find nice things you can do for yourself. Even just a few minutes can help. You
could watch TV, call a friend, work on a hobby, or do anything that you enjoy.

■ Be active. Even light exercise such as walking, stretching, or dancing can make
you less tired. Yard work, playing with kids or pets, or gardening are helpful,
too.

■ Find ways to connect with friends. Are there places you can meet others who
are close to you? Or can you chat or get support by phone or email?

■ Give yourself more time off. Ask friends or

family members to pitch in. Take time
to rest.
Do something for yourself each day. It doesn’t
matter how small it is. Whatever you do, don’t
neglect yourself.

6
 Joining a caregiver support group
In a support group for caregivers, people may talk about their feelings and
trade advice. Others may just want to listen. You can talk things over with other
caregivers. This could give you some ideas for coping. It may also help you know
you aren’t alone.
In many cities, support groups are held in other languages besides English. There
are also groups that meet over the Internet. Ask a nurse or a social worker to help
you find a support group that meets your needs.

Caring for your body

You may feel too busy or worried about your loved one to think about your own
health. And yet it’s common for caregivers to have sleep problems, headaches, and
anxiety, along with other changes. But if you take care of yourself, you can lower your
stress. Then you can have the strength to take care of someone else.
Did you have health problems before you became a caregiver? If so, now it’s even
more important to take care of yourself. Also, adding extra stressors to your life can
cause new health problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice any new changes
in your body.
Keep up with your own health needs. Try to:

■ Go to all your checkups ■ Get enough rest

■ Take your medicines ■ Exercise

■ Eat healthy meals ■ Make time to relax

These ideas may sound easy. But they can be hard to do for most caregivers. Try to pay
attention to how your body and your mind are feeling.

7
Finding meaning during cancer
Cancer causes many caregivers to look at life in new ways. They think about the purpose
of life. And they often focus on what they value most.

You and your loved one may question why cancer has come into your lives. You may
long for things to be like they were before the disease. But you may also see good things
that come out of it, such as it bringing you closer. It’s normal to see illness in both good
and bad ways.

Cancer can affect one’s faith in different ways. Some people turn toward their beliefs.
Others turn away from them. It is common to question your faith during this time. For
some, looking for meaning is a way to cope.

Some ways to find meaning are:

■ Read or listen to uplifting materials. ■ Go to religious or spiritual services.

■ Pray or meditate. ■ Talk to other caregivers.

■ Talk with a priest, pastor, or ■ Look at websites, books or brochures

spiritual leader. for people dealing with cancer.

8
 Going With Your Loved One to
Medical Visits

Before you go
Your loved one may ask you to come to doctor visits. This may be a key role for you.
Here are some tips for going to the doctor:

■ Know how to get there. Give yourself enough time.

■ Write down questions you need to ask. Also write down things you want to tell
the doctor.

■ Keep a folder of your loved one’s health information.

Bring this folder to each visit.

■ Bring all the medicine bottles with you, or keep a list of the names and doses.
Bring this list to each visit.

Talking with the health care provider

Sometimes, people have trouble with medical visits. They don’t understand what
the doctor says. Or they forget things. Here are some tips for talking with the health
care provider:

■ If you don’t understand an answer, ask the question in a different way.

■ If you need to know more, ask.

■ Let your doctor or nurse know what your worries are.

9
■ Before you leave the visit, make sure you know what the next steps are for
your loved one’s care.

■ Take notes. Or ask if you can record the visit.

■ Let the doctor know if your loved one has had changes or new symptoms.

Questions to ask the doctor or health care team

■ What health records should we bring?

■ How can we prepare for treatment?

■ How long will the treatment take?

■ Can he or she go to and from treatment alone?

■ How can I help my loved one feel better during treatment?

■ Can I be there during treatment?

■ What are the side effects of the treatment?

■ After treatment, what do we need to watch for? When should we call you?

■ How do we file for insurance? Who can help us with insurance?

10
Asking about pain
Many caregivers say that they are afraid to ask about pain. They worry that it means
the cancer is getting worse. Or some think that pain is normal, and their loved one just
has to accept it. This is not true. People who have their pain managed can focus on
healing. They can enjoy life more.

Your loved one’s pain control plan will be designed for his or her body. Everyone has
a different pain control plan. Even if someone has the same type of cancer as someone
else, their plan may be different.

Make sure your loved one takes pain medicines on schedule to keep the pain from starting
or getting worse. This is one of the best ways to stay on top of the pain. Do not skip doses.

The doctor should continue to ask about pain and other side effects. But it’s up to
you and your loved one to be sure that the doctor knows about any pain your loved one
feels. Pain can be managed during treatment. The key is to talk about pain and other
symptoms at each visit. Your loved one does not have to suffer.

Getting a second opinion

Some people worry that doctors will be offended if they ask for a second opinion.
Usually the opposite is true. Most doctors welcome a second opinion. And many
health insurance companies will pay for them.

If your loved gets a second opinion, the

doctor may agree with the first doctor’s
treatment plan. Or he or she may suggest
a second approach. Either way, you and
your loved one have more information
and perhaps a greater sense of control.
You both can feel better about the
choices you make, knowing you looked
at all your options.

11
Talking With Others

Your partner or spouse

Nearly all caregivers and their partners feel more stress than usual in their
relationship. Dealing with the many decisions and changes can be hard. Some
couples find that their bonds get stronger during cancer treatment. Others find
they get weaker.
Some of the common issues couples feel stress about are:

■ How to support each other

■ Changing roles and routines

■ Making decisions

■ Managing daily life such as work, chores, and child care

To reduce stress, it may help to remind yourself that everyone handles things in
their own way. Try to be open about stress and its causes. You may want to:

■ Talk about how each of you feels:

● Share how you are each coping.
● Look at things that are causing you both stress.
● Talk about choices you can make together.
● Try to be grateful for each other.

■ Make time to focus on things besides cancer.

■ Talk with your partner if you find that your sex life is different than it used
to be. There can be many causes:
● You or your partner is tired.
● Your relationship feels strained.

12
 ● If your partner is the patient:
– Either of you may not feel good about how your partner looks.
– You may be afraid you will hurt your partner.
– The treatment might be affecting your partner’s ability to perform.
He or she may be in pain or depressed.

You can still be close as a couple in spite of these issues. Staying close is also about
sharing feelings and understanding. You can:
● Talk about closeness and your sex life.
● Talk about your hopes for the future.
● Try not to judge each other.
● Protect your time together.
● Be patient and take things slowly.
● Talk to a counselor or your support group.

Other family members and friends

Did your family have problems before cancer? These problems are likely to be more
intense now. This is true if you are caring for a spouse, child, or parent. Your new
role as a caregiver may cause feelings you didn’t expect.

Talk with the people close to you. Try to be open and caring. Ask a counselor to
hold a family meeting if needed. During stressful times, ask someone else to update
others about how your loved one is doing.

Dealing with help you don’t need

Sometimes people offer help you don’t need. Thank them for their concern. Tell
them you’ll let them know if you need anything.
Some people may offer unwanted advice. They may do this because they don’t
know what else to say. It’s up to you to decide how to deal with this. You don’t
have to respond at all. Otherwise, thank them and let it go. Tell them you are
taking steps to help your family.

13
Your kids
Children start to understand the world around them at a very young age. It’s
important to be honest with them about your loved one’s cancer. Common reactions
kids may have are:

■ Feel confused, angry, lonely, guilty, or overwhelmed

■ Act scared or unsure about how to act around your loved one

■ Act clingy or miss attention they’re used to getting

■ Have trouble eating, sleeping, keeping up with school, or relating to friends

Children need to know the truth about your loved one. Otherwise they will think the
worst. Understand their actions and feelings, and let them know how you feel too.

Some tips for talking with kids:

■ Tell them about cancer. Let them know that there is nothing they did to cause
cancer. And they can’t catch it from someone else.

■ Let them know their feelings are okay. Tell them you understand if they are upset,
angry, sad, or scared. Remind them that no matter what happens, you will
always love them.

■ Tell them the truth with love and hope. Let them know that your loved one is
getting good care and that you hope he or she will get well again. But don’t try
to promise them a good outcome if you aren’t sure of one.

■ Listen to them. Ask them how they feel and what they are worried about. If
they’re young, ask them to draw a picture or play with dolls to show you how
they feel.

■ Stay involved. You may be with your loved one who is sick more often right now.
Try to spend time with your kids in any way you can. Take them to the store
with you or eat meals with them. Ask them about their day. Leave them notes or
call them when you can.

14
 Remember
As a caregiver, try to remember to:

■ Strike a balance each day.

■ Focus on your needs, too.

■ Care for yourself while caring for your loved one.

■ Make time for resting and relaxing.

Life-changing events often give people the chance to grow. They may help people
see what’s most important to them. Many say that caring for someone with cancer
changed them forever. They used their strengths to support their loved one. And
they learned more about themselves along the way.

“If there’s one thing that’s come out of

taking care of someone, it’s that I’ve
learned what’s important really fast.
And that’s a lesson that I’ll carry with
me forever.” —Jenny

15
Other Resources for Caregivers
National Cancer Institute
Current information and materials on all cancer issues
Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Web site: www.cancer.gov 
En español: www. cancer.gov/espanol     
Chat online: Click on “LiveHelp”     

American Cancer Society

Cancer information and support for cancer issues
Phone: 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
Web site: www.cancer.org 

CancerCare
Free support, information, and financial assistance
Phone: 1-800-813-HOPE (1-800-813-4673)
Web site: www.cancercare.org     

Family Caregiver Alliance

Support for families and friends who are caregivers
Phone: 1-800-445-8106 
Web site: www.caregiver.org 

Caregiver Action Network

Information, education, and support for caregivers
Phone: 1-202-772-5050 
Web site: caregiveraction.org 
 NIH Publication No. 19-6219
October 2019

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®