The fight against cancer is usually a long and demanding process. Cancer patients often emphasize the importance of the support they receive from their loved ones during this time. A number of public institutions and non-governmental organizations also provide assistance to cancer patients. Thanks to this, no one has to fight cancer alone. Together, we can do more. The first step? Don't be afraid to ask for support. Where to find help for cancer patients?
Asking for help is an act of courage
A cancer diagnosis turns your world upside down. It affects not only the patient, but also their entire family. A race against time begins, and fear of tomorrow sets in. The chaos of information and organization can (and should!) be sorted out so that you can focus on what is most important. How can you do this? Seek support for yourself and your loved ones. It is not a shame, but an act of courage.
How to seek help for someone with cancer?
Many patients learn about suspected cancer from their primary care physician or specialist clinic doctor. They are the ones who refer the patient for further diagnosis and treatment. Very often, they are the first medical personnel who can advise the patient on where to seek help for cancer.
Doctors are just one of the social groups worth seeking support from. Very often, cancer patients turn to the online community for help—they search forums and support groups. This allows them to connect with other cancer patients, learn about their stories, opinions about doctors, cancer centers, cancer treatment options, and financial assistance.
The Polish Coalition of Cancer Patients (PKPO) also provides education, legal and social counseling, and organizational support. Non-governmental organizations (cancer associations and foundations) and public institutions such as the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), Municipal Social Welfare Centers (MOPS), and County Family Support Centers (PCPR) also provide essential support in the fight against cancer.
Help from... the Internet
The Internet is not only a place for forums and support groups for cancer patients, but also a place where you can find information about the disease itself and ways to treat it, nutrition for cancer patients, and news about innovative therapies and clinical trials. However, it is important to remember to use reliable websites. These include government websites, such as onkologia.gov.pl, and the website of the National Center for Nutrition Education, where you can find free recipes and advice from dietitians. Substantive texts on topics related to oncology are also available in the Cancer Fighters knowledge base.
Psychological support – where to find help in the fight against cancer
Most cancer patients experience a decline in mood. This can also affect their loved ones. Psychological support is an extremely important part of cancer treatment. How can it be obtained? There are several ways. One of them is to seek the advice of a psycho-oncologist working in a hospital, cancer center, or mental health clinic. Essential emotional support is also provided in hospices and foundations. Some patients make private appointments with a psychologist.
Do you need advice or support in your fight against cancer? Call the free cancer helpline: 800 080 164.
Social and financial assistance
Where can you find help for someone with cancer to cover treatment costs and take care of everyday life? Social and financial assistance is available from many institutions and organizations.
- Insured persons are eligible for benefits, allowances, and pensions paid by ZUS and KRUS.
- People with disabilities can obtain, among other things, subsidies for rehabilitation equipment through PCPR (County Family Assistance Centers) or PFRON (State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons).
- Social assistance during treatment and recovery is also available from MOPS/OPS. In addition to financial benefits, cancer patients can receive subsidies for the purchase of medicines or take advantage of care services.
- Who provides assistance to cancer patients when they need to purchase items such as diapers or a wheelchair? It is worth contacting your doctor or nurse, who can write a prescription for medical devices.
- Social assistance and the possibility of setting up a fundraiser for cancer patients are provided by oncology foundations such as Cancer Fighters.
Where can you find help in the fight against cancer? Become a beneficiary of the foundation.
Cancer patients can benefit from many forms of support, including financial, emotional, and informational support. Usually, a specific institution offers one type of assistance, such as social assistance. Comprehensive support is the domain of oncology associations and foundations. While using their assistance, you can, of course, still receive assistance from other institutions.
How to seek help for a cancer patient from a foundation? Simply contact the foundation in person, by phone, or online. At Cancer Fighters, you can simply fill out the application form, and we will get back to you. Our foundation provides psychological, financial, and organizational support. Each patient is assigned an oncology assistant who helps them at every stage of treatment.
Would you like to learn more about working with Cancer Fighters? Or perhaps you have already decided to take advantage of our support? Contact us and become a beneficiary of the foundation!
Bibliography
- Emotional support, onkologia.gov.pl, accessed on December 2, 2025.
- Social assistance, onkologia.gov.pl, accessed on December 2, 2025.
- List of supporting institutions and organizations, onkologia.gov.pl, accessed on December 2, 2025.
