On the one hand - illness and the struggle for recovery. On the other - daily affairs and responsibilities. How to help a cancer patient find his way in the new reality? We suggest how you can support the patient emotionally, financially and organizationally.

How to support people with cancer?

Above all - be and... don't forget about yourself. The illness of a loved one is a challenge for the whole family. The first days after the diagnosis are full of emotions that accompany you. When they subside, you have to build your world anew. Together and with the support of specialists. And while the family's attention is focused on the patient, you also need to take care of your own well-being. It is very often the case that in order to help others, we have to break through and ask for help for ourselves. This can be a conversation with a psychologist, a request for support in childcare, a leave of absence from work, a request to support a collection at the workplace.

When you take care of yourself, helping cancer patients will be a little easier.

Check: cancer diagnosis and what's next?

How to show support to a cancer patient in daily life?

Commuting to treatment, rehabilitation, buying medicines - the treatment process is long and complicated, but right next door is the life of the patient and his loved ones. Everyday problems, bills to pay, caring for family members. How to help a cancer patient to relieve the physical and mental burden of treatment?

A good solution is a new division of household duties. Adjust them to the current capabilities of the patient. Take care of official matters. If necessary and possible, don't be afraid to ask loved ones to help take care of children or seniors. Organize a space where the sick person can relax in silence.

Daily assistance for cancer patients includes helping to organize treatment. Collecting documentation, making appointments, keeping track of medication times. Also pay attention to the patient's diet. Cancer patients often have a reduced appetite, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. A clinical dietitian will suggest what to eat in cancer, and, if necessary, set a menu for the patient.

Help for cancer patients also includes assistance in obtaining benefits from Social Security, Social Insurance Fund, MOPS, PFRON.

Check, What cancer benefits you can get.

How to mentally support a cancer patient?

A cancer diagnosis turns a patient's world upside down. Anxiety, fear, often a sense of loneliness and resignation appear. This is why emotional support for cancer patients is so important. The presence of another person, the opportunity to talk seriously about one's concerns allows the patient to tame his emotions. Do not avoid difficult topics, do not react to them with jokes. If you don't know how to support cancer patients emotionally, seek advice from a psychologist. Psychological help for cancer patients is also offered by foundations and hospitals. It is worth taking advantage of the care of specialists, enroll in support groups for patients and their families.

How to help a cancer patient financially?

Help for cancer patients is primarily financial support. Very often, treatment consumes patients' savings, and their condition prevents them from continuing their careers. If the patient is the main breadwinner in the family, there is also anxiety about the welfare of loved ones.

Check: Cancer and professional work. What's next after a cancer diagnosis?

How do you help a cancer patient who needs to raise funds for treatment or daily functioning? In such a situation, collections for cancer patients are an effective solution. If your loved one is ill, you can set up such a collection yourself on a trusted collection site, such as our Cancer Fighters portal.

In addition to the classic collection, it is worth organizing campaigns to help cancer patients. Such initiatives can involve the local community, businesses, the media. Family picnics, sports tournaments, concerts, handicraft fairs - charity events combine helping with building social ties.

An injection of cash for treatment will also be provided by contributions from the transfer of 1.5% of tax in the PIT return, fundraising at school, at the patient's place of work and his relatives.

How to help a patient during chemotherapy?

Help for oncology patients who are undergoing chemotherapy is assistance focused on improving the physical and mental well-being of patients. Subsequent visits to the hospital and receiving chemotherapy weaken the body and affect the patient's motivation. Your presence and support in organizing the treatment trip will be crucial. Sometimes a conversation or shared silence is enough.

How to support cancer patients who are unwell from chemotherapy? The patient's physical comfort will be taken care of by accessories such as cooling shoes, gloves or a cap, which reduce the risk of side effects of receiving chemotherapy. Also pack a soft blanket, a favorite book or headphones in the patient's bag.

Help for cancer patients struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy includes, for example, buying hypoallergenic cosmetics to soothe the patient's dry and irritated skin. To offset nausea after chemo, ginger candies, for example, can help. Sometimes the smallest gestures will take the best care of the patient's comfort. If receiving chemotherapy involves hair loss, you can offer to help purchase wigs, head turbans or scalp cosmetics.

How to help a child with cancer?

The youngest cancer patients are brave Fighters who need special support from loved ones. How to help a child with cancer? In addition to the aforementioned psychological support, daily support and raising funds for treatment, it is worth taking care of his contact with peers.

A child who does not have the opportunity to attend kindergarten or school may feel lonely. Friendships made in the hospital corridor - although important - are often not enough. Longing for friends will be lessened by regular calls from peers. It is worth asking the school to have the class record a video for the child, make greeting cards. Such seemingly small help for cancer patients makes a huge difference and gives energy to fight cancer.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If your loved one is suffering from cancer, turn to the cancer foundation for help. At Cancer Fighters, we provide care for both children and adults with cancer. An experienced onco assistant will give you the necessary informational and organizational support in your treatment. We also provide psychological support, help in organizing and promoting collections for treatment, and social assistance for the daily functioning of the patient and his family. You are not alone in your need!