Cancer Caregiver Stories

Cancer Caregiver Stories

Spouse, Parent, Child

A cancer diagnosis impacts so many people outside of the patient, him or herself. Caregivers have so much to deal with, including wading through treatment decisions, dealing with side effects from different therapies, and navigating life after a cancer diagnosis.

Caregivers are often spouses and partners, as well as adult children and parents. Each person has their own story to tell about their experiences and lessons they learned.

Hear from the great network that supports cancer patients through the diagnosis, treatment, and overall experience.

You’ll also find articles that cover popular caregiving and support topics.


Caregiver Stories

Spouse Caregiver
  • Communicating
  • Coping with new emotions
  • Making decisions
  • New social life
  • Changing sexual relationship
Child Caregiver
  • How to communicate
  • Shift in caretaker roles
  • Emotional support
  • Managing self-care while being a caregiver

Caregiving & Support Articles

What to Say to Someone With Cancer | The Patient Story

There’s no clear way to know what is best to say to someone with cancer, but there are some basic guidelines to help make your words and actions matter. Hear what helped and what didn’t from the patients themselves...

How To Tell Your Family and Friends You Have Cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are unsure how to go about telling your friends and family, read stories from real cancer survivors who share their experiences on how they broke the news...

My Spouse Was Diagnosed With Cancer | The Patient Story

Marriage is wonderful, but a cancer diagnosis can create a disconnect for some couples. Here are three things to keep in mind in order to keep your relationship healthy after a diagnosis...

Gifts for Cancer Patients | The Patient Story

Gifts can be a great way to show your support for a loved one with cancer, but it can be tough to know what to give. Here are gift ideas from real-life cancer survivors - from physical gifts to volunteering your time...

How to Talk to Kids About Cancer

Hear how patients facing cancer navigated diagnosis and treatment while balancing their role as a parent. Hear their advice from how to talk to your kids about cancer to when to ask for help with childcare...

Leaving the Hospital: Emotions and Support

Leaving the hospital after a surgery or course of treatment can evoke a variety of emotions. Hear from real cancer patients about how they were feeling when they went home and the support that’s available when you leave the hospital...