The purpose of this book is to focus on you and your needs.
"You definitely 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 and don't be afraid to ask for help." - Francis
We've heard from many caregivers about things they wish they had known early on. We have collected their tips in this booklet. Some of the tips seem simple, but they may not always be easy to do.
Use this booklet in whatever way works best for you. You can read it from front to back. Or you can just refer to different sections as you need them.
No two people are alike. Some chapters of this booklet may apply to you while others may not. Or you may find that some sections are more useful to you later.
Terms Used: This booklet uses the terms "loved one" and "patient" throughout to describe the person you are caring for. In addition, for ease of reading, we alternate using the pronouns "he" and "she" when referring to the person with cancer.
Other booklets for caregivers that can be ordered or printed from the NCI website are:
