Coping and Support
Cancer can make a person feel isolated from their friends and family, who may not understand what they’re going through. Young adults may fear losing independence and needing to rely on others. Dealing with physical side effects during cancer can also be a challenge. See how others have coped with emotional and physical changes. There is also information to help family and friends.
On this page:
Emotional Support
Physical Side Effects of Treatment
Support for Family and Friends
Videos from Young Adults
If Cancer Returns
Emotional Support
- AYAs Are Not Alone: Confronting Psychosocial Challenges of Cancer
Resources are available to meet the unique and specific psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. - Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer
Information that addresses the feelings and concerns of people with cancer and their families. - Coping with Advanced Cancer
Information for people with cancer who have gone through treatment, and perhaps, recurrence of cancer, for whom a cure or long-term remission is no longer likely. Discusses physical and emotional issues, and living the rest of life to its fullest and with meaning. - Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about the difficult emotional responses many cancer patients experience. This summary focuses on normal adjustment issues, psychosocial distress, and adjustment disorders. - Communication in Cancer Care (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about communicating with the cancer patient and his or her family, including unique aspects of communication with cancer patients, factors affecting communication, and training in communication skills. - Depression (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of depression in adults and children who have cancer. - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their family members. Assessment and treatment of this disorder are discussed. - Psychological Stress and Cancer: Questions and Answers
A fact sheet that summarizes research studies on the relationship between stress-induced changes in the immune system and the causation of cancer. - Spirituality in Cancer Care (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about the influence of spirituality and religion on individuals who have cancer. Various approaches for management and intervention are discussed. - When Cancer Returns
Information regarding cancer recurrence, communicating with your health care team as well as your family and friends, managing side effects, and coping issues.
Physical Side Effects of Treatment
- Chemotherapy Side Effects Sheets
Chemotherapy fact sheets with clear medical advice from doctors and nurses, and practical tips from patients to help you manage side effects. - Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer
Information about what to expect during chemotherapy and what patients can do to take care of themselves during and after treatment. - Radiation Therapy Side Effects Sheets
Radiation therapy fact sheets that help patients understand their treatment and manage side effects. The fact sheets (also available in audio) have tips from patients and healthcare providers, and questions to ask providers. - Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People With Cancer
Information about what to expect during radiation therapy, including the general effects of treatment and how to deal with specific side effects. - Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
Information and recipes to help people with cancer meet their needs for good nutrition before, during, and after treatment. - Fatigue (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about fatigue, a condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function because of lack of energy, often seen as a complication of cancer or its treatment. - Nausea and Vomiting (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about nausea and vomiting as complications of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management of nausea and vomiting are discussed. - Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about the causes and management of nutritional problems that occur in patients with cancer. - Pain Control: Support for People with Cancer
A booklet for cancer patients that addresses pain control medicines and methods, as well as the physical and emotional effects of pain. - Pain (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about pain as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of cancer-associated pain are discussed. - Sexuality and Reproductive Issues (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about factors that may affect sexual functioning in people with cancer. Fertility issues related to cancer treatment are also discussed. - Sleep Disorders (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about causes and management of sleep disorders in people with cancer.
Support for Family and Friends
- When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer
Practical and supportive information to help caregivers cope while caring for a loved one with cancer. - When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer: Support for Caregivers
Practical and supportive information for caregivers of loved ones with advanced cancer that is no longer responding to treatment. It explores many of the questions and crossroads caregivers may face. - When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens
Help for teens who have a brother or sister with cancer. Learn what has helped other teens get through this tough time. Also learn about cancer and how it's treated. - Facing Forward: When Someone You Love Has Completed Cancer Treatment
Practical and supportive information to help caregivers cope with the shift in focus from treatment to recovery when caring for a loved one with cancer. - Family Caregivers in Cancer: Roles and Challenges (PDQ®)
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Expert-reviewed information summary about the challenges faced by family caregivers of cancer patients. This summary focuses on typical caregiver roles and concerns, and helpful interventions for caregivers.
Videos from Young Adults
- LIVESTRONG: A Podcast Series for Young Adults with Cancer
Hear firsthand from other adolescent and young adult cancer survivors as they share their experiences and advice about a wide variety of cancer-related issues and concerns, such as body changes, medical expenses, and fear of recurrence. - Hope Lab: Digital Storytelling
Young cancer survivors share their experiences to help others. Learn how these young people dealt with a cancer diagnosis, managed treatment side effects, and how it changed their life views.
If Cancer Returns
- When Cancer Returns
Information regarding cancer recurrence, communicating with your health care team as well as your family and friends, managing side effects, and coping issues.
