What is it like to have a family member with cancer?

The person with cancer may be moody or withdrawn at times. They may not notice the things you are doing for them. Or they may be irritable, especially if they are in pain. Many people take out their fear or anxiety on the person closest to them.

How can a family member with cancer affect other family members?

Cancer has a major effect on marriages and other long-term partnerships. After a cancer diagnosis, both individuals may experience sadness, anxiety, anger, or even hopelessness. The effects of cancer vary from couple to couple. For some couples, facing the challenges of cancer together strengthens their relationship.

How does cancer affect the people around you?

A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It’s important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.

What to say to someone who has a family member with cancer?

Here are some ideas:

• “I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care”.
• “I’m sorry to hear that you are going through this”.
• “How are you doing?”
• “If you would like to talk about it, I’m here”.
• “Please let me know how I can help”.
• “I’ll keep you in my thoughts”.

What to do for a family member with cancer?

Psychosocial support includes mental health counseling, education, group support, and many other such services. For a person with cancer, one of the hardest things to go through is when the cancer keeps growing during treatment or comes back after treatment. It is hard for their loved ones, too, including children and teens.

How does the illness story help families cope with cancer?

The illness story encompasses each family member’s experience of the crisis, which Pandit solicits by asking questions about when the symptoms started, when and how their loved one was diagnosed and how it felt for the family member to hear the diagnosis.

What do you mean by coping with cancer?

Coping is the ability of patients and family members to adapt functional – ly to either the immediate distress of diagnosis and treatment or to longer- term adjustments of life changes.

How does a family cope with terminal cancer?

Process news of terminal cancer. If the diagnosis is terminal or end-stage cancer, the process of coping will also be a process of saying goodbye. Both adults and children will have varying ways of coping with the impending death of an ill family member. Grief specialists identify several stages that families go through during this time.