A Caregiver’s Guide to Cancer  

Caring for a loved one who has cancer can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. To start, it’s important to understand what caregiving involves, how to support someone with cancer and where you can turn for help.  

This cancer caregiver guide will help you get started so you can support your loved one and take care of yourself, too. 

Take the Lead on Researching

“Sometimes doing research can be overwhelming for the patient who’s dealing with cancer,” says Amanda Wheeler, M.D., a cancer surgeon at Sutter. You can help your loved one filter information, since so much of it can be emotionally charged or even incorrect, leading to anxiety.

Wheeler says to make sure you know your source. Turn to the American Cancer Society and societies and associations that are made up of cancer physicians and clinicians. For example, the ACS CARES® app is a good option for people facing breast cancer.

You can also ask librarians and researchers for guidance, or reach out to our health educators. They can point you toward reliable information and help you filter out less trustworthy sources. 

Lean on Your Loved One’s Nurse Navigator

At Sutter, cancer patient navigators can help your loved one figure out how to work within the healthcare system and make decisions about their healthcare. With your loved one’s permission, you can reach out to the nurse navigator on their behalf.

Nurse navigators can:

• Connect you and your loved one with support groups, community resources and complementary treatments
• Evaluate clinical trials
• Explain treatment options in ways that are easy to understand
• Help make sure your loved one is prepared for treatments and surgery
• Help you keep track of appointments, arrange transportation and accompany you to appointments
• Work with you to understand the costs of cancer care and how to get coverage from government programs
• Provide support to help meet nutritional needs 

Nurse navigators are a good starting point for your questions. “If they don’t know the answer, they can certainly reach the physician or the clinician who has that answer,” Wheeler says.

Access My Health Online for Your Loved One

If your loved one gives you permission, you can get proxy access to their My Health Online account. You can use the account to:

• Ask providers simple questions
• Book appointments and Video Visits
• Live chat
• Renew prescriptions
• Schedule lab tests 

With access to My Health Online, you can handle a lot of details for your loved one, freeing them up to rest, build their strength and heal. 

Schedule Video Visits

Telehealth visits make it easy for you and other family members or caregivers to join in on appointments with providers. With these visits, you get information first-hand from your loved one’s healthcare team. At Sutter, you can schedule Video Visits or join a queue for an on-demand appointment any time.

Appointments can be stressful and overwhelming for people with cancer, so having someone there with them can make it easier. You can ask any questions your loved one may forget to ask, take notes so you have clear information about what the provider shared and help them cope with difficult news or information. 

Get Support for Yourself

No matter what you do to simplify your loved one’s cancer treatment, caregiving takes a mental toll. A behavioral health provider can support you and your mental health needs. Find one near you today.