How Caregivers Can Support Cancer Survivors’ Physical Health

Caregivers can help cancer survivors stay healthy during and after cancer treatment in several ways.

During Treatment

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation weaken the immune system, making patients more likely to get infections. One out of every 10 cancer survivors who receives chemotherapy gets an infection that requires a hospital visit. Cancer survivors also are at higher risk for complications from the flu and pneumococcal disease.

To help lower the risk of the cancer survivor getting an infection, you can—

• Practice good hygiene, especially washing your hands often and well.
• Watch for cuts or scrapes on the survivor’s skin. Call a health care provider if you notice wounds or signs of infection such as swelling, drainage, or redness.
• Get a flu shot for yourself every year and encourage the survivor to get one, too.
• Ask the survivor’s doctor if he or she also needs a pneumococcal shot.
• Avoid close contact with others who may be sick.

After Treatment

Cancer survivors have a higher risk than people who have never had cancer of having their first cancer come back, getting a new cancer, and having other health problems. This is due to the effects of treatment, genetic factors, unhealthy behaviors like smoking and lack of physical activity, or other risk factors that contributed to the first cancer.

You can help the cancer survivor get follow-up care—routine checkups and other cancer screenings. Follow-up care can help find new or returning cancers early and look for side effects of cancer treatment. At the end of treatment, ask the doctor which screening tests are recommended for the survivor.

You can also help survivors make healthy choices, such as—

• Avoiding tobacco.
• Limiting alcohol use.
• Avoiding too much exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds.
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Keeping a healthy weight.
• Being physically active.