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Hope for the holidays: Tips for cancer patients and caregivers

477 views · Published 21 December 2009 · 1:57 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 2009 · Education

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How can cancer patients, their families, and friends best prepare for the holiday season? Ursula Matulonis, MD, explains the need to take things easy; Cyndi Mackinlay, whose son Andrew survived leukemia, remembers how thoughtful friends made one Christmas particularly special for her family. 
Find more ways to cope with the holidays when faced with illness: http://www.dana-farber.org/hopefortheholidays

More tips to help cancer patients during the holiday season

Battling cancer can be exhausting enough. During the holidays, the pressure to keep up with traditions or expectations can increase stress and anxiety. Here are more ways for cancer patients, families, and friends to help create a more enjoyable holiday season.

For the patient

Maintain as normal a routine as possible
Try to continue doing normal activities.
Regular exercise, even walking, helps relieve stress and tension and improve your mood.

Don't abandon healthy eating habits
Watch out for the temptation to eat junk foods and high calorie comfort foods.
Don't deprive yourself, but eat in moderation.
Alcohol should be used in moderation.

Go with the flow
Don't strive for perfection this holiday.
Don't sweat the small stuff.

Create new traditions
Change the time of day when you serve dinner based on how you're feeling.
Start a family keepsake book and record old and new traditions.

Be true to yourself
Be honest about your feelings. Express your emotions; don't suppress them.
If you feel a need to cry or get upset, go ahead. Tears can bring a sense of relief.

For family and friends
It's understandable that you might not know what to say to a friend or family member battling cancer. However, there are still ways to show your support.

Send a card to let the family know you are thinking of them.
Children especially love to receive mail.
When choosing a card, be careful of those that say "Get well soon."

Keep emotions in check
The last thing a stressed-out family member needs is to have to comfort a despondent friend.
Remember that many children go through years of cancer treatment. Parents may need to talk about their child's cancer even months after the initial diagnosis.

Be compassionate. Be patient. Be generous.
Work as a team to provide support.
Encourage the cancer patient to keep a journal about how they're feeling. It can help both of you get through a difficult period.
Take time to notice the small moments the holidays bring.

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