"Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. Chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. Here is some information to help you better understand what cancer is.
You are made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don't die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should.
For many people, cancer can be treated successfully. In fact, more people than ever before lead full lives after cancer treatment" (Visit What is Cancer, for more information).
The cancers included in the list above are those with 40,000 or more reported cases in 2020 (NCI, n.d.).
References:
National Cancer Institute (n.d.). Common Cancer Types.
"Cancer impacts the entire family. Parents may feel they are protecting their children by hiding a cancer diagnosis. But cancer is not something you can easily hide, nor should you. Keeping such a secret can cause additional strain on you and your family at a time when you need to focus on healing."
"The diagnosis of cancer in a child or teenager can be a devastating blow to parents and other family members who love the child. Cancer creates an instant crisis in the family. Here we provide information to help parents of children with cancer know what to expect. Here we offer suggestions on topics such as coping with the diagnosis, dealing with financial and insurance issues, and nutrition for children with cancer."
“Your Stories” Podcasts: How Cancer Impacts Families
"Cancer can affect everyone: patients, partners, children, parents, doctors, and more. Families must navigate the challenges of cancer individually and with each other, and this road is often complicated. This is where hearing about the experiences of others can be particularly helpful."
Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
"This series of guides offers extensive information on helping children understand and deal with cancer in another family member."
Talking With Family and Friends
This webpage covers a range of topics including how cancer affects family life and how children understand cancer.
"Caregiving involves the whole family and understanding family dynamics and interactions. Engaging in ongoing and clear communication helps all family members along the journey. Explore articles and resources on strengthening communication and having important family conversations."
"Each of us has a mental picture of how we look, our 'self-image.' Although we may not always like how we look, we're used to our self-image and accept it. But cancer and its treatment can change how you look and feel about yourself. Know you aren't alone in how you feel. Many others have similar feelings."
How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Sexuality
"Sex, sexuality, and intimacy are just as important for people with cancer as they are for people who don’t have cancer. In fact, sexuality and intimacy have been shown to help people face cancer by helping them deal with feelings of distress, and when going through treatment. But, the reality is that a person's sex organs, sexual desire (sex drive or libido), sexual function, well-being, and body image can be affected by cancer and cancer treatment. How a person shows sexuality can also be affected."
"Cancer can put a strain on intimate relationships. Treatments for cancer and the disease itself may cause changes in sexual desire and function. If your physical appearance has changed, you may feel less attractive or desirable. At the same time, your partner may feel helpless, fearful or unsure of how to support you. Any of these issues can form barriers to intimacy."
"Recent research shows that of the nearly 65 million family caregivers in the United States, about half are male. Men often face different challenges than female caregivers and may have personal needs that go uncared for. This page will help male caregivers understand how they can care for their loved ones and connect with others for advice and support."
Male Family Caregivers: Growing in Number and in Needs
"Most men have grown up in a household–and certainly a culture–in which females have been perceived as the primary family nurturers. Yet, often by necessity, more men than ever are rolling up their sleeves and helping an ill loved one with day-to-day tasks, such as dressing, toileting, bathing, eating, changing dressings and managing medications,' reads an extensive report on Menstuff.org, a digital resource featuring information for and about men. As more men enter this stereotypically female sphere, it is important to consider what tools and resources male caregivers need to succeed."
"Almost half the people who care for an elderly, disabled, or chronically ill family member or friend are men. But the way they cope is different from women."
More Men are Caregivers Than Ever Before
"Just 15 years ago, men made up only 19% of caregivers in America. Today that number is up to 40% according to the National Alliance for Caregivers. There are many factors leading to men assuming the caregiver role including changes in the economy resulting in early retirements and layoffs, the fact that families are no longer living near each other, longer life expectancy, and changing gender role perceptions. With more men stepping up to become the family caregiver, it is important to look at how men approach the roll of full time caregiver."
"When we think of family caregivers, we tend to think of women. And in fact the typical caregiver is a middle-aged woman caring for a relative, often her mother. But the face of American caregiving is changing rapidly, according to 'Breaking Stereotypes: Spotlight on Male Family Caregivers,' a recent report from AARP. Eight years ago, just 34 percent of caregivers surveyed were men. Today, 40 percent of the 40 million Americans caring for a loved one are male."
"The American Cancer Society Caregiver Resource Guide is a tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. It can help you: learn how to care for yourself as a caregiver, better understand what your loved one is going through, develop skills for coping and caring, and take steps to help protect your health and well-being."
What a Cancer Caregiver Does
"We think of caregivers as unpaid loved ones who give the person with cancer physical and emotional care. They may be spouses, partners, family members, or close friends. Most often, they are not trained for the caregiver job. Many times, they may be the lifeline of the person with cancer."
"More than 15 million adults are living with cancer in the United States today. For each patient, a caregiver is sharing in the cancer journey. Caring for a cancer patient is an important job that plays a fundamental role in that patient’s recovery. Being a caregiver comes with its own set of challenges. It’s a role for which most people feel unprepared. It takes time and understanding to adjust to the changes."
Cancer.net has a variety of caregiving pages about caregiving basics, taking care of oneself, how to hire homecare services, young adults caring for a parent, and many more topics.
Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients
"If you're helping your family member or friend through cancer treatment, you are a caregiver. This may mean helping with daily activities such as going to the doctor or making meals. It could also mean coordinating services and care. Or it may be giving emotional and spiritual support. The tips below are for most cancer caregivers."
For Caregivers: Practical Tips to Cope
This workshop recording covers basic caregiving tips, advice for self-care, managing family and holidays, etc.
Taking Care of Yourself as a Caregiver
"Caring for someone who is sick, taking on new responsibilities, and worrying about the future can be exhausting at the very least. Here you can find tips on making sure you also take care of yourself. You'll also find checklists that can help caregivers spot signs of anxiety or depression in yourself or others."
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
"On an airplane, an oxygen mask descends in front of you. What do you do? As we all know, the first rule is to put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too."
"Caring for a parent, spouse, or family member can be challenging and may mean you need support from others. It's important to know when to ask for help, to find ways to cope, and to make keeping yourself healthy a priority!"