What does a cancer caregiver do?

A cancer caregiver is a family member or friend who helps support a person during and after cancer treatment. That support can take many forms. It might mean practical, everyday help, like preparing meals, running errands, or driving to doctor visits. It can also include giving medicines or helping with physical therapy and other clinical tasks, or helping with personal care like bathing.

Caregiving doesn't always mean being physically present. Some caregivers coordinate care and services from a distance, by phone or email, especially if they don't live nearby. And some of the most important caregiving isn't a task at all — it's giving emotional and spiritual support, simply being there for someone.

Every caregiving situation looks different, because every family and every diagnosis is different. There's no single right way to do it. Some caregivers take on many roles at once; others focus on one or two, while other family members or friends help with the rest. What matters most is that the person with cancer feels supported, in whatever way fits your relationship and your circumstances.