Finding the right gifts for a cancer patient means combining the practical with the personal. Sometimes a note or card is enough to help a loved one through theemotional stagesthey go through during cancer treatment. Spending time together, too, might be all your friend or relative wants. At other times, some essential material gifts can go a long way to helping them out.
This article offers tips on choosing the right gift for a cancer patient including clothing, personal care items, and ideas for one-of-a-kind gifts. When considering your options, think about your loved one’s specific needs. Knowing a little about the type of cancer and stage the person is at can also help you choose an appropriate present.
Miniseries / Getty Images
Comfortable Clothes and Wraps
Your friend may not feel up to leaving the house much. Excursions may be limited to doctor appointments or treatments. Because of this, cancer patients often cherish the comforts of home even more during this time.
Some gifts that add a little cozy comfort to their day include:
Don’t worry about color or pattern. You can even choose a color or pattern that reflects your own tastes. This can serve as a reminder of your friendship during the long and often lonely days of cancer treatment.
Add a note that describes the meaning behind your gift. For example: “Here’s a little warmth for the times I can’t be with you.”
Stress Relievers
Stress is difficult for anyone, whether they have cancer or not.Aromatherapyproducts may help some people manage cancer-related symptoms.These scented products include pillows, eye masks, and even stuffed animals made with essential oils.
No studies on using aromatherapy in cancer patients have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Several clinical trials, though, have suggested that essential oils might help cancer patients deal with sleep, nausea, and anxiety.
Since many cancer patients are sensitive to certain smells, however, you may want to ask if the person has preferences or, if possible, have them smell some testers to find a scent that appeals to them.
There are no scientific studies that linkpositivitywith improved survival for people with cancer. However, researchhasshown that stress can negatively impact cancer growth.
Entertainment Options
Activity levels wane during active cancer treatment.Cancer fatigueis common even for patients who aren’t currently undergoing treatment. Books and movies can be an excellent way to escape for a few hours. You might even consider paying for a subscription to a streaming service, like Netflix.
A thriller, mystery, biography, or a laugh-out-loud comedy can be great entertainment. There are times, though, when your friend might want something more relevant.
If your friend wants to read up on cancer, there are many books to choose from across many different genres. Here are a few options:
Sometimes, people with cancer maynotwant to read, watch, or hear anything about cancer. If you don’t know what kinds of books or movies your friend is or is not interested in, consider sharing some favorites. You may help your friend find a new author or genre.
On that note, it will be helpful to let your friend know that reading the book or watching the movie is optional. Your friend may not want to feel obligated to add to an already long to-do list.
Audiobooks are also a great option for someone who feels fatigued. An Audible subscription would allow them to download audiobooks directly to their phone to listen to at any time.
Warm, Stylish Head Coverings
Thinning hair and chemotherapy-relatedhair losscan make cold weather uncomfortable. Some people with cancer prefer not to wear hats or wigs, but cold temperatures can change that.
Warm hats,scarves, and bandanas can help keep your friend covered up in style. Don’t focus on appearance, though; keep the focus on staying healthy and warm. Let your friend know that head coverings are always optional.
Gifts for Foodies
If your friend is a foodie, consider gifting a meal or gift certificate from a favorite restaurant. Remember a few things before choosing this type of gift, though.
Pick a restaurant with a large and varied menu. Sometimes, a person’staste buds changeduring cancer treatment. “Old favorites” can become subject to new allergies and sensitivities.
Cancer and its treatment can make food offputting. This is becausenausea and vomitingare frequent symptoms of chemotherapy. Your friend may not feel up to dining out. People with cancer may also need to avoid public places due to a compromised immune system.
Your loved one will appreciate friends and neighbors bringing over hot meals from time to time. For someone with cancer, though, it’s always good to have some choice.
If your loved one has children or over-stretched caretakers, it can be a great relief to offer food for the entire family. Consider setting up a meal train with members of your community or social network. Online apps allow individuals to sign up for dinner or other meals that they then deliver. Details about food allergies or preferences can be noted so that those signing up can prepare something appropriate.
Foods to Avoid During Chemotherapy
Personal Care Items
Cancer can take a toll on your physical body. Mouth sores and dry skin and lips are just some of the issues cancer patients face. There are specialty products that cater to the needs of those with specific ailments or dealing with theside effects of chemotherapy. Some products to consider:
Take care with soaps, lotions, and spa gift sets. Even most organic products may contain scents or irritants that your friend may not be able to tolerate.
Jewelry and Keepsakes
Many in-person and online stores sell jewelry and keepsakes to raise awareness for nearly every type of cancer. In many cases, some or all of the proceeds go to cancer research.
These products are often designed using the campaign’s color (for example, pink for breast cancer).
You may also be able to customize jewelry with charms that carry a particular message like hope, joy, courage, or love, or add a personal inscription.
Cancer Ribbon Colors, Meanings, and Months
Help With Daily Activities
Sometimes, a great gift isn’t material. Your friend might need something you can do rather than buy.
Personalized IOUs can come in handy when your friend isn’t feeling 100%. Just be sure to make gift certificates specific.
For example, you could design and print a coupon your friend can redeem for:
Something like “one hour of help” is too vague. This is more likely to result in the gift certificate going to waste.
Your friend may need help with certain things, but may not think or want to ask for it. For example:
DIY Gift Baskets
Put a gift basket together. Include things your friend might need during and after cancer treatment. Some ideas:
Gift baskets may take a little more effort. Still, a do-it-yourself gift is more thoughtful and may be more appreciated. The variety in a gift basket may be a welcome distraction from the daily activities of managing appointments and coping with treatments.
Donations to Support Research and Survivorship
Your friend may prefer not to receive gifts. If so, consider supporting a cancer charity in your friend’s name.
Mostcancer research organizations, hospitals, and societies maintain charitable programs. You can make a one-time or monthly gift. As a bonus, donations come with tax benefits.
This type of gift may require a little research. Look at the institute’s year-end financial report. It will tell you which areas of research it invests in. It will also note how much of each dollar is spent on administrative costs. These costs are often called the “facilities and administrative rate” or F&A.
Look for organizations devoted to specific cancers. Examples include:
If your friend has breast cancer, consider donating to an organization focused on finding a cure for metastatic breast cancer, such asMETAvivor. Many organizations devote a large percentage of their bottom line to supporting people with cancer and looking for cures.
Gifts to Avoid for Cancer Patients
When it comes to selecting gifts for cancer patients, there are some items that in most cases you should avoid, including:
Unless you are aware of specific dietary restrictions (which are common for patients undergoing cancer treatment), refrain from sweets and candies. One alternative might be to offer a gift certificate that would allow them to choose the most appropriate option.
Summary
When a loved one has cancer, it can be hard to find the perfect gift. Consider gifts that provide comfort, like blankets and soft robes or stress relief. Entertainment and relaxation gifts help to lift spirits while food and at-home assistance helps remove daily burdens so the person can get well.
Some people don’t want any gifts or fuss. For those cancer patients, consider just spending time together or ask if you can make a donation in their name to a charity that supports cancer research.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ®)–patient version.National Cancer Institute.Psychological stress and cancer.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ®)–patient version.National Cancer Institute.Psychological stress and cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ®)–patient version.National Cancer Institute.Psychological stress and cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ®)–patient version.
National Cancer Institute.Psychological stress and cancer.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
