5 Great Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients

The cancer journey can be overwhelming. As a loved one or friend of someone with cancer, you may want to give them a gift to show that you care and sympathize with the difficult circumstances they face.

You should account for their unique needs and wants. For instance, they may feel especially vulnerable or overwhelmed after surgery. Similarly, chemotherapy and radiation bring a host of new needs and challenges that you should consider when choosing a gift.

Below are some questions you might ask yourself during this process, as well as a list of suggested gifts that may address the needs of your friend or family member.

5 Great Gifts You Should Consider 

1. A Journal

The cancer journey is a remarkably complex experience. Giving your loved one the chance to put their thoughts on paper can help them process their feelings in a healthy way.

2. Light-hearted Books & Movies

Happy books and movies are a welcome distraction from the more serious aspects of the cancer journey. Be mindful of what your friend or loved one may prefer. Picking out an individual book or movie can personalize your gesture and target something specific that they may want.

3. Streaming Service Subscription

If your loved one is in the hospital for an extended stay, they’ll want some entertainment, or something that can distract them from how they feel. A streaming service subscription can give them more freedom to choose what they want to watch. If they have access to a host of different shows and movies, they’ll have more freedom to choose a show or movie that suits their interests or appeals to them at that moment.

4. Scent-free Lotions

Chemotherapy is harsh on the skin, and lotion can relieve the dehydrating effects of chemo. You should consider buying a lotion without scent, because chemo can highly alter patients’ sense of smell and make scents seem more intense.

5. Hats & Scarves

Hair loss sometimes occurs because of chemotherapy, so a hat or scarf can keep patients warm. Some patients may not be comfortable with their new appearance, so wearing a special hat or scarf may make them feel more confident. Don’t forget, chemo can make patients’ scalps feel sensitive, so a breathable fabric is essential! The best types of fabrics for a hat or scarf are cotton and rayon, rather than silk, which tends to slip off more easily, or polyester, which is less breathable. Additionally, cotton is easier to clean and has more lasting power.

4 Things You Should Not Give as a Gift

The type of gift you choose to buy depends on the person. However, some gifts may not be suitable, specifically for a patient who is going through their cancer journey.

1. “Get Well Soon” cards

The cancer process can oftentimes be a long and unpredictable one. The messaging behind a “Get Well Soon” card can sometimes come across as insincere or trite. Additionally, a gift with more utility can often be more meaningful than a card.

2. Flowers

Most people think that flowers are the perfect gift, but there are more drawbacks to flowers than you think. Plants and flowers can put your loved ones at a higher risk of infection. Chemo makes it harder for the body to fight illnesses. Flowers may have fungi or other potential sources of infection that a person undergoing chemo should avoid. They also require additional effort to be maintained for longer, or else they wither, and it can be challenging for cancer patients to maintain. 

3. Scented Lotions or Perfumes

In addition to potential allergies that your loved one or friend may have, chemotherapy and radiation can change how patients perceive smell. For instance, smells that they might otherwise enjoy or tolerate could feel unpleasant and irritate their skin.

4. Candy

Cancer patients who are going through chemo may experience mouth sores if they eat highly processed foods or snacks high in sugar.

Conclusion

Your friends and loved ones will value the gifts you give them during their cancer journey, as well as the time and care you put into choosing those presents. Take some time to think about the person who will receive the gift, whether you’re thinking about their personality or their needs as a cancer patient. Gift-giving can renew your loved one’s feeling of hope, and at the very least, it will brighten their day.