How Caregivers Can Help Cancer Survivors Find Information and Make Medical Decisions

Timely, adequate, and accurate information is important for cancer survivors and their caregivers. Cancer survivors most often look for information about—

• The cause of their cancer.
• Treatments and side effects.
• Ways to prevent additional health risks.
• The social and mental effects of cancer.
• Concerns about work and insurance coverage.

Talking to a doctor can help cancer survivors cope and make medical decisions. If you, as the caregiver, go to doctor visits with the survivor, you can—

• Write down questions and information you want to share with the doctor.
• Bring a list of all of the medicines that the cancer survivor is taking.
• Write down the information the doctor or health care team shares with you and the survivor.
• Ask questions and talk about any new symptoms or changes in the survivor’s physical and mental health.
• Make sure you and the survivor understand what to do next.