The President's Cancer Panel reports that 41% of people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. It's far more common than we like to think about.
If you have a family member suffering with cancer, the great news is that there are a number of innovative measures being taken to put the odds in their favor of winning the fight.
In the meantime, you may feel powerless to help them. However, there’s a lot you can do to help them enjoy an increased quality of life. Whether it's someone in your immediate family for whom you're a primary caregiver or a more distant relative, there are a number of things you can offer to help them get through their daily routine.
1 - Chemo Candies
If your family member is undergoing chemotherapy, you know how excruciating the process is. Not only is your loved one tired and in pain, but they are likely very queasy.
It can be difficult to get food down, let alone keep it down. The trouble is, it's so important to ensure proper nutrition to most effectively fight back and take control of the disease.
There are candies available that work to reduce nausea. It can be hard to imagine just how frustrating nausea can be until you deal with it for an extended period of time. Give your loved one the gift of appetite!
2 - Variety of Wigs
Losing all your hair adds insult to injury. However, you can help your loved one take back their dignity with a variety of wigs. Not only does this help them maintain confidence, but it can also be a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Your loved one can try out different hairstyles and colors, and this gives them something to look forward to once their hair grows back in. The gift of style helps your family member feel like a normal member of society despite their condition.
3 - Aluminum-Free Deodorants
While cancer treatment puts a tremendous amount of stress on your loved one, you'd be surprised at the many things we take for granted that they have to invest more time and effort into securing.
You probably don't think much of it when you put on your deodorant in the morning. However, cancer patients need to remain hyper-aware of what they expose themselves to. Products that contain aluminum, harsh chemicals, and carcinogens are off-limits.
Consider the gift of hygiene in the purchase of aluminum-free deodorants for your loved one to enjoy. We all want to smell good, and they shouldn't have to spend their valuable time looking for something compatible with their fighting body.
4 - Hand Sanitizer
Especially is your loved one is undergoing chemotherapy, their body is under a lot of stress. Needless to say, they are very weak as they go through treatment, and it can set them back a lot if they get ill.
Help them prevent getting sick in the first place. Consider buying hand sanitizers for them to enjoy. You can buy a large container to set by their bedside and several smaller bottles to enjoy on-the-go. With so much time spent in medical facilities, you never know what germs you may run into! The gift of prevention can go a long way!
5 - Mild Shampoos
Aside from causing hair to fall out, chemo can leave the scalp dry, itchy, and very irritated. Common shampoos and conditioners often do nothing but make things worse. This makes mild shampoos and conditioners highly thoughtful gifts that cancer patient appreciate.
There are products on the market which are specially-designed with chemo patients in mind. Just a few things these shampoos offer that make them stand out include:
- Ph-balanced formulas
- Biodegradable
- Effective relief from itching
- Additives to improve scalp circulation to promote hair growth
- Vitamin B5 to smooth the hair and keep it properly moisturized
- No fragrances, parabens, and harsh chemicals
Consider the gift of smooth, moisturized hair when it seems a good hair day isn't in the near future.
6 - Encouragement Padfolio
It can be easy to become discouraged for anyone fighting cancer. Products like the Encouragement Padfolio helps keep their spirits high. The gift of encouragement can be the most effective you offer to help you family member get through their daily battle.
7 - Personal Gifts That Keep On Giving
The best type of gift is one that keeps giving. For a family member with cancer, this would be an item that helps make life easier and accommodate daily living during the battle with disease. Cancer changes your entire lifestyle. Even the seemingly little things like taking a shower or eating are disrupted.
There's a chance any of us could be diagnosed with cancer at some point in life, but products like these not only help make it easier to fight but can even help them win the fight for the long-term. If you have a family member battling cancer, these products can prove to give back day after day as they face the road ahead.