When someone you care about is battling cancer, you naturally want to help in every way possible. Summer brings unique challenges and opportunities to provide meaningful support that can make a real difference in their daily experience.
Cancer treatment often makes patients more sensitive to heat and sun exposure. Many chemotherapy medications and radiation treatments can cause increased skin sensitivity, making even a brief time outdoors uncomfortable or potentially harmful.
Creating comfortable indoor environments becomes one of the most practical ways to provide support during hot summer months:
- Bring portable fans for treatment days or help cover air conditioning costs during peak summer months.
- Time visits during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening hours.
- Ensure their living space remains cool and comfortable with blackout curtains or window treatments.
- Offer to run errands during the hottest parts of the day so they can stay indoors and avoid the heat.
Summer schedules change dramatically when school ends, creating both challenges and opportunities for families dealing with cancer. Children at home need supervision and activities, which can feel overwhelming for a parent undergoing treatment.
Offering specific help with childcare makes it easier for families to accept assistance. Try offering concrete support, such as taking the kids to the pool for an afternoon, organizing a movie day at your house, or coordinating with other friends to create a summer activity schedule. Even a few hours of childcare can give a patient time to rest or attend appointments without worrying about entertainment and supervision.
Specific ways to provide practical summer support include:
- Organize a group of friends or neighbors to rotate lawn care and outdoor home maintenance duties.
- Set up grocery delivery services or offer to handle shopping during cooler morning hours.
- Provide rides to appointments, treatment sessions, or errands to reduce heat exposure.
- Handle outdoor tasks like watering plants, cleaning pools, or maintaining outdoor spaces.
Remember that small gestures often mean the most. Bringing ice cream on a hot day, offering to pick up prescriptions, or simply spending time together in air conditioning can provide comfort and normalcy during a challenging time. You can also ask directly what would be most helpful, and be prepared to adjust your support as their needs change throughout treatment.
If you have questions about supporting a loved one through cancer treatment or need guidance on navigating summer challenges, call 704-342-9577 to schedule an appointment with Oncology Specialists of Charlotte.
published: July 1, 2025, 4:07 p.m.