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Taking care of myself

Good to know

Relatives often look after people with cancer. This support can strengthen the physical and emotional state of those affected. But it can also be exhausting.

As a relative, you can contact the treatment team at any time.

Typical tasks include discussing treatment decisions and providing support with day-to-day activities (transport and accompaniment to therapy sessions).

As a relative, you also provide emotional support. Depending on the situation, you may also take charge of specific care, such as tube feeding and changing dressings, or administering special diets.

It's important to take care of yourself so that you don't overstep your limits. The following questions can help you find your bearings, ask for help and accept it: Can I and do I want to take care of it? Can I look after it myself or do I need help? What would be best for me to delegate?

You feel...
Or you notice...
What you can do for yourself...
You feel...
Or you notice...
  • Your support tasks take time and energy

  • Your investment in time and energy can be integrated into your daily routine

     

What you can do for yourself...
  • Take time to rest and look after yourself.
  • Set aside time every day to relax with enjoyable activities (nap, yoga, music, gardening, etc.), even if only for a short time.
  • Keep in touch with the people who are important to you and talk to them about your feelings and fears.
  • Ask your family and friends to take on tasks that you find difficult.

     

You feel...
Or you notice...

 For a while now:

  • You have almost no time for yourself and you can't rest any more
  • Your thoughts go round in circles, even at night, and you sleep less well and for shorter periods
  • You sometimes feel very tired, find it harder to concentrate and are less patient

     

What you can do for yourself...
  • Contact people who support and understand you.
  • Make a list of all the tasks you carry out on a daily basis.
  • Decide which tasks you can delegate to friends, family or professionals.
  • Make an appointment with the Cancer League in your canton for a counselling session.
  • Contact a self-help group where you can talk to other people in a similar situation.

     

You feel...
Or you notice...
  • You have broken off or greatly reduced contact with your friends
  • You feel depressed, physically ill or hopeless
  • You are impatient and irritable

     

What you can do for yourself...
  • Contact your family doctor or another specialist you trust.

  • Call the Swiss Cancer League's Cancer InfoLine 
    (Tel 0800 11 88 11, Mo-Fr 10 bis 18 Uhr), or write your request in the Cancer League chat or by e-mail (helpline@krebsliga.ch).

Tips

Consultation of the Cancer League

 

The staff of the cantonal and regional cancer leagues can provide you with social, administrative and financial support. The Swiss Cancer League also provides support for relatives by telephone and chat: Cancer helpline

As a caregiver, don't wait until you feel exhausted, even if you think you can manage it. Talk to an advisor at your cantonal or regional cancer league.

Further information on this topic

I accompany a person with cancer, Swiss Cancer League (2021)

Between the workplace and the caregiving task, Swiss Cancer League (2022)

You can download the flyer as PDF here

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