October 9 is DAF Day! Use your Donor Advised Fund to help save lives today. Give Now.

showDesktop,showTablet,showMobile

Supportive Care During Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can affect many parts of your life. Supportive care can help you manage symptoms and side effects from both the cancer and its treatment. This section explains different supportive care options and how they can help improve your quality of life during your cancer journey.

Managing symptoms, side effects, and quality of life

woman comforting a female cancer patient

What are cancer-related side effects? Learn more about common side effects that can be caused by cancer and cancer treatment and what you can do to manage them.

Palliative care (supportive care) focuses on improving the quality of life for people living with a serious illness like cancer. You can get it at any time. Learn more.

Some integrative (holistic) therapies to manage cancer, when used correctly, may improve wellbeing and quality of life and have a lower risk of causing harm. But not all information about integrative medicine is reliable and misuse can sometimes lead to harm.

A blood transfusion (or blood product transfusion) temporarily replace parts of your blood. Learn how blood is donated and transfused as part of cancer care.

What to know about treatment and drainage devices

IV therapy (also called infusion therapy) is used to deliver medicines, fluids, blood products, or nutrition into the bloodstream.

Tubes and drains used during cancer treatment might include oxygen tubes, feeding tubes, or fluid drains.

Living with...

Life with advanced and metastatic cancer is different for everyone. Getting the right support is especially important when living with advanced or metastatic cancer.

Living with an ostomy can be challenging, but understanding your options and getting support can help you adjust. Learn about different types of ostomies and how to navigate life with one.

In cancer care, implants and prostheses (also known as prosthetics) play a crucial role in helping people recover and maintain their quality of life. Learn more.

Preparing for emergencies

If you (or a loved one) have cancer and your treatment plan needs to change due to a recent natural disaster, the following questions and answers may help you figure out what you need to do to get your treatment back on schedule.