For friends & familyShowing up for someone in treatment

When someone you care about is going through cancer treatment, it is hard to know what helps and what to avoid. This is a plain-English guide to what treatment looks like, what to expect, and how to be there in a way that genuinely helps — without putting them at risk.

01.

How treatment usually unfolds

Cancer treatment is rarely a single event. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles — a dose, then a stretch of recovery, repeated several times over weeks or months. Many treatment plans are then followed by surgery and a longer period of recovery and monitoring.

Each cycle often feels harder than the last as the effects of the drugs build up. This is completely expected, and it is not a sign that anything is going wrong.

What this means for you

Sustained support matters far more than one big gesture at the start. A steady stream of small, low-pressure check-ins over months tends to help more than a flurry of attention in the first week.

When is the best time to visit?

A single treatment cycle tends to move through fairly predictable phases. Knowing roughly where someone is in their cycle helps you choose the right moment — and the right kind of support.

The first few days of a cycle are usually spent at or near the hospital receiving treatment. These can be long, boring, lonely days, so company, a visit, or a message is often very welcome. Energy is usually still relatively good at this point, because the body is meeting the drugs with full reserves.

Often a good time to visit

02.

What to expect

Knowing what treatment can do to the body means you will not be caught off guard — and you will know how to help.

Fatigue

Tiredness can be profound, especially on the hard days, and it comes in waves. Simply being present quietly is often enough; do not expect them to entertain you.

Nausea

Nausea and a fragile stomach are common and often peak mid-cycle. Anti-sickness medication helps but rarely removes it completely. Avoid strong-smelling food and perfume.

Taste and appetite

Food can taste metallic or simply wrong, and old favourites may suddenly be off-limits. Always ask before bringing food, and try not to take it personally if it goes untouched.

Hair loss

Many treatments cause hair to thin or fall out, often a few weeks in. It is temporary and usually grows back afterwards — there is no need to make a moment of it.

03.

Good days and hard days

There will be days that feel surprisingly normal and days that are genuinely hard — sometimes in the same week. Neither one is the "real" them. The most helpful thing you can do is follow their lead, keep your support consistent, and let them set the pace.

Checklist0 / 6 done

Before you leave

1. I feel completely healthy todayNo cold, cough, sore throat, or stomach bug. Save the visit for when you're 100%.
2. I have a fresh, single-use maskN95, KN95 or equivalent. Never reuse or share a mask; change it after a few hours or when it gets damp.
3. I'm not bringing fresh flowers or plantsThey can carry bacteria and mould. A snack, a small gift, or something funny are all better options.
4. If I'm bringing food, I checked firstTaste and appetite change a lot, and some foods are off-limits during treatment. Always ask before you bring anything.

When you arrive

5. I'll wash my hands with soap for 20 secondsProper handwashing, not just sanitiser — every time, as soon as you arrive.
6. My mask is properly fitted, with no gapsOver the nose and mouth and sealed at the sides. A loose mask offers almost no protection.

Keep learning

Understand the diagnosis

A plain-English guide to PMNSGCT — what it is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated.

Follow the journey

Read the latest updates from treatment on the blog.

The most powerful thing you can offer is to keep showing up

Treatment is a marathon, not a sprint. Steady, low-pressure support — a message, a visit at the right time, a meal dropped off — adds up to far more than any single grand gesture. Thank you for being here.