Cancer caregivers need care too. NCCN now offers them guidance

Clinical takeaway: Caregiver burnout can show up in a variety of ways including poor sleep, pain, anxiety, or depression. Ask about these and treat appropriately. Consider offering the NCCN guide as a supportive cancer caregiver resource. 

Nearly one in four American adults is a caregiver, and those caring for someone with cancer are often surprised by how much hands-on care falls to them. Sudden changes in health, treatment delays, hospital stays, and side effects can make caregiving unpredictable. Some caregivers find themselves giving injections or managing feeding tubes and central lines with little or no training. Emotional exhaustion and grief are common, and caregivers' own health often suffers, a burden the guide says is frequently overlooked by health care professionals as well.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) patient guides have covered nearly every cancer type, along with prevention, screening, and supportive care. This guide expands the series to focus on the people who support patients, with chapters on building a caregiving plan, working with the cancer care team, and caring for oneself. It was developed as a patient education resource by NCCN panel members and collaborators.

The guide advises cancer caregivers to first ask the patient what help is wanted, then create a written care plan and share responsibilities among family and friends. Speaking on a patient's behalf requires permission, so it recommends requesting a Release of Health Information form and patient portal access through the cancer center. For hands-on care, caregivers are encouraged to ask the care team for training on injections, central line care, and catheter or ostomy bag changes, and to request a physical or occupational therapist for guidance on safe transfers. For financial and legal matters, the guide recommends requesting an insurer case manager, appealing coverage denials, and putting an advance directive and power of attorney in place early.

The guide groups signs of caregiver stress into three categories. Physical signs include exhaustion, sleep problems, and body aches. Psychological signs include anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. Emotional signs include feelings of helplessness, thoughts of self-harm, and resentment toward a loved one. The guide urges caregivers to keep up with their own primary care visits and to seek help from a physician, counselor, or mental health specialist when feelings become overwhelming. For support, it points to respite care, support groups, and options such as family leave or flexible work hours through human resources.

“When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, naturally, most people want to show up for them however they can. But pretty quickly, many realize it’s not just about cancer. They’re also juggling everything else in their lives,” said Anthea Gray, PsyD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2026 Oct 27) NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer