Information for Family and Friends

Living with someone who has a serious disease is not easy. People with cancer, and the people who care about them, face many problems and challenges. Coping with these problems can be easier with helpful information and support.

If you are a family member or friend of someone with melanoma, you may find the following information helpful.

• Learn all you can about melanoma and how it is treated.
• If your friend or partner expresses anger or frustration about their illness, do not take it personally. Simply provide support and allow your loved one to express their feelings and concerns.
• Watch for signs of depression in your friend or partner with melanoma. If you think he or she is depressed, help them find emotional support and contact the doctor.
• Understand that your friend or partner may need help with some things they used to do, such as preparing meals or household chores. If you cannot take on these extra responsibilities, look for ways to find a group of people to help. This can be a set of neighbors, people from the patient's religious community, parents whose children are close to the patient's children, etc.
• Realize that side effects of treatment may affect your family member or friend's sense of taste. You may need to try preparing different foods and serving several small meals throughout the day. Try to stay flexible and open to making changes as needed.
• Support groups are available for both cancer patients and the family and friends of cancer patients. For more information about support groups, see Resources and Support.

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