For caregivers and family
Caring for someone with cancer
You cook, drive, keep track of medicines and sit up at night. This page gathers practical steps for treatment days, food at home and your own rest. Your loved one’s oncologist stays in charge of their treatment.
Call your oncologist first
A new lump, unexplained bleeding or weight loss, persistent pain, breathlessness, or fever during chemotherapy needs your oncologist or emergency care first.
Working with your oncologist
You continue under your oncologist. Our Ayurvedic care is coordinated with, and subject to, your treating oncology team.
Never start any Ayurvedic Medicine during chemotherapy or radiation without your oncologist and our doctor reviewing it together.
Treatment days
Before a treatment day
Keep one notebook
Write treatment dates, every medicine with its dose, daily symptoms and your questions. Take it to every appointment.
Know who to call
Ask the oncology team for the number to call at night and on weekends. Save it in two phones.
Pack a small bag
Water, a light snack they enjoy, a warm layer, the medicine list and the notebook.
Food at home
Cooking for someone in treatment
Small and often
Five or six small meals sit better than three large ones. Serve food gently, and never force it.
Warm, soft and familiar
Moong dal khichdi, soft rice with dal, and thin soups suit a tired stomach.
Kitchen care
Wash hands and produce well, and serve food fresh. Ask the oncology team whether any foods need extra care when blood counts are low.
Helping with the daily routine
- Keep a steady rhythm: the same times for waking, meals and rest.
- A short, gentle walk, only if the oncology team agrees.
- A quiet evening and a dark, cool room for sleep.
- Full guide: Daily routine (Dinacharya)
Looking after yourself
Caring for someone is tiring work. Share tasks with other family members, take short breaks, and eat and sleep on time yourself. If you feel low or overwhelmed, talk to someone. Tele MANAS, the national mental health line, answers on 14416.
Questions to take to the oncologist
- Which symptoms need a call the same day?
- Which number do we call at night and on weekends?
- Are there foods or drinks to avoid during this treatment?
- Is any home remedy, kadha or supplement safe with this treatment?
- How much activity is fine this week?
How we help
How our doctor helps families
A plan for the family cook
Simple meals planned around treatment days and the patient’s taste.
Routine and comfort
Sleep, rest and comfort measures that fit your home.
Coordinated with the oncologist
Nothing new starts until the oncologist and our doctor review it together.
Common questions
Does Ayurveda cure cancer?
No. Ayurvedic supportive care focuses on comfort, appetite, sleep, digestion and strength while your oncology team treats the cancer.
Should we give a kadha or Ayurvedic powder at home during chemotherapy?
Not on your own. Never start any Ayurvedic Medicine during chemotherapy or radiation without your oncologist and our doctor reviewing it together.
What should we bring to the first consultation?
The current treatment plan, the full medicine list and recent reports. Bring your questions too.
I feel exhausted all the time. Is that normal?
Yes. Caring for someone in treatment is hard work. Rest when you are able, share tasks, and call Tele MANAS on 14416 if you feel low.
Talk to our doctor
Bring the treatment plan and your questions. We will suggest practical support for home, alongside the oncology team.