Relationship Challenges and Open Communication

The diagnosis of cancer can affect familiar, traditional and expected relationships. Assumptions on the part of medical providers or the patient’s community about the roles and responsibilities of loved ones, such as spouse, parent, child, or sibling, can complicate things even further. While a cancer diagnosis may work to bring people closer together, it is also true that it may be the first time spouses have ever been in such a challenging situation together. Expectations may differ. Sometimes the spouse wants to be the caregiver while the patient does not want their spouse to be the caregiver—or vice versa. When caregiving places an undue pressure on a relationship, it may make sense to turn outward for caregiving help, such as to home health care or other professional services.

It would be ideal to sit down and have an open dialogue with loved ones to establish roles, expectations, and values soon after your diagnosis. Newly diagnosed NET patients need to be given a safe space to express what matters most to them, who they want on their care team, and how they would like to be supported. Caregivers may find it challenging to know how to switch among various roles and responsibilities. Open and honest dialogue about preferences and expectations can help establish care roles in a way that is sustainable and that preserves or even deepens relationships.