The Festive season is a busy time of year. It has its joyous moments. However, it can also be stressful and sad for those who have cancer or loved ones with cancer who are going through or are recovering from cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and cancer treatment can cause an aversion to food, make one feel nauseated with a tendency to want to be left alone. However, there are a number of ways in which you can seek support with the holiday season.
The Cancer Council has provided seven ways of coping with cancer during this holiday season. Firstly, speak honestly with your family and let them know how you feel and what to expect. Do what you can, and let others know what you can’t. Your health is important for enabling you to pass through cancer treatment and onto survivorship.
Secondly, do things that you enjoy and don’t push yourself. Take time to rest and restore. If you feel isolated, the Cancer Council has a helpline to call on 13 11 20. Perhaps, it may also be a good idea to plan for the Christmas period. If you have the tendency to feel isolated during Christmas, booking into to see a counsellor or psychologist before the Christmas break may provide preventative measures for what may occur. If you think this might be helpful, please reach out to some of the Bloomhill psychologists or counsellors.
Thirdly, if possible talk to your healthcare team. Bloomhill will be closed from the 24th of December 2025 to the 4th of January 2026. So, if you need anyone to talk to during this period, please call the Cancer Council on the number previously provided. Alternatively, you can make a Christmas care plan, which enables you to keep on top of your care. This may include having any burning questions answered before the break.
Fourthly, going through cancer and its treatment can be draining. If is often the case that what we were once able to do with ease, now takes a considerable amount of work. It may be important to reframe your expectations. Instead of spending a lot of time cooking, perhaps the focus can be on spending more time with the family. Furthermore, letting others know that your energy levels aren’t what they used to be can allow others to arrange activities around you.
Fifthly, don’t think that you have to do everything by yourself. There are times when you need help, and this is one of them. Others want to help, so let them. In this way, you can conserve your strength and allow others to assist while relationships are built.
Sixthly, the festive season is for family, for communication and for spending time together. When people get together they will inevitably ask about your wellbeing. You need to choose how much you want to share with people and prepare answers to questions that they may ask. This will help you avoid being caught off guard. You might need to find a suitable time to speak and may also need to consider to whom and what will be disclosed. This may necessitate the need to find a quiet place.
Finally, the Cancer Council also provides a number of support services. These services include connecting with others, accommodation, survivorship, cancer counselling, legal and workplace support, online community, transport and financial support. Lifeline also offers crisis support on 13 11 14.
If you feel like company on Christmas Day, there is a Christmas Beach Breakfast Community Outreach on Christmas Day, Thursday, 25 December at Happy Valley Park, Bullock Beach, Caloundra from 7 am to 10 am. Furthermore, check local community boards, churches or other organizations for organised social events. Bloomhill wishes you a very merry Christmas, and will be here to support you again next year.
References
Cancer Council NSW. (2024). Here are some ways we can help. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/
Cancer Council NSW. (December 12, 2024). 6 ways to cope with cancer this holiday season. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/news/6-ways-to-cope-with-cancer-this-holiday-season/
Cancer Hub. (2025). Dealing with Christmas and cancer. https://cancerhub.org.au/dealing-with-christmas-and-cancer/
Lifeline. (2025). MEDIA RELEASE: Lifeline is calling for community support this Christmas. Together, we can bring hope this holiday season. https://lifelinedirect.org.au/corporate/news/lifeline-christmas-appeal-2024
Please contact our Nurses on 07 5445 5794 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
All information provided by Bloomhill is mainly based on research from the Qld Cancer Council and best practice guidelines. Our model of care utilizes the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) domains of wellness along with available clinical evidence. Always consult your care team regarding matters that affect your health. This is a guide intended for information only.
