This cancer toolkit is an ever-growing list of essentials meant to provide support and relief to cancer patients and their caregivers. This list is all about comfort, stress relief, emotional and energetic support. In my opinion, these are just as important as treatments themselves. By the way, any of the items in this list would make great gifts for anyone you know who is dealing with Cancer. So it is my Cancer Toolkit and Cancer Gift List.
When you’re in the middle of it, everything feels like it’s spinning out of control. Your schedule belongs to the doctors, your body belongs to the treatment, and your mind is often just trying to keep up. Having a “toolkit” is about more than just stuff; it’s about reclaiming a little bit of agency. It’s about finding small ways to make a hard day just 10% more bearable.
Skin & Body Care
Cancer can be very painful. If you are dealing with the after-effects of chemotherapy and/or have any type of tube sticking out of you, let’s face it, you don’t feel great. I had a tube connected to my kidney which drained into a bag strapped to my leg and had a pic line in my left arm. While I was grateful for both, I was hyper-aware of them every time I needed to move or do anything because I wanted to avoid tugging on them or ripping stitches. I digress…let’s get back to the subject of comfort.
Skin Care & Dryness
Chemotherapy and radiation can be incredibly drying for your skin. It’s important to stay hydrated inside and out.
The Honest Company Baby Lotion (Unscented): This is a personal favorite. When your skin is sensitive and dry, you want something clean and fragrance-free. Baby products are usually formulated to be gentler, and Honest is great for avoiding hidden chemicals and heavy scents (which can be a nausea trigger all by itself during treatment).
Clean Lip Balm (Chemo-Friendly)
When people say “chemo dries everything out,” they’re not kidding. Lips get cracked fast, and anything with fragrance/flavor can feel like way too much when your mouth is already irritated.
Dr. Bronner’s, Organic Lip Balm, Naked: is one of the cleanest, simplest options I’ve found. It has supportive organic ingredients that will feel soothing and relieving.
Oral Care & Nausea
Chemotherapy can be brutal on your gums and the lining of your mouth. Mucositis is no joke: it makes eating, drinking, and even talking painful. Because chemo targets fast-growing cells, the lining of your mouth often gets caught in the crossfire.
This is a pro-level cancer essential I swear by: BeeKeepers Naturals Propolis Spray.
Propolis is basically “bee glue,” a natural resin that bees use to seal their hives. It’s nature’s antibiotic: antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It’s incredibly soothing and helps keep those tiny mouth sores at bay. More importantly, it helps keep your oral microbiome in check when your immune system is taking a hit. It was a lifesaver for keeping my mouth feeling “normal” when everything else felt off.
Check out the Propolis Spray on iHerb
Another portable cancer essential (especially on treatment days): BeeKeepers Naturals Soothing Honey Ginger Lemon Cough Drops. They’re basically a little multi-tool in your pocket: ginger for nausea support, honey to soothe a wrecked throat/mouth, and propolis for immune support — and they do it without refined sugars. I like having these around when my mouth feels raw and my stomach is doing that weird chemo flip.
I used the spray a few times a day, almost like a “liquid bandage” for the inside of my mouth. If you’re looking for more ways to manage the internal side of things, I’ve also shared some thoughts on what to eat during treatment to keep things gentle.
Infusion Day & Port Tricks
Dealing with “Metal Mouth”
Chemo can make everything taste like metal. It is a very disturbing yet common side effect called dysgeusia. It makes meal time really tricky.
The fix: switch to bamboo or plastic utensils. Metal forks and spoons can kind of “echo” that metallic taste already in your mouth and make it worse.
A couple other little things that helped me:
- Add a squeeze of lemon to your water (or even just smell a lemon wedge before you sip).
- Or add a tiny pinch of sea salt to your water.
It sounds simple, but it can cut through the weird taste and make staying hydrated a lot easier.
Port trick
If you have a port, you know the dread of the needle stick. Even though it’s “just a poke,” when you’re doing it every day, that anticipation can build up a lot of unnecessary stress. Here is a little trick you might want to try:
Apply your numbing cream (Lidocaine) about an hour before your appointment. But don’t just rub it in and leave it. Apply a thick glob, then cover it with a small piece of Saran wrap (plastic wrap).
This creates an “occlusive” barrier. It keeps the cream from rubbing off on your clothes and, more importantly, it helps the cream absorb much deeper into the skin because it can’t evaporate. When you get to the infusion center, just peel off the wrap and wipe away the excess. You won’t feel a thing. It’s a total game changer that helps make the infusion experience just a little easier.
Treatment Bag Essentials (The Hospital Bag)
For caregivers looking for the perfect gift, or patients packing for a long day in the infusion chair, think “utility + comfort.” Infusion centers and hospitals are notoriously dry and cold. Here’s what should be in every bag:
- A long charging cable: Outlets are not always near the chemo chair or your hospital bed. A 10-foot cord is a good idea.
- Your unscented lip balm: Chemo dries everything out. Avoid scents, as many patients develop a strong aversion to smells during treatment. (see my recommendation above)
- A high-quality reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is the best way to flush those toxins out.
- A Thermos for Tea: I found that sipping on something warm and healing made the hours pass faster. Incorporating something like organic green tea, ginger tea or even an organic warming chai can be a great way to help you feel more comfortable. My favorite supportive tea to drink between rounds of chemo is Taheebo. You can read more about the benefits of Taheebo tea and why it’s been a staple in my recovery.
Clothing & Sleep Comfort
For me, comfort meant staying warm in loose, comfortable organic clothes. My immune system was weak, and my energy levels were low. In addition to this, I was dealing with Raynauds (chemotherapy side effect) in my hands and feet. This is painful nerve damage in the extremities that was aggravated whenever I was cold.
Why Organic?
Cancer patients are highly sensitive to chemicals as their body is already overloaded with toxins. Wearing organic underwear, T-shirts, sweats, and socks really helps with comfort and physical well-being. When your skin is sensitive and your system is fragile, the last thing you want is pesticide-laden cotton rubbing against you.
ORGANIC CLOTHES
- PACT: This is my go-to for underwear, socks, comfortable sleepwear, and more! (Get 15% off your first order)
A word on sheets. If you are doing chemotherapy, it is recommended that you sleep alone in a separate bed. The reason for this is that your perspiration (and other bodily fluids) can be toxic for others, due to the chemicals in your Chemo cocktail, and you will most likely be sweating a lot at night. So buy cheaper organic sheets (Target) you will be ok throwing away once you are all clear. You can then go back and celebrate your new healthy body by buying PACT organic sheets later.
Natural Stress Relief
Essential Oils
I have been using essential oils for over 10 years and appreciate their power and the support they can provide on a physical, mental, and emotional level. The best way to enjoy essential oils is to diffuse them in your home. Some oils are best applied directly to the body, while others truly shine when used in a diffuser.
I have also put together a list of 5 essential oils every cancer patient should have that really helped me manage the emotional roller coaster.
Scented Candles
I received a Healed BeeLucia candle from my sister shortly after I was diagnosed and while it may seem simple, it was one of the most meaningful gifts. I think I even cried a little after receiving it. She didn’t just go for a nice scented candle; this candle is non-toxic, burns clean, is infused with a mindful blend of essential oils, includes small crystals, and radiates a message of love and care. This is a very thoughtful gift. I love these candles: what a great cancer gift!
Final Thoughts
Building your own toolkit is a process of trial and error. What worked for me might be slightly different for you, but the goal remains the same: comfort and peace. Whether it’s the “bee glue” for your mouth or the plastic wrap for your port, these small cancer chemotherapy hacks add up.
Don’t be afraid to ask for these things or to put them on a registry. People want to help, but they often don’t know how. Giving them a specific list of items that actually provide relief is a gift to them, too.
Stay strong, stay comfortable, and take it one day at a time.
Julien