Are you a caregiver?

You might already be one. Here’s what that can look like.

A caregiver is anyone who helps another person manage their health, daily needs, or overall well-being—often without pay. You might be a caregiver if you:

  • Help a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor with everyday tasks

  • Coordinate or attend medical appointments

  • Manage medications or health-related needs

  • Provide emotional support, check-ins, or advocacy

  • Assist with household responsibilities or transportation

  • Step in regularly because someone relies on you

If you see yourself in any of these roles, you can identify as a family caregiver—even if you’ve never used that term before. Caregiving looks different for everyone, but every caregiver plays a vital role and deserves recognition and support.

The Caregiver’s Role

An Overview for Family Caregivers

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, accounting for about 30% of new cancer cases each year, though men can also develop the disease. Caregivers often help coordinate care, provide emotional support, manage treatment side effects, and assist with recovery. Understanding the condition and knowing what changes to watch for can help caregivers feel more prepared throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Common signs and symptoms may include a new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or appearance, skin dimpling or redness, nipple discharge, pain, or swelling. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Treatment and Recovery Can Affect Daily Life in Different Ways

Breast cancer treatment may involve surgery such as lumpectomy or mastectomy, followed by additional therapies. Recovery can include fatigue, limited mobility, and emotional adjustment. Caregivers often help with transportation, household tasks, and recovery support.

Emotional Support Is a Key Part of Care

A breast cancer diagnosis can bring fear, uncertainty, and changes in body image or identity. Caregivers can provide reassurance, help facilitate conversations with healthcare providers, and encourage participation in support groups or counseling.

Long-Term Care May Continue Beyond Treatment

Even after active treatment ends, survivors may require ongoing monitoring, hormone therapy, or management of long-term side effects. Caregivers often remain an important part of maintaining health and supporting recovery.

Caregiver Resources from Our Partners

Organization

Breast Cancer Information & Community Support

Offers comprehensive, medically reviewed information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, side effects, survivorship, and daily life, along with online communities and support resources.

Organization

Breast Cancer Screening & Support Resources

Provides breast cancer education, patient advocacy, and financial assistance to help underserved and uninsured individuals access breast screenings and diagnostic services.

Organization

Hereditary Cancer Risk & Support resources

Provides education, support, research information, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer risk, including inherited breast and ovarian cancer.

Organization

Breast Cancer Education, Support & Community

Connects people affected by breast cancer with trusted information, practical resources, emotional support, and community throughout diagnosis, treatment, metastatic disease, and survivorship.

Organization

Metastatic Breast Cancer Research & Support

Focuses on metastatic breast cancer through research funding, advocacy, education, and peer support for people living with Stage IV breast cancer and their families.

SUPPORT

Breast Cancer Support Services

Offers free breast cancer support groups, peer connections, patient navigation, educational programs, and a national support line for people affected by breast cancer.

Video

Caring for the Caregiver: Exploring Medical PTSD and Caregiver Burnout

Explores the psychological effects of medical trauma and caregiver burnout, including challenges caregivers may face while supporting someone through cancer treatment and caring for their own well-being.

Organization

Breast & Ovarian Cancer Support for Jewish Families

Provides personalized support, cancer navigation, peer connections, educational resources, and practical assistance for people and families facing breast and ovarian cancer, with specialized expertise serving the Jewish community.

Online Article

Breast Cancer Information & Overview

Provides an overview of breast cancer, including risk factors, screening and diagnosis, cancer types, treatment options, reconstruction, survivorship, and research.

SUPPORT

Breast Cancer Counseling & Support Resources

Provides free professional support for people affected by breast cancer, including counseling, support groups, resource navigation, financial assistance, educational programs, and publications.

Caregiver Action Network Resources

Explore Your Community Support Options

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Available Monday-Friday from 8am – 7pm ET, our experts are ready with the personalized support, guidance, and assistance you need and deserve–for as long as you need it.

(855) 227-3640

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

The National Caregiver Help Desk App, powered by Carallel, is full of bite-sized resources crafted to help you build skills, validate what you’re feeling, and help you get stuff done.

Use Access Code: CAN

Connection & Community with Other Caregivers

Expert-Led Virtual Fireside Chats

These 30-minute virtual fireside chats address the complex and often difficult topics encountered by caregivers. Sessions are led by Matt Perrin, Carallel’s Director of Caregiver Engagement, and Sheila Schultz, a Carallel Care Advocate.

Community with Other Caregivers

Community With Other Caregivers

Through CAN, Carallel Support Groups give you a place to ask questions, feel understood, and build confidence in your caregiving journey. Access is simple and available when you need it.

Certified Listeners

Connect with Certified Listeners

Looking for someone who really gets it? Get matched with trained listeners who share your lived experience—whether that’s caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, cancer, or another chronic condition.

Facebook Support Group for Caregivers

Online Support Group on Facebook

Join our caregiver community on Facebook to connect with thousands of peers in a welcoming, supportive space.
Ask questions, share experiences, and receive advice any time of day.

We’re meeting caregivers where they are—giving you choices for how you want to connect, whether through expert advice, peer-to-peer empathy, or live support groups.