Celebrating the Holidays During Cancer Treatment

For many people, the holidays are a time of connection, comfort, and cherished traditions. But when you’re undergoing cancer treatment, the activities and gatherings you once looked forward to can become overwhelming. Fatigue, treatment side effects and changes in appetite can make the season physically and emotionally challenging.

The goal isn’t to celebrate the holidays exactly as you did before cancer. It’s to prioritize your well-being while making time for the people, traditions and moments that matter most to you. Whether that means attending a family gathering, enjoying a brief visit with loved ones or spending a quiet day at home, there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate the holidays during treatment.

Here are some ways to navigate the season while taking care of your physical and emotional health.

Plan Around Your Energy

Cancer-related fatigue affects more than 80% of people receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Unlike ordinary tiredness, this fatigue may not improve with rest alone. Treatment, disrupted sleep, anemia, pain, stress, nausea and inadequate nutrition can all contribute to fatigue. Your energy levels may also be unpredictable, leaving you feeling well enough to participate in activities one day but needing to rest the next.

Don’t feel obligated to attend every event or stay for the entire celebration. Instead, schedule activities for the time of day when you typically have the most energy, and allow time to rest before and afterward. A short visit may be more manageable than an all-day gathering. Give yourself permission to arrive late, leave early or change plans when needed.

Planning ahead, pacing yourself and accepting help from others can make holiday activities, entertaining and travel less physically demanding.

Manage Side Effects and Stay Safe

Holiday meals, travel and crowded gatherings can present additional challenges during cancer treatment. Side effects such as nausea, mouth sores, changes in taste or smell, loss of appetite and digestive issues may make your favorite holiday foods less appealing or difficult to enjoy.

Choose foods you can comfortably tolerate, and consider eating smaller meals or snacks throughout the day. Don’t feel pressured to eat foods that make you uncomfortable simply because they’re part of a holiday tradition.

Some cancer treatments can also weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Follow your oncology care team’s recommendations regarding crowds, masks, visitors and travel.

Food safety is equally important. Wash your hands and fresh produce thoroughly, avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, and be cautious with foods that have been sitting out at holiday buffets. Contact your care team promptly if you experience a fever, signs of infection or other symptoms they’ve advised you to report. Seek immediate medical attention for serious or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Make Room for Your Feelings

The holidays often come with expectations of happiness, gratitude and togetherness. But when you’re facing cancer, it’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions.

You may look forward to seeing loved ones while also feeling anxious about treatment, frustrated by changes to your routine or sad about traditions you can’t participate in this year. You may even feel lonely despite being surrounded by family and friends.

These feelings are understandable, and you don’t have to pretend to be cheerful or feel responsible for reassuring everyone around you.

Give yourself permission to take breaks, find a quiet space when needed and talk openly about how you’re feeling. A trusted friend, family member, caregiver, oncology social worker, counselor, spiritual care provider or support group can offer valuable emotional support.

Depression affects approximately one in four people with cancer, making it especially important to prioritize your mental health. If feelings of sadness, anxiety or hopelessness become persistent or overwhelming, talk with your oncology care team about available support and resources.

Adapt Traditions to Fit Your Needs

Just because a holiday tradition looks different this year doesn’t mean it has to lose its meaning.

Think about what you enjoy most about the season. Is it sharing a favorite meal, spending time with family, exchanging gifts or simply being together? Once you’ve identified what matters most, consider ways to enjoy those moments without putting unnecessary strains on yourself.

For example, a large holiday dinner could become a potluck, a restaurant meal or a smaller gathering at home. If traveling isn’t possible, loved ones could visit in smaller groups, connect through a video call or plan a celebration for another day.

You might also create new traditions, such as watching a favorite holiday movie, enjoying a quiet evening with family or sharing a simple meal with those closest to you.

Focus on what makes the holidays meaningful, adjust your expectations based on how you’re feeling and be open with loved ones about what you’re comfortable doing.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

The people who care about you often want to help but may not know what you need. Being open and specific about how they can support you can make the holidays easier and more enjoyable.

Consider asking a family member or friend to coordinate holiday plans, prepare a meal, help with shopping, provide transportation or take care of children or pets. You can also ask someone you trust to help manage visitors or communicate when you need time to rest.

Most importantly, remember that you don’t have to be responsible for making the holidays special for everyone else. Accepting a prepared meal, taking an afternoon to rest or declining an invitation are all ways to prioritize your health and well-being.

The holidays may look different during cancer treatment, but they can still be filled with meaningful moments of connection, comfort and joy. What matters most is celebrating in a way that leaves you feeling safe, supported and cared for.

You Don’t Have to Navigate Cancer Alone

We understand that cancer affects more than your physical health. Emotional support and meaningful connections are important parts of navigating treatment and life beyond a diagnosis.

Through our partnership with CanCare, patients have access to compassionate, one-on-one support from trained volunteers who have personally experienced cancer. Connecting with someone who understands what you’re going through can provide encouragement, reassurance and a listening ear during the holidays and throughout your cancer journey.

Learn more about AON’s partnership with CanCare and the support available to patients and their loved one here.