Getting Through the Holidays During Cancer Treatment

November 15, 2026 · Cancer Support

A Thanksgiving dinner table set with turkey and side dishes. — Photo: David Todd McCarty on Unsplash

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, many people in cancer treatment are wondering how to handle the holidays. Gatherings, travel and big meals can be a joy, but they can also bring germs, fatigue and complicated feelings. With some planning, you can enjoy the season while protecting your health. Here are practical tips for patients and the people who love them.

Talk with your care team first

Before you make plans, ask your care team:

When will my blood counts be lowest during my treatment cycle? Can plans be timed around that?
Is it safe for me to travel, or to be around crowds?
Are there foods I should avoid right now?
Should I get a flu shot or other vaccines, and should the people I live with?
Who should I call, day or night, if I get sick while away from home?

Protect yourself from infections

Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, lower the white blood cells that fight infection. The holidays come in the middle of flu season, so take extra care:

Wash your hands often, and ask guests to do the same. Keep hand sanitizer handy.
Ask anyone who feels sick to stay home, or to join by video instead.
Avoid crowds when your counts are low, and consider a mask in crowded places.
Get your flu shot if your doctor says it's OK. The CDC also recommends flu shots for people who live with or care for someone with cancer.

Know when to call

Call your care team right away if you have a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills or sweating, or other signs of infection such as a new cough, a sore throat, burning when you urinate, or redness and swelling around a wound or catheter. In someone with low white blood cell counts, an infection can become serious quickly. Ask your doctor before taking medicine to bring down a fever, since it can hide the warning sign. Bring your care team's after-hours number with you if you travel.

Food safety at the holiday table

Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly. Use a food thermometer for the turkey.
Skip raw or undercooked foods, such as rare meat, raw cookie dough and unpasteurized drinks or cheeses, if your team has told you to.
Wash fruits and vegetables well.
Avoid buffets and food that's been sitting out, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Ask for your plate first, before serving spoons have been shared around.

If treatment has changed your appetite or sense of taste, that's OK. Eat what appeals to you, in small amounts, and don't feel pressure to eat a big meal.

Save your energy

Let others host and cook. Accept offers of help, and give people specific jobs.
Keep it short. Plan to come late or leave early, and have a quiet room where you can rest.
Simplify traditions. Shop online, send fewer cards, or pick the one or two things that matter most.
If you travel, bring your medicines and a list of them, your care team's phone numbers, and a summary of your treatment. Plan rest stops, and ask your doctor whether you need anything for long flights or drives.

The emotional side

The holidays can stir up a lot: gratitude, grief for how things used to be, worry about the future, or frustration at not feeling like yourself. All of these are normal. It can help to:

Decide what you want to share. It's fine to tell relatives you'd rather not talk about cancer today.
Talk with someone: a friend, a counselor, a social worker at your cancer center, or a support group.
Make room for new traditions that fit where you are right now.

If you're feeling hopeless or in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) any time.

For family and friends

If you're hosting someone in treatment, the best gifts are practical: stay home if you're sick, wash your hands, keep the gathering low-key, and let them leave without guilt. Offer specific help, like a ride, a meal or a quiet visit, rather than "let me know if you need anything." And remember that caregivers need rest during the holidays too.

Our directory can help you find emotional support, home health care and financial assistance resources.

The bottom line

The holidays during cancer treatment may look different this year, and that's OK. Check with your care team, protect yourself from germs, pace yourself, and focus on the moments that matter most to you.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own situation.