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Guys can be really hard to shop for. But they, too, need and deserve to be treated and pampered.
This is especially true when they’re facing a difficult time, like when they’ve received a cancer diagnosis or start cancer treatment.
To make it easier for you to shop, I’ve created a list of the best gifts for male cancer patients.
I’ve also created a list of cancer gifts to avoid to help you know what not to buy.
The Most Important (and Most Appreciated) Gift You Can Give
Before I get into the list of things you can buy, you should know that one of the best gift ideas is YOU.
Spending your time with your friend, family member, or loved one can do wonders for his mental health.
If he doesn’t want to talk, you can sit in silence. Your presence can mean so much to him.
You don’t have to feel like you’ve got to come up with some profound words of wisdom for him. Just avoid these comments when talking to him, and you’ll be fine.
Hang out with him, watch sports together, or send funny memes or videos to him. Whatever the two of you did before his cancer diagnosis, continue to do as much as possible.
He wants to feel as normal as possible, and the sad fact is that many people run away when someone is diagnosed with cancer.
Friends drop like flies, as they say, and this can make it so tough for people with cancer when they feel abandoned by the people they thought would always be there for them.
So keep showing up. Pitch in and help where you can, give him a gift to use during the long days ahead, but most importantly, stick by him.
That’s going to be the most thoughtful gift you can provide.
Now onto the gift suggestions.
Whatever you select from the list below, know that it’ll be a useful gift that’ll actually get used and will be appreciated by the guy in your life facing cancer.
These gift ideas have been categorized into Practical, Comfort, and Entertainment Gifts.
Practical Gifts for Guys with Cancer
These gifts can be used almost daily, especially if they receive chemotherapy treatment or radiation.
Both treatments can lead to awful side effects, and these simple gifts can be some of the little things that mean the most to the recipient.
Nausea is a very common side effect. From acupressure bands to Queasy Drops, these are a great way to keep nausea at bay.
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These products can relieve dry mouth, another common ailment for people with cancer.
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Mouth sores are also very common for those undergoing cancer treatment. These are top-rated products that can soothe and heal mouth sores.
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With chemo treatment and especially with radiation treatment, skin becomes dry and can crack so easily.
Unscented lotions are a necessary gift for guys with cancer. Natural, high quality lip balms are always a great addition to a gift basket, too.
Drinking more water can help combat dry skin. So, pick up an insulated water bottle to help keep a drink handy.
Select one with his favorite sports team or a funny saying to bring a smile to his face.
This one is leakproof and insulated to keep drinks hot or cold.
More Practical Gifts for Male Cancer Patients
Food is often considered for gift giving. However, taste buds can change during treatment, so once-favorite foods may not be tolerated anymore.
Add in nausea or simply feeling worn out from treatment and it can be hard to know what to buy.
Gift cards to a grocery store or a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant will let him decide what to purchase that sounds good at that time.
Doordash or UberEats gift cards can then deliver those orders to his house so he doesn’t have to leave home.
Men can become frustrated and sad when they don’t have the energy or strength to take care of their typical household responsibilities.
Consider pitching in with friends to take turns mowing the lawn, changing the oil in the car, or completing other small house chores.
Prepaying for a local service like snow removal can also be a big help.
Hiring a housekeeper can keep his home clean (which is so important for weakened immune systems!) and be an excellent way to show support to his partner by giving them one less thing to do on top of caregiving.
Finally, consider giving an Amazon gift card so he can pick out something he’s had his eye on or whatever products have worked best in treating his nausea, mouth sores, dry skin, etc.
Comfort Gifts for Male Cancer Patients
Everyone likes to feel comfortable, especially when not feeling well. So, consider something soft, cozy, and comforting when looking at gifts for guys with cancer.
Slippers are a great option. Look for slippers with soles suitable for indoor and outdoor wear. That way, they can be worn to treatments, and he won’t have to worry about slipping on the slick tile at the hospital or clinic.
For an even more luxe gift, pick out some lined with sheepskin.
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This portable mini massage gun will work wonders on achy muscles. It’s small enough to pack in a tote bag and take to treatments or keep on a nightstand for easy access if pain makes it difficult to sleep.
A heating pad can relax muscles and warm up his body temperature. Many people undergoing cancer treatment are always cold, so this is a perfect gift to help warm him up.
This one is unscented and has a removable, washable cover.
He’ll likely spend a lot of time sitting in chairs for treatment or lounging on the couch or in bed. This neck pillow can help him sleep wherever he is without getting a stiff neck.
An eye mask or sleep mask is a perfect pairing with the neck pillow so he can sleep no matter how bright the treatment room may be.
Consider putting these together in a chemo care package for him.
Comfortable lounge wear can help him feel put together when visitors stop by, even if he doesn’t feel up to getting fully dressed.
A funny design like this pair of pants with sasquatch on them will also bring a smile to his face when he’s having a bad day.
More Comfort Gifts for Male Cancer Patients
Here are some additional ideas for comforting gifts:
- Soft, warm socks are a great gift for chilly infusion rooms or relaxing at home. Look for socks with grips on the bottom so he doesn’t slip.
- Fluffy, soft robes are perfect for lounging around at home
- A port pillow can protect the port from rubbing and irritation from a seatbelt. This small, padded pillow that attaches to the seatbelt can make their car rides more comfortable.
This simple idea can quickly become one of his favorite gifts because of all the driving to and from appointments and treatments.
Entertainment and Distraction Gifts
More Entertainment and Distraction Gifts for Guys with Cancer
There will be lots of long periods of time spent waiting for appointments, receiving treatments, and recovering.
Hospital stays can be long and boring, especially if visitors are not allowed.
Gifts that provide distractions will be appreciated.
Electronics can be pricey, but having a group of friends or coworkers pitch in can make this an affordable gift option.
These noise-cancelling earbuds can block out the constant, loud noises inside a hospital or treatment area.
They also connect via Bluetooth to stream his favorite soundtracks or audio from movies or videos.
With Bose, you know you’re getting the best quality earbuds.
Kindles are a convenient way to carry multiple books or magazines to appointments.
Whether he wants to read an inspirational book, a thriller, or the latest autobiography, Kindles store enough books that he’ll have plenty to choose from no matter what genre he’s feeling like reading that day.
A portable charging station with multiple ports is a must-have so he can keep all his electronics charged during full-day appointments or treatments.
A tablet will be used daily, allowing him to email/text with friends, play games, or stream TV shows or movies.
The notes app can also be a good place to jot down notes to ask the health care team and record their responses if he doesn’t have this organization system for cancer patients and caregivers.
Video games can be an excellent distraction. Consider this Nintendo Switch for a gamer friend.
Travel-sized game sets are a good gift, as they allow him to play classic games with others to pass the time.
To go analog instead of digital, consider a puzzle book or activity book to keep him entertained and his mind sharp.
A Rubik’s cube is a retro toy that’s a throwback to his childhood while also providing entertainment and brain stimulation. This set has 3 different sizes, so he can start with the easier versions and work up to becoming a master on the full-sized toy.
More Entertainment and Distraction Gifts for Guys with Cancer
Another suggestion for entertainment/distraction gifts is a monthly delivery of movies, music, or books can offer something new to look forward to.
Also, an Audible subscription is a good idea for a book lover who may not have the energy to hold and read a book.
Every Gift Makes a Difference
Regardless of what gift you decide to purchase for your friend or loved one with cancer, he will appreciate the gesture, especially when he realizes the care that went into picking out the gift.
We’ll just keep it a secret between us that you found the ideas here on this site!
Cancer care packages can include a variety of items. A practical gift paired with something cozy or a gift to entertain him can be the best way to meet his daily needs and provide something else to focus on during treatment or when he’s not feeling well.
Include a handwritten note with your gift to let him know what he means to you and that you’re thinking about him.
He’ll be able to read this card over and over for a pick-me-up on tough days, and it will remind him that he’s not on this cancer journey alone.
Most importantly, let him know with your words and actions that you’re not going anywhere and that you’ll be by his side every step of the way.
That’s the one gift that will mean the most.
