Always consult your healthcare provider!

Support for you living with cancer

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is like being hit by a high-speed train. Suddenly, your whole world changes. This applies not only to the person who is ill—everyday life also becomes different for family and friends.

Fortunately, help and support are available. This page provides a clear overview of the options available and guides you to the information you need.

Practical and financial support

Support for cancer symbolised by a pictogram of a man with various symbols around him, such as a megaphone, hands shaking, an alarm clock, a house, a light bulb, the internet, a pill bottle, etc.

When you are affected by cancer, everyday practical tasks and financial worries can feel overwhelming. There are a number of schemes and services that can ease the burden and provide peace of mind.

Rights when on sick leave

  • See your options regarding work and finances, whether you are an employee, self-employed, a student, or unemployed.

Permanently reduced work capacity

Help from insurance

  • Many people are covered by critical illness insurance through their pension scheme.
    Check whether you can receive a lump-sum payment.

Financial grants

  • There are various grants and foundations that can provide financial support to people affected by cancer and their families.

Care leave for relatives

  • Close relatives are entitled to leave with financial compensation to care for a dying person at home in the final period.

Psychosocial support and community

Support for cancer symbolised by a graphic tree with many coloured hands reaching upwards. The trunk consists of a large beige hand, and the ground is also made up of coloured hands reaching up.

It is crucial for quality of life to have someone to talk to and share your thoughts with. Support from others can reduce feelings of isolation and provide strength to get through a difficult time.

The importance of relationships

  • Your network of family, friends, and even pets is an invaluable resource during an illness.

Support from peers

  • Talking to others who understand exactly what you are going through can be a great help. Find support groups and online communities.

Patient associations

Professional counselling

  • Get free, professional counselling from, among others, the Danish Cancer Society and the Cancer Association Tidslerne.
    • The Cancer Association Tidslerne offers telephone counselling, where you can speak with volunteers who are or have been affected by cancer themselves.
    • The Danish Cancer Society offers, among other things, free counselling, support groups, and the opportunity to talk to others in the same situation. They also have a range of leaflets and articles that can provide answers to many of the questions you may have.

Information, guidance, and quality of life

Support for cancer symbolised by a large question mark in blue on a blue background with a square line pattern.

Getting the right information and finding breathing space in everyday life is important for coping with a cancer journey.

Travel during and after illness

  • Travelling with cancer requires preparation. Get an overview of what you need to be aware of regarding insurance and health.

Breathing space and rebuilding

  • A recuperation stay can provide renewed energy and resilience after a tough course of treatment.

Clinical trials

See also Websites

See also Practical advice

Links

Page created:

Last revised on 28.07.25

What you read on I Have Cancer is not a recommendation. Seek qualified guidance.

About the Author & Professional Background

Portrætfoto af Hanne til forsiden.

This article has been prepared and validated by the undersigned, Hanne Kjær Uhlig. I am a registered nurse (1975, with clinical experience until 2013) and hold an M.Arch. (1983, specializing in industrial design), and I taught at DTU (Technical University of Denmark) for a number of years.

Following the loss of my mother to cancer in 2000 and my own cancer diagnosis in 2024, I founded this non-profit information site “Jeg har Kræft” (I Have Cancer).

The goal is to use my analytical and academic approach to bring clarity, safety, and scientific evidence to the field of integrative, complementary, and alternative cancer treatment. At the same time, my healthcare experience is utilized to make the articles patient-centered and relevant.

Article characteristics:

  • Clinical and personal background: Created from a combination of decades of experience as a nurse and personal experiences as both a patient and a relative.
  • Scientific methodology: The content is based on systematic research of medical databases and clinical trials. The articles are consistently supported by source references under Links.
  • Independent non-profit project: Operations are funded through voluntary donations and memberships through the Support Association Jeg har Kræft. The site is completely independent of commercial manufacturer interests and works solely to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
  • The board of directors of the support association consists of:

Community: Join the Facebook group: Jeg har Kræft – Hvad kan jeg gøre? Danish Language only.

What you read on Jeg har Kræft is not a recommendation. Seek professional guidance.