Every October, we see pink ribbons appear everywhere for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to donning the pink ribbons, it is also worth showing empathy for the people navigating the realities of cancer treatment, one appointment, one difficult day, and one small victory at a time. If someone you love is going through this journey, a care basket filled with comforting, practical, and thoughtful items can be a gentle way to say, “I’m thinking of you.”
Chemo affects everyone differently, and it can change from one week to the next. Taste, smell, energy, and appetite can all shift.
If a friend, colleague, or relative is in treatment and you want to visit, a care basket is a lovely gesture when meeting them. It can make a hard day a little more comfortable while letting them know that you’re here to support them. However, it can be tricky to come up with a care basket. To make things easier, we have curated a list to show you how to put one together.
If you can, ask a close family member or the person themselves whether there’s anything they’re avoiding or running low on. If you can’t ask, stick to gentle, unscented, practical things.
What to Put In the Basket
1. Comfort and warmth
Treatment rooms are cold, and chemo can leave people feeling chilled. Choose soft natural fabrics, as skin can be sensitive.
- Options: a soft fleece or cotton blanket, cosy socks, a light cardigan or wrap
- Where to buy: Home Box, Centerpoint, IKEA
2. Skin and lip care
Dry skin and chapped lips are common. “Unscented” matters more than you’d think, because strong smells can bring on nausea.
- Options: fragrance-free hand cream, gentle body lotion, mild unflavored lip balm (brands such as Cetaphil, CeraVe, Eucerin, Aveeno, Vaseline, or Nivea Lip Care)
- Where to buy: Life Pharmacy, Aster Pharmacy, Noon, Carrefour (personal care aisle)
3. Something for taste and nausea
Some people find food tastes metallic or off during treatment. Small extras can help, and many pharmacy products are specifically marketed as useful for nausea.
- Options: sugar-free mints, ginger sweets or ginger chews, lemon drops, ginger tea bags
- Where to buy: Life Pharmacy, Aster Pharmacy, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Spinneys, Waitrose
4. Healthy snacks
Appetite can be unpredictable, so small, gentle snacks that can be eaten any time of day are handy. Choose sealed, store-bought items, and check with the family about any dietary needs first.
- Options: plain crackers, oat or rice cakes, unsalted nuts and trail mix (skip if they have mouth sores), dried fruit, applesauce or fruit puree pouches, sugar-free granola or oat bars, herbal teas
- Where to buy: Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Spinneys, Waitrose
5. Non-metallic cutlery
Metal cutlery can make food taste even more metallic during treatment. Switching can make meals more pleasant.
- Options: bamboo, wheat-straw or wooden cutlery sets, BPA-free plastic or silicone utensils, a small travel cutlery set for hospital days
- Where to buy: Miniso, IKEA, Noon
6. Staying hydrated
A reusable water bottle with a straw makes it easier to keep sipping through the day, especially when energy is low.
- Options: insulated bottle with a straw lid, lightweight BPA-free bottle with time markings, a small flask for herbal tea
- Where to buy: Miniso, Home Box, IKEA, Carrefour, Noon
7. Soft headwear
If hair loss is part of their experience, soft headwear can be useful. This one is personal, though. Some people love it, and others prefer to go bareheaded, so it’s fine to skip it unless you know for sure that they’d like it.
- Options: soft cotton or bamboo scarves, pre-tied turbans, beanies, sleep caps
- Where to buy: Centerpoint, Home Box, Max Fashion, Noon, Amazon.ae
8. Something for the long hours
Waiting rooms and infusion chairs take time, so think of ways to pass it comfortably. A phone charger with a long cable is surprisingly appreciated.
- Options: a good book, an audiobook subscription, a puzzle book, an adult coloring set, a journal, comfortable headphones, a long charging cable
- Where to buy: FirstCry, Magrudy’s, Jarir Bookstore, Virgin Megastore
9. A handwritten note
This is the item people keep. Say something simple and kind: you’re thinking of them, you’re there if they need anything, and they don’t have to reply. Skip the pressure to “stay strong” or “stay positive.” They’re already doing the hard part.
- Options: a blank greeting card, a notebook page tucked into the basket, a small card with a printed message
- Where to buy: Magrudy’s, Jarir Bookstore, Daiso
What to Leave Out
- Strongly scented items: perfumes, scented candles, and heavily fragranced lotions can be hard to tolerate and trigger nausea.
- Fresh flowers: many hospitals and treatment centers don’t allow them, and some patients are advised to avoid them. A small card or a plant-free alternative is safer.
- Homemade or unsealed food, unless you’ve checked: treatment can lower immunity and change what’s safe to eat. Ask first.
A Small Gesture That Goes a Long Way
You don’t need to find the perfect gift. A soft blanket, some goodies, a kind note, and the offer of real help say what matters: you’re there. This October, let that be the awareness you bring.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s remember that care starts with awareness. If you notice any changes in your breasts, or something just doesn’t feel right, see your GP or book a Doctor on Call Dubai. They can look into it and tell you what to do next. And if you’re worried about someone you love, a gentle nudge to get checked can be one of the kindest things you do.
