Get Support
Counseling
Oncology social workers help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of esophageal cancer. Contact us at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or info@cancercare.org.
Learn more about counseling.
Resource Navigation
Learn more about how CancerCare Resource Navigation can help you address barriers to care.
Financial Assistance
Find resources and support to manage your financial concerns. Limited assistance from CancerCare® is available to eligible families for cancer-related costs.
Support Groups
Connect with others in our free support groups led by oncology social workers.
We currently do not offer a esophageal cancer specific group. You may consider joining our general online support groups for people with cancer. Register now.
Specialized Programs
CancerCare offers specialized programs to address specific populations and concerns.
Coping Circle Workshops
Virtual educational and supportive workshops led by oncology social workers and qualified co-facilitators. These workshops cover numerous topics and are offered in English and Spanish.
Find Information
Connect Education Workshops
Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.
We currently do not offer a Esophageal Cancer specific workshop. You may be interested in these general-interest workshops:
Podcasts
General Topics
- Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 21, 2025
- Trends in Oncology & Treatment Planning: A Guide to Getting the Best Care, Apr 16, 2025
- Coping with Cancer, Mar 12, 2025
- Understanding the Different Names for Biomarker Testing and Their Role in Selecting the Best Treatment for You, Mar 10, 2025
- Understanding the Important Role that Biomarker Testing Plays in Informing the Treatment of Cancer, Mar 3, 2025
- Clinical Trials: How They Transform the Treatment of Cancer, Feb 4, 2025
- Understanding Treatment-Related Skin Toxicity: Practical Tips to Cope with Rash, Dry/Itchy/Peeling Skin and Nail Changes, Jan 17, 2025
- Cancer in the Workplace, Health Insurance, Finances and Returning to School, Dec 13, 2024
- Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Dec 6, 2024
- Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Nov 22, 2024
- Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer, Sep 23, 2024
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Sep 10, 2024
- Current Perspectives on the Future of Cancer Research, Jun 27, 2024
- How Health Care Disparities May Influence Your Cancer Treatment, Jun 17, 2024
- What’s New in Precision Medicine, Jun 12, 2024
- Caring for Your Loved One with Cancer, May 13, 2024
- Diverse Populations Participating in Decisions about Your Care, Apr 22, 2024
- Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 8, 2024
- Understanding the Different Names for Biomarker Testing & Their Role in Selecting the Best Treatment for You, Mar 4, 2024
- Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Feb 16, 2024
- Understanding the Important Role that Biomarker Testing Plays in Informing the Treatment of Cancer, Feb 12, 2024
- Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy, Feb 9, 2024
- Addressing the LGBTQI+ Health Disparities Gap, Jan 19, 2024
- Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Dec 15, 2023
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Nov 28, 2023
- Diverse Populations Participating in Decisions About Your Care With Your Health Care Team, Jun 28, 2023
- Understanding Diagnostic Technologies and Biomarkers, Jun 26, 2023
- Addressing the LGBTQI+ Health Disparities Gap, Jun 16, 2023
- Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Its Importance in Managing Cancer, May 24, 2023
- Understanding How Health Care Disparities May Influence Your Cancer Treatment and Care: With Tips and Strategies to Find the Best Cancer Treatment and Health Care Team for You, May 15, 2023
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, May 2, 2023
- Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Why It Is So Important in Managing Cancer, May 4, 2022
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, May 3, 2022
- Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Feb 9, 2021
- The 9/11 Community, Cancer & COVID-19, Jan 25, 2021
- Managing the Cost of Living with Cancer, Sep 23, 2020
- Veterans Living with Cancer, Jun 26, 2020
- What are Biosimilars? Understanding Their Role in Cancer Treatment: Current and Future Perspectives, Jun 18, 2020
- Current Perspectives in Cancer Survivorship, Jun 16, 2020
- Cancer and The Workplace: Understanding Your Legal Protections, Mar 25, 2020
- Understanding the Costs of Care and Your Health Care Coverage, Mar 18, 2020
- Joys and Challenges of Pets in Your Home When You Have Cancer, Apr 8, 2019
- Mind Body Techniques to Cope with the Stresses of Cancer, Nov 15, 2017
- Managing Sensory Disruptions During Cancer Treatments, Dec 5, 2016
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating Tips During and After Cancer Treatments, Feb 1, 2016
- Planning Your Comfort and Care at End of Life, May 10, 2012
- Helping Children and Teens Understand When a Parent or Loved One Has Cancer, Apr 20, 2011
- For Parents, Caregivers and Professionals: Helping Brothers and Sisters of Children Living with Cancer, May 14, 2009
Publications
Read or order our free Connect booklets and fact sheets offering easy-to-read information about the latest cancer treatments, managing side effects and coping with cancer.
Esophageal Cancer
General Topics
- Coping With Cancer: Tools to Help You LiveNew
- Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
- Talking to Children When a Loved One Has Cancer
- Communicating With Your Health Care Team
- Sources of Financial Assistance
- Finding Resources in Your Community
- If You've Just Been Diagnosed
- What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?
- Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?
Ask CancerCare
Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer. View all questions and answers.
Esophageal Cancer
- Q.
My husband has stage IV esophageal cancer and his prognosis isn't good. My son is worried that he is going to die, but also wonders why his dad is so "crabby" and keeps yelling at him to clean up his room. How do I help my son understand what his father is going through?
A.Esophageal cancer presents a person with especially difficult physical challenges - changing the way a person eats, swallows, and even sleeps. This may make him much more sensitive to the disorder or messiness around him, including your son’s room. In addition, physical discomfort or pain can make a person extremely irritable. It may be too difficult for your husband to talk to him right now but you can reassure your son by letting him know that his dad is going to the doctor, taking his medicine, and doing his best to get better. Esophageal cancer almost always causes a great deal of weight loss, which can be scary for children and may also be causing your son’s concerns. You can explain how you and the doctor are helping to keep dad strong. Be specific about what is being done to help dad nutritionally.
Here are other things you can do:
- Always reassure your son about how much you love him.
- If you husband is unable to talk with your son about his feelings, help him write a brief note using age-appropriate language.
- Let your son know that you will tell him what is happening so he can feel included and that he can ask you questions.
- Let your son know that no matter how messy his room gets, it has no effect on his dad’s cancer, because his behavior has no connection to his father’s illness. You may need to say this often and in different ways.
- If your son’s room gets so messy that it overwhelms him, offer to help him clean it and find ways to stay organized.
You may also find helpful tips in the book, How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness, by Kathleen McCue (St. Martin’s Press, NY).
You can get more support about communicating with your son by calling us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker.
Featured Resource
Magnolia Meals at Home
A meal delivery program that helps patients by providing nourishing meals to households affected by cancer. Is currently available in and around Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Andover, MA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and New Haven, CT (as well areas in New York, New Hampshire and Boston, MA). For more information please visit magnoliamealsathome.com or contact Kathy Nugent, LCSW at 800-813-4673, ext. 6809.
Stories of Help and Hope
Read inspiring personal accounts from people affected by cancer and the ways they've found to cope.
- Jessica W., Caring for her husband with esophageal cancer
Browse all CancerCare services
by Diagnosis
by Topic
Additional Resources
For Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Cancer Action Network
Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association
General Cancer Resources
American Cancer Society
Medical Information
National Cancer Institute
National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) – NCCN Guidelines for Patients®