Need Help With Food Costs After a Cancer Diagnosis?

If you are concerned about your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and cancer costs are making it hard for you or someone you know to access sufficient and nutritious food, help is available.

Experiencing cancer is hard. It’s not just about being sick. A cancer diagnosis can make so many things more difficult for survivors and their loved ones, especially when we talk about eating well. Not having enough to eat and having limited access to healthy food is called “food insecurity.”  

Food insecurity can impact anyone. A 2022 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that between 17% and 55% of people diagnosed with cancer could face this problem. 1  While food insecurity is not caused by cancer, the impact of a diagnosis and treatment can affect economic and food security.

When people living with cancer experience food insecurity, their loved ones and caregivers can be affected as well.

Here are resources that can help right now: 

• 1

  Raber M, Jackson A, Basen-Engquist K, et al. Food Insecurity Among People With Cancer: Nutritional Needs as an Essential Component of Care. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 Sep 21;114(12):1577-1583. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac135

1. Cancer Support Helpline – If you or someone you love is impacted by a cancer diagnosis and experiencing food insecurity, call our free Helpline at CSC-867-5309, or contact a Helpline navigator via our live web chat service. The Helpline is staffed by trained navigators who can  provide support and connect you with resources specific to your needs and  location. This includes specialized information and navigation for patients, caregivers, and survivors to address cancer-related financial and emotional concerns.
2. CSC Network Partners – Local Cancer Support Community and Gilda’s Club locations can guide you to nearby food resources and assistance programs. Find a CSC or Gilda’s Club location near you.
3. Food pantries – Food pantries are local organizations that collect and distribute food items to those who need them. Food pantries can provide staple foods with high nutritional value. Pantries also work to include healthy diet options and may have additional resources or opportunities for food access. Contact your local United Way for information on local food help. Their website can be translated into 18 languages, in addition to English. Find your local United Way. You can also use Findhelp.org to search for local food pantries by your zip code. Look for the language selection option in the bottom right corner of the site.
4. Dietitians/nutritionists – A registered dietitian (RD) is an expert on diet and nutrition. Some RDs are certified to work with people with cancer. These dietitians serve as certified specialists in oncology nutrition, or CSOs. Some CSOs are included as part of your cancer care team. Other CSOs may or may not be covered by insurance. Check with your healthcare provider to see if there is an RD or CSO on your cancer care team. You can also search for an oncology dietitian near you.
5. Social workers – Oncology social workers provide support to cancer patients, caregivers, and their support systems. Specifically, they can help with emotional and financial concerns and find ways to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their loved ones. If you are interested in connecting with an oncology social worker but are not sure how to do so, talk to your oncologist or healthcare team about your needs. Often, oncology social workers are key members of cancer care teams. Read more about how oncology social workers can help after a cancer diagnosis.

Eating healthy is important at every step in the cancer experience. Food insecurity can make a cancer diagnosis even more stressful. The good news is that there are resource programs and healthcare professionals in the community that can help. You do not need to experience these challenges alone.

Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in February 2024 and has been updated.