Blogs

Real, lived-in advice for the people standing next to the chair — not the motivational-poster kind.

Cancer treatment is hard on the skin — and finding the right lotion shouldn't add to the stress. We're breaking down what to look for, what to avoid, and which gentle, treatment-safe products are actually worth reaching for.

Written by Liz Benditt Let’s just say it: chemo days are no one’s idea of a good time. But with a little preparation, you can walk into your treatment feeling less like a deer in headlights and more like someone who’s got this — because you absolutely do. Whether you’re gearing up for your first infusion or you’re a seasoned pro looking for ways to make things a little more bearable, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to prepare for chemo — complete with a checklist of essentials, comfort items, and a few things nobody told you but...

If you or someone you love is facing recovery from mastectomy, let me start with this: it’s not just about healing an incision. It’s about healing a body, a nervous system, and often a sense of self — all at the same time.

Written by Liz Benditt  When someone you care about is facing cancer, it’s totally natural to feel a little lost. You want to support them, but you don’t want to overstep. At The Balm Box, we talk with patients and caregivers every single day — in fact, we’ve interviewed over 500+ cancer patients and caregivers to build our boxes around the real needs people share. Here’s some genuine, practical advice—backed by what real people have told us—that feels natural, caring, and actually useful. What Do Cancer Patients Need Most? If you're thinking about how to best support a friend with cancer, what...

Written by Liz Benditt If you’re here because someone you love is navigating breast cancer, first—big love. Finding the best gifts for breast cancer patients isn’t always obvious. You want to be thoughtful, supportive, comforting… but also not overly clinical or heavy. Having gone through breast cancer myself (lumpectomy in 2017, mastectomy in 2023), I can tell you: the gifts that truly mattered were the ones that helped with real-life challenges, made recovery easier, and brought a little smile on tough days. So let’s talk about some creative, uplifting, and practical ideas for a breast cancer gift basket—things that feel...