Need gift ideas for cancer patient/radiation treatment

We've done a 'treasure basket' for friends getting weekly treatments (chemo or radiation), and wrap a variety of gifts that vary with the recipient.  Gifts have included fuzzy socks, soft throw, hand cream, head scarf, pair of earrings, soft knit top, a good book or a gift card, encouraging cards, nuts or sweet snacks.  The idea is that they can choose something from the basket and unwrap a little surprise after a particularly hard session or when they just need a lift as they progress through the weeks of treatment.  Side note, I know there is a specific cream that has been recommended for breast cancer radiation patients, but I'm sorry I don't know the name.  Sending good thoughts for your friend. xoxo

Is this for just radiation treatments? or for chemo also?

For radiation treatments they won't be able to actually use anything you give them while they're undergoing the treatment because you have to be absolutely still in the radiation room. Plus the treatments aren't very long. Chemo on the other hand will probably take hours and the person will be sitting in a hopefully-comfy chair with time on their hands. 

So for someone who's getting just radiation you might do the gift basket idea with little things to open when they want. Separately could be the lotion since some people do have a skin reaction to radiation, depending on where it is.

For chemo there are more specific things that will help during treatments. Soft throw blanket, fuzzy socks, small bottles of whatever their favorite drink is, a favorite non-messy snack, hard candy (cinnamon for me), Amazon gift card for ebooks or music, crossword puzzles/word searches if they like that sort of thing, a nice lightweight journal and smooth-writing pens... etc. Also, if you're nearby as if they might like company while they're in the infusion center -- some people do and some don't. 

Also, if they are having chemo a nice gift that I received was a basket filled with single-serving size bottles of all kinds of juice and tea. The friend who gave it to me said I should make note of the ones that I liked the most and she would bring more of those. It was a great gift because even though chemo patients are supposed to drink a lot it's difficult because of the odd taste that chemo gives. Nothing tasted good to me except things with a strong taste. 

My dad is having a different kind of radiation than I hear described from other people - his took place in a surgical suite. Afterward though, he was freezing, so having a nice thick blanket waiting would have been nice. He's also been getting really cold randomly throughout all of this.

When I went through radiation treatments for breast cancer my physician told me not to put any creams or lotions on the area without checking with her first. I was lucky and my skin handled it really well but when I did need something she gave me packets from the office. So maybe hand lotion but not lotion/cream for the radiated area.

I had a very bad burn on my hand and the creme a friend ran home to get was miraculous.  I ended up buying some for almost everyone I know.  It's dark brown, thick and oily and made from all natural ingredients.  Has a bit of a funky smell.  I wouldn't hesitate to use it and have heard it recommended for the burning of skin that can happen with radiation.   

springwindproducts.com/products/burn-cream

There ideas are great! Anything to make your friend more comfortable will be appreciated.
Something completely different could e a bracelet with a new charm for every treatment, something with meaning for your friend (and you).
A sleep headband with Bluetooth to listen to podcasts or music.

I have been through radiation for breast cancer. I would suggest:

resistance bands - the area will be tight forever. They will want to keep it stretched. I would have enjoyed some bands that were signed by friends had I known.

dry brush - might not be able to use this right away but lymphedema can set in and dry brushing is one way to keep the lymph fluid moving.

long sleeve rash guard - they will want to take some extra precaution with the sun soon after radiation. A nice zippered rash guard could be nice. Cabana Life sells some nice ones depending on what you want to spend.

A handwritten prayer for her to recite during the actual radiation. My friend did this for me and it was so special. She put some feathers together on a chain (representing the angels we asked to take care of our family and cross our paths) and gave me charms for each of my chemo sessions, so I could count down the chemo sessions as they happened by adding a charm. It was very therapeutic way for my young kids to see the progress and how much was left. You could do something like that for radiation with beads or inexpensive charms. I still have my feathers and charms and I have it hanging on a lamp in my living room.

Radiation is relatively easy but the effects last forever, so it is daunting to think of that.