This article offers a stress theory-based conceptual framework for understanding proactive options for care-getting for patients living with cancer that is also relevant to patients living with other chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Barriers and facilitators to active efforts for obtaining responsive care from both informal and formal sources are discussed. This "care-getting" model explores benefits of proactive care-getting for diminishing physical discomfort and suffering, burden of illness and disability, and psychological distress. The authors highlight unique issues in care-getting that patients face at different stages of the life course. Implications of prior research related to the model for practice and intervention are discussed. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)