Key takeaways
- Help the person you care for identify when it’s important to reach out to their care team and who to contact.
- Understand where to find patient-specific information about treatment, symptoms and side-effects
- Encourage open communication and be prepared to support them in contacting their healthcare team
- Encourage the person you care for to take the lead in their care. Offer to help but don’t take over unless necessary.
Caring for someone with cancer involves noticing changes in their health and wellbeing. It’s important to support the person you care for in recognising when they might need to contact their care team, and knowing how to access them.
Practical tips
- Noticing and keeping an eye on changes
Help the person you care for to keep track of how they’re feeling, especially if they notice something different or new. Encourage them to note down any new or worsening symptoms, changes in mood or physical discomfort. This can be a useful tool for spotting when something doesn’t seem right and needs checking with a healthcare professional - Know where to find information:
It’s important to have access to reliable sources of information so that you help identify new changes that might need reporting or that are related to the medication they are taking. Websites such as Macmillan Cancer Support or the NHS provide trustworthy and patient-specific information. Familiarise yourself with these resources so you can help the person you care for to understand what they might be experiencing and when they might need to contact a healthcare professional. - Know who to contact:
The type and stage of cancer and where they are at in their treatment plan will determine which healthcare professionals are managing their care. Ask them to share the contact information of all the key healthcare professionals and where possible what their role is so that you will know who to call.
There may be an out of hours number, but if not, the NHS 111 service can be used for support out of hours, with any change in symptoms or side-effects. Agree where to store that information in a way that is accessible to them and to you.
If the person you care for feels anxious or unsure about asking for help, you may need to make the phone call for them. Write down questions they want to ask and check if they want you to sit with them during the call. Having a list of symptoms and questions prepared in advance helps to make sure that all concerns are addressed during the conversation.
- Encourage open communication:
Sometimes, the person you care for may hesitate to contact their healthcare team, thinking that a symptom might not be serious enough. You can encourage them to get in touch whenever they have concerns, no matter how small they may seem. Reassure them that their healthcare team is there to support them and that it’s always best to report any concerns. - Follow-up after contact:
After the person you care for has spoken with their healthcare team, help them follow up on any advice or instructions given. This might involve scheduling appointments, picking up prescriptions or monitoring their symptoms as advised.
By staying informed, talking openly, and providing practical support, you can help the person you care for manage their health more effectively and ensure they receive the care they need when they need it.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.