Key takeaways
- Caring for someone with cancer is challenging. It’s important to remember that you need support too, and to know where to look for it
- Emotional support can be invaluable for both you and the person you care for
- Many charities provide free support, advice about finances, and run support groups and forums you can get involved in
- Remember to ask for help from family and friends, and tell them where you could use an extra pair of hands
The assistance you give to the person you care for is likely to vary depending on your relationship with them, their needs and your health. Regardless of the circumstances, caring for someone with cancer can be hard. You’ll feel a range of emotions and have days where juggling their care alongside work, home and family is tough. Support for the relatives of cancer patients is important, too. That’s why we have put together this guide about where to get the support as you navigate caring for someone with cancer.
Emotional support
The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly hard to navigate. It can be particularly tough to juggle the help you provide with your own feelings and welfare. Having emotional support can be invaluable for both you and the loved one you care for.
Macmillan offers support for carers, whether they just want someone to listen, someone to chat to or help from a professional counsellor.
Free support
There are a range of charities and organisations that support cancer patients and their carers by providing free information, running support groups, delivering training, offering advice and more.
Maggie’s is a charity with centres across the UK that provide information and support for anyone affected by cancer. There’s no need to book an appointment – just turn up and ask for help.
The Carers Trust is a charity that offers support services to unpaid carers. Get help with finances and advice to help you manage as a carer.
Financial support
A cancer diagnosis can cause financial strain, especially if the person with cancer is unable to work or you need to change your working arrangements to care for them. If you need help understanding what financial support you are entitled to or want to find out more about funding, many places can help.
Macmillian can provide details of grants and loans you may be able to access, as well as details about how to claim for Carer’s Allowance. They also have a free phone line and can provide support for you and the person you are caring for.
The Citizen’s Advice partners with Macmillian to provide advice on welfare benefits for those affected by cancer.
Support groups and forums
Being a carer for someone with cancer can leave you feeling sad, frustrated, guilty, stressed, and lonely. It can be helpful to talk to others that understand what you are going through.
Cancer Research is an excellent source of information but they also have a 24-hour Cancer Chat forum where you can speak to moderators and others going through similar experiences.
Carers UK is a hub of information for cancer patients and their families. They provide advice on a huge range of topics and have an online forum for carers.
You will also find support groups and forums online for specific types of cancer that you and your loved one can use such as Blood Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now.
Additional resources
Marie Curie offers in house help from volunteers, free nursing support and end of life care.
Remember to ask for help from family and friends
As a carer for someone with cancer, it can feel like you are carrying a lot on your shoulders. You may feel like it’s up to you to take on all the responsibilities associated with their care. But, it can be beneficial to reach out to your wider circle of family and friends to see if they can offer some help.
Take time to identify your capabilities and limitations and make decisions about where you could benefit from an extra pair of hands. It could be that someone doing the weekly food shop for you would help or that another family member being the main point of contact for updates will give you more time to focus on other tasks.
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.