Overview
When someone close to you – a partner, family member, child, friend or neighbour – is diagnosed with cancer, they often need extra support. People who provide ongoing unpaid care and support to a person with an illness are known as “carers”. You may not think of yourself as a carer, but as someone simply helping a person in need.
Caring includes a range of tasks from going to medical appointments and preparing meals, to offering emotional support and managing paperwork, such as paying bills.
Caring for someone with cancer can be meaningful and rewarding, but it can also be tiring and demanding. While you’re busy looking after someone, you may ignore your own needs. But it’s important to look after yourself too, and ask for help if you need it.
What's on this page
Looking after yourself
If you don’t have a regular GP, it’s a good idea to find one. A GP can help you to take care of your own health needs. It can help to share caring tasks with others (e.g. household chores, driving the person to appointments, updating family and friends). Using an app like Gather My Crew can help you to share the load.
As time goes on, it might be a good idea to take a break from caring. Respite care can be for a couple of hours, overnight or for several days. Carer Gateway provides information on respite options, including emergency respite.
I decided I had to swim daily. I had a roster of friends who looked after my wife for an hour every morning.
Support for carers
- Peer support – You can connect with other carers through support groups and other peer support services. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to find out about the options.
- Financial help – You may be able to get payments from the government. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to find out more.
- Practical help – Carer Gateway and Cancer Connect may help with information, support services or referrals.
- Support for children and teens – When a parent has cancer, a child or teenager may have to take on some caring duties. Cancer Hub offers support for families.
More information
To find out more about caring roles and support, see:
Or listen to Cancer Council's podcast episodes:
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