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Carers

This information is for people who are looking after someone with cancer.

You may still be adjusting to the news that someone you know has cancer and that you could become their carer. It’s natural to be worried about the demands that come with a caring role, and the impact this might have on your life.

Caring involves managing both your own physical and emotional needs and those of the person you are caring for. We offer practical tips on navigating the experience of cancer while balancing the demands of caring, family, work and your own needs.

Learn more about:

  • Caring for someone with early-stage cancer
    • Your role as a carer
    • What carers do
    • How will you feel as a carer?
    • Caring for yourself
    • How relationships can change
  • Caring for someone with advanced cancer
    • Palliative care
    • Support for carers
    • Advance care planning
    • Legal arrangements
    • Caring at the end of life
    • Ways to say goodbye
    • Anticipatory grief
    • When the person you care for dies
  • Support and information for carers

Listen to our podcasts on How to Help Someone with Cancer, Cancer Affects the Carer Too and Caring for Someone with Advanced Cancer


Featured resource

Download a PDF booklet on this topic.

Caring for Someone with Cancer cover thumbnail
Caring for Someone with Cancer

Download PDF442kB

Additional resources

  • ePUB Caring for Someone with Cancer ebook Download ePUB1.16MB
This information was last reviewed in September 2020. View who reviewed this content.

Dr Laura Kirsten, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, NSW; Mary Bairstow, Senior Social Worker, Cancer Centre, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Anne Booms, Nurse Practitioner – Supportive and Palliative Care, Icon Cancer Centre Midland, WA; Dr Erica Cameron-Taylor, Staff Specialist, Department of Palliative Care, Mercy Hospice, Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW; Tracey Gardner, Senior Psychologist, Cancer Counselling Service, Cancer Council Queensland; Louise Good, Cancer Nurse Consultant, WA; Verity Jausnik, Senior Policy Officer, Carers Australia; David Larkin, Cancer Supportive Care Manager, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, Canberra Hospital and Health Service, ACT; Kate Martin, Consumer; John McMath, Consumer; Simone Noelker, Physiotherapist and Wellness Centre Coordinator, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, VIC; Tara Redemski, Senior Physiotherapist – Cancer Care, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Dean Rowe, Consumer; Chris Sibthorpe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland.

View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.

View all publications or call 13 11 20 for free printed copies.

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Support Services

Support for carers
Cancer Council NSW offers carers support online, over the phone and in person and can link you to our practical support services

Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono services, financial and legal assistance, and no interest loans

Cancer information

What is cancer?
How cancer starts and spreads

Caring for someone with advanced cancer
Discussing wishes and coping with grief

View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends

  • Carers
  • Caring for someone with cancer
    • Your role as a carer
    • What carers do
      • Medical care
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        • Understanding the MDT
        • Organising paperwork
        • Managing medicines & applying for a PBS Safety Net card
        • Monitoring symptoms and side effects
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      • Financial matters
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      • Communicating with others
      • Emotional support
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    • How will you feel as a carer?
      • Common reactions
      • Ways to manage your emotions
    • Caring for yourself
      • Keeping healthy
      • Finding ways to cope
      • Asking others for help
      • Taking a break (respite care)
      • Working while caring
      • When your caring role ends
    • How relationships can change
      • Support for LGBTI carers
      • Changes in sexuality and intimacy
  • Caring for someone with advanced cancer
    • Palliative care
    • Support for carers
    • Advance care planning
    • Legal arrangements
    • Caring at the end of life
    • Ways to say goodbye
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    • When the person you care for dies
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© Cancer Council NSW 2020 Head Office Address: 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. ABN 51 116 463 846. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.