Caring for someone with cancer

If someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering what this means for you. This information explains the carer’s role and offers practical tips for balancing the demands of caring with your own needs.

Download PDF

Your role as a carer

Every caring situation is different. You may find you have a wide range of responsibilities, from managing medicines and providing transport to offering emotional support.

How will you feel as a carer?

Learn about the common emotions experienced by carers and find strategies to help you cope and feel more in control.

For your community

How relationships can change

Whether you are caring for a partner, parent, child, sibling or friend, a cancer diagnosis can affect your established roles. Learn how relationships may change and how to manage these changes.

Caring for yourself

It is easy to ignore your own needs as a carer, but looking after yourself will help you cope with the demands of caring. Explore our practical self-care tips and find out where you can get support.

If the person you are caring for has advanced cancer, you may find this general information about caring helpful. We also have more information in a separate section called Caring for someone with advanced cancer.

Podcast: Cancer Affects the Carer Too

Listen now

Need to talk?

Call 13 11 20 to talk to a health professional Or email us your questions.

This information was last updated in November 2023. See who reviewed this content.

Dr Alison White, Palliative Medicine Specialist, Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Tracey Bilson, Consumer; Louise Dillon, Consumer; Louise Durham, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care Outpatients, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; Katrina Elias, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW; Jessica Elliott, Social Worker, Youth Cancer Services, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Brendan Myhill, Social Worker and Bereavement Research Officer, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Penny Neller, Project Coordinator, National Palliative Care Projects, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Olivia Palac, Acting Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Nicole Rampton, Advanced Occupational Therapist, Cancer Services, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Shirley Roberts, Nurse Consultant, Medical Oncology, Northern Adelaide Cancer Centre, SA; Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko, Specialist General Practitioner, and UNSW Research Fellow, NSW; Kathleen Wilkins, Consumer; Helen Zahra, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW

View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.