A cancer diagnosis has a far-reaching impact, affecting not only the person with cancer, but also their family and friends.
If a family member or friend has been diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder how you can help, worry about what the future holds, or feel overwhelmed by your own emotions. You might also feel concerned about explaining the situation to children in the family. If you take on the role of caring for someone with cancer, you may need to get used to new responsibilities.
Cancer Council offers a range of resources to help you navigate cancer as a carer, family member or friend.
Information for family and friends:
- How can I help? Tips for supporting someone with cancer
- Caring for someone with cancer: Understanding the role of the carer and how to balance caring, family and work responsibilities and your own needs
- Information for working carers: How to manage work when you are caring for someone with cancer
- Talking to kids about cancer: How to explain all stages of cancer to children
- Cancer in the school community: How schools can help when a student or a member of their family has cancer, or when a member of school staff has cancer
- Loss and grief: For family and friends when someone has died from cancer
- Family history of cancer: If cancer runs in your family and you are wondering about genetic testing
- General cancer information: Information about cancer types, treatments, side effects and more
Video: Support for families and friends of people with advanced cancer
Being a family member or close friend of someone with advanced cancer can have its own set of challenges. You may feel emotionally and physically drained, which is understandable, and you may need your own support system. Watch this video to learn more about how this support can help you be a better carer for your loved one.
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The information on this page is also available for download.
