Caring for a person with Cancer

More and more people are living with cancer because of earlier diagnosis and better treatments.  This has resulted in a growing need for carers to care for someone with cancer.

As a carer getting information is essential to help you feel in control of your situation.  It can relieve you of some of your worry and stress and enable you to know where to get help and who to talk to.  You may benefit from organisations who can offer support and by understanding your cared for’s diagnosis and treatment plan it makes it easier to anticipate some of the difficulties you and the person your caring for may face.

If you are caring for someone with advanced cancer, you may notice that they seem depressed or are having difficulty coping.  They may seem worried about the future and express concerns about dying.  They may have also talked to you about ending their life.

You may want to know what to expect if you are going to be with someone when they die remember health care professionals are there to help you and answer your questions.

Professionals will use the term palliative care to describe care for a patient when their condition can’t be cured.  Palliative care is based on relieving pain and other symptoms and providing emotional support for the patient and their family.  Speak to the GP, district nurse and or social worker.

Speaking to people who are going through the same thing can be helpful there are online forum and support locally at Carers of Barking and Dagenham

The following are organisations that offer support

Your local Hospice St Francis is also another good source of information they offer training and carers support groups call the Family Support Team on 01708 753319 visit their website www.sfh.org.uk

Macmillian support line free on 0808 808 00 00 Mon-Fri 9am-8pm Hard of hearing use text phone 0808 808 0121 or text relay. Or visit the website macmillan.org.uk

Dying matters website has leaflets and a DVD to help support people to have difficult conversations about the future visit www.dyingmatters.org/overview/resources

Families facing cancer can offer you emotional and practical support.  Visit www.familiesfacingcancer.org.uk/information or call 0844 35 77 959

OrangeLine by Saint Francis Hospice 01708 753319 extension 3028 click HERE to find out more information on what support they can give.