Supporting someone with cancer

The experience of being a carer is different for everyone – it can bring a sense of satisfaction, but it can also be challenging and stressful. These pages offer practical tips on balancing the demands of caring, family, work and your own needs, and suggests where to find support.

When someone you know has cancer, you may be wondering about the best way to support them. It’s not always easy to know what to say or do. There are no set rules — every relationship is different — but often it’s the small gestures of care and kindness that make the biggest difference.

The news that someone you work with has been diagnosed with cancer can be a shock. It’s common to feel a variety of emotions – from disbelief, fear and anxiety, to concern or sadness. It may be even more confronting if you, or someone close to you, has had cancer.