Caring for someone with cancer
Advice on caring for someone with cancer, taking care of yourself and supports available.
9am-5pm Mon-Fri
9am-5pm
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, life changes for them, their family and their friends. Life also changes for you, the carer.
A carer is an unpaid person who helps the patient with cancer. A carer could be a family member, partner, friend or neighbour. Nowadays patients spend less time in hospitals and more time at home, so carers are also important members of the medical or healthcare team.
How to cope as a carer
Being a carer for someone with cancer is not an easy thing to do. It's very normal for carers to feel tired and stressed at times.
Read about taking care of yourself
Providing practical and emotional support
Information for carers on managing day-to-day matters like cooking, transportation, nursing and more.
Information for carers on supporting someone emotionally
Information on your entitlements and managing finances
Carers' entitlements and available supports
Our services
Treatment and medical information
Cancer treatment is a complex process that differs from person to person.
We have information about the most common treatment methods and side-effects.
Information for parents and young carers
Specific advice for parents of children with cancer, and for young carers looking after a parent with cancer.
You’re special. If you’re caring for someone with cancer, you’re doing an amazing thing.
Young carers are children, teens and young adults aged under 25 who help to support a family member or friend with cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society provides free services to all those affected by cancer, including children and their families.
Visit our children's cancer services hub to learn more.
You are likely to experience a range of emotions throughout your experience caring for someone with cancer.
Please visit our coping hub for more information and supports available.
Publications about caring
Our Caring for someone with cancer booklet has lots of information about the medical, practical and emotional care of someone with cancer. It also has information about how to talk to a loved one who has cancer.
And our A Time to Care - Caring for someone seriously ill at home booklet has been written for anyone who is caring for someone seriously ill at home. It includes information on personal care, the Night Nursing service and useful organisations.
You can download both below.
Edel: I won’t stop listening
Every day Edel Brangan speaks to people affected by cancer. This involves answering calls from people diagnosed with cancer, but also from their family and friends.
