Caring for someone with cancer


Advice on caring for someone with cancer, taking care of yourself and supports available.

Wife caring for her husband in bed
Freephone Support Line
Our Cancer Nurses offer confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer.
Daffodil Centres
Our Daffodil Centres in 13 hospitals nationwide are staffed by Cancer Nurses and trained volunteers who provide face-to-face advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer.

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.

Read more about what a carer does here

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.

Giving practical care

Information for carers on supporting someone emotionally 

Giving emotional care

Information on your entitlements and managing finances 

Carers' entitlements and available supports

Managing money and financial support

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.

Treatment information 

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.

Read more about being a young carer.

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.

Caring for someone with cancer
Caring for someone with cancer
Booklet 61 pages 8.6 MB
This 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.
A time to care- Caring for someone seriously ill at home
A time to care- Caring for someone seriously ill at home
Booklet 27 pages 2.18 MB
Booklet on caring for someone seriously ill at home.

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.

Read story
Edel Brangan