Supporting and looking after someone with cancer
You may not see yourself as supporting and looking after someone,
you may just think you are helping out.
If you are sitting with someone to keep them company or watching
over someone if they can’t be left alone, you are giving emotional
support.
You are looking after someone by providing practical help with,
for example:
• getting out and about and travelling to doctors’ appointments
• shopping, cleaning and laundry
• food preparation
• washing, dressing and taking medicines
• paying bills and organising finances
We know that the emotional and physical demands on you may
be difficult, and you may need support. It is important to look
after your own health and wellbeing. There is lots of information
available to help you, and we know that this can be overwhelming.
This leaflet provides you with access to local contacts and support
information which you may need whilst supporting and looking after
someone who has received a cancer diagnosis or is living with or
beyond cancer.
To help make sure you have the necessary support and information
available to you whilst you are supporting and looking after someone
with cancer, The Fylde Coast Macmillan Cancer Information and
Support Service Team has a wealth of knowledge, experience and
information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Macmillan Windmill Unit, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool FY3 8NR.
Telephone Number 01253 955710.
Email: bfwh.macmillan.info@nhs.net.
Open Hours 09:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday
Fleetwood Hub, Fleetwood Hospital, Bold Street, Fleetwood FY7 6BE
Telephone Number 01253 955710
Email bfwh.macmillan.info@nhs.net.
Open Hours 10am - 2pm Monday to Friday
You may have lots of practical and emotional worries / concerns
and have lots of different feelings. You may find it helpful to identify
these using the My Concerns Checklist then
having someone to talk to about getting the support you need and
about how you feel, might help you cope.
The Fylde Coast Macmillan Information and Support Service Team
provides a confidential, drop-in service to support with practical and
emotional concerns, including:
• The opportunity to talk to a member of staff about your worries/ concerns and together develop a personalised plan to address
these.
• Access to a private room where you can talk to someone in confidence.
• Literature on caring for someone with cancer.
• Benefits and financial guidance.
• Links to the clinical teams.
We can also offer community support outside of the hospital setting,
within your locality, should this be more suitable.
We also have a team of volunteer Cancer Buddies who can provide
practical and emotional support to you on a 1:1 basis as someone
who has experienced a similar journey of supporting and looking
after someone living with cancer.
There are many local community support groups sharing
experiences and supporting each other as well as community Health
and Wellbeing groups.
Support groups offer an opportunity to talk to other people who
are in a similar situation to you, and to share experiences. You might
learn from those a little way ahead of you in their journey and help
you develop strategies for coping.
We have lots of support groups across the Fylde Coast that you can
attend with the person you are supporting, but also some separate
groups. These could be specific to a type of cancer or a generic
group such as a gardening group or walking group.
For more information on what is available within your locality, please
contact the Macmillan Community Support Workers at the Fylde
Coast Support and Information Centre on 01253 955710.
My Concerns Checklist
This checklist is for you to identify areas that may be causing you
concern whilst you are supporting and looking after someone with
cancer.
If you want to talk to someone about your concerns, please contact
The Fylde Coast Macmillan Team on 01253 955710.
| My Concerns | Please Tick |
|---|---|
| Practical Concerns: | |
| Taking care of myself or others | |
| Providing support and care to someone | |
| Work or education | |
| Money, benefits or finance | |
| Travel | |
| Housing | |
| Transport or parking | |
| Laundry or housework | |
| Grocery shopping | |
| Preparing meals or drinks | |
| Pets |
| My Concerns | Please Tick |
|---|---|
| Emotional Concerns: | |
| Worry, fear or anxiety | |
| Guilt | |
| Hopelessness | |
| Sadness or depression | |
| Anger or frustration | |
| Unable to express feelings | |
| Loneliness or isolation | |
| Uncertainty | |
| Loss of interest or activities |
| My Concerns | Please tick |
|---|---|
| Family Concerns | |
| Partner | |
| Children | |
| Other relatives | |
| Friends | |
| Person who I look after | |
| Person who looks after me |
Other Concerns and Questions which are not listed that i would like to discuss:
We can, together with you, develop a personalised plan to address
your worries and concerns.
We are aware this PDF are might not be accessible to all users. If you would like to request an accessible version, please contact bfwh.
Read our accessibility statement to learn more.
Author Macmillan Cancer Team.
Approved by Cancer Team.
Date of Publication 23/02/2026
Reference No PL/1673 (v1)
Review Date 01/02/2029
