Support call for carers of cancer patients

Macmillan Cancer Support said around half (49 per cent) of the 1.1m people in the UK looking after someone with the disease receive no formal or informal support at all.

And only five per cent have undergone a Carers’ Assessment with their local authority – enabling them access to practical, emotional and financial support.

The charity said the statistics may explain why 46 per cent of those caring for a loved-one with cancer experience mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression, and why one in eight suffer physical health issues such as sleep and digestive problems.

One in seven carers (15 per cent) also face financial problems due to their caring commitments, according to the Ipsos Mori report for Macmillan.

These included increased travel costs and money issues caused by giving up work to care for their loved one.

Ciaran Devane, Macmillan’s chief executive, said: “Our research shows how unsupported cancer carers really are in the UK.

“Carers want to look after their family or friend with cancer – but it is often at the expense of their own mental or physical health.

“Cancer is no longer necessarily a death sentence and this means there is a growing need for people to care for their family member or friend with cancer. Often this is long-term care. But carers need support to cope with the significant demands of their role.”

The charity called for health and social care professionals to raise awareness about Carers’ Assessments so more carers receive the help they need and are entitled to.