This section is for anyone caring for a person who is seriously ill with advanced cancer. The partner, relative or friend you are looking after may have been told their cancer has spread or come back, or perhaps that it can’t be cured. You may still be trying to come to terms with this and experiencing a range of strong emotions.

It is possible that you long to show how much you care and are trying to plan how best to look after them and make them comfortable. You may also be worried that you won't have the physical or emotional strength to cope, and that it will be difficult to get the practical support you need to make life at home easier.

Everyone's situation is different, and everyone has different ways of coping. Some people find they need to talk through their feelings and fears before they can begin to make plans and take decisions on practical matters. Others manage better by beginning with the practical things. In this section, we discuss the practical issues first, but you may prefer to begin by reading our section on feelings and emotions.