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49% of cancer-patient carers get no support, poll suggests

People caring for those with cancer are not getting the support they need according to an Ipsos MORI survey conducted for Macmillan Cancer Support (link opens in new window).

Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, 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.

Carers of people with cancer provide an average of around 15 hours of help each week. In the main, they offer emotional support, with around half helping with errands outside the house.

Just 5% of the 1.1 million carers of people with cancer have had a carers’ assessment by their local authority to see what assistance they could get.

David Rogers, chair of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said: "As this report highlights, the sad reality is that many carers don't recognise themselves as such and fail to seek the support to which they are rightly entitled, and which is widely available through their local authority."

If you want to find out more about carer's entitlements click here.

Sources: BBC News website (link opens in a new window)

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