How to care for yourself while supporting loved ones with cancer

Kate Ng
·Trending Lifestyle Reporter
Updated ·4-min read
The Prince of Wales has spoken candidly about how difficult the past year has been as the Royal Family dealt with two cancer diagnoses. (Getty Images)
The Prince of Wales has spoken candidly about how difficult the past year has been as the Royal Family dealt with two cancer diagnoses. (Getty Images)

When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, it is natural to want to support and be there for them as much as possible. However, you may also find yourself going through a difficult time and it’s important to check in on yourself from time to time.

One person who understands deeply how hard it can be is the Prince of Wales, who revealed that the past year has been the "hardest year in my life" after both his father, King Charles III, and his wife, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.

Prince William opened up about his experience this year while speaking to reporters at the end of his recent visit to South Africa.

Answering a question about how his year has been, the royal said: "It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult."

In February, Buckingham Palace revealed that the King had been diagnosed with cancer and would begin treatment. Just a few weeks later, it was announced that Kate Middleton had also been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventive chemotherapy.

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport Community Centre to meet rescue workers and the families of those caught up in the Southport knife attack earlier this year. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on July 29. Picture date: Thursday October 10, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Kate. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The Princess of Wales underwent chemotherapy this year and has been making a gradual return to public duties. (Getty Images)

William continued: "I’m so proud of my wife, I’m so proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal."

Earlier this week, William said that Kate is doing "really well" and has been "amazing this whole year" as she recovers from cancer treatment. It has been announced that Kate will attend Remembrance Sunday events on Sunday 10 November, marking yet another step in her return to public duties.

Supporting and helping someone with cancer can be both rewarding and challenging, says Cancer Research UK. It can be easy to forget to take care of yourself, but making sure you do can help both you and your loved one on your journey.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, visits Simon's Town Harbour to meet with volunteers of the National Seas Rescue Institute (NSRI) and hear about their lifesaving work
Prince William said he is 'proud' of both King Charles and Kate Middleton, but admitted it's been a 'brutal' year from a 'personal family point of view'. (Getty Images)

Some of the common feelings that can accompany caring for someone with cancer include:

  • Shock

  • Ander

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Guilt

  • Anticipatory grief

  • Fear about the future

  • Feeling vulnerable

  • Feeling inadequate

  • Having sleeping problems

These can have an impact on your physical and mental health, so it’s important to address them and adjust to your new reality.

Two women sitting in armchairs and talking. Woman psychologist talking to patient woman. Coach giving hands to smiling woman. Therapist's gestures. Female talking in coworking office
It's important to pay attention to your own feelings while supporting someone with cancer. (Getty Images)

Cancer Research UK says that caring for someone can be physically and emotionally tiring, especially when they are a loved one.

Here are a few ways you can look after yourself:

  • Eat well: Try to eat healthily and have regular meals

  • Be active: This could be a short walk or more structured exercise, it is good for both your physical and emotional wellbeing

  • Get enough sleep: This can be difficult if you are worrying, talk to your doctor about it if it is a problem

  • Talk about it: Talking to other friends and family about how you’re feeling can help you in the same way it can help the person with cancer

  • Take breaks: When you’re caring for someone, it is extremely tiring, you’ll be able to cope better if you do have breaks

If you are experiencing feelings like fear and anxiety, grief and loss, sadness, anger, guilt, or more, it is important to pay attention to these.

MacMillan Cancer Support says: "These feelings may come and go. You may have good days when you feel positive, and difficult days when you struggle more with how you are feeling. Everyone is different. There is no right or wrong way to feel."

Talking to others about your feelings can help support you emotionally by helping you accept the situation, work through your thoughts and remember what is important to you.

It is important to talk to family and friends about it, but you can also speak to a counsellor who will listen and support you without judging you.

A counsellor can help you:

  • Cope with changes in your relationship

  • Think about what is important to you

  • Deal with practical problems

  • Find new ways of coping

If you are in need of support, you can contact the MacMillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 0000, or the Samaritans on 116 123.

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