Working while caring for someone with cancer

It aims to help you cope with work issues you may face because of the impact of your caring role on your working life. You'll find information about employment rights| and how to get support at work, suggestions about flexible working, tips on talking about cancer| with your employer| and colleagues, and advice if you're self-employed|.

Around 298,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year. As treatments for cancer improve, more and more people who have cancer are learning to live with it as a chronic illness. So are their families, friends and colleagues. 

Many people affected by cancer depend on the physical and emotional support of a carer. Very often, that carer has to combine working and earning an income with their new - and often unplanned - role as a carer.

There are more than 3 million working carers in the UK who have to combine the pressure of working while dealing with the physical and emotional pressures of caring for someone who is ill.

Continuing to work can be important for both the carer and the individual with cancer, as it can provide both income and social contact outside of the home.

You may find it helpful to read some of the information in our section caring for someone with advanced cancer|. You may also find it helpful to read Hello, and how are you?|, a guide for carers by carers.

Benefit information applies from April 2011–April 2012.