Advance care planning

Planning ahead when you have cancer, can help people know how you would like to be cared for if you ever become unable to make choices yourself.

You can plan ahead in simple steps. You do not need to follow all these steps in order. Do what feels right for you and take your time.

A power of attorney (Scotland), and lasting power of attorney (England and Wales) allow you to choose someone to make decisions on your behalf. The person you appoint is called your attorney.

An advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) tells other people about any specific treatments that you do not want to have in certain situations.

In Scotland, an advance directive is a written statement of your wishes to refuse certain treatments in the future.

If you have active cancer you cannot donate organs but you still usually donate tissue. If the cancer has not come back after several years it may then be possible to donate organs.

Planning your funeral in advance means your family and friends can arrange the type of funeral you would like.

The Mental Capacity Act in England and Wales, and Adults with Incapacity Act in Scotland, aim to protect people who cannot make a decision for themselves.

This booklet is about planning ahead and making choices about your future care if you live in Northern Ireland. It is for anyone who wishes to plan ahead, whether they have a serious illness or not.