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Cancer and other health conditions

Older people with cancer are more likely to also have another health condition, such as dementia, diabetes or a heart condition. Many people need to take more medicines as they get older. It can be difficult to keep track of what you have taken. You might find it helpful to make a chart of your daily medicines and tick them off as you take them.

Or you could try using a daily dosing medicine box, such as a dosette box or pill organiser. A dosette box has compartments to store your tablets or capsules. The sections are for different times of the day and different days of the week. You can use it to see whether you have taken all your medicines. Ask your local pharmacist or doctor for more information. Most pharmacies can fill the box for you, but there may be a charge for this service.

Always take a list of all your medicines to your GP or hospital appointment. Remember to include any supplements, herbal medicines or over-the-counter medicines, as they might interfere with your cancer treatment.

Cancer and other health conditions

Older people with cancer are more likely to also have another health condition. We have information to help you cope with cancer if you are also living with another medical condition.

Cancer and dementia

The number of people in the UK living with both cancer and dementia is growing. We have information about living with dementia and cancer. We also have information for people who look after someone with dementia and cancer.

Our information includes:

  • worries you may have about cancer and dementia
  • ways to cope with cancer and dementia
  • how to get help and support.

Cancer and diabetes

If you have diabetes, cancer treatment can make it difficult to control your blood sugar level.

Our information includes:

  • tips to help you cope with treatment side effects
  • managing your diabetes if you have advanced cancer.

Cancer and heart health

Some cancer treatments can affect how the heart works. Some older people may already have a heart condition, or be at a higher risk of heart problems. We have information about different cancer treatments that may have an effect on your heart. This includes useful tips about what you can do to help prevent and manage heart problems during cancer treatment.

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General information

A woman sits in an armchair. Clare on diabetes and cancer

'My advice to others managing cancer and diabetes would be to ask your doctor for more information.'

Taking medicines

Many people need to take more medicines as they get older. You may find it difficult to remember what you have taken. Or you may be worried about the best way to take several medicines at the same time. Your GP, cancer doctor or local pharmacist can give you advice about taking your medicines.

Some cancer medicines are only available from the hospital. Your GP, cancer doctor or the pharmacist at the hospital can talk to you about where to get your medicines.

There are different things you can do to help remind you about your medicines:

  • You could make a chart of your daily medicines and tick them off as you take them.
  • You may find it helpful to use a daily dosing medicines box, such as a dosette box.

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