Alongside oncological treatment advances, caregivers of those with a cancer diagnosis have witnessed rapid evolution and expansion of their role (Adashek and Subbiah., 2020). Informal caregiving is defined as unpaid individuals with a strong personal connection, such as a spouse, child, sibling, or friend (Oh et al., 2024) who provide essential support to patients living with cancer along the illness trajectory (Romito et al., 2013). According to Macmillan (2016), there are approximately 1.1 million cancer caregivers aged 15 and over in the United Kingdom. Informal caregivers help with personal needs, household chores, managing a person’s finances, transport, or providing social support (Kim et al., 2009). According to a survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving (2016), 50% of respondents reported high emotional stress related to caregiving. Half of respondents were employed while caregiving, working an average of 35 hours per week, and 25% reported high financial strain.

Global cancer diagnosis’ continue to rise and projections indicate a substantial rise in the informal caregiver burden across Europe by 2050, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies to support both caregivers and patients (Cattaneo et al., 2025). The reasons behind this growing dependence on caregivers is multifaceted. Firstly, the shift toward community-based care means that much of the treatment recovery process occurs at home. Secondly, for the health service, informal caregiving provides significant and economic benefits (National Cancer Institute., 2025), with limited social care funding and stretched healthcare resources often leaving gaps that families are required to fill. However, the scope of caregiving is extensive and often demanding, and can have negative impacts including increased depression, social isolation, loss of self-identity, and sleep deprivation (Abazari et al., 2024).

Matthew McKenzie is a carer advocate, mental health ambassador and author of ‘The Experience of Cancer Caregiving’. Matthew has championed carer networks to raise awareness of the needs and challenges of unpaid carers and to promote collaboration between carers and healthcare professionals.

Matthew has shared his lived experience below:

"Supporting Carers: A Lived Experience Perspective on Cancer Care

When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, life changes overnight. As a carer you find yourself navigating complex systems, balancing emotions, and making decisions that impact both the person you care for and your own wellbeing. My journey as an unpaid carer has shown me how vital nurses are to those standing beside them.

Understanding the Carer’s Journey

Carers often operate in the background of cancer care, hidden and sometimes unseen. Cancer caregivers provide emotional, practical, and physical support. Yet, many feel invisible within the system, not sure where to turn. Nurses are usually the first professionals we encounter and, at times, the only consistent point of contact. When nurses acknowledge carers as part of the care team, it can transform the experience. A simple How are you coping?” can make a world of difference.

Communication and Continuity

One of the challenges carers face is navigating multiple health care settings. When information isn’t shared clearly, carers can feel excluded or overwhelmed. I feel nurses play a crucial role in bridging these gaps. I feel that nurses can take time to explain what’s happening, why certain treatments are planned, or what side effects to watch out for can help carers feel equipped and confident.

Continuity of care matters too. Seeing familiar nursing faces can reassure both patient and carer. Consistency builds trust and trust builds resilience.

Recognising Emotional and Practical Strain

We must remember that behind every patient is someone who may be juggling work, family, and emotional turmoil. Carers often neglect their own health needs, some do not even know they are carers. So if we have nurses who gently signpost carers to support groups, respite options, or counselling services show that caring for the carer is just as important as caring for the patient.

My Reflections for Nursing Practice

From my perspective, the most effective nursing support for carers involves:

• Listening actively – giving carers space to voice concerns.
• Sharing knowledge clearly – avoiding jargon and ensuring carers understand care plans.
• Encouraging self-care – reminding carers that their wellbeing sustains their ability to care.
• Referring carers to support – Possibly referring to advocacy, carer support groups, carer networks.
• Involving carers in care decisions – valuing their insight as part of the multidisciplinary team.
  When carers feel seen, supported, and informed, everyone benefits including patients, families, and professionals alike”.

In conclusion, we as nurses working in cancer care must actively collaborate with cancer caregivers as integral members of the multidisciplinary team and experts in the patient’s daily life and care context. Cancer caregivers perform complex clinical tasks at home with little training. Empowering caregivers through structured education, clear communication, and ongoing support reduces caregiver burden and mitigates risks associated with inadequate knowledge or confidence (Molassiotis and Wang., 2022). Evidence shows that caregiver wellbeing strongly correlates with patient quality of care; interventions that promote self-care, resilience, and psychological support for caregivers improve both carer giver mental health and patient outcomes (Chow et al., 2023; Cui et al., 2024). Nurses, therefore, have a dual responsibility to equip caregivers with practical skills and advocate for resources that sustain their wellbeing, ensuring cancer care delivered at home is safe, effective, and holistic (Ken et al., 2016).