Carers who help cancer sufferers are missing out on getting help
Millions of cancer carers missing out on benefits
More than a million cancer carers could be missing out on benefits and support because they are failing to ask their local councils for help to which they are entitled, a charity claims.
y Nick Collins, Science Correspondent
7:30AM GMT 27 Jan 2012
46 per cent of carers, who help cancer sufferers, suffer from mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression
Just five per cent of the 1.1 million people in Britain who care for cancer sufferers have applied for an assessment from their council which would entitle them to claim financial and practical help, a poll shows.
The survey conducted by Ipsos MORI for Macmillan Cancer Support, shows that half of the 386 cancer carers surveyed are not receiving any type of support, either formally through their local authority or informally from friends or family members.
The figures could explain why 46 per cent of carers, who help cancer sufferers by administering medication, assisting around the house and offering emotional support, suffer from mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression, the charity said.
One in eight carers say their role causes physical distress, such as sleep or digestive problems, and one in seven says they suffer financially by foregoing paid work or spending more money on transport.
The key problem, Macmillan said, could be that only four in ten people who look after cancer sufferers identify themselves as “carers”, meaning they may be unaware of the support they are entitled to, or reluctant to claim it.
