Male carers are impacted by cancer too

Cancer has a ripple effect, with people who support or care for a patient, often experiencing mental health issues. Which is why the Look Good Feel Better programme encourages cancer patients to include their support network.

“Our research showed that men who support someone with cancer are more likely to rarely or never talk about their own wellbeing. Yet supporters who frequently talk to others have significantly higher wellbeing,” says LGFB general manager Clare O’Higgins.

“Physical health challenges such as fatigue are significantly more prominent for patients, while mental health and emotional wellbeing challenges are significantly more prominent for primary carers.

“They are important too and need support. Our focus is to help anyone with any cancer – and their carers – to feel less isolated, to provide a community of people who truly understand what they are going through.”

Clare says one husband recently described cancer as ‘a couple’s disease’ and said the Look Good Feel Better meant appointments to look forward to that weren’t about her diagnosis.

“He said it was something practical they could do together. It’s important that we provide that sense of community so men – be they a patient or a carer – don’t have to ‘go it alone’. We are here at any stage of treatment with a range of touchpoints that they can choose to suit them.”