• There are around 375,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year, that's around 1,000 every day (2016-2018).
• In females in the UK, there are more than 182,000 new cancer cases every year (2016-2018).
• In males in the UK, there are around 193,000 new cancer cases every year (2016-2018).
• Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer.
• Breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers together accounted for over half (53%) of all new cancer cases in the UK in 2016-2018.
• Incidence rates for all cancers combined in the UK are highest in people aged 85 to 89 (2016-2018).
• Each year more than a third (36%) of all cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed in people aged 75 and over (2016-2018).
• There are more than 166,000 cancer deaths in the UK every year, that's more than 450 every day (2016-2018).
• In females in the UK, there were around 77,800 cancer deaths in 2018.
• In males in the UK, there were around 89,000 cancer deaths in 2018.
• Every four minutes someone in the UK dies from cancer.
• Lung, bowel, breast and prostate cancers together accounted for almost half (45%) of all cancer deaths in the UK in 2018.
• Around a fifth of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer.
• Mortality rates for all cancers combined in the UK are highest in people aged 90+ (2016-2018).
• Each year more than half (54%) of all cancer deaths in the UK are in people aged 75 and over (2016-2018).

Terminal cancer is cancer which cannot be cured and isn’t responding to treatment and that the person is likely to die from. Any kind of cancer can become terminal. When someone has terminal cancer, the emphasis of treatment or care will be on managing the person’s symptoms and making sure they have a good quality of life.

Some people find it difficult when they’ve been having cancer treatment to learn that it’s not working. The person’s treatment may be stopped, and the focus can change from trying to cure the illness to managing the symptoms. Talking to a doctor or member of the palliative care team may help, as they will be able to advise on finding the right treatment, care and emotional support.
Terminal cancer is different to advanced cancer. Although advanced cancer is also incurable, people with advanced cancer may still have treatments which could help to prolong their life. They can also receive palliative care alongside their treatment.

Hearing that your illness cannot be cured can be a frightening experience. Many people will be unable to take everything in. If you're alone in the consultation, ask if you can bring a relative or friend in to hear everything the doctor has to say. You may need to ask for a follow-up appointment so that someone can be with you. Ask the doctor what support is available to you. They may refer you for additional specialist palliative care alongside the care you're already receiving. A GP will also know of any local sources of support. Get in touch with a GP to explain what's happened and ask what help is available near you.

This may include:

• Information services about your illness
• Financial benefits you may be entitled to
• Support groups and counselling

Find someone to talk to:

Not everyone wants to talk about what they're going through. However, a terminal (sometimes called life-limiting) diagnosis can bring up worries and fears, and it can help to talk about these so they do not start to feel impossible to deal with.

Family, friends and health professionals

You might want to talk to your partner, family, or friends, or to a doctor, nurse, counsellor, or religious minister. People close to you will be dealing with their own feelings about your diagnosis. If you or they are finding it hard to talk about it, you might want to talk to someone who is not as close to you, like a counsellor.

Your doctor or nurse can help you find a counsellor. You can also search online to find services in your area. It can be useful to have someone to talk to at night-time if you cannot sleep. Make sure there's someone you can ring (a friend, relative or the Samaritans), but also recognise that you do not have to lie in the dark and try to sleep. You can turn on the light and do something else. The Electrical Industries Charity can also support you during this journey. Please contact the Charity welfare team on 0800 652 1618.

Questions and worries about your future

Knowing that you have a life-limiting condition leaves you living with uncertainty. You'll probably have questions with no definite answers, such as:

• How and when your body is going to change
• The effect this will have on your independence and relationships
• What will happen at work
• Exactly how much time you have left

Not knowing exactly what's going to happen to you can feel overwhelming and upsetting. It's normal to feel like this, and it might be helpful to talk with others who are in a similar situation, and hear how they cope with these feelings. Ask your doctor or nurse about local support groups for people who are living with a life-limiting illness, or for people who have the same condition as you. Many specialist charities offer support through local groups, email contact, phone lines and web forums. For example, Marie Curie has an online community.
healthtalk.org has videos and written interviews of people talking about their feelings when told they had a life-limiting illness and their emotions in the following weeks and months.
They also have videos of people reflecting on the positive aspects of knowing they're approaching the end of life and talking about how their religion, faith or philosophy helps them.

If you think you're depressed:

It's normal to feel shock, sadness, anger and helplessness. But for some people, the feeling they're unable to cope with their situation does not go away, and they feel too low to be able to do any of the things they want to. If this happens to you and these feelings persist, it may be helpful to talk to a doctor. Medicine can help, and counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can make a difference to how you're coping.

You might be a carer if you're looking after a family member or friend who's ill, has a disability or mental health problem. Everyone's experience of caring is different. Some people find that they become a carer gradually over time, while for others it happens suddenly. Caring can be challenging and it's OK if you decide at any point you want a break or need to stop. For many people, looking after a family member or friend who has a terminal illness at home is “just something they do”. They don’t think of themselves as a carer. But recognising your role as a carer can help you access support and financial help from the government, NHS and other organisations who may describe you in this way.

Most carers are unpaid, but some may receive a benefit called carer’s allowance from the government.

What do carers do?

Carers are often good at multitasking and carry out a range of tasks in person or remotely. Carers can also provide support for the person even if they don’t live near them. Caring for someone remotely can be just as challenging as caring for them in person.

You may find that you help with some or all the following:

• Food shopping
• Housework
• Reading and writing letters or emails
• Taking phone calls, for example from their healthcare team
• Organising appointments and helping with transport
• Preparing meals and drinks
• Care tasks like washing, dressing, shaving, and going to the toilet
• Getting them in or out of bed and making them comfortable
• Organising finances
• Taking care of their children and pets
• Listening to worries and providing emotional support
• Arranging for family and friends to visit.

Your needs as a carer:

Carers often focus their attention and energy on the person they care for and put their own health and wellbeing last. But it’s important to think about what you can do without burning out or making yourself ill.

The realities of being a carer can sometimes be difficult and you may want to consider:

• Your own health, especially if you’ll be helping with physical tasks
• Who can support you emotionally if caring becomes stressful or too much
• How you can stay connected with family and friends when life gets busy
• Delegating tasks to other people who can support you
• Speaking with your manager and colleagues for support if you work and provide care
• How you’ll manage financially if you need to reduce hours or give up your work
• How you can adapt your schedule and living arrangements to provide the best care but also take time for yourself.

Carer's assessment

You’re entitled to a carer’s needs assessment from your local social care services if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, you can have an adult carer support plan or young carers statement. This isn’t to assess how good you are at caring, but to ask you about your needs and how being a carer impacts your life.

You may find that you’re entitled to:

• Equipment or a home adaptation to help you provide care
• Help from a paid care worker
• Respite so you can take a break from caring
• Financial support, such as Carer’s Allowance.

Find out how to apply for a carer’s assessment: https://mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/being-there/support-carers/assessments 
See if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/carers/carers-allowance

When someone has a terminal illness and is and living at home, their GP has overall responsibility for their medical care. They’ll coordinate district nurses and other professionals involved in their care. They are your first point of contact if you have questions and need support or assistance.

Who else can help:

Caring can include all kinds of challenges, and it can help to think who else in your circle of family and friends might be able to support you. Sometimes carers get help from their extended family, friends, and even neighbours or volunteers. Coordinating tasks can be time-consuming, so you may want to think about simple ways to keep in touch with your support network and delegate things.

You could coordinate this using:

• A WhatsApp or Facebook group to keep each other updated
• An app like the Jointly app from Carers UK which costs £2.99 and helps you plan and manage someone’s care.
• Speaking with other carers

You might want to meet other people who are in a similar situation through local networks and online forums, such as:

• Alzheimer's Society online forum
• Carers UK forum
• Macmillan carers only community
• The Multiple Sclerosis Society online forum
• Parkinson’s UK online community
• The Mix group chats for young carers
• Search for more local support on the Carers UK website.

Caring while working:

Changing your hours or work pattern or working from home may make your caring role easier. You have the legal right to ask to work flexibly if you’ve worked for the same employer for 26 weeks. Some carers find that they must reduce their working hours or even stop working. If you do need to give up your job, you might be eligible for benefits such as income support or carer’s allowance. Use our benefits calculator to see if you’re entitled to benefits. https://mariecurie.entitledto.co.uk/home/start?_ga=2.33210422.90052633.1601896956-219633238.1593764109

What’s it like to care for someone at the end of life?

Caring for someone with a terminal illness can be physically and emotionally demanding. You may find that your relationship changes with the person you care for. Some people say it changes their identity. They no longer feel like the person’s partner, family member, or friend. But it can also be a rewarding experience and a time of great closeness. You may experience a much deeper relationship with the person, and you may find it comforting to be able to make their final years, months or days as comfortable as possible.

Marie Curie Support Line

Support Line on 0800 090 2309
Send an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Speak with other people in similar situations on our online community
Our Support Line is open 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am – 5pm on Saturday. On bank holidays we're open 10am – 4pm.

Read More ⁵

As you near the end of your life, you or your family may have concerns about your finances. Financial help is available. You can sometimes access it at short notice.

As you near the end of your life, you or your family may have concerns about:

• Income
• Additional costs
• Managing your finances.

Financial help is available. You can sometimes access it at short notice. It is likely that you will be able to get benefits in the last months of your life to help with your care. You may also be able to get free prescriptions. Some charities and other organisations provide grants to help with costs.

Most people who need care towards the end of their lives qualify for disability benefits. These include:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Attendance Allowance (AA), if they are at or above State Pension age.
These benefits are not means-tested. This means the amount of money you have does not affect whether you can get the benefit.

You can apply for these benefits using a fast-track process if:

• You are terminally ill
• Your doctor thinks you may reasonably be expected to live for less than 6 months. This does not have to be certain and it does not matter if you live longer.
  This process is called special rules. Your claim will be dealt with quickly and you will automatically be paid the higher rate. Special rules claims for AA and PIP apply for up to 3 years.

Under special rules, you can also apply for:

• Employment and Support Allowance, if you are unable to work because you are ill
• Universal Credit, if you are out of work or on a low income.
  You will need to explain that you are claiming under special rules when you claim the benefit.
  Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse will also need to fill out a form called a DS1500 and send it to:
• The Department of Work and Pensions in England, Scotland or Wales
• The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
  You should get your payment within 2 weeks of sending the DS1500.

You can also call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 to speak to one of our welfare rights advisers. They can give you advice about claiming benefits and help you fill in claim forms. Depending on where you live, you may be able to visit a local Macmillan welfare adviser.
You can also get more information and apply for certain benefits by visiting:
gov.uk if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
nidirect.gov.uk if you live in Northern Ireland.

The Electrical Industries Charity can also help with immediate needs financial grants. Please contact the support team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0800 652 1618

Prescriptions:
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, people with cancer and some long-term conditions can also get free prescriptions. You need to apply for an exemption certificate by collecting an FP92A form from your GP surgery. There may be other things to sort out, such as bank accounts and pensions.

Bank accounts:
Your bank accounts will be frozen when you die. This means money can only be taken out if the person carrying out the instructions in your will transfers it. It is their job to tell the bank that you have died. If you have a joint bank account with another person such as a partner, any money left in the account belongs to them. But in Scotland, any money you put into a joint account still belongs to you when you die. It then becomes part of your estate.

Pension schemes:
You can nominate someone as your beneficiary using a legal nomination form provided by your pension scheme. This means that whatever is left in your pension when you die may pass directly to them. This depends on the terms and conditions of your pension scheme. Make sure your pension provider has up-to-date details of your beneficiary. If you have more than one pension, tell all your providers.

Things which are good to know about your pension:

macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/pensions-and-cancer/passing-on-your-pension

If you die before taking any of your pension, your loved ones could get some money. People who get money from your pension after you die are called your beneficiaries. You can usually tell your pension provider who you want your beneficiaries to be. Or your beneficiaries may automatically be the people who depend on you financially (your dependants).

The money may be paid as one or more lump sums. In some cases, these payments may be tax free:
If you die before you are aged 75, your beneficiaries can take lump sums tax-free within 2 years of your death. If you die aged 75 or over, your beneficiaries will have to pay Income Tax on the money they get. Make sure your pension provider has up-to-date details of your beneficiaries. If you have more than one pension, let all your providers know. You can do this by completing an expression of wishes or nomination form. You can get these from the provider. You need to do this even if you have already written your wishes in your will.

Defined contribution scheme:
If you have a defined contribution scheme, the value of the lump sum your beneficiaries can get is usually based on the value of the savings you have built up. Sometimes this might just be a refund of the contributions paid in, so it is important to check with the provider. Your beneficiaries may choose to take an income instead, or a combination of both.

Defined benefit scheme:
If you have a defined benefit scheme, a lump sum may be paid to your beneficiaries if you die before taking your pension. It is important to check with the individual scheme how much would be paid. If you die after starting to take your pension out. After you die, money that you took as lump sums but did not spend becomes part of your estate. Your beneficiaries inherit it, but they may have to pay Inheritance Tax on it.

Defined contribution scheme:

Money left in your pension

If you die with money left in your pension, your beneficiaries could take it as a lump sum or as an additional income. Check the rules of the scheme. If they qualify, they will:

• Not pay income tax on it if you die before the age of 75
• Pay income tax on it if you are aged 75 or over when you die.

Annuities
An annuity is a type of financial product. You get a regular income in exchange for your pension savings.

If you bought an annuity, your beneficiaries may continue getting payments after you die. This depends on:

• The type of annuity you bought
• The 'death benefit' options that were selected at the time the annuity was bought.

Flexi-access drawdown
Flexi-access drawdown is a type of financial product. You invest your pension savings in a fund and have flexible options for taking money out. If you chose flexi-access drawdown, the money can continue being paid out after you die. It goes to anyone you name as a beneficiary.

They can also choose to withdraw the money as an income. If you have flexi-access drawdown, or an annuity that keeps paying out to people when you die, they will:

• Not pay tax if you die before the age of 75
• Pay income tax on it if you are aged 75 or over when you die.

Defined benefit scheme
If you are taking a defined benefit scheme pension, it is possible for your dependants to get part of your pension after your death. Your dependants may include your husband, wife, civil partner or children. Some schemes also offer dependants’ pensions to non-married partners. To make sure this happens, you may need to complete a form before your death.
Your dependants must meet the scheme’s conditions. The amount they get depends on the rules of the scheme. This money is not usually paid as a lump sum. It is taxed as income.
Some defined benefit schemes also offer a guarantee for the first 5 to 10 years after the money starts being paid. This means the money is paid for the whole guarantee period, even if you die. It is important to check the benefits available with the individual scheme.

One of the keys to a better version of you, mentally and physically, is sleeping well. We want all of our industry members to sleep as well as they can that’s why EIC have partnered with Sleepstation. Sleepstation is a clinically validated sleep improvement programme that can help you learn how to control and optimise your sleep to get the best sleep possible. Designed by experts and backed by science, the online service is proven to combat even the most severe insomnia. Their team will help you identify the underlying causes of your sleep problem and provide the personal support and guidance needed to improve your sleep. Sleepstation delivers remote care with a personal touch and that's what makes it so effective. Therapeutic support through Sleepstation is available to those in need and meeting our charity eligibility criteria.