Support for cancer that cannot be cured
For some people, the treatments they receive do not work. The cancer may be too advanced, meaning it cannot be cured, or treatment options may not be possible. There are two possible outcomes: the cancer is treatable but not curable, or the person will die from their cancer.
Having treatable but not curable cancer means that the cancer may be successfully contained but not removed from the body. Many prostate cancers, for example, are treatable but cannot be cured. This still can cause emotional difficulties, such as anxiety, as it can be stressful knowing there is a cancer present in the body.
The news that the cancer cannot be cured and that you will die from cancer is extremely hard to take for you and those around you. There is no right or wrong way to respond when you hear this news and everyone will react differently. Some people are shocked and feel they have no emotions. Others become frightened, resentful or angry. Receiving the news can also make you worried about how you can go on with your usual activities, your work, as well as worried about what will happen to those that are left behind.

These feelings are completely normal and usually lessen over time, becoming more bearable. It is important to give yourself time and space to think about what’s going on. It may be helpful to share your feelings with others close to you. There is support available to you. You can also call the Macmillan helpline free on 0808 8080000, 8am - 8pm (www.macmillan.org.uk), or call Compassion in Dying free on (0800 9992434) (compassionindying.org.uk). You can contact a Maggie’s Centre (www.maggies.org). To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres. Alternatively, your can discuss how you are feeling with your GP or clinical team.