Carers of people with cancer need to be given more support as the number of people with the illness increases, an MP has warned.

North-West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said he had written to health secretary Jeremy Hunt to urge him to ensure council and the NHS have a shared responsibility to identify carers for patients as part of the Care Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

'The Care Bill represents a crucial opportunity to improve the provision of support for cancer carers,' Mr Bellingham said after meeting with representatives from Macmillan Cancer Support about the issue.

'We must capitalise on this chance before it is too late.

'By identifying cancer carers and letting them know what information and support is available doctors, nurses and other health and social care professionals can have a positive effect on their quality of life – and improve their ability to carry on caring for the loved one.

'This is why I have written to the secretary of state. After all, the number of people diagnosed with cancer is set to double in the next 20 years, so there will likely also be a surge in people caring for them. It's clearly a very urgent issue and I applaud Macmillan's campaign.'

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