Earlier this month health secretary Andrew Lansley hailed the 'fantastic' achievements of hospitals across England after the results of this year's national cancer patient experience survey showed three out of five hospital trusts have improved the level of care and support they provide to cancer patients... but it's not the whole story.

Today, Macmillan Cancer Support launches new research which reveals for the first time the number and profile of people caring for others with cancer. And the results are concerning. Everyone affected by cancer deserves the right support and that includes cancer carers. It is a small simple step which can have such a good and lasting impact on carers. These people who selflessly give of themselves for the benefit of others shouldn't be forgotten any longer.