NEW research has shown that almost three quarters of carers have reached “breaking point”.

Gordon Hodgson 85, of High Road, Loughton, has experienced the struggles of caring for a loved one twice in one year when both his wife Mavis and sister Joan developed cancer in the same year.

He said: “In September 2007 my wife was taken ill with breast cancer. She received wonderful treatment at St Margaret’s. They were marvellous.

“All appeared to be well, although during that time she had several small problems. We were given the all clear but in March she had a slight pain in her side. She went into hospital and the news was it had spread to her liver. It was too late. She died in Princess Alexandra Hospital on June 3.

“I looked after her. She was quite active. She tried to do her best but you have to assist them in moving. It’s hard to describe. If you think about looking after people normally it’s like that but just doing things I didn’t have to before- helping her out of a chair for example.”

Following his wife’s death, tragedy struck Gordon again when his sister Joan Maplesdon developed lung cancer.

He moved up to her home in Stoke-on-Trent to act as her carer until she too died.

He said: “She seemed to make adequate progress then she went down hill. During that time I acted as carer to her. That meant doing all the household chores, and helping her into bed. She was the last member on my side of the family so to lose two of them- it was a horrible year.”

Macmillan Cancer Care, has released figures during Carers’ Week showing 74 per cent of carers have reached “breaking point” due to the pressure they are under.

According to Macmillan carers like Gordon save the economy £87million a year through their voluntary work.

Gordon said: “It’s a terrible duty but you are helping people so it’s a labour of love. It’s hard as you get older but on the other hand people who are ill are very appreciative.”