Resources and support
There are lots of organisations, support groups and helpful books to help you cope with symptoms and side effects caused by cancer and its treatment.
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
General support organisations
Action Cancer is the major cancer information and support charity in Northern Ireland. It has a full-time clinic and mobile unit for early detection and screening and offers one-to-one counselling. Services are free.
Action Cancer also funds a leading research team at Queen's University and the University of Ulster.
Action Cancer House
20 Windsor Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6EE
Phone: 028 9080 3344
Email: info@actioncancer.org
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have a cancer information helpline and information and resource centre. They provide public and professional education, rehabilitation programmes and support groups for patients and relatives.
40-44 Eglantine Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6DX
Cancer nurse helpline: 0800 783 3339 Monday - Friday 9am to 1pm
Email: nurseline@cancerfocusni.org
Diabetes UK have information on diabetes, including symptoms and how to cope.
Phone: 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical, medical and financial support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline gives guidance on cancer and advice on benefits. It also publishes booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.
Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm)
Contact email form
For general health advice and information.
NHS 111 gives information if you need fast medical help but it's not a 999 emergency.
NHS Inform gives information about illnesses, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
NHS 24 is a confidential telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland. It provides urgent advice out of hours.
Phone: 111
Organisations that provide equipment
You can borrow toileting aids or a wheelchair short term from The British Red Cross. This might be for free, or they may ask for a donation in your area.
There are many commercial companies that sell equipment online, via catalogues or in shops. Here are some tips when shopping around:
Ask an occupational therapist what they think might be best to meet your needs – your Nurse Specialist, district nurse or GP can refer you to an occupational therapist if you don’t have one
Compare prices between different companies
Check if you can return the item if it’s not exactly what you are looking for (this is usually if it is unused and in its original packaging)
Look for a number to call if you are unsure about how to safely fit or use the equipment
Specific symptoms organisations
A charity that is being run entirely by volunteers. They provide support, advice, and help to people affected by chronic pain and those close to them.
Telephone helpline (Painline): 0345 603 1593 (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm)
Email: aopisat@btinternet.com
Write to: Action on Pain, 2 Mill Close, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, PE34 4JG
The Bladder and Bowel Community supports people living with bladder and bowel disorders and has a telephone helpline. The service is confidential. They can also give you information about stoma products.
They have a 'Just Can't Wait' card which allows holders access to toilets in shops and when you are out. It's free to order on the website.
Forward House
17 High Street
Henley-in-Arden
B95 5AA
Home Delivery Service Sign Up: 0800 031 5406
Home Delivery Service Existing Customers: 0800 031 5407
Email: help@bladderandbowel.org
Breast Cancer Now is a charity dedicated to funding breast cancer research. They also provide breast cancer information and support across the UK. Services are free and include a helpline, website, publications, and practical and emotional support. It was formed by the merger of The Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 2015.
5th Floor Ibex House
42 - 47 Minories
London
EC3N 1DY
Tel: 0808 800 6000
Ask a nurse: Contact form
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is a professional membership body for dermatologists in the UK. It is a registered charity dedicated to medical education, research, and professional practice. They also produce clinical guidelines for treating skin cancer in the UK.
The website has patient information leaflets on a range of skin conditions and how to manage them.
A charitable membership body of health care professionals with an interest in the care and support of people with lymphoedema. Their resources include a directory of lymphoedema specialist practitioners.
Tel: 01452 790 178
This is a UK support group for people with a colostomy. It provides information and support and booklets to anyone who has or is about to have a colostomy.
Free helpline: 0800 328 4257 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)
Email: hello@colostomyuk.org
General enquires: 0118 939 1537 (between 09:00 and 17:00)
A registered charity that aims to improve the lives of those with lymphoedema. They actively contribute to improving the management of lymphoedema worldwide, especially in developing countries. They have a number of booklets that can be downloaded free of charge. Their head office is in Denmark.
Email: info@lympho.org
Tel: 0045 7020 0305 (International phone number from the UK)
A national charity offering information and support to anyone affected by lymphoedema. It has local support groups, a helpline and a website. It also produces a range of information including factsheets about lymphoedema and its treatment, videos about self management techniques for lymphoedema, and a newsletter.
Telephone: 020 7351 4480
Email: admin@lsn.org.uk
MLD UK promotes public awareness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). They publish a register of practitioners of MLD.
Telephone: 0844 800 1988
Email: admin@mlduk.org.uk
A support group for anyone who suffers from chronic pain. They deliver self management training to help those with chronic pain.
Freephone: 0800 783 6059 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm)
Email: info@painassociation.com
Pain Concern offers information and support to people with pain and those who care for them. They run a helpline staffed by volunteers and have an online forum called HealthUnlocked for members to share experiences. You can listen to podcasts that feature interviews with experts and people managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their newsletter, Pain Matters.
Helpline: 0300 123 0789
Email: help@painconcern.org.uk
This organisation provides information and support for people who need artificial feeding. They also have regional support groups for PINNT members.
PO Box 3126
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 2XS
Telephone: 020 3004 6193
Email: comms@pinnt.com
Organisations that can help with issues of sex and sexuality
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) provides information about what help and therapy is available for sexual difficulties.
Telephone: 020 8106 9635
Email: info@cosrt.org.uk
OUTpatients charity provide help and support to the LGBTIQ+ community who are living with, or have been affected by, cancer. This support includes online peer support meetings for LGBTIQ+ cancer patients and their partners and carers. The website includes information about cancer risk and screening, and the impact of cancer treatment in LGBTIQ+ people.
The charity also provide education to health professionals working in the cancer care sector.
Prostate Cancer UK provides information and support to anyone with concerns about prostate cancer. They have a helpline, produce information and fund research into prostate cancer.
Contact form
Helpline: 0800 074 8383
Relate offers private and confidential counselling, and psychosexual therapy to help with relationship problems. They provide counselling over the phone, through a webcam or face to face at a Relate centre. Clients are asked to contribute towards the cost of their counselling sessions according to their income.
Relationships Scotland provides relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other family support services across all of mainland and island Scotland.
InfoLine: 0345 119 2020 (open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)
Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people - and anyone considering issues around their sexuality or gender identity. Their helpline is open every day between 10am and 10pm. They also offer a chat and email service.
PO Box 7324
London
N1 9QS
Phone number: 0800 0119 100 open from 10 am to 10 pm every day
Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt
Books from libraries, bookshops or online booksellers
A Ko, E Rosenbaum and M Dollinger
Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009
ISBN 9780740786310
The author and contributors of this book are all American cancer specialists. The book covers how cancer is diagnosed, treated and managed day to day.
J F Kelvin and L B Tyson
Jones and Bartlett Publishing, 2010
ISBN 978-0763777609
An American book which gives both doctor’s and patient’s views on coping with the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. It has information about treatment for pain, nausea, tiredness, and other symptoms.
Jane Freeman
Sheldon Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1847091413
Written by a cancer dietitian, this is a practical handbook for people with cancer. Filled with helpful tips and recipes.
A Bloch and others
American Cancer Society, 2010
ISBN 978-0944235782
An American book but most of the information is relevant to the UK. It covers issues such as preventing weight loss and coping with dehydration, fatigue, and infection. It also discusses eating problems and digestion issues, such as swallowing problems, feeling sick and dealing with mouth sores. Focuses on survivorship and how to eat well after treatment.
Dr P Mortimer and G Levine
Elliott & Thompson, 2017
ISBN 1783962852
Explains the causes and symptoms of lymphoedema. Describes treatments, including massage, exercise, and compression garments. It also has information about coping day-to-day with lymphoedema.
M Williams and others
Guilford Press, 2007
ISBN 1593851286
An American book, but two of the authors are British researchers who are helping to promote mindfulness based cognitive therapy courses for people experiencing stress and depression in the UK. A CD of guided meditations is included with the book.
Books and booklets about sex and cancer
Ian Banks
J H Haynes & Co Ltd, 2009
ISBN 978-1844258086
A practical guide to sexual health and enjoyment.
S Kydd and D Rowett
Big Think Media, 2006
ISBN 0978810805
A responsible guide featuring personal stories and expert voices. Intimacy after Cancer takes an in-depth look at how women respond to, deal with, and overcome barriers to intimacy after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.
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