Resources and organisations richard update!

Organisations, support groups and other resources are available to help you cope with melanoma and its treatment.

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Cancer Research UK information and support

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.

Specific melanoma organisations and websites

This organisation offers support to people affected by melanoma. It has a free phone line available 24 hours a day that is run by volunteers who have personal experience of melanoma. It also has a network of people affected by melanoma who it can put you in touch with. It organises support meetings every few months at various places in the UK.

Tel: 0808 171 2455

A website with information about the research consortium with interactive materials about melanoma for medical professionals, melanoma patients and their families.

The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a new confidential service for anyone in the UK who has a question about any aspect of melanoma.

The helpline is staffed by nurses and is open: 1-2pm and 7-9pm Mon – Fri and 7-9pm on Sun

Helpline: 0808 801 0777

A UK support charity for people with ocular melanoma.

139 Langley Road
Slough
Berkshire
SL3 7DZ

Helpline: 0300 790 0512
Email: info@ocumeluk.org

Sun protection product suppliers

This company sells a range of UV protective swimwear and accessories for babies, children and adults.

Tel: 01932 230907
Email: info@equatorsun.com

This company sells a range of protective sun products for adults and children. Their website also has information about the sun, sun exposure, explanations about SPF and the depletion of the ozone layer.

Tel: 01202 821252
email: sales@sun-togs.co.uk

General support organisations and websites

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

The American National Cancer Institute's patient information on melanoma cancer is detailed and comprehensive.

There is a melanoma home page, from where you can access treatment information, including a section on melanoma of the eye.

Maggie’s is a national charity with centres across the UK. They offer care and support to people affected by cancer. Each centre is beside an NHS cancer hospital and is run by specialist staff.

You can join a support group, take part in weekly sessions like relaxation and stress management, or learn about nutrition and health. You can also visit just to have a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

Phone: 0300 123 1801
Email: enquiries@maggies.org

Teenage Cancer Trust is a national charity providing specialist units, expert staff, support events, education and information for 13 to 24 year olds diagnosed with cancer, and their friends and families.

Teenage Cancer Trust also work closely with healthcare professionals and researchers to lead the way on developing cancer care for teenagers and young adults.

Teenage Cancer Trust
The Place
175 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7AA

Phone: 020 7612 0370 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: hello@teenagecancertrust.org

Booklets and factsheets from other organisations

You can find a list of books about cancer, treatments, and living with cancer on our general reading list.

Know your body, spot cancer early (skin cancer)
Lets stay safe in the sun
Understanding clinical trials for cancer

You can download a pdf version of these leaflets.

Or you can ring our leaflet enquiry line on 020 3469 8333 or email publications@cancer.org.uk.

Some of these resources are available on audio CD. This is a list of some of the available resources at Macmillan.

Melanoma specific booklets
Understanding melanoma - lymph node assessment and treatment
Understanding advanced melanoma
Understanding melanoma and treatment with surgery
Understanding melanoma that has come back in the same area

General cancer booklets
Chemotherapy
Side effects from chemotherapy
Having surgery 
Radiotherapy 
Side effects from radiotherapy
Starting treatment for cancer
Giving your consent
Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)
Side effects of cancer treatment
Managing cancer pain  
Eating problems and cancer
Coping with fatigue
Healthy eating and cancer
Understanding lymphoedema
Body image and cancer
Caring for someone with advanced cancer 
End of life: A guide
Managing cancer pain 
Managing the symptoms of cancer
Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer
Coping with advanced cancer
Worrying about cancer coming back
After treatment for cancer
Work and cancer
Your feelings and cancer
Your sex life and cancer
Your social life and cancer
Cancer, you and your partner
Complementary therapies
After someone dies: coping with bereavement
A guide for young people looking after someone with cancer
Supporting a loved one through cancer? We’re here for you
Be there for someone facing cancer

  • Chemotherapy: your questions answered
  • Radiotherapy: your questions answered
  • Clinical trials: your questions answered
  • MRI scan
  • Eating well when you have cancer
  • Your operation and anaesthetic: your questions answered
  • Blood clot prevention: a guide for patients and carers
  • Central venous access devices: a guide for patients receiving intravenous therapies

To order any of the Royal Marsden Hospital booklets please telephone freephone 0800 783 7176, or email patientcentre@rmh.nhs.uk.

Along with a comic book line, Jumo Health produces other products such as podcasts, videos, and games. They are all designed to help children, their parents and carers learn more about their health condition.

Healthtalk.org

Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.

Find local cancer information and support near you

There are organisations and support in your local area that you can access. You can ask your specialist nurse or doctor for more information about cancer services near you.

England

The NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support in England.

Scotland

NHS Inform gives information about illness, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.

Wales

NHS 111 Wales gives health advice and information for people living in Wales.

Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.

Last reviewed: 
07 May 2020
Next review due: 
08 May 2023

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