What's new

In October 2009 we relaunched CancerHelp UK. Following testing with site users we reorganised all our information so that you can find it easily. We did this because the amount of content we had grew by at least 4 times since we redesigned in 2000. Since 2009 the amount of content on the site has grown even more.

All the development was done alongside consultation with our main groups of visitors – people who have cancer, relatives and friends and health professionals. There is a guide to our site in the help section.  Please do send us your feedback, telling us what you like and what you don't.

In January 2013, we added information about 

• Cryotherapy for lung cancer
• Crizotinib (Xalkori) biological therapy drug

In October 2012, we added information about

• Carbo MV combination chemotherapy
• Celecoxib drug treatment
• Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• Mifamurtide (Mepact) biological therapy
• Stanford V combination chemotherapy
• Chemoradiation for cervical cancer

In September 2012, we added information about 

• Biological therapy for oesophageal cancer
• Chemoradiation for oesophageal cancer

In August 2012, we added information about 

• If prostate cancer comes back

In July 2012, we added information about 

• Cryotherapy for prostate cancer
• Lymphoedema and cancer
• PAD chemotherapy

In June 2012, we added information about 

• FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy
• Biological therapy for stomach cancer

If there are any major developments, publications of guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), or clinical guidelines, we amend the relevant sections on different types of cancer, and other relevant sections, at the time. As well as this ad hoc updating, our sections are reviewed and updated every 12 to 18 months.

In January 2013, we updated the

• Womb cancer section
• Pancreatic cancer section
• Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) section
• Nasopharyngeal cancer section

In December 2012, we updated the 

• Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer section

In November 2012, we updated the

• Non Hodgkin lymphoma section
• Lung cancer section

In October 2012, we updated the

• Salivary gland cancer section
• Primary breast cancer section
• Secondary breast cancer section

In September 2012, we updated the

• Gallbladder cancer section
• Gestational trophoblastic tumours section
• Cervical cancer section

In August 2012, we updated the

• Oesophageal cancer section

In January 2013, we updated the 

• Individual complementary and alternative therapies section
• Cancer drug side effects section

In December 2012, we updated the

• Travelling with cancer section
• Complementary and alternative therapy section

In November 2012, we updated the 

• Cancer and emotions section
• Talking about cancer section
• Bisphosphonates section

In October 2012, we updated the

• Coping financially section

In September 2012, we updated the

• Fever section
• Hormone therapy section
• Understanding clinical trials section

In August 2012, we updated the

• Blood calcium levels and cancer section
• Surgery for cancer section
• Skin problems section
• Coming to the UK for treatment section
• Dying with cancer section
• Tiredness with cancer (fatigue) section

We are making every effort to extend and maintain our clinical trials database. This work is ongoing and by the end of January 2013 we had 496 trials listed that are open to patients in the UK. We aim to provide as comprehensive a listing of UK clinical trials in cancer care as we can. We also provide information about trials that are closed and we give results of trials that have reported.

We would welcome your feedback on the clinical trials database. Click on 'feedback' at the top of any page and send us your views.

In January 2013 the following trials were added to our clinical trials database

• A trial looking at giving 1 week of radiotherapy for breast cancer (FAST Forward)
• A trial looking at ranibizumab for eye cancer (NITRO)
• A trial looking at side effects of treatment for throat cancer (De-ESCALaTE HPV)
• A study looking at treating children who have high risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with modified immune cells (CD19 TPALL)
• A study to find out what men think is important when making decisions about treatment for prostate cancer (COMPARe study)
• A study looking at irosustat for early breast cancer (IPET)
• A trial looking at rituximab as an injection under the skin with chemotherapy for follicular lymphoma (SABRINA)
• A study looking at a talking therapy for people with advanced cancer (Can Talk)
• A trial of AZD4547 alongside chemotherapy for solid tumours such as bladder cancer (FIESTA)
• A study looking at using mobile phones to report side effects of chemotherapy (ASyMS III Study)
• A trial looking at ruxolitinib to treat polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia (MAJIC)
• A study looking at developing new treatments for myeloma
• A trial looking at GDC0941 and anastrozole for oestrogen positive breast cancer (OPPORTUNE)
• A study looking at DNA and tissue damage in men having radiotherapy for prostate cancer
• A study looking at the causes of head and neck cancer
• A study looking at cancer cells in blood samples from women with breast cancer
• A study looking at what happens to breast cancer cells in women taking an aromatase inhibitor (VERB)
• A study looking at a new way to find sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer (SentiMAG)
• A trial comparing 2 ways of treating a build up of fluid around the lung (IPC-PLUS)
• A study looking at differences in cancer survival between patients in similar countries (ICBP module 4)
• A study looking at the blood and urine of children being treated for cancer (NUMeRICC)
• A study looking at a care package for people having chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer or bladder cancer
• A study looking at using MRI scans to monitor gliomas
• A study looking at AZD4547 for breast, lung and gastro oesophageal cancer (FGFR study)
• A study to see how men’s relationships with their wives or partners influences their diet after having a diagnosis of prostate cancer

Below is a list of the most recent NHS guidance we have added to the site. NICE stands for National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. NICE look at the evidence on new treatments and procedures and publish guidelines for use on the NHS in England. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) are the equivalent bodies for advising the NHS in Scotland and Wales.

There is a page about NICE and what they do and a separate one about the SMC in our cancer treatment QandA section.

In December 2012, we added NICE guidance on

• Ipilimumab for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults who have received prior therapy
• Vemurafenib for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma

And AWMSG guidance on

• Degarelix for advanced hormone dependent prostate cancer 

In November 2012, we added SMC guidance on

• Vemurafenib for advanced melanoma

In October 2012, we added SMC guidance on

• Bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as front-line treatment of advanced (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stages III B, III C and IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

In August 2012 , we added AWMSG guidance on 

• Everolimus for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours - insulinomas, gastrinomas, glucagonomas, VIPomas and somatostatinomas

And SMC guidance on 

• Abiraterone for advanced prostate cancer

We are able to answer your questions about cancer. You can ring Cancer Research UK's team of experienced cancer information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040. If you prefer, you can send them a question about cancer by using our question form.  Please note, we cannot answer enquiries from overseas.

You can send us your views about our website via our feedback form.

Remember to include your email address in these forms. We have set up our feedback forms so that you can contact us anonymously, but if you want a personal reply you must type in your email address.

You can now search our questions and answers section. There are over 700 questions and answers to choose from....