Other organisations and resources
It can be very difficult for people with learning disabilities to find suitable information about cancer. Books written for the general adult population can be difficult for them to follow and there isn’t a lot else available.
These books and leaflets use colour pictures making it easier for people with learning disabilities to understand an important message. They are designed to help them explore their feelings and feel able to talk about a difficult event such as going to the doctors or having a cervical screening test.
Some books have guidelines alongside the pictures. This is for carers and health professionals to refer to when showing them to people with learning disabilities.
There are books and leaflets about:
having cancer
checking for cancers
going to see your doctor
going to the hospital
when someone you love dies
The leaflets are usually free but you may have to pay for the books or CDs/DVDs – there are details about the cost and how to get copies below.
Picture based books and leaflets are most useful for:
people with learning or communication difficulties
anyone caring for or working with people who have learning disabilities
people who can’t read or find it difficult to read
helping people whose first language is not English when there is no interpreter
These are some of the books that Books Beyond Words offer. They have a wide selection. Go to their website to see more.
Order books or download e-books from the Beyond Words website
This is a picture leaflet for women with a learning disability to tell them about breast screening.
Download An easy guide to breast screening
This is a picture leaflet for women with a learning disability to tell them about having a cervical screening test.
Download An easy guide to cervical screening
A picture leaflet about colonoscopy, by and for people with learning disabilities.
Download An easy guide to having a colonoscopy
CHANGE is an organisation for people with learning disabilities fighting for human rights. They have produced a series of booklets for people with cancer. They include:
Diagnosis and Treatment (for carers of people with learning disabilities)
Diagnosis and Treatment (for people with learning disabilities)
Palliative Care, End of Life Care and Bereavement (for carers of people with learning disabilities)
Palliative Care, End of Life Care and Bereavement (for people with learning disabilities)
Symptoms, Screening and Staying Healthy (for carers of people with learning disabilities)
Symptoms, Screening and Staying Healthy (for people with learning disabilities)
Order booklets from Macmillan Cancer Support
This video was produced by Avon Breast Screening. It's for women with learning disabilities who are going to have breast screening.
The video is about 11 minutes long.
Watch the Avon Breast Screening video for women with learning disabilities
The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance has worked with people with learning disabilities and autism to produce accessible videos about cervical screening. These short videos include:
Booking your smear test / cervical screening.
What happens at a cervical screening test.
Getting the results from your cervical screening test.
Go to the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance's videos about cervical screening
The Easyhealth website helps people find health information that is accessible for everyone. They link to a number of different booklets and leaflets produced by other organisations, charities and hospitals.
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities website also has links to easy to read information about health.
Visit the British Institute of Learning Disabilities
The Northern Cancer Alliance and the North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network have produced a few short videos for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. The videos include information about the common signs of cancer, encouraging people to see their doctor if they have any concerns, and lung cancer symptoms.
Go to the Northern Cancer Alliance website - Be Cancer Aware
Last reviewed: 07 Jul 2025
Next review due: 07 Jul 2028
Coping with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
There are many organisations and websites that help and support people affected by cancer and its treatment.
Search for the cancer type you want to find out about. Each section has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
