Resources and support for bowel problems with cancer
There are lots of organisations and support groups to help you cope with bowel problems caused by cancer and its treatment.
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.
General support and information organisations
Disability Rights UK provides an information and advice service and campaigns for disabled people's rights.
They also provide a Just Can't Wait card and radar keys that give access to toilets throughout the UK for people who might need to use a toilet in a hurry. They also have several helplines providing information and advice.
Tel: 0330 995 0400
Email: enquiries@disabilityrightsuk.org
For general health advice and information.
NHS 111 online 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
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish 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
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
World Cancer Research Fund is a charity that provides information and advice about nutrition, physical activity and cancer. They also have a helpline run by dietitians.
Helpline: 0300 102 2523 (Tuesdays 12pm – 2pm and Thursdays 6pm to 8pm)
Email: helpline@wcrf.org
Specific symptoms organisations
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: 0800 031 5406
Email: help@bladderandbowel.org
Bowel Cancer UK raise awareness of bowel cancer and campaign for better treatments and care. They provide information about bowel cancers, including anal and rectal cancers through their website and leaflets and they have an online forum.
Nurse email: nurse@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7940 1760
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.
24 hour free helpline: 0800 328 4257
Email: hello@colostomyuk.org
General enquires: 0118 939 1537 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Guts UK produce information and leaflets on common digestive diseases and illnesses. This includes information about cancer of the bowel, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach.
Helpline: 0300 102 4887 (open Monday to Friday, 10am until 2pm)
Email: helpline@gutscharity.org.uk
The IA aims to help anyone who needs or has had an ileostomy or internal pouch. It has a network of branches throughout the UK which give advice, information leaflets, and home and hospital visiting. The website hosts forums for discussion. The organisation has a membership fee.
Freephone: 0800 018 4724
Email: info@iasupport.org
This is a self help organisation that runs a network of groups throughout the country. They can arrange for someone who has had a urostomy to visit you before and after your surgery.
They also provide booklets about what is a urostomy, guidance on diet and exercise, travel and sex life after a urostomy.
Tel: 01223 910854
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
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.
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 services 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.
