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 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
The Medical Advisory Service offers information and advice on medical and healthcare matters.
General Medical Helpline: 020 8994 9874 (Mondays to Fridays, 6pm to 8pm)
Email: office@medicaladvisoryservice.org.uk
For general health advice and information.
NHS 111 gives information if you need fast medical help but it's not a 999 emergency.
Phone: 111
Confidential telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland.
NHS Helpline: 0800 22 44 88 (8am to 10pm – for details of pharmacies, GP practices and dentists in Scotland. Can also give information about illnesses, treatments and NHS services)
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. They provide booklets on cancer and treatments and run a helpline providing cancer information and benefits advice.
Phone: 0808 808 0000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm – information available in other languages)
Organisations that provide equipment
This is an online shop for daily living equipment for the disabled community, older people, or those who look after people with difficulty getting around.
Email: contact@essentialaids.com
Phone: 01273 719889
Offers mobility aids at low cost to help both elderly people and disabled adults and children. Has an extensive range of daily living aids and disability equipment.
Phone: 03330 160 000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – local rates apply from a landline
Specific symptoms organisations
The Bladder and Bowel Community formed in 2008 from the former organisations Incontact and the Continence Foundation. It supports people living with bladder and bowel disorders. 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 pubs etc. They ask for a £5 donation to receive this card.
General enquiries: 01926 357220
Email: help@bladderandbowel.org
A UK support group for ostomates. Colostomy UK provides information and support for anyone with a colostomy.
Helpline: 0800 328 4257 (24hr helpline)
Tel: 0118 939 1537 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: info@colostomyuk.org
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, 8am to 4.30pm)
Email: info@painassociation.com
Provides support, advice and help in various ways to people affected by chronic pain and those close to them.
PainLine 0345 6031593 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Email: painline@action-on-pain.co.uk
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 which feature interviews with experts and people who are managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their magazine, Pain Matters.
Telephone: 0131 669 5951
Helpline: 0300 123 0789 (Every Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10-12am and 2-4pm)
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.
Telephone: 020 3004 6193
E-mail: comms@pinnt.com
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, 2 DVDs about self management techniques for lymphoedema, and a quarterly newsletter.
Telephone: 020 7351 0990 (Administration)
Information and support: 020 7351 4480
Email: admin@lsn.org.uk
MLD UK promotes public awareness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) from the point of view of both the patient and practitioners for people with lymphoedema. They publish a register of practitioners of MLD.
Telephone: 0844 800 1988
Email: admin@mlduk.org.uk
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 Eve Appeal
The Eve Appeal is a UK national charity raising awareness, and funding research into the five gynaecological cancers - womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. They also provide a gynae cancer information and support service called Ask Eve.
Ask Eve telephone: 0808 802 0019
Ask Eve email: nurse@eveappeal.org.uk
General enquiries: telephone: 020 7605 0100 and email: office@eveappeal.org.uk
Ovacome is the national UK ovarian cancer charity focused on providing support to anyone affected by ovarian cancer.
Helpline: 0800 008 7054 (open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm)
E-mail: support@ovacome.org.uk
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.
SL Rose and RT Hara
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009
ISBN 0763762571
An American book which gives information about caring for someone with cancer, including how to support them when they have symptoms or side effects.
Jane Freeman
Sheldon Press, 2012
ISBN 9781847091413
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 about sex and cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet offers information to young people about all aspects of sex and relationships and discusses the effects of cancer treatment on fertility. It also has coping strategies and options for fertility treatment in people whose fertility is affected.
Available free to people affected by cancer from Macmillan Cancer Support by calling 0808 500 800.
Sexual Advice Association
This booklet aims to help cancer patients and their partners understand sexual difficulties that may happen after cancer and ways of overcoming them. Available on the Sexual Advice Association website.
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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