There are lots of organisations and support groups to help you cope with skin 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.
Action Cancer is the major cancer information and support charity in Northern Ireland. It has a full-time clinic and mobile unit for early detection and screening and offers one-to-one counselling. Services are free.
Action Cancer also funds a leading research team at Queen's University and the University of Ulster.
Action Cancer House
20 Windsor Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6EE
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have a cancer information helpline and information and resource centre. They provide public and professional education, rehabilitation programmes and support groups for patients and relatives.
40-44 Eglantine Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6DX
Cancer nurse helpline: 0800 783 3339 Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 1pm
Email: nurseline@cancerfocusni.org
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
You can borrow toileting aids or a wheelchair short term from The British Red Cross. This might be for free, or they may ask for a donation in your area.
There are many commercial companies that sell equipment online, via catalogues or in shops. Here are some tips when shopping around:
Ask an occupational therapist what they think might be best to meet your needs – your Nurse Specialist, district nurse or GP can refer you to an occupational therapist if you don’t have one
Compare prices between different companies
Check if you can return the item if it’s not exactly what you are looking for (this is usually if it is unused and in its original packaging)
Look for a number to call if you are unsure about how to safely fit or use the equipment
Specific symptoms organisations
A charity that is being run entirely by volunteers. They provide support, advice, and help to people affected by chronic pain and those close to them.
Telephone Pain line: 0345 603 1593 (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm)
Email: aopisat@btinternet.com
Write to: Action on Pain, 2 Mill Close, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, PE34 4JG
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
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.
6th Floor
The White Chapel Building
10 Whitechapel High Street
London
E1 8QS
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is a professional membership body for dermatologists in the UK. It is a registered charity dedicated to medical education, research, and professional practice. They also produce clinical guidelines for treating skin cancer in the UK.
The website has patient information leaflets on a range of skin conditions and how to manage them.
A charitable membership body of health care professionals with an interest in the care and support of people with lymphoedema. Their resources include a directory of lymphoedema specialist practitioners.
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)
A registered charity that aims to improve the lives of those with lymphoedema. They actively contribute to improving the management of lymphoedema worldwide, especially in developing countries. They have a number of booklets that can be downloaded free of charge. Their head office is in Denmark.
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, videos about self management techniques for lymphoedema, and a newsletter.
Pain Concern 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 that feature interviews with experts and people managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their newsletter, Pain Matters.
OUTpatients charity provide help and support to the LGBTIQ+ community who are living with, or have been affected by cancer. This support includes online peer support meetings for LGBTIQ+ cancer patients and their partners and carers. The website includes information about cancer risk and screening, and the impact of cancer treatment in LGBTIQ+ people.
The charity also provide education to health professionals working in the cancer care sector.
Prostate Cancer UK provides information and support to anyone with concerns about prostate cancer. They have a helpline, produce information and fund research into prostate cancer.
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.
Relationships Scotland provides relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other family support services across all of mainland and island Scotland.
InfoLine: 0345 119 2020 (open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. They can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity. Whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way you’re feeling. Their helpline is open every day between 10am and 10pm. They also offer a chat and email service.
PO Box 7324
London
N1 9QS
Phone number: 0800 0119 100 open from 10 am to 10 pm every day
Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt
