Melanoma skin cancer resources and support organisations

There are organisations that provide information about melanoma skin cancer. There are also organisations that offer support to help you cope with melanoma and its treatment, as well as organisations and websites with general information about cancer. 

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.

Melanoma resources and support organisations

These organisations provide information on melanoma and preventing melanoma. Others provide information and support to help you cope with melanoma and the effects of the treatment. 

British Association of Dermatologists

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.

Changing Faces

Changing Faces provide support and information for people who have any form of facial disfigurement including disfigurement caused by cancer. They also provide a skin camouflage service for people in England and Scotland. Trained volunteers teach people how to apply specialist cover creams.

Phone: 0300 0120 275 (support and advice line)
Head office email: info@changingfaces.org.uk

The contact details for the skin camouflage service are:

Phone: 0300 0120 276
Email: skincam@changingfaces.org.uk

Genomel - the Melanoma Genetics Consortium

A website with information about the research consortium with interactive materials about melanoma for medical professionals, people with melanoma and their families.

Let's Face It

This UK organisation for people with facial disfigurement offers: 

• telephone support
• a service to link up people in similar situations
• dietary and medical advice
• social activities
• resources and a newsletter

Email: sandra.smith@lets-face-it.org.uk

MASScot - Melanoma Action and Support Scotland

MASScot is a charity supporting people with skin cancers, including melanoma, in Scotland. It is run by people with melanoma and their carers. They aim to give confidential one to one practical and psychological advice as well as access to counselling.

You can call them between 8am and 11pm. Outside of these times you can leave a message. Or you can contact them by email.

Tel: 07738 231260
Email: leigh@masscot.org.uk

Melanoma Focus

The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a confidential service for anyone in the UK who has a question about any aspect of melanoma.

The helpline is staffed by nurses and is open: 1-2pm and 7-9pm Monday to Friday, and 7-9pm on Sunday.

Helpline: 0808 801 0777

Melanoma Fund

The Melanoma Fund is committed to raising awareness of sun protection to help prevent skin cancer for those involved in outdoor sports and activities. The charity offers free sun protection resources, providing materials and guidance for individuals, sports clubs, and outdoor groups to ensure this vital information is passed on to members and staff. 

The Sunguarding Course is available online. It is designed for all who work with others outdoors, offering comprehensive sun and heat protection education, along with accreditation and CPD points.

Melanoma-Me Foundation

Melanoma-Me Foundation is a charity based in the North East of England. They provide information and offer support to people affected by melanoma and other skin cancers. They offer services including counselling and one to one or group support to those in the local area. They also offer telephone or online counselling sessions to those elsewhere in the UK.

Tel: 0191 492 2211
Email: melanomame17@gmail.com

Melanoma UK

This organisation offers support to people affected by melanoma. It has a free phone line available 24 hours a day that is run by volunteers who have personal experience of melanoma. It also has a network of people affected by melanoma who you can be put in touch with. It organises support meetings every few months at various places in the UK.

Tel: 0808 171 2455

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The American National Cancer Institute's (NCI) patient information on melanoma is detailed and comprehensive. It includes diagrams showing how melanoma size compares to everyday objects like the tip of a pencil.

As it is an American website, not all the information is relevant for a UK audience.

Saving Faces - The Facial Surgery Research Foundation

Saving Faces is funding education and research to improve medical treatment and support for people after facial surgery.

Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation. Saving Faces can put you in touch with other people who have had facial surgery.

Phone: 020 3417 7757
Email: info@savingfaces.co.uk

Skcin - The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity

Skcin is a national charity that raises awareness of skin cancer including melanoma. They have information on topics including sun safety and prevention of skin cancer. They also have an app to help you prevent and detect skin cancer. 

General support organisations and websites

These organisations provide general information and support for people affected by any type of cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support

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. It also publishes 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 centres

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

Teenage Cancer Trust

Teenage Cancer Trust is a national charity providing specialist units, expert staff, support events, education and information for 13 to 24 year olds diagnosed with cancer, and their friends and families.

Teenage Cancer Trust also work closely with healthcare professionals and researchers to lead the way on developing cancer care for teenagers and young adults.

Teenage Cancer Trust
The Place
175 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7AA

Phone: 020 7612 0370 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: hello@teenagecancertrust.org

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 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.