Resources and organisations
Organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources are available to help you cope with melanoma and 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.
Specific melanoma organisations and websites
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 it can put you in touch with. It organises support meetings every few months at various places in the UK.
Tel: 0808 171 2455
A website with information about the research consortium with interactive materials about melanoma for medical professionals, melanoma patients and their families.
The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a new 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 Mon – Fri and 7-9pm on Sun
Helpline: 0808 801 0777
A UK support charity for people with ocular melanoma.
139 Langley Road
Slough
Berkshire
SL3 7DZ
Helpline: 0300 790 0512
Email: info@ocumeluk.org
Sun protection product suppliers
This company sells a range of UV protective swimwear and accessories for babies, children and adults.
Tel: 01932 230907
Email: info@equatorsun.com
This company sells a range of protective sun products for adults and children. Their website also has information about the sun, sun exposure, explanations about SPF and the depletion of the ozone layer.
Tel: 01202 821252
email: sales@sun-togs.co.uk
General support organisations and websites
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical, medical and financial support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline gives guidance on cancer and advice on benefits. 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
The American National Cancer Institute's patient information on melanoma cancer is detailed and comprehensive.
There is a melanoma home page, from where you can access treatment information, including a section on melanoma of the eye.
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 is a national charity providing specialist units, expert staff, support events, education and information for 13-24 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
Third floor
93 Newman Street
London
W1T 3EZ
Phone: 020 7612 0370
Email: hello@teenagecancertrust.org
Booklets and factsheets from other organisations
You can find a list of books about cancer, treatments, and living with cancer on our general reading list.
Know your body, spot cancer early (skin cancer)
Lets stay safe in the sun
Understanding clinical trials for cancer
You can download a pdf version of these leaflets.
Or you can ring our leaflet enquiry line on 020 3469 8333 or email publications@cancer.org.uk.
Some of these resources are available on audio CD. This is a list of some of the available resources at Macmillan.
Melanoma specific booklets
Understanding melanoma - lymph node assessment and treatment
Understanding advanced melanoma
Understanding melanoma and treatment with surgery
Understanding melanoma that has come back in the same area
General cancer booklets
Chemotherapy
Side effects from chemotherapy
Having surgery
Radiotherapy
Side effects from radiotherapy
Starting treatment for cancer
Giving your consent
Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)
Side effects of cancer treatment
Managing cancer pain
Eating problems and cancer
Coping with fatigue
Healthy eating and cancer
Understanding lymphoedema
Body image and cancer
Caring for someone with advanced cancer
End of life: A guide
Managing cancer pain
Managing the symptoms of cancer
Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer
Coping with advanced cancer
Worrying about cancer coming back
After treatment for cancer
Work and cancer
Your feelings and cancer
Your sex life and cancer
Your social life and cancer
Cancer, you and your partner
Complementary therapies
After someone dies: coping with bereavement
A guide for young people looking after someone with cancer
Supporting a loved one through cancer? We’re here for you
Be there for someone facing cancer
- Chemotherapy: your questions answered
- Radiotherapy: your questions answered
- Clinical trials: your questions answered
- MRI scan
- Eating well when you have cancer
- Your operation and anaesthetic: your questions answered
- Blood clot prevention: a guide for patients and carers
- Central venous access devices: a guide for patients receiving intravenous therapies
To order any of the Royal Marsden Hospital booklets please telephone freephone 0800 783 7176, or email patientcentre@rmh.nhs.uk.
Along with a comic book line, Jumo Health produces other products such as podcasts, videos, and games. They are all designed to help children, their parents and carers learn more about their health condition.
Books about cancer
Steven Q. Wang
Johns Hopkins Press, 2011
ISBN 978-0801898907
This book is written by an American doctor. It gives comprehensive information about diagnosis and treatment for early stage melanoma. As it is American, some aspects relate to the American health care system (such as finding a doctor) and are not relevant to the UK user.
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.
Dr Terry Priestman
Sheldon Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1847090805
Gives information about chemotherapy, its side effects, and how to cope with them. Also discusses the effect of chemotherapy on everyday life, including tiredness, sex life and fertility, social life, work, holidays, exercise and diet.
Dr Terry Priestman
Sheldon Press, 2007
ISBN 9780859699990
Gives information about radiotherapy, its side effects, and how to cope with them. Also discusses the effect of radiotherapy on everyday life, including social life, work, travel, exercise and diet.
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.
If you would like to recommend a book
Please contact us if you would like to recommend a book that you have found helpful. It helps us if you include the title, author, publisher's name and year, and ISBN number.
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
The NHS website helps you to find local cancer information and support in England.
