Cancer charities
There are a large number of charities and associations offering advice and support for people diagnosed with cancer and their families. Below, Oncology Systems Limited has supplied links to a range of charities, including some regional and cancer site specific.
- ACORRN - Action Radiotherapy
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A UK cancer charity supporting radiotherapy research and clinical practice.
- African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
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Aims to raise awareness of the need for people of African descent to join the Bone Marrow Registers, and to support and assist black people and people of mixed parentage suffering from leukaemia and other related cancers.
- Against Breast Cancer
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Aims to raise funds for research into producing a vaccine against breast cancer and for long term survival after breast cancer.
- Anthony Nolan Trust
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A national charity that finds matches for leukaemia patients who need a lifesaving transplant.
- Asian Women's Breast Cancer Group
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Supports Asian women affected by breast cancer.
- Beating Bowel Cancer
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A national charity working to highlight awareness of symptoms, promote early diagnosis and encourage open access to treatment choice for those affected by bowel cancer. Through its work it aims to save lives from this common cancer.
- Bob Champion Cancer Trust
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Founded in 1983, the Trust supports research and patient care relating to young men with testicular cancer, and also to prostate and bladder cancer.
- Bone Cancer Research Trust
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Promotes research into the causes and treatment of Primary Bone Cancer and in particular of Osteosarcoma and Ewing's Sarcoma. The Trust is also looking to provide information, support and, in the longer term, counselling services for those suffering from Primary Bone Cancer, and their families.
- Bowel Cancer UK
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Established in 1987, Bowel Cancer UK is dedicated to raising awareness, improving the quality of those affected and ultimately, reducing deaths from bowel cancer – the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK. The charity was previously known as Colon Cancer Concern (CCC).
- Brain Tumour Action
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Has support groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Borders, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Offers "befriender" telephone service, information leaflets, "keep in touch" pager scheme to enable patients and carers to keep in touch when spending time apart, quarterly newsletter, aromatherapy for patients in Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife and Borders, discussion forum or "virtual support group" on website, with three senior neuro-oncology nurse specialists help on helpline.
- Brain Tumour UK
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Provides information, advice and support for anyone directly or indirectly touched by brain tumours. Aims to raise awareness amongst patients, health professionals, the media and general public, and promote and support research into the causes, and treatments for brain tumours.
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer
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Merged with the UK Breast Cancer Coalition to form Breakthrough CAN.
- Breakthrough CAN
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Breakthrough Breast Cancer Campaigns and Advocacy Network, or Breakthrough CAN for short, was created from the merger between the UK Breast Cancer Coalition (UKBCC) and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Breakthrough CAN's aim is to bring together individuals and organisations to campaign for improvements in breast cancer services across the country. Through supporting and training members, Breakthrough CAN will help to increase the influence of people in decisions made about breast cancer.
- Breast Cancer Care
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For women with benign breast problems how to deal with breast pain and a checklist which lists all the information needed to discuss with GPs when you discover a lump.
- Breast Cancer Haven
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Aims to lead the way in complementary and alternative medicine in helping to heal the mind, body and spirit, through group support and individual programmes. Works with healthcare professionals to promote integrated breast cancer care.
- British Liver Trust
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Charity with dedicated resources for people with liver disease, including liver cancer.
- Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust
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Offers telephone support and information, one to one buddy system, support group meetings, visiting speakers and hospital visits.
- Cancer52
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Cancer52 has grown from an initial group brought together at the request of the National Cancer Director, Mike Richards to input into the Cancer Reform Strategy.
Named because 52% of cancer deaths in the UK are from the less common cancers (i.e. excluding the ‘big four’: bowel, breast, lung and prostate), although in 2010 this proportion increased to 53%.
Cancer52 is an alliance of more than 40 organisations working to address the inequalities that exist in policy, services and research into the less common cancers and to improve outcomes for patients with these highly challenging diseases. Most who work for the organisation give their time and resources on a voluntary basis.
- Cancer Black Care (CBC)
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CBC core services include dietary needs, befriending, counselling, advocacy, grant applications, gateway to allied service, home/hospital/hospice visits, telephone/face to face contact, advice on general welfare benefits, community health awareness events, provides support throughout illness.
- Cancer Counselling Trust
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The Trust offers free face to face and telephone counselling sessions to cancer patients, their family or friends and also offer support if a friend or relative has died of cancer. The Trust is staffed by a team of experienced cancer psychotherapists and counsellors.
- Cancer Laryngectomee Trust
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A national charity for laryngectomees and their families. Activities include a patient to patient scheme. Informal, one to one counselling offered. Health professionals involved in an advisory capacity. Books, newsletters. The book 'Laryngectomy Is Not A Tragedy' by Sydney Norgate is free to all patients and health professionals.
- Cancer Research UK
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The UK's leading charity dedicated to cancer research. Its websites have a wealth of information about cancer, its research, how to donate and ways to support Cancer Research UK.
Cancer Research UK is the leading funder of cancer research in the UK from understanding the biology of cancer to cancer prevention. It produces information for audiences including cancer patients and their families, the general public and health professionals.
- Cancer Research UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Register
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An on-going study of familial ovarian cancer, launched in 1991.
- Cancer Support Scotland
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Offers free counselling, therapies, and support groups for anyone affected by cancer including patients, families, friends, carers in Scotland.
- Cancerbackup
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Merged with Macmillan Cancer Support.
- Christian Lewis Trust: Children's Cancer Charity
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Aims to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and to provide emotional and practical support that complements and adds value to the services provided by the statutory authorities.
Services offered are bereavement support, befriending, play therapy, an opportunity to stay at Donna's Dream House in Blackpool, Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida Holiday Programmes, and crisis breaks via four mobile home sites in Wales.
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Support Group
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The CML Support Group is a patient lead advocacy group providing information, support and advice for those diagnosed with CML.
A founding member of European Cancer Patients Coalition and, in addition to CML patient advocacy groups in EU member states, it also has contacts with CML patient groups worldwide.
- CLIC Sargent
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A charity providing services for children and young people with cancer. Provides professional help and practical care to children (under 21 years of age) diagnosed with cancer, and to their families.
Supports the family at home and in the hospital from day of diagnosis. Gives financial assistance to families in need. Provides short therapeutic holidays for these young people and their families.
- Coppafeel
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Breast cancer awareness charity that educates young people on the importance of checking their boobs regularly and knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
- Eve Appeal
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Funds research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers.
- Gynae C
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A national help line for gynaecological related cancers.
- Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
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Dedicated to supporting people whose lives are touched by cancer. Offers cancer support centres and cancer research teams undertake studies into the disease and offer clinical trials.
- Help Adolescents With Cancer (HAWC)
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A self help group mainly for adolescents with cancer and other life threatening illness. Provides telephone and letter support, a patient to patient scheme, group and one to one counselling, a counselling course, and an annual holiday in Jersey.
- Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline
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A national helpline providing information and help to women concerned about a family history of breast cancer. An information pack is available. Also holds a database of women who are in this position and who are happy to talk to others.
- Humberside Oesophageal Support Group
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Aims to help anyone with oesophageal problems. Usually people with oesophageal cancer, but many members have Barratt's Oesophagus, severe acid reflux and similar problems. It provides moral support and tips drawn from their own experiences.
- Jo's Trust
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Charity dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix. Provides confidential medical advice via email to doctors with a specialist interest in gynaecological cancer. Plus a bulletin board that provides an open chat forum for women and others to share mutual experiences.
- June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund
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Raising funds for research into mesothelioma.
- Kidney Cancer UK
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Aims to provide UK kidney cancer patients and their carers with improved access to reliable information about kidney cancer and its treatment, and to establish a network of individuals and groups.
- Let’s Face It
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A national mutual help organisation for people with any facial disfigurement.
- Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF)
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Funds clinical trials and research. Also publishes booklets on leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers.
- Lymphoma Association
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Provides information and emotional support to anyone with lymphatic cancer, their families, carers and friends. Provides information on lymphoma associated topics, a network of local support groups and telephone links to others with a similar experience of lymphoma.
- Macmillan Butterfly Centre
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Cancer information and support centre for people affected by cancer. It provides a limited number of free complementary therapies, emotional support and counselling - for people recently diagnosed with cancer and their close relatives.
- Macmillan Cancer Support
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UK-wide charity working to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support and pushes for better cancer care.
It works with people with cancer from the point of diagnosis to provide: expert treatment and care through specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors; buildings for cancer treatment and care; grants for patients in financial difficulties.
Macmillan also runs the Macmillan CancerLine providing information for patients and their carers about Macmillan services.
- Marie Curie Cancer Care (MCCC)
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Provides free high quality nursing, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. The charity also has 10 hospices across the UK.
- Mesothelioma UK
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Provides impartial, up to date information for relating to malignant mesothelioma for patients and their carers. A national free phone helpline provides access to advice, lists of local contacts, and other sources of information.
- Mouth Cancer Foundation
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The Mouth Cancer Foundation was established in June 2004 to be a professional support organization solely dedicated to supporting people with mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers face the crisis of cancer.
- Myeloma UK
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Provides information and support to people with myeloma and their families. Offers: bi-monthly newsletter; patient and family seminars; freephone information service; information packages; assistance with setting up and contacting support groups.
- National Cancer Alliance (NCA)
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An alliance of patients, carers and health professionals working together to improve the treatment and care of all cancer patients in Britain. Has produced targeted information resources, working with local NHS and community organisations, including a video in Asian languages titled 'Cancer Stories' and a 'Teamwork File' for health professional and patients working together.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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The American National Cancer Institute has detailed patient information about liver cancer.
- NET Patient Foundation
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A charity for people with or affected by neuroendocrine tumours. Aim is to provide information but also offer support and friendship to both patients and their families.
- Ochre
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Formed to promote awareness of oesophageal cancer. It also intends to encourage research into the causes of oesophageal cancer and to develop information and support services for patients and their families.
- Oesophageal Patient's Association
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The Oesophageal Patients Association is a national registered charity and was formed in 1985 when a few former oesophageal cancer patients met and found reassurance in sharing experiences. The members of the Association are all patients who have experienced oesophageal or gastric difficulties. They have prepared medically approved booklets and fact sheets on the problems of oesophageal cancer.
- Offering Support to Children and Relatives (OSCAR)
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A support group for children with brain or spinal tumours and their families. Offers support in the form of days out, contact with other families, small financial grants and holiday accommodation. Also provides information on various tumours and their treatment.
- Orchid Cancer Appeal
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Funds research and to promote awareness into prostate and testicular cancer.
- Ovacome
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Ovacome is a nationwide support group for all those concerned with ovarian cancer, involving sufferers, families, friends, carers and health professionals. This site is designed for women with ovarian cancer, their families, friends and carers, and health professionals. It includes real-life stories about how other people have coped with the disease and information about treatment, screening and research. There are also opportunities to contact other people with ovarian cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer Action
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Aims to improve the survival of women with ovarian cancer by raising awareness of symptoms and risk factors, funding research and giving women a voice.
- Pancreatic Cancer Action
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The charity raises funds to develop educational programmes for trainee General Practitioners and is working on creating interactive training materials for practicing clinicians where they can claim Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits as part of the revalidation process.
- Pancreatic Cancer UK
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A national voluntary organisation working with medical professionals to identify the needs for improvements in services and information as well as research. Provide a support network for patients and carers as well as a means of raising funds for increased research.
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre
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A charity providing support and information to anyone concerned about prostate cancer via a range of information resources, a confidential helpline, and a specialist nurse programme.
Support is also available from the charity's networkers who have been affected by prostate cancer themselves. The charity also funds research into the causes of, and treatments for the disease.
- Prostate Cancer Support Association (PSA)
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A self-help association (registered charity) providing support for those affected by prostate cancer. PSA was set up by a small group of prostate cancer patients in 1995 and has developed into a national association of self-help and support groups, based mainly in the South East of England.
- Prostate Help Association
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A source of information mainly in regard to Prostate Cancer, Prostatitis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
- Prostate Research Campaign UK
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Charity which fights against all prostate diseases including prostate cancer. It funds both medical research and the training of healthcare professionals, provides free information on all prostate diseases and campaigns to raise public awareness.
- Prostate Scotland
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A Scottish charity set up to provide information, advice and help on prostate health and diseases of the prostate.
- Retinoblastoma Society
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National charity providing support and information about retinoblastoma and raising money for research.
- The Rarer Cancers Foundation (RCF)
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A national charity whose mission is to ensure that people with rarer cancers have access to the best services and outcomes in Europe. RCF raises awareness for people affected by rare or less common cancers.
RCF provides a helpline, produces education resources for patients, their families and health professionals, organises supportive networking for patients, carers and clinicians and, most importantly, campaigns for change.
- Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
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Dedicated to defeating lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer in the world. The Foundation funds research into the early diagnosis of the disease, provides support to patients and their families, as well as helping people to quit smoking and providing anti-smoking education for children and young people.
- Sail 4 Cancer
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An organisation that aims to raise funds for cancer treatment care and research through the organisation of high profile sailing events.
- Samantha Dickson Research Trust
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A charity promoting and sponsoring brain tumour research and offering support and advice to anyone directly or indirectly touched by brain tumours. The support offers users direct advice from its Scientific and Medical Advisory Board.
- Sarcoma UK
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Provides information about sarcoma and its treatments, offers email support, in some cases can arrange patient-to-patient contact.
- Scottish Association of Prostate Cancer Groups
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National charity making more people aware of prostate cancer by encouraging improvements in early detection and treatment methods, providing treatment information, offering practical and emotional support for men and their carers affected by prostate cancer.
- Teenage Cancer Trust
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Funds and organises support and information for young people with cancer, their families, schools and health professionals. Establishes purpose-built Teenage Cancer Trust units and campaigns for better services for young people with cancer.
- Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC)
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TYAC brings together all professionals involved in care of teenagers and young adults with cancer; aims to improve knowledge about all aspects of cancer in young people for those involved in their care; will work to improve cancer services for young people and outcomes of treatment; would like your help if you are interested in or are involved in caring for young people with cancer.
- Thyroid Cancer Support UK
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An online service only group which gives personal experience of thyriod cancer and treatments etc. Also provides discussion and support.
- Urostomy Association
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Assists people who have, or are about to have, a urinary diversion of any kind. The Association was formed in 1971 as the Urinary Conduit Association to help people who are about to undergo or have undergone surgery resulting in diversion of the urinary stream.
- Vulva Awareness Campaign Organisation (VACO)
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Supported by gynaecological health professionals who are also involved in producing written information about this rare cancer.
- Wessex Cancer Trust
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Covers Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight. Within this region, it sends out patient information folders to hospitals, as well as distributing a range of information leaflets free of charge. Counselling and complementary therapies are provided in Southampton and in Romsey. The Trustees also consider applications for major grants to improve cancer care services or conduct research into cancer within the Wessex region.