Living with and beyond cancer

Living with cancer

1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer, according to Cancer Research UK. More people are surviving longer due to advances in our understanding of the disease and how to treat it.

Living with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available both during and after treatment. You may find you don’t feel the full effect until after your treatment has finished.

On this page you will find information to help you manage the effects of cancer. Everyone’s needs will be different, depending on age and circumstances.

Most of the information on this page is general for all cancers. We have compiled a list of national charities dedicated to specific types of cancer. You may find these sites have more information that is relevant to you.

If you cannot find what you are looking for on this page please contact us

Need support now?

Macmillan support line 0808 808 0000 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week)

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Macmillan Cancer Support can help you make sense of it all, with ongoing tailored information and support you can trust, from day one. Helping you cope with the physical, financial and emotional impacts of cancer, including:

  • following a healthy diet during treatment
  • planning and managing your finances
  • understanding what benefits you may be entitled to
  • talking about your diagnosis with loved ones and colleagues
  • coping with any changes in your relationships.

Sign up with Macmillan Cancer Support to receive tailored email support after a cancer diagnosis

Cancer centres are a haven of support and advice for anyone affected by cancer. Wessex is fortunate to have a number of cancer centres across the region. Click on the button below to read about each of them, and watch the video for more information.

Most cancer centres are led by a mix of volunteers and trained professionals, and can provide:

  • counselling
  • complementary therapies
  • help with filling in forms
  • help understanding your diagnosis or treatment

Looking after yourself

Prehabilitation and rehabilitation are terms that describe preparing for your cancer treatment and looking after yourself following treatment.

This can be achieved through supporting your dietary needs, your physical needs and your emotional and social needs. Your prehabilitation and rehabilitation is based on your personal needs and what matters to you.

 

Prehabilitation and rehabilitation can benefit you by:

  • preparing you for cancer treatment
  • maximising the outcomes of treatment
  • minimising the effects of the disease
  • minimising the side effects of treatment for example, fatigue or breathlessness
  • addressing practical problems caused by disease and treatment
  • supporting you to be as independent as possible

 

Macmillan have collaborated with Bristol Myers Squibb and people living with cancer to produce six videos about prehabilitation:

  • What is prehabilitation?
  • Physical activity
  • Eating well
  • Mental wellbeing
  • Alcohol moderation
  • Stopping smoking

 

Macmillan podcasts highlight the importance of prehabilitation and peoples experience of this, from the point of view from the healthcare professional and people living with cancer. The podcast series details physical, nutritional, and emotional support needs.

 

For more information on prehabilitation and preparing for your treatment, visit Cancer Research UK – Prehabilitation

Cancer and your emotions

Emotional impact

How you cope with your diagnosis and treatment will be specific to you. You may expect to feel relief once your hospital-based treatment ends but this is not always the case and it can be a difficult and emotional time.

Following treatment, you may have time to reflect on the impact of your diagnosis. It is completely normal to have a mixture of emotions if you are living with or affected by cancer. There are a lot of support services available to help you through. It is important to remember you are not alone.

You may benefit from:

  • talking to friends and family
  • communicating with others in the same situation
  • talking therapies and counselling
  • moving forward courses
  • local support groups
  • health and wellbeing events.

For more information on dealing with your feelings and emotions:
Macmillan – Cancer and your emotions

Macmillan – Emotional help

Cancer Research UK – Look after your mental wellbeing

Talking about cancer

It can be difficult to tell people you have cancer, however talking to your closest friends and family can make you feel more supported and reassured that the feelings you may be experiencing are normal.

Everyone you tell may have a different reaction and it is important to be prepared for this. Some will be keen to support you but this may not always be the case as some people may find the conversation difficult and uncomfortable. This may be through lack of experience, fearing your reaction or they may go into denial.

It can also help to talk to people who also have cancer as they may have a better understanding of what you are going through.

 

Online support – you can get support on the internet via online support groups, social networking sites, forums, chat rooms and blogs for people who are affected by cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support – Online community

 

For information about counselling services
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

If you are feeling depressed or need to speak to someone immediately, please contact Samaritans 116 123

If you are struggling with how you are feeling emotionally, it is important to speak to your GP or your cancer care team, they will be able to provide you information on the treatments and support available to you.

Cancer support groups

Cancer support groups are a great way to meet people who understand what you might be feeling following your diagnosis of cancer. They provide a safe place for you to talk about what matters to you. You do not have to share if you do not feel comfortable, but a support group may help you to feel less isolated.

Some groups are specific to a certain type of cancer, while others are open to people affected by any type of cancer.

 

The Living Tree is a self-help support group for people who have experienced cancer and for their families and carers. The group is based in Bridport and is open to any cancer patients from West Dorset, East Devon and South Somerset.

 

 

There are a number of cancer support groups across Wessex. Ask your cancer support worker, or you can search for them on the Cancer Care Map

If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us and we can try to help you.

For more information about cancer support groups:

Macmillan Cancer Support – Local support groups

Macmillan Cancer Support

Going through cancer can be an isolating experience. The free Telephone Buddies service from Macmillan Cancer Support is here for you. It offers a weekly call from a volunteer buddy who is trained to understand what you’re going through. They’ll be a listening ear, ready to talk about how you’re feeling and your support needs during this difficult time.

They can also let you know about our other services, and all the ways Macmillan can help, so you don’t have to face cancer alone.

For more information about how to sign up online or by phone, please click on the link below:

Macmillan Cancer Support – Talk with a telephone buddy

Read the Telephone Buddies leaflet (PDF)

 

HOPE Programme – Online

The HOPE programme is a group 6-week self-management course based online. This has been made with help from people living with cancer. It can help to enhance your resilience, rediscover your strengths and increase your ability to cope.

The next course starts on 5th February 2024. Click here and follow the link to complete the short application to sign up

Events

Visit our events page to find out what’s going on near you. There are online information sessions about living with cancer, as well as links to fundraising ideas.

Cancer and your body

Physical Activity

Being physically active before, during and after cancer treatment can help you manage side effects of cancer and the treatment. It can also help reduce your risk of cancer recurrence. Physical activity can include exercise such as walking or cycling, or daily activities such as gardening.

For more information on being physically active:

Before treatment – Cancer Research UK- How do I physically prepare for cancer treatment

After treatment – Macmillan – Being physically active after treatment

 

There are some webpages with videos available with examples of ways to keep active. Please speak with your clinician for further advice or guidance.

Royal Marsden – Exercise at Home

Carers UK – Physical activity and wellbeing videos

 

For ideas on moving and keeping active, visit Ways to move

For advice on how to open the conversation between healthcare professionals and people with cancer, visit Moving Medicine

Changes to your appearance and body image

Cancer and treatment for cancer can change how you feel about your body. You may have scarring, weight loss or physical discomfort which may lower your body confidence. Always talk to someone as this can help with coping. You could talk to a family member, friend or you could ask your clinical nurse specialist for help.

Macmillan Cancer Support – Changes to your appearance and body image

Relationships, sex and fertility

Treatment for cancer can affect your emotions and relationships which can then lead to issues with intimacy and sex.

Discussing your worries with your partner and being open about the effects of treatment on your sex life can be helpful to you both and may help you to cope better. There are also professionals who can help with becoming sexually active or starting a new relationship.

Often people find it embarrassing to talk about their sex lives but if you have any concerns or questions,  your cancer care team are used to talking openly about sexual matters.

Cancer Research UK – Sex, sexuality and cancer

 

Some treatments for certain types of cancer can affect your ability to have children in the future. It can be difficult to worry about your fertility while you are already coping with cancer. For more information your possible options, and the support available to you:

Macmillan Cancer Support – Fertility in men after treatment

Macmillan Cancer Support – Fertility in women after treatment

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Following your treatment, there are many things you can do that may help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and prevent other health conditions:

• Stop smoking
• Reduce your alcohol intake
• Eat a healthy balanced diet
• Be more active

For more information about what you can do, and to find organisations who can help you, visit our keeping well page

 

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies can be used alongside conventional cancer treatments. These are not the same as alternative therapies which are used instead of conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Complementary therapies can give you comfort and help you feel more relaxed after treatment and diagnosis, but there is no evidence they will cure your cancer. If used, they should be used alongside treatment recommended by your consultant and you should discuss complementary therapies you are having with your doctor or specialist nurse.

  • activities that improve mindfulness
  • acupuncture
  • acupressure and shiatsu
  • aromatherapy
  • healing and energy therapies
  • herbal therapies
  • hypnotherapy
  • massage
  • meditation
  • mindfulness
  • reflexology
  • yoga, Tai Chi and Chi Gung.

You can discuss what complementary therapies are available to you with your cancer care team.

For more information visit our complementary therapies page.

Cancer and your diet

Nutrition and cancer

Before, during and after cancer treatment, your weight and dietary needs may change.

 

For general information on eating and diet, visit

Cancer Research UK – Eating a varied diet

Royal Surrey NHS Trust – Diet & Cancer videos  – 18 videos with subtitles

Macmillan Benefits of a healthy diet – Booklets and audiobooks available

Royal Marsden NHS – Eating well

 

 

Cancer and/or side effects of treatment may cause weight loss or dietary problems. Building up diets are used to help gain weight healthily. For information on coping with dietary problems, visit Cancer Research UK – Diet problems with cancer

 

Support and advice can be found here:

Wessex Cancer Alliance – Eating well with cancer

 

The nutrition and living with cancer helpline is a support and information line operated by dieticians. This service is available Tuesdays 12-2pm and Thursday 6-8pm on 0333 034 1988 or via email at helpline@wcrf.org

Cancer and your finances

A cancer diagnosis can affect your income. You may be able to get help with NHS costs, grants, and certain benefits. There are people you can talk to, who can let you know what you are entitled to, including extra help.

If finances are a worry to you, please ask your cancer care team to refer you for more information to:
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau
• Local Social Services.

You may be able to get help from other organisations or charities who give grants. You need to apply through a health or social care professional, such as a district nurse or a social worker.

Macmillan Cancer Support – Grants

For more information about money matters, including work, pensions, insurance, loans and mortgages:

Cancer Research UK – Money matters

Macmillan Cancer Support – Money, finance and insurance

 

Cancer and work

If you have had, or are living with, cancer, you are protected by law from unfair treatment. You may need advice to help you talk to your employer, or you may be worried about income if you are self-employed.

For more information on a range of work-related topics, including how a cancer diagnosis might affect your work, and advice on how to cope with work during cancer treatment:

Macmillan Cancer Support – Help with work

Cancer charities

Your experience of living with cancer is unique to you. The information and support you need depend on your own circumstances.

Here is a list of organisations that specialise in specific types of cancer. You may find that they provide information that is more relevant to you. Some can give you access to an online community of people who will understand more about what you are going through.

If you cannot find what you are looking for here, try using the Cancer Care Map to find support near you.

Anthony Nolan – https://www.anthonynolan.org/

Blood Cancer UK – https://bloodcancer.org.uk/

Bowel Cancer UK – https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

Breast Cancer Care – https://breastcancernow.org/

The Eve Appeal – https://eveappeal.org.uk/  (womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers)

Heartburn UK – https://heartburncanceruk.org/oesophageal-cancer/  (oesophageal Cancer)

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – https://www.jostrust.org.uk/

Kidney Cancer UK – https://www.kcuk.org.uk/

Leukaemia Care – https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/

Myeloma UK – https://www.myeloma.org.uk/

Orchid – https://orchid-cancer.org.uk/  (testicular, prostate and penile cancers)

Pancreatic Cancer UK – https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/

Prostate Cancer UK – https://prostatecanceruk.org/

Roy Castle Lung Foundation – https://roycastle.org/

Sarcoma UK – https://sarcoma.org.uk/

Shine Cancer Support – https://shinecancersupport.org/

Target Ovarian Cancer – https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/

Teenage Cancer Trust – https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/

The Youth Cancer Trust – https://www.youthcancertrust.org/

Cancer Care Map

Support can be a lifeline for people affected by cancer. There is a wide range of services available in the Wessex area and further afield.

Cancer Care Map is a simple, free, online resource to help you find cancer support services near you.

To find support groups and services in your local area, click on the Cancer Care Map logo and enter your postcode in the search box. You can refine your search for more specific services, or browse the types of services available.

About Cancer Matters Wessex
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