Resources and support
Find organisations, support groups, books and other resources to help you cope with skin 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.
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
Skin cancer support organisations
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.
General support organisations
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
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.
Telephone: 020 7351 4480
Email: admin@lsn.org.uk
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 National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer.
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
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
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.
Tel: 01452 790 178
Books about skin cancer
Ronald Marks
Martin Dunitz, 1995
ISBN 1853172758
Examines the various effects of the sun's rays, both harmful and beneficial, the problems caused by too much sun exposure, their treatment and how they can be prevented. This book is written for GPs but may be of interest to the general public.
Booklets and factsheets
Cancer Research sun smart has helped people enjoy the sun safely. Take a look at our leaflets, posters, newsletters and postcards about skin cancer prevention through to skin cancer and sun protection.
You can also view information about the sun, ultraviolet (UV) light and cancer on our website.
Macmillan cancer support have a booklet which you can order or download from their website. You can find this in their resources section called publications.
Sun protection 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
Videos of people's stories
Find out about the experience of living with and beyond cancer by seeing and hearing people share their personal stories on film. Healthtalk’s researchers created a library of interviews with people who have survived for 5 years or more after a cancer diagnosis.
Find out what people said about issues such as lifestyle choices, physical effects and the impact on work and family.
Find local cancer support and information services
NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support.
