Breathing problems resources and support
There are organisations, support groups, and books to help you cope with symptoms and side effects caused by 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.
Cancer support organisations
Asthma and Lung UK (previously The British Lung Foundation) provide information on all types of lung conditions. They run support groups across the country and produce a newsletter and other publications. They raise funds for research into lung disease.
Helpline: 0300 222 5800
Macmillan Cancer Support
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
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
Marie Curie runs 9 centres (hospices) throughout the UK. And a nationwide Marie Curie nursing service, providing care for patients in their own homes throughout the day or night, free of charge.
Head Office:
89, Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TP
Support line: 0800 090 2309. For emotional support and practical advice about terminal illness, including for family and friends. The support line is open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am - 5pm on Saturday.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is a UK charity dedicated to defeating lung cancer. It funds research into early diagnosis and provides support to patients and their families. It also helps people to stop smoking and provides anti smoking education materials for children and young people.
People affected by lung cancer can share experiences through the foundation's network of support groups and the online discussion forum: Talk and Share.
Lung Cancer Helpline: 0333 323 7200
General support and information organisations
For general health advice and information.
NHS 111 gives information if you need fast medical help but it's not a 999 emergency.
NHS Inform gives information about illnesses, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
NHS 24 is a confidential telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland. It provides urgent advice out of hours.
Phone: 111
Hospice UK answers enquiries about any aspect of hospice care. The website includes a directory of hospice services in the UK and Ireland.
34 - 44 Britannia Street
London
WC1X 9JG
Telephone: 0207 520 8200
Organisations that provide equipment
Offers mobility aids at low cost to help both elderly people and disabled adults and children. Has an extensive range of daily living aids and disability equipment.
Complete Care Shop
330 Four Oaks Rd
Walton Summit Centre
Preston
PR5 8AP
Phone: 03330 160 000 (Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm)
Email: customerservice@completecareshop.co.ukk
Living Made Easy (formerly The Disabled Living Foundation) gives information and advice on equipment and aids to help with daily living.
Helpline: 0300 999 0004
Email: info@dlf.org.uk
Specific symptoms organisations
A charity that is being run entirely by volunteers. They provide support, advice, and help to people affected by chronic pain and those close to them.
Telephone helpline (Painline): 0345 603 1593 (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm)
Email: aopisat@btinternet.com
Write to: Action on Pain, 2 Mill Close, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, PE34 4JG
This website provides patient information and a decision aid tool to help explain malignant pleural effsuion, how it can be managed and what priorities & preferences patients and carers may wish to think about when making treatment decisions. The content has been co-produced by patients, carers and clinicians through dedicated focus groups. It uses short animations to explain the condition and treatment options.
A support group for anyone who suffers from chronic pain. They deliver self management training to help those with chronic pain.
Freephone: 0800 783 6059 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm)
Email: info@painassociation.com
Pain Concern offers information and support to people with pain and those who care for them. They run a helpline staffed by volunteers and have an online forum called HealthUnlocked for members to share experiences. You can listen to podcasts that feature interviews with experts and people managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their newsletter, Pain Matters.
Helpline: 0300 123 0789
Email: help@painconcern.org.uk
Organisations that can help with issues of sex and sexuality
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) provides information about what help and therapy is available for sexual difficulties.
Telephone: 020 8106 9635
Email: info@cosrt.org.uk
Relate offers private and confidential counselling, and psychosexual therapy to help with relationship problems. They provide counselling over the phone, through a webcam or face to face at a Relate centre. Clients are asked to contribute towards the cost of their counselling sessions according to their income.
Relationships Scotland provides relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other family support services across all of mainland and island Scotland.
InfoLine: 0345 119 2020 (open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)
Books about cancer
A Bloch and others
American Cancer Society, 2010
ISBN 978-0944235782
An American book but most of the information is relevant to the UK. It covers issues such as preventing weight loss and coping with dehydration, fatigue, and infection. It also discusses eating problems and digestion issues, such as swallowing problems, feeling sick and dealing with mouth sores. Focuses on survivorship and how to eat well after treatment.
Coping with Chemotherapy
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 978-0859699990
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.
Jane Freeman
Sheldon Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1847091413
Written by a cancer dietitian, this is a practical handbook for people with cancer. Filled with helpful tips and recipes.
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.
SL Rose and RT Hara
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009
ISBN 0763762571
An American book which gives information about caring for someone with cancer, including how to support them when they have symptoms or side effects.
Books and booklets about sex and cancer
Ian Banks
J H Haynes & Co Ltd, 2009
ISBN 978-1844258086
A practical guide to sexual health and enjoyment.
S Kydd and D Rowett
Big Think Media, 2006
ISBN 0978810805
A responsible guide featuring personal stories and expert voices. Intimacy after Cancer takes an in-depth look at how women respond to, deal with, and overcome barriers to intimacy after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.
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
NHS Choices 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
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have a cancer information helpline and resource centre. They provide public and professional education, rehabilitation programmes and support groups for patients and relatives.
Cancer nurse helpline: 0800 783 3339 Monday - Friday 9am to 1pm
Email: nurseline@cancerfocusni.org
