Vaginal cancer resources and organisations

There are many organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with vaginal 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.

Specific women's support organisations

Jo's Trust is a charity who provide information about cervical cancer. They run a helpline staffed by volunteers who have had experience of cervical cancer or abnormal cervical cells. It also has a confidential medical enquiry service. The website has an online forum where you can exchange experiences and information with others who have cervical cancer.

Helpline: 0808 802 8000

Go Girls offer support to women with gynaecological cancers. They are also raising awareness and campaigning for better diagnosis and treatments.

44 The Ridgeway, Upwey, Dorset DT3 5QQ

Tel: 01305 255719

Email: hello@gogirlssupport.org

The Eve Appeal is a UK national charity raising awareness, and funding research into the five gynaecological cancers - womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. They also provide a gynae cancer information and support service called Ask Eve.

Ask Eve telephone: 0808 802 0019

Ask Eve email: nurse@eveappeal.org.uk

General enquiries: telephone: 020 7605 0100 and email: office@eveappeal.org.uk

The Daisy Network provides help, support and information for women who have early menopause.

PO Box 71432
London
SW6 9HJ

Email: info@daisynetwork.org

This organisation provides information about many women's health issues. For a minimum donation of £10 to cover costs, they can give personalised email advice about your reproductive, gynaecological or sexual health. Produces booklets on a range of subjects including hormone replacement therapy, menopause, hysterectomy and ovarian cysts. 

Spracklen House, East wing 
Dukes Place
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 2QH 

A patient led group that promotes understanding about pelvic radiation disease. Pelvic radiation disease is a late effect of radiotherapy treatment. They support patients and campaign for more research and better treatment for this condition.

Email: info@prda.org.uk

The RCOG works to improve women's health care across the world. They work with a range of partners both in the UK and globally to improve the standard of care delivered to women, encourage the study of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), and advance the science and practice of O&G.

General support organisations

The Sexual Advice Association provide lists of local specialist practitioners, as well as fact sheets on problems such as erectile dysfunction (impotence).

The website no longer has a helpline due to a lack of funding.

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

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

Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people - and anyone considering issues around their sexuality or gender identity. Their helpline is open every day between 10am and 10pm. They also offer a chat and email service. 

PO Box 7324
London
N1 9QS

Phone number: 0800 0119 100 open from 10 am to 10 pm every day
Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer. 

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

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

This charity aims to help with the physical and emotional wellbeing of people going through cancer treatment. They provide confidence boosting workshops, which gives a chance for people to meet others going through a similar experience and to learn skills to manage some of the side effects of treatment, such as skincare and make up techniques. 

Workshops take place in hospitals and support centres across the UK. You can find your nearest workshop and read more about the work of the charity on their website.

West Hill House
32 West Hill
Epsom
Surrey
KT19 8JD

Phone: 01372 747500
Email: info@lgfb.co.uk

Books about vaginal cancer

S Haslett and others
Beaconsfield Pubs Ltd, 2012
ISBN 978-0906584620

A practical guide with information about the different types of hysterectomy operation. Tells you how to prepare for your operation and what to expect when you are recovering.

Dr Ian Banks
J H Haynes & Co Ltd, 2009
ISBN 978-1844258505

A practical guide to all aspects of women's health, written for men to help them understand and support the women in their lives.

M Heffernan and M Quinn
Michelle Anderson Publishing, 2003
ISBN: 0855723327

An American book that deals with all aspects of gynaecological cancer. Gives concise information alongside women's own stories about their experiences.

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.

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. 

Booklets and factsheets

  • Understanding radiotherapy (also on CD)
  • Pelvic radiotherapy in women - possible late effects (also on CD)
  • Pelvic radiotherapy in women - side effects during treatment
  • Understanding lymphoedema
  • Life after cancer treatment
  • Coping with advanced cancer (also on audiotape)
  • Controlling the symptoms of cancer
  • Lost for words – how to talk to someone with cancer
  • How are you feeling? Coping with the emotional effects of cancer
  • Sexuality and cancer
  • Coping with fatigue (also on audiotape and CD)
  • Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer (also on CD)
  • Talking about your cancer (also on audiotape and CD)

A range of downloadable factsheets and information relating to cancer and treatment.

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 Choices has a service that tells you about local information and support.

Last reviewed: 
13 Apr 2021
Next review due: 
13 Apr 2024

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