Support groups
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Facing cancer can sometimes feel overwhelming. Even with supportive friends and family, many people find themselves longing for connection with others who truly understand what they are going through. Cancer support groups offer a safe and compassionate space where people living with and beyond cancer and families can find strength in community.
Sharing experiences and receiving support in a safe, welcoming space can help you feel less alone and more confident in facing the challenges ahead. Our patients have told us that
“Connecting with others can make a big difference”
“Talking to others is key”
“The support group was a safe place for me to share, and gain information and develop coping skills from learning from others. Support groups should be part of the clinical pathway.”
There are lots of different support groups available, some are online and some are in person. The Cancer Care Map is an online directory that can help you to find cancer support groups near you. Please find some options below.
General cancer support groups and charities
Macmillan
0808 808 00 00 (8am – 8pm)
Maggie’s
0203 982 3141
email: maggies.royalmarsden@maggies.org
Cancer in common
Teenage and young adult support groups and charities
Teenage Cancer Trust
020 7612 0370 (9am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
Young Lives vs Cancer
0300 303 5220 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
GetSupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk
Blood Cancer
Anthony Nolan
0303 303 0303
Leukaemia Care
08088 010 444
Lymphoma action
0808 808 5555
Myeloma UK
0800 980 3332
Blood Cancer UK
0808 2080 888
Leukaemia Cancer Society
www.leukaemiacancersociety.org
020 3686 5303
ACLT – Saving lives through bone marrow blood & organ donation
0203 7577 700
Brain Cancer support groups and charities
The Brain Tumour Charity
0808 800 0004 or 01252 749 990
Brain Tumour Support
01454 422 701
Brainstrust
01983 292 405
Astro Brain Tumour Fund
01485 572 767
Breast Cancer support groups and charities
Breast Cancer Now
0345 077 1893 or 0808 800 6000
South East Cancer Help Centre Breast cancer support group
020 8668 0974
Keeping Abreast
01603 819 113
Future Dreams
020 4558 2950
Colorectal Cancer support groups and charities
Bowel Cancer UK
020 7940 1760
admin@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Papillon Patient Support
www.papillonpatientsupport.com
Colostomy UK
www.colostomyuk.org/support/
24 hour free helpline 0800 3284257
general enquiries 0118 939 1537
South East Cancer Help Centre Bowel cancer support group
020 8668 0974
john.amos@sechc.org.uk
Bowel Cancer Support Group UK
www.bowelcancersupportgroupuk.org
Bladder & Bowel Community
0800 031 5406
help@bladderandbowel.org
Anal cancer Foundation
www.analcancerfoundation.org
0203 488 6567
Anal Cancer support forum – Macmillan
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/anal-cancer-forum
IA Support Group For people with and ileostomy or internal pouch
0800 018 4724
Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
01372 744 338
Gastric Cancer support groups and charities
Opa Cancer Charity (Oesophageal & gastric support)
www.opa.org.uk/support/
0121 704 9860
Gynaecological Cancer support groups and charities
Ovacome
0207 299 6654 or 0800 008 7054
Target Ovarian Cancer
www.targetovariancancer.org.uk
020 7923 5470
info@targetovariancancer.org.uk
The eve appeal
020 7605 0100
office@eveappeal.org.uk
South East Cancer Help Centre Ovarian cancer support group
020 8668 0974
Go Girls
www.gogirlssupport.org
07780 467 061 or 01305 255 719
Head and Neck Cancer support groups and charities
Heads2gether
24/7 helpline 0800 023 4550
The swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group
24/7 support line 07504725059
info@theswallows.org.uk
Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust
07399 564 463
amy@butterfly.org.uk
Mouth Cancer Foundation
020 8940 5680
info@mouthcancerfoundation.org
AMEND (Association for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Disorders)
info@amend.org.uk
Life after lary
https://www.lifeafterlary.co.uk/
Facebook group Lifeafterlary UK.GB laryngeal cancer
NALC National Association of Laryngectomee Club
0207 730 8585
Head and neck cancer support group at Maggies Sutton
First Friday of every month 2pm. Face to face and online alternate weeks
02039823141
maggies.royalmarsden@maggies.org
Liver Cancer support groups and charities
British Liver Trust
www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
Lung Cancer support groups and charities
Roy Castle
https://roycastle.org/
0333 323 7200
ALK positive
https://www.alkpositive.org.uk/
EGFR Positive UK
https://www.egfrpositive.org.uk/
Ruth Strauss Foundation
http://ruthstraussfoundation.com
Mesothelioma UK
http://www.mesothelioma.uk.com
Email to contact a nurse: support@mesothelioma.uk.com
Email for general enquiries: info@mesothelioma.uk.com
London asbestos support awareness group
0808 278 2515
HASAG Asbestos Disease Support
02380 010 015 / 02380 010 016
Oesophageal Cancer support groups and charities
Opa Cancer Charity (Oesophageal & gastric support)
0121 704 9860
Pancreatic Cancer support groups and charities
Pancreatic Cancer UK
0808 801 0707
Skin Cancer support groups and charities
Melanoma Focus
01223 324 359
Skcin: The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity
0115 981 9116
My Skin Doctor
01903 896 625
Melanoma UK
0161 821 5657
British Skin Foundation
www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk
020 7391 6341
admin@britishskinfoundation.org.uk
Melanoma-Me Foundation
https://melanoma-me.org.uk/referral
0191 4922 211
melanomame17@gmail.com
Melanomamates facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/686051851532653
Urological Cancer support groups and charities
Prostate Cancer UK
Tackle Prostate Cancer
Find a support group near you: www.tackleprostate.org
South East Cancer Help Centre – Prostate cancer support group
020 8668 0974
terry.garrigan@sechc.org.uk
Action bladder cancer UK
0300 302 0085
Prostate Cancer Support
0800 774 7560
Orchid Fighting Male Cancer
020 3745 7310 Helpline: 0808 802 0010
info@orchid-cancer.org.uk
Kidney Cancer UK
Helpline 0800 002 9002
Kidney Care UK
Helpline 014 205 41424
Prostate Cancer Support Group
info@cancerdontletitwin.com
0333 335 5916
07538798819
Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
01372 744 338
LGBT+ Cancer support groups and charities
OUTpatients
Online and face to face peer support
LGBT+ Walnut
A networking group for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their partners who have prostate cancer
Macmillan’s LGBT Lounge
Prostate cancer UK online forum for Trans Women
Prostate cancer UK online forum for gay and bisexual men
https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/topics/48-Gay–bisexual–MSM–men-who-have-sex-with-men
BME Cancer support groups and charities
Croydon BME Forum
ACLT – Saving lives through bone marrow blood & organ donation
0203 7577 700
Prostate Cancer Support Group
0333 335 5916
07538798819
Lymphoedema Support groups and charities
British Lymphology Society
01452 790178
Lymphodema support network
This network can advise on local support groups that run throughout the UK email to find details of your local support group admin@lsn.org.uk
0207 351 4480