Living with breast cancer
There are many organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with breast cancer and its treatment. There is also information about mastectomy wear and prosthesis suppliers.
Leathem House 13 Napier Court Barton Lane Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3YT
Against Breast Cancer is a charity based in Oxford. It funds breast cancer research into new treatments, earlier diagnosis and long term survival.
Tel: 01235 534211 Email: info@againstbreastcancer.org.uk
BRCA Chat is a small but national charity supporting those with a BRCA gene mutation. They provide peer support groups, online talks, blogs and newsletters, and can signpost you to other resources if needed.
Email: info@brcachat.com
Breast Cancer Now is a charity dedicated to funding breast cancer research. They also provide breast cancer information and support across the UK. Services are free and include a helpline, website, publications, and practical and emotional support. It was formed by the merger of The Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 2015.
6th Floor The White Chapel Building 10 Whitechapel High Street London E1 8QS
Tel: 0333 20 70 300 E-mail: hello@breastcancernow.org Ask a nurse: Contact form
CoppaFeel is a UK charity that provides information, advice and creates awareness of breast cancer especially in young people. They also have resources for teachers and educators.
You can contact them on their general enquires contact form.
Flat Friends UK is a charity that supports women who choose to go flat. So for those ladies living without reconstruction after a mastectomy. You can get in touch with people who have had similar experiences via their online forum, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or face to face. The website also has information about research, fashion ideas, and personal stories.
Provides support and information if you are concerned about hereditary breast cancer. There is an email address and a telephone number for enquires. Outside office hours, there is a 24 hour answerphone to leave your message.
Tel: 01629 813000 (available 8am-10pm) Email: canhelp@btopenworld.com
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK offers support and advice during treatment and beyond. They have an online support group for people diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. This is a closed group. You need to apply online to join.
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish 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
Cancer Card is a national charity based in Scotland. They aim to provide support to everyone affected by cancer. Their website has a support directory where you can search for national and local cancer support charities and services. You can also find stories of people affected by cancer. They have a cancer support helpline and a digital helpline, which can help you with your online needs. For example helping you gain digital skills so you can access online services, such as banking.
Phone: 0131 287 3001 (Monday-Wednesday, 10am-1pm) Email: support@cancercard.org.uk
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.
Phone: 01372 747500 Email: info@lgfb.co.uk
The Daisy Network provides help, support and information for women who have early menopause.
Daisy Network 82a James Carter Road Mildenhall Suffolk IP28 7DE
Email: info@daisynetwork.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
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
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. They can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity. Whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way you’re feeling. 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
Amoena makes and retails breast forms (prostheses), prosthetic nipples, mastectomy lingerie, nightwear and mastectomy swim wear. They also sell sports wear (active wear). They have stockists across the UK and you can also make online orders.
Order line: 0345 434 7334 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm)
Enquiry line: 023 80 270 345 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm)
Email: shop.uk@amoena.com
Fill out a contact form.
Betty and Belle is a lingerie shop where you can get expert bra fitting. They sell mastectomy lingerie, breast prostheses and swimwear, including non wired support bras and front fastening bras for after breast surgery. Their collection is also available online. The shop is usually open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.
35 Oxford Road Altrincham Cheshire WA14 2ED
Tel: 0161 929 1472 Email: info@bettyandbelle.co.uk
A lingerie and swim wear boutique specialising in quality brands, plus size lingerie, swim wear, and mastectomy wear.
4 High Street Uttoxeter Staffordshire ST14 7HT
Tel: 01332 865554
An online supplier of breast prostheses,mastectomy bras and swim wear. It also sells front fastening bras for after surgery.
23 Shirwell Crescent Milton Keynes MK4 1GA
Tel: 01908 340 094
Sells mastectomy bras, swim wear, night wear and breast prostheses by mail order, online or by phone. Free returns service in UK.
Tel: 01243 537 300 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm) Email: customerservice@nicolajane.com
Makes breast forms and protheses. Also sells mastectomy bras, swim wear and tops. They offer a pocketing service for your own bras and swimsuits.
Email: orders@thuasne.co.uk
E Pennery, V Speechley and M Rosenfield Class Publishing, 2008 ISBN 978-1859591987
Contains information about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. It offers guidance on the various forms of treatment and care, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It also gives information about complementary therapies, practical advice about managing life with and after cancer (diet, exercise, work and finances). And answers questions about relationships and family.
Terry Priestman Sheldon Press 2006 ISBN 978-0859699686
Coming to terms with a diagnosis of breast cancer isn't easy. This book gives reassurance and practical advice about getting on with life as normally as possible. It is helpful for friends and family as well as people with breast cancer.
John Link St. Martin’s Griffin, 2017 ISBN 978-1250144522
It is a book written by an American breast cancer specialist. It includes information on recent treatment developments. It is mainly for people with primary breast cancer.
M Weiss and E Weiss Three Rivers Press, 2010 ISBN 978-0307460226
This American book discusses all the physical and emotional issues that you may have after finishing cancer treatment.
Katherine Locke Need-2-Know, 2013 ISBN 1861440960
A book for women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Written by a woman who has been through treatment for breast cancer. Provides information about what breast cancer is, how it is diagnosed and the treatment options available. It also talks about the emotional effects after a cancer diagnosis.
Briony Jenkins BCM Publishing, 2014 ISBN-10: 0993070310
A personal story and guide to talking about cancer to children. Written by a woman diagnosed with breast cancer aged 43 when her son was 7 and her daughter was 3. The book has information about coping with treatment and coping emotionally when you have children.
Vladimir Lange Lange Productions, 2019 ISBN 978-0692177242
A complete guide to breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, breast reconstruction, complementary therapies, research trials and coping with cancer. It is an American book, so some aspects are not relevant to UK readers.
D Rainsbury and G Straker Class Publishing, 2008 ISBN 1859591973
Written by a breast surgeon and breast care nurse. Gives information about breast reconstruction that aims to help women to make decisions about this type of surgery. It describes the surgical process, the possible benefits and problems. It also talks about psychological aspects of breast reconstruction, gives options for women who decide not to have reconstructive surgery, and explains how other treatments may affect or be affected by reconstruction.
Breast screening: helping women decide This leaflet is sent to all women invited for breast screening.
An easy guide to breast screening A booklet about breast screening for women with learning disabilities.
Breast screening: breast implant guidelines This leaflet tells women how breast implants may affect screening.
Breast screening: high risk women This factsheet explains breast screening for women at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
See all these leaflets by the NHS Breast Screening Programme on the GOV.UK website
NHS population screening: information for transgender and non binary people This leaflet includes information about breast cancer screening.
Dr P Mortimer and G Levine Elliott & Thompson, 2017 ISBN 1783962852
Explains the causes and symptoms of lymphoedema. Describes treatments, including massage, exercise, and compression garments. It also has information about coping day-to-day with lymphoedema.
E W Sterling and A Best-Boss Fireside Books, 2010 ISBN 9781439108451
An American book that has information on treatments and other ways of managing early menopause. As it is American, some of the options and resources may not be available in the UK.
Kathryn Petras Avon books, 2000 ISBN 0380805413
Discusses the physical and emotional effects of early menopause and how to cope with them.
This booklet is written by Dr Louise Newson and Ellie Waters. Ellie was 15 when she had the menopause after cancer treatment. Dr Newson is a GP and menopause expert. She founded The Menopause Charity and created the Menopause Doctor website, now called Balance, which provides a wealth of information about the menopause.
This booklet provides information about what the menopause is, what the possible symptoms are and what you can do to help, and about how menopause might affect future health.
Janet Rhys Dent Radcliffe Publishing, 2007 ISBN 1 84619 150 5
This is an easy to read book of one woman’s experience of breast cancer. As she considers the dilemmas and discoveries of the diagnosis, both inside and outside hospital, she reflects on what being a patient means, where she gets information and support and how her attitude to life and living changes.
Christine Rayner Lucas Books, 2002 ISBN 1903797179
This is 1 woman's story of having breast cancer. It's easy to read and gives good explanations of tests and treatment. It explains the more unpleasant aspects of treatment in a non-frightening way. It has a strong spiritual focus and may not suit everyone but others may find it a useful source of support.
Sarah Jane Phillips CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013 ISBN 978-1482058116
This is a warm and easy to read book about a 36 years old woman’s experience of breast cancer (some 20 years after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma). The author gives an honest and open account of her feelings and experiences during her diagnosis, treatment, and the early years following treatment. She describes what the tests and treatments involve, and offers insight into what it really feels like and how she coped at each stage. The author is very positive about the support she receives from her family and friends, and the health professionals involved in her care. Proceeds from the book will go towards the NHS trust where she had treatment.
S Hollins and W Perez Beyond words, 2017 ISBN: 9781784580957
This book tells a simple story about a women going for a mammogram and getting her result. It also explains what happens if you are called for further tests and how to look out for any changes in your breasts – being breast aware.
National Health Service (NHS) Cancer Screening Programmes
This is a picture leaflet for women with a learning disability to tell them about breast screening. You can read or download this leaflet in PDF format on the NHS website.
Maya Silva and Marc Silva Sourcebooks Fire, 2013 ISBN 978-1402273070
Maya was 16 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has written this book with her father in order to help other teenagers in a similar position.
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
Visit the Healthtalk.org website
NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support.
Last reviewed: 03 Aug 2023
Next review due: 03 Aug 2026
Find out about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and how to cope with the effects on your life and relationships.
Treatment for breast cancer depends on a number of factors. Find out about breast cancer treatments, where and how you have them, and how to cope with possible side effects.
Get practical, physical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Find out more about Cancer Research UK online shop
We know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when you have cancer or care for someone with cancer.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
Image by credit test.
