Lung cancer resources and support organisations
There are support organisations and resources available for people living with lung cancer.
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.
Lung cancer support organisations
ALK Positive Lung Cancer (UK) is a charity established by a group of patients and carers. They provide support and advocacy for people affected by ALK positive non small cell lung cancer. They have a Facebook group and organise a patient forum every few months where affected people can meet up face to face.
Email: hello@alkpositive.co.uk
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
EGFR Positive UK is a registered charity established by patients and their families and friends. They offer support to patients with EGFR positive lung cancer and their family and friends, via a facebook group.
Email: contact@egfrpositive.org.uk
Public Health England (PHE) is the main resource for advice about radon in the UK. It gives information about radon through it's website. You can order a radon risk report. And you can buy a kit to measure radon gas levels in your home.
Telephone: 01235 822 622
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 organisations
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy provides information about therapy and counselling. On its website you can look for qualified therapists in your area.
Telephone: 01455 883300 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
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.
Cancer Card
109/11 Swanston Road
Edinburgh
EH10 7DS
Email: support@cancercard.org.uk
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
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
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.
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)
The ACS provides information and support for people affected by cancer. As it is an American website, not all the information is relevant for a UK audience.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer.
Stop smoking organisations
Quit smoking is an NHS website dedicated to helping people stop smoking. The website has information on how to quit smoking, as well as information on the NHS Quit smoking app.
Organisations that provide equipment
British Red Cross services vary in different parts of the country. They provide medical equipment, transport and hospital escort services, home emergency personal care and home respite care. There are branches throughout the UK.
Support Line: 0808 196 3651 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 8pm)
Living Made Easy is part of the Shaw Trust. It provides information and advice on equipment and aids to help with daily living.
Books about lung cancer
J H Schiller and A Cipau
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2012
ISBN 978-1449687571
This book gives information about treatment options, quality of life after treatment, and living with lung cancer. It is an American book so some issues covered are not relevant to a UK reader.
Vladimir Lange
Lange Media, 2013
ISBN 978-0981948973
This book gives detailed information about lung cancer, treatments, and the feelings and emotions people may have. It contains stories from people who have had lung cancer.
It is an American book so some information is not relevant to UK readers.
Find out what smoking does to your body, and how you can give yourself the best chance of quitting.
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.
Information about eating well
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.
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.
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
The NHS website 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
The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.
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