Anal cancer resources and support organisations

There are organisations that offer information and support to help you cope with anal cancer and its treatment. There are also organisations that offer general cancer support and information.

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.

Anal cancer organisations

The following organisations have information about anal cancer. Or provide support for people living with, or caring for someone with anal cancer:

The Anal Cancer Foundation UK

The Anal Cancer Foundation aims to help and support anal cancer patients. They are also interested in improving prevention and research methods for anal cancer and the virus that causes the majority of cases, HPV.

Kemp House 160
City Road, London
EC1V 2NX

Email: info@analcancerfoundation.org

Tel: 0203 488 6567

Bottom Line Anal Cancer Support

Bottom Line is a charity run by people living with anal cancer and those who support them. Their aim is to raise the profile of anal cancer to improve diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. They have hints and tips on getting through treatment and life afterwards. As well as personal stories from their members and an online support group. 

Contact form

Bowel Cancer UK

Bowel Cancer UK raise awareness of bowel cancer and campaign for better treatments and care. They provide information about bowel cancers, including anal and rectal cancers through their website and leaflets and they have an online forum. 

Nurse email: nurse@bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7940 1760

Rare cancer support organisations

These organisations provide information and support for people affected by rare cancers:

Cancer 52

This is an alliance of 90 organisations working to address inequality in funding for rare cancers and improving outcomes for patients.

Email : info@cancer52.org.uk

The Rare Cancer Alliance

The Rare Cancer Alliance offer support and information to people affected by rare cancers. It has a forum where you might be able to meet others with the same cancer as you. 

Rare Cancer Support Forum

The Rare Cancer Support Forum has several message boards so people with less common or rarer cancers can get in touch with each other. Friends and families of people with rarer cancers can also use the message boards to share their experiences, give support or get advice from people in similar situations.

General support organisations

These organisations provide general information and support for people affected by any type of cancer:

American Cancer Society (ACS)

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.

Bladder and Bowel Community

The Bladder and Bowel Community supports people living with bladder and bowel disorders and has a telephone helpline. The service is confidential. They can also give you information about stoma products.

They have a 'Just Can't Wait' card which allows holders access to toilets in shops and when you are out. It's free to order on the website.

Forward House
17 High Street
Henley-in-Arden
B95 5AA

Home Delivery Service: 0800 031 5406

Email: help@bladderandbowel.org

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have a cancer information helpline and information and resource centre. They provide public and professional education, rehabilitation programmes and support groups for patients and relatives.

40-44 Eglantine Avenue
Belfast
BT9 6DX

Cancer nurse helpline: 0800 783 3339 Monday - Friday 9am to 1pm
Email: nurseline@cancerfocusni.org

Guts UK

Guts UK produce information and leaflets on common digestive diseases and illnesses. This includes information about cancer of the bowel, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach.

Helpline: 0300 102 4887 (open Monday to Friday, 10am until 2pm)
Email: helpline@gutscharity.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support

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. 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 Centres

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

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

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

OUTpatients

OUTpatients charity provide help and support to the LGBTIQ+ community who are living with, or have been affected by, cancer. This support includes online peer support meetings for LGBTIQ+ cancer patients and their partners and carers. The website includes information about cancer risk and screening, and the impact of cancer treatment in LGBTIQ+ people.

The charity also provide education to health professionals working in the cancer care sector.

Contact form

Pelvis Radiation Disease Association

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

Shine Cancer Support

Shine is a charity working to create a community of young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experienced a cancer diagnosis. 

Shine has local peer support networks across the UK and runs a number of annual events including Shine Camp (a summer camping trip) and Shine Connect, a conference for young adults with cancer, their friends and family, and healthcare professionals.

Shine also runs workshops on topics such as working after cancer and managing anxiety and depression. 

Phone: 07804 479 413
Email: hi@shinecancersupport.org

Switchboard

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 

Tenovus Cancer Care (Wales)

Tenovus Cancer Care provides an information service on all aspects of cancer. The charity provides practical and emotional support for people with cancer and their families. They have mobile support units bring cancer treatment into local communities in Wales.

Cardiff (Head Office)
Tenovus Cancer Care
First Floor
Jones Court
Womanby Street
Cardiff
CF10 1BR

Support line: 0808 808 1010

Trekstock

Trekstock provides support, guidance and connection to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. They offer specialist advice to help young people keep active during or beyond treatment, informative events and expert information.

Contact form

Stoma support organisations and product suppliers

Some people have a stoma as part of their treatment for anal cancer. If you have a stoma care nurse, they will help you find the right bags and products. If you don't have a stoma nurse, ask your GP or surgeon to refer you.

Colostomy UK

This is a UK support group for people with a colostomy. It provides information and support and booklets to anyone who has or is about to have a colostomy.

24 hour free helpline: 0800 328 4257
Email: hello@colostomyuk.org 
General enquires: 0118 939 1537 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Stoma product suppliers

The following are a selection of stoma product suppliers. Some of them also have information on living with a stoma. Unfortunately we are not able to include a complete list of suppliers in the UK.

There are also handcrafted stoma covers available. These come in different shapes and sizes and are made of a wide range of fabrics. Cancer Research UK is unable to list all the different companies that make these handcrafted covers. However, if you search the internet you can find different options available.

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.