There are organisations and support groups to help you cope with breathlessness and other symptoms caused by 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.
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.
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
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.
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:
One Embassy Gardens
8 Viaduct Gardens
London SW11 7BW
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 10am - 4pm Saturday to Sunday.
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.
Offers mobility aids at low cost to help both elderly people and disabled adults and children. Has an extensive range of daily living aids and disability equipment.
Complete Care Shop
330 Four Oaks Rd
Walton Summit Centre
Preston
PR5 8AP
This website provides patient information and a decision aid tool to help explain malignant pleural effsuion, how it can be managed and what priorities & preferences patients and carers may wish to think about when making treatment decisions. The content has been co-produced by patients, carers and clinicians through dedicated focus groups. It uses short animations to explain the condition and treatment options.
Pain Concern offers information and support to people with pain and those who care for them. They run a helpline staffed by volunteers and have an online forum called HealthUnlocked for members to share experiences. You can listen to podcasts that feature interviews with experts and people managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their newsletter, Pain Matters.
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)
Find local cancer information and support near you
There are organisations and support services 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.