Resources and support
There are lots of organisations, support groups and helpful books to help you cope with sex related changes 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.
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
Organisations that can help with issues of sex and sexuality
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
Prostate Cancer UK provides information and support to anyone with concerns about prostate cancer. They have a helpline, produce information and fund research into prostate cancer.
Contact form
Helpline: 0800 074 8383
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.
Sex with Cancer is an artwork, online shop and awareness campaign developed by people living with and beyond cancer. It aims to provide practical solutions, resources and information about sex and cancer.
Specific symptoms organisations
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.
Breast Cancer Now
Ibex House
42 - 47 Minories
London
EC3N 1DY
Tel: 0333 20 70 300
E-mail: hello@breastcancernow.org
Ask a nurse: Contact form
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.
Free helpline: 0800 328 4257 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)
Email: hello@colostomyuk.org
General enquires: 0118 939 1537 (between 09:00 and 17:00)
Menopause organisations
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
The Menopause Charity provides information and advice on the menopause including symptoms and HRT.
They also aim to provide support to women who are going through the menopause.
The Balance website provides a range of factsheets about menopause and issues such as mental health, nutrition and HRT. You can access the balance app through the website to track symptoms, receive personalised information and be part of an online community.
This organisation provides information about many women's health issues. For a minimum donation of £10 to cover costs, they can give personalised email advice about your reproductive, gynaecological or sexual health. Produces booklets on a range of subjects including hormone replacement therapy, menopause, hysterectomy and ovarian cysts.
The Barn
Dukes Place
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 2QH
Office telephone: 01628 890199
Contact Form
General support and information organisations
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
Booklets about cancer and sex
Sexual Advice Association
This booklet aims to help cancer patients and their partners understand sexual difficulties that may happen after cancer and ways of overcoming them. Available on the Sexual Advice Association website.
Macmillan Cancer Support
The booklet explains how cancer and cancer treatment may affect your relationships and sex life. It also gives information about coping with any changes and how to get more support. Available free to people affected by cancer from Macmillan Cancer Support by calling 0808 500 800.
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.
