Prostate cancer resources and support organisations
There are many organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with prostate 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.
Prostate cancer support organisations
Prostate Cancer 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
Tackle Prostate Cancer
The National Federation of Prostate Cancer Support Groups is an organisation of over 80 UK patient-led prostate cancer support groups and acts as the voice of patients. It has a helpline and website and campaigns under the name Tackle Prostate Cancer.
Helpline: 0800 035 5302
Email: helpline@tackleprostate.org
infopool the patient resource
infopool is the patient information website for the charity, Prostate Cancer Research. This website provides information about prostate cancer, a clinical trials finder and includes hundreds of real stories from people affected by prostate cancer. You can also share your own story via the website.
Prostate Cancer: Knowing your options
This website, produced by the East England Cancer Alliance, is aimed at patients with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer that has not spread. It provides information about the management of prostate cancer. It should be used in consultation with a healthcare professional.
Support organisations for specific side effects
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 Sign Up: 0800 031 5406
Home Delivery Service Existing Customers: 0800 031 5407
Email: help@bladderandbowel.org
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
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
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Tel: 0345 3 30 30 30 (Monday - Friday 10am to 10pm)
Email: info@lgbt.foundation
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
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)
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
General support 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
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
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer.
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.
Books about prostate cancer
Pamela Ellsworth
Jones and Bartlett publishers, 2014
ISBN 978-1284052442
A detailed book about all aspects of prostate cancer. Has tips on ways of managing the effects of treatment such as erection problems and urinary incontinence. It is written for the American audience so some aspects are not relevant to UK readers.
David Bostiwick
American Cancer Society, 2006
ISBN 0-944235-54-9
A comprehensive about prostate cancer, which discusses the latest advances in prevention, early detection, treatment options and how to cope with emotional stresses and physical side effects.
Dr Tom Smith
Sheldon Press, 2010
ISBN 978-1847091048
Dr Tom Smith is the Guardian doctor. This book gives an overview of prostate cancer, describes the many treatments available, and presents the latest research.
P Scardino and J Kelman
Avery, 2010
ISBN 9781583333938
Written by a specialist in America, this book provides information about all aspects of prostate cancer, including prevention, treatment and self help tips.
M Rayman, K Gibbons and K Dilley
Kyle Books, 2009
ISBN 978-1856268691
A cook book that provides recipes based on healthy eating guidance that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
R Alterowitz and B Alterowitz
Da Copa Lifelong Books, 2004
ISBN 9780738207896
A description of sexual changes due to prostate treatment. Written by a prostate cancer survivor and his wife. Discusses impotence in lay terms and has information on the treatments available as well as practical advice about lovemaking.
Sheldon Marks
Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2009
ISBN 978-0738213477
Looks at coping with your emotions, dealing with changes to your lifestyle and treatments.
Books about cancer and treatment
J F Kelvin and L B Tyson
Jones and Bartlett Publishing, 2010
ISBN 978-0763777609
An American book which gives both doctor’s and patient’s views on coping with the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. It has information about treatment for pain, nausea, tiredness, and other symptoms.
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.
A Ko, E Rosenbaum and M Dollinger
Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009
ISBN 9780740786310
The author and contributors of this book are all American cancer specialists. The book covers how cancer is diagnosed, treated and managed day to day.
Information about eating well
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.
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.
Booklets and factsheets
These include:
- Know Your Prostate: a guide to common prostate problems
- Understanding the PSA test: A guide for men concerned about prostate cancer
- How prostate cancer is diagnosed
- A Guide for men just diagnosed
- Prostate cancer facts for gay and bisexual men
- Managing side effects pack
- The Tool Kit (a set of factsheets on prostate cancer)
Prostate Cancer UK has many publications, view the full list at Publications.
Booklets from Macmillan include:
- Understanding advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer
- Having tests for prostate cancer
- Early (localised) prostate cancer
- Bone health
- Symptoms of prostate cancer - easy read
- Managing your energy costs
- Treatment for prostate cancer - easy read
View the full list of booklets available from Macmillan Cancer Support.
Booklets are available from The Royal Marsden website. They include:
- Insertion of gold markers before radiotherapy to the prostate
- Stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer
- Low dose rate prostate brachytherapy
- Preparing the bowel and bladder before radiotherapy to the prostate and prostate bed
- Preparing for SABR to your prostate
You can view and download the Royal Marsden Hospital booklets for free on this website.
Videos of people's stories
Find out about the experience of living with and beyond cancer by seeing and hearing people share their personal stories on film. Healthtalk’s researchers created a library of interviews with people who have survived for 5 years or more after a cancer diagnosis.
Find out what people said about issues such as lifestyle choices, physical effects and the impact on work and family.
The Prostate Cancer UK website also has videos of men’s experiences at Real Life Stories.
Find local cancer information and support
The NHS website helps you to find local cancer information and support in England.
