The Emotional Journey
Whether it is you, a family member or a friend, a cancer diagnosis often brings difficult and painful feelings. Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer can often feel as difficult as dealing with the physical, especially if you're not used to talking about your emotions. And worrying how to tell people about your cancer often gives rise to even more anxiety.
Dealing With Emotions
CancerBackup
Tel : 0800 800 1234
Web Info Source : www.cancerbackup.org.uk provides extensive information on many of the emotional effects of cancer and offers advice on how you might manage them. The website includes a list of organisations that may prove useful and a range of downloadable leaflets. In addition you can call the helpline for individual help.
Talking To Children
When an adult has cancer :
Cancerbackup
Tel :
0800 800 1234
Web Info Source : www.cancerbackup.org.uk has good information on how to talk about cancer with children aged from two to sixteen. It outlines the steps you can take to help your children understand what is happening to you and help you through this difficult time in your family life. The information is also appropriate for guardians, grandparents or carers who have cancer. It is also available as an audiotape.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Web Info Source :
www.cancertalk.org.uk has produced a booklet covering this difficult subject entitled "Talking to children when an adult has cancer" - it is available by calling the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020. The website includes a section for teachers.
When a child has cancer :
CLIC Sargent
Tel :
0800 197 0068
Web Info Source : www.clicsargent.org.uk is one of the UK's leading charities caring for children with cancer. In addition to the helpline and the website they offer a wide range of services. The information on talking to children with cancer would be helpful to anyone who finds themselves in that situation.
Counselling Services
In some situations more help is needed, often in the form of counselling.
The Cancer Counselling Trust
Tel :
020 7704 1137
Web Info Source : www.cancercounselling.org.uk is a national charity offering free, specialist face to face counselling in London and telephone counselling across the UK. They work with anyone affected by cancer.
The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
Tel : 0870 443 5252 is the primary professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. Details of local, professionally qualified practitioners are available from the BACP.
Counselling Directory
Web : www.counselling-directory.org.uk . This website provides details of a network of UK counsellors and psychotherapists, with information on their training and experience, areas of counselling covered, fees and contact details. This service is free, confidential and easy to use.
Emotional Support - Sources
Emotional support is as important as practical help to anyone affected by cancer but often it is more difficult for an individual to firstly acknowledge and then ask for the help that they need. Support can take many forms - you may feel that it would be helpful to talk with someone on a one to one basis, share experiences at a support group or you may prefer an online support network.
You will find that many of the national organisations listed in our Help and Support pages offer helpline services staffed by trained nurses; in addition to those we suggest:
Macmillan Cancer Line
Tel : 0808 808 2020, Email : cancerline@macmillan.org.uk offers help and support by phone, letter and email. There is also a translation service for people whose first language is not English. It is open from 9am to 9pm Mon to Fri.
None of these organisations offer an overnight or emergency service - if this is needed we suggest contacting The Samaritans. The Samaritans are the only organisation who offer a twenty four hour service;
Tel : 0845 790 9090
Web : www.samaritans.org.uk
Spiritual & Religious Support
When our spirit loses energy everything is much harder and we may feel very much alone, and lonely, in our ordeal. Whether you follow a recognised religion or not, the support that strengthens your spirit is available. There are organisations that can assist you at this tender time. They can help you find peace and strength - the strength to face whatever lies ahead.
Amongst them are:
The Interfaith Seminary
Tel: 08444 457004
Web : www.interfaithfoundation.org . In addition to undertaking ceremonies interfaith ministers provide one to one spiritual counselling and support. The website will explain more about their work and how you can find a minister locally.
The Brahma Kumaris
Web : www.bkwsu.org are an international multi faith, multi cultural organisation with over 40 centres in the UK. They have a branch that deals specifically with health and spiritual needs called the "Janki Foundation";
Web : www.jankifoundation.org
Religious Support
Within each of the major religions and beliefs there are organisations that are there specifically to care for people who are facing serious illness - this service is often known as "pastoral care" and can be accessed by enquiring at the local place of worship.
Most hospitals have a chaplaincy service for both patients and families. It normally includes representatives from the major faiths - all of whom would be happy to offer support.
The internet also offers contacts within each faith group for dealing with illness.
Page Updated : 13-Jul-2009