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Cancer

When you or someone close to you is dealing with cancer, it's important that you get all the informaiton and guidance you need.

Thankfully, there is a lot support out there. In this section you'll find links to some of the major cancer charities and research organistions who'll be able to answer your questions via their helplines or websites.

Down the left hand side of the page you'll see there's also a list of Cancer Support Centres in and around the Glasgow and Paisley areas, where you can go, not only for information and advice, but extra care that will help you to cope with the physical and emotional strain. Cancer Care Nurses can also help in this way, offering practical advice and support through the different stages of the illness.

We've also provided links to more information on the most common types of cancer.

  • The NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde website  They will be able to give you more information about hospitals and other care services in the area.
  • Your local community library holds a range of books on cancer. If your library has a My Health Information Point, you'll also find a variety of leaflets. Ask a member of staff for help.
  • For a list of hospices in the local area see the Palliative Care Scotland website. If you have questions about hospices and palliative care see the Hospice Information website.


Information and advice online and on the phone

NHS24  08454 24 24 24

18001 08454 24 24 24 (textphone)

To find out more about cancer care call NHS24.A specially trained nurse or advisor will help you if you are ill or have health concerns about someone close to you.  They can also help you find local health services and other useful contacts. Visit www.nhs24.com for self-care advice.

The NHS24 site provides in depth information on the different types of cancer, including symptoms, treatment and prevention.


Cancerbackup  0808 800 1234

(free,  Mon–Fri 9am–8pm).

This number is also free from these mobile phone networks: 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin, Vodafone when calls are made from the UK.

Contact Cancerbackup's specialist cancer nurses to get confidential, accurate and up to date information about any aspect of cancer.

The Cancerbackup website has over 6,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

You’ll find information on symptoms, eating well, finance, daily living, relationships and dealing with the advanced stages of cancer. You’ll also be able to chat to other people who have gone through similar experiences on the online forum.


CancerHelp UK  0808 800 4040

(free, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm)

If you have a question you would like answered call Cancer Help team of Specialist Nurses on 020 7061 8355

The website offers information about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families written in plain English. This site covers topics like:

  • Specific cancers
  • Cancer testing
  • Coping with cancer
  • Personal stories


Macmillan CancerLine 0808 808 2020

0808 808 0121 (textphone)

(free, Mon–Fri  9am–9pm)

CancerLine helps people living with cancer, their family, friends and carers, by giving them cancer information that they can understand and support services in the UK. Their advisers help identify information you need and organisations best to provide it. There is also a translation service if English is not your first language.

The website also offers help and advice.

Email:

Macmillan Youthline 12-21 year olds:  0808 808 0800

(free, Mon–Fri  9am–9pm)

Email:

Why Bother is the area of the Macmillan Cancer Support site aimed specially at children and young adults.

Macmillan South Asian lines

Hindi 0808 808 0100

Punjabi 0808 808 0101

Urdu 0808 808 0102

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–9pm


Marie Curie  0800 716 146.

(free, 9am –10.30 pm)

The Marie Curie website also aims to provide the information you need. They offer a series of useful fact sheets about dealing with cancer.


The Samaritans  0845 790 9090

(free, 24 hours)

If you find the emotional stress of dealing with cancer is getting too much for you, talk to someone. Samaritans advisers will lend a sympathetic ear.


The BBC also offer useful advice about cancer in their sections on:
  • Living with Cancer: This section on the BBC focuses on common cancers - their diagnosis, treatment and care and prevention.
  • Supporting someone with cancer: The BBC look at the ways to provide practical support when you are caring for someone with cancer and how to ensure you look after yourself, so you can be there when needed most.