Please find below links useful to cancer patients. They are in alphabetical order (disregarding “the”).
After cancer is a website written by cancer survivor Verite Reily Collins. She shares her experiences and detailed and well-researched information on how cancer affects you during and after treatment and what to do about it.
The Breast Radiotherapy Injury Rehabilitation Service (BRIRS) is a nationwide service for breast cancer survivors living with Brachial Plexus Injury after radiotherapy treatment. This type of injury is rare but BRIS offers free NHS treatment to any patient registered with a GP in England. For further information, please email candy.mccabe@rnhrd.nhs.uk or ring the BRIRS administrator on 01225 473 481.
Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support provide support for anyone affected by any cancer in the Axminster and Lyme area. There are regular drop-in sessions with an opportunity for a friendly chat both in Axminster and Lyme, we are able to support people with treatments to help with side effects such as anxiety as well as a selection of activities proven to help people living with and beyond cancer.
Bristol Homeopathic Hospital. You can ask your GP for a referral.
CANCERactive is a complementary and integrative cancer charity. Chris Woollams’ latest newsletter covers research on healing your gut, a peptide that attacks cancer cells, preparing yourself for surgery and much else.
Cancer Hair Care is a charity that aims at helping cancer patients to look good through their illness and into recovery. They try to take the mystery out of hair loss, new hair growth, scalp care, wigs and headscarves. Please visit their website for advice, ideas for new looks, support and practical advice.
Chaplaincy at Dorset County Hospital provides a 24 hour service. Person-centred care, a listening ear, confidential support and advocacy for anyone who needs it (of any faith or none), including outpatients. Email Rev Ron Martin: ron.martin@dchft.nhs.uk
DIRECTORY OF SERVICES (Dorset Macmillan Health Information & Support Project) will be updated every 6 months
Dorset Advocacy provides a voice for Dorset residents with physical, mental or learning disabilities and those who are frail due to age. The charity helps protect rights and gain equality of opportunity.
The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation supports Dorset based cancer patients and their families as individuals as well as providing grants and financial support to other Dorset based cancer related organisations.
Dorset Mobility Solutions is an independent consultancy which provides free advice on mobility issues.
Ellie’s Friends was set up by the Eleonor Rose Foundation in memory of Ellie Jeffery. The site connects individuals and those who care for them with people who have a skill, service or product to offer. Services may be offered free of charge or at a reduced rate to help people living with cancer.
Elizabeth Finn Care is a national charity offering direct financial support to individuals in need. Turn2us helps many individuals to gain access to the money available to them in welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help.
FACT is a trust that helps women recovering from illness by providing grants covering some medical costs. Please visit their website for further details.
The Force Cancer Centre, Exeter, is our nearest cancer care centre offering many facilities, well worth a visit.
Fortuneswell Cancer Trust supports the Fortuneswell Unit (haematology and chemotherapy) at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, and the Fortuneswell Cancer Ward there.
Hair Loss in Women is a national health organisation committed to the education and support of women suffering from hair loss.
Lewis-Manning Hospice, Poole, supports patients from diagnosis through to end of life, however short or long that time may be.
Look Good…Feel Better is a charity which holds free skin care and make-up workshops to help combat the visible side effects of cancer treatment and, in turn, boost confidence and wellbeing. They hold workshops at Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital, The Force, Exeter and regular shorter masterclasses at The Living Tree in Bridport.
LYLAC is a Social Enterprise based in the Hampshire/Dorset area. LYLAC was founded in 2008 by two cancer survivors who are qualified life coaches.
While the two women recognize that most cancer-related information is available (online) these days, what a lot of cancer patients are missing is the experience of a fellow-survivor that doesn’t need any explanation, someone who’s been in the same boat, someone to help them identify personal needs and goals in a professional way. For this purpose LYLAC offers workshops, often in conjunction with Breast Cancer Care or Macmillan.
The Lymphoedema Support Network is a patient-led charity providing information and support for people affected by lymphoedema. They provide telephone information, quarterly newsletters, fact sheets other lymphoedema-related information.
Macmillan Cancer Support provides excellent practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. Comprehensive website.
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres There are no centres in the South West yet.
The MAP Foundation (Making Arts Personal) provides a place for people to come together as a community to share their artwork and tell their stories. The MAP Foundation was founded in 2002 by artist Michele Angelo Petrone.
My Health My Way is a non-clinical personal support service for people living in Dorset whose daily lives are affected by a health condition. They provide one-to-one coaching, telephone support, group work, online tools and structured support groups. You can ring them on 0303 303 0153, email using info@myhealthdorset.org.uk or visit their website.
The service is provided by My Health Dorset Partnership for the NHS in Dorset.
The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative is a partnership between the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support, supported by NHS Improvement. Its aim is to ensure that those living with and beyond cancer get the care and support they need to lead as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long as possible.
Penny Brohn Centre, Bristol, is a groundbreaking cancer centre supporting men and women affected by cancer at any stage of their illness, as well as their families and supporters. It runs highly recommended residential courses.
Riprap, a support group for young people who have a parent with cancer.
Rising Voices is a community singing group for people living with and beyond cancer in Dorset, Hants and Wiltshire. In addition to the main choir based in Poole, there is a small singing group in Bridport connected to The Living Tree. Please visit our current events page for dates or contact Jo.
Thyroid Cancer Support West is a patient-led support group. It aims to provide support for anyone affected by thyroid cancer in the West of England. Support is given through meetings and by email. The group is also developing a “buddy” system
Weldmar Hospicecare Trust provides specialist palliative care in north, south and west Dorset, including holistic therapies.
Wessex Cancer Trust provide one-off grants for extra expenses to cancer patients within the Wessex region and have two holiday caravans available in New Milton and Weymouth.
In 2014 the World Cancer Research Fund International published this report on Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Survivors. Itexamines the influence of certain dietary and life style aspects on the survival rate of people with breast cancer.