Help may be close at hand

As the adverts say it can be "good to talk" especially to someone who understands the experience and emotions you may be going through right now. There are a number of national organisations and voluntary groups which offer advice and support to people with cancer, their families and carers, which provide a wide range of information, advice and practical help. Among them are:

Cancerbackup - 3 Bath River Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JR (Tel: freephone 0808 800 1234, landline 0207 696 9003) Emotional support and practical advice in writing or by telephone; range of free publications and a newspaper.
Breast Cancer Service - Kiln House, 210 New King's Road, London SW6 4NZ (Tel:0171 384 2344) Free help, information and support for patients, families and carers.
British Colostomy Association - IS Station Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1LG (Tel: 0118 9391537) Providing support for patients who have a stoma following bowel surgery and their carers.
CALL (Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Link) -The Kerith Centre, Church Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1EH (Tel: 01344 304080) Provides support and non-medical information to families affected by childhood cancer or leukaemia.
Cancer Care Society - Jane Scarth House, 39 The Hundred, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 8GE (Tel: 01794 830374) Social and emotional support for cancer patients and carers through a network of local branches.
Colon Cancer Concern - 4 Ricken Street London 5W6 IRU (Tel: 0I7I 381 4711 Mon- Fri 10.00-4.00,24 hr answerphone) Provides information on all aspects of colorectaI cancer.
Hodgkin's Disease and Lymphoma Association -P0 Box 275 Haddenham,Aylesbury; Berkshire (Tel: 01844 291500) Information and support for lymphoma sufferers and carers. Quarterly newspaper and videos available; national network of helpers.
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group -P0 Box 132, Scunthorpe. PN15 9YW (Tel: 01724 720150) Give practical and emotional support for patients who undergo bowel surgery resulting in the formation of an ileostomy or internal pouch. The group has local contacts.
The Leukaemia Care Society - 14 Kingfisher Court,Venny Bridge, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon EX4 8JN (Tel: 01392 464848) Promotes the welfare of leukaemia sufferers and allied blood disorders. Free newsletters and publications.
Macmillan Cancer Support - freephone 0808 808 2020 e-mail:cancerline@macmillan.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk
National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs - Ground Floor 6 Rickett Street, London SW6 I RU (Tel: 0171 3819993) NALC provides information and support to pre and post operative Laryngectomees friends and carers.
Prostate Cancer Charity - Du Cane Road, London W 12 0NN (Tel: 0181 3831948) Free information and a telephone helpline manned by a nurse counsellor Thursday and Friday Mornings Only.