Help & Support | Living with Cancer at Christmas

17 December 2023 — david-allen

Whilst Christmastime for many is a season of rest and relaxation, for those living with cancer, it is not always an option as the worries of treatment lay on your mind.

The good news is that there is still help at hand with helplines and online support available throughout the Christmas and New Year break.

Helplines

Marie Curie: 0800 090 2309

Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 0000

Pancreatic Cancer UK: 0808 801 0707

Breast Cancer Now: 0808 800 6000

Prostate Cancer UK: 0800 074 8383

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation: 0800 358 7200

Leukaemia Care: 08088 010 444

Apps

Did you know there are a range of apps available offering you a variety of support during your cancer journey? From specific cancer advice to relaxation and mindfulness, they can all be accessed directly from your smartphone.

Untire
Untire is an app that gives cancer patients and survivors the tools to reduce fatigue. People who suffer from cancer-related fatigue (CRF) are often mentally and physically exhausted. Untire provides tools to reduce cancer fatigue and help people get back to living life.

• Easy to use app with videos, tutorials, and daily tips
• Online support community with other CRF peers
• Comprehensive, step-by-step program

Careology
Careology is a mobile app that aims to support you before, during and post your cancer treatment.  The app uses smart technology to help you to:

•  Manage & track your symptoms and side effects 
•  Manage your medication
•  Write your journal 
•  View your calendar
•  Share your status with family and friends 

Calm
This world famous app aids sleep, and provides meditation and relaxation. It offers nature scenes and sounds to enjoy while relaxing, sleeping, video lessons on mindful movement and gentle stretching and videos to learn the skill of meditation.

Online Support

As well as online articles and advice, many organisations offer chat forums or support groups where you can ask questions to others in a similar position to yourself.

Cancer Research UK – Cancer Chat
This online forum allows people from all over the country to chat to one another in their online cancer community allowing people to share experiences and offer advice and support covering a range of topics.

Cancer Support UK
This UK charity offers a peer support course developed by experts for encouragement and emotional support. They also offer Cancer Kits including a range of practical items.

Betterhelp
E-counselling website that offers online access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counsellors. 

Macmillan Cancer Support
This online community from Macmillan is a free online place for people living with or who are affected by cancer to chat about the issues affecting them with people who have had similar experiences.