Cancer Support Services in Reading | Your Cancer Services

20 February 2022 — david-allen

Despite not being a city, the town of Reading is home to a plethora of events and culture for the UK, including the world-famous Reading Festival. It is also home to a fantastic selection of cancer support services. For our latest City Spotlight, we take a look at the town of Reading.

Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the services available may be subject to change or temporarily suspended. Contact the organisations directly to find out more.

Macmillan Cancer Information Centre

Located at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and part of the world-famous charity, this information and support centre provides practical advice and access to services such as emotional support, benefits advice, physical and wellbeing support, and signposting to support groups and local activities for everyone affected by cancer including families and carers. 

Berkshire Cancer Centre

Providing cancer services to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis across Berkshire and areas of south Oxfordshire. The centre’s vision is to provide care as close to home as possible and delivers care across several sites in the region. They offer a wide range of the latest treatments as well as complementary, holistic and rehabilitation care, plus there have been several video services via their website during the pandemic. 

Reading Bladder Cancer Support Group

Run entirely by volunteers and funded by public donation, this is a support group for men and women who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer and, importantly, also for their carers, families and partners. They provide the opportunity to talk to other group members about their treatments and experiences, and ask medical guest speakers questions related to bladder cancer. During the pandemic meetings have been held online, check the website for latest details. 

Reading Prostate Support Group

If you have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer then this group offers a chance to talk to other sufferers and get some practical advice. This support service offers information, support, and help, in a social setting in which group members can converse at regular group meetings and social functions.

Duchess of Kent Hospice

Supported by the Sue Ryder charity this local hospice provides palliative care and support for people who are living with a life-limiting condition, as well as supporting their families. It also offers a hospice at home service for people in the local community who prefer to receive palliative care at home and combine specialist medical care for managing pain and other symptoms, with other emotional, practical, and spiritual support.

Rutherford Cancer Centre – Thames Valley

Private medical centre providing diagnostic technology and treatments including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, proton beam therapy, as well as supportive wellbeing services. Located at Thames Valley, Reading, the centre has staff consisting of a multi-disciplinary team of trained registered professionals including clinical and medical oncologists, therapy radiographers, medical physicists and dosimetrists, nurses, and supportive care teams. 

If you have used or know of any cancer support services in Reading or beyond, visit our website to add a service to our Cancer Care Map.