Guest Blog | Deaf Cancer Support Project

04 May 2026 — lia-rogers

This guest blog comes from Deaf Cancer Support who provide support, care and advocacy for deaf people affected by cancer. Being able to communicate your own language when facing something as difficult as cancer should be a given. This project, in partnership with Macmillan, is working to make that happen. 

In 2018, members of the Deaf community began speaking openly about something that had been quietly happening for years. Deaf people diagnosed with cancer were not only dealing with fear, treatment, and uncertainty — they were also struggling to access clear information in their own language. Appointments were stressful. Medical jargon was overwhelming. Questions sometimes went unanswered.

Out of those honest conversations, the Deaf Cancer Support Project was created in Nottingham. What started as a local response to a very real problem has since grown into a national service, supporting Deaf communities across the UK since 2022.

At its core, the project exists for one simple reason: no one facing cancer should have to fight communication barriers at the same time.

What We Do

The Deaf Cancer Support Project is about connection and understanding. We provide one-to-one support directly in British Sign Language (BSL), giving people the space to talk openly about their diagnosis, treatment, fears, and hopes. Being able to communicate in your own language — without delay, confusion, or cultural misunderstanding — can make an enormous difference.

We also offer advocacy support for medical appointments. This helps individuals feel more confident, more informed, and more in control of decisions about their own care. Complex medical information is translated into accessible BSL videos, removing the heavy reliance on written leaflets that may not fully meet Deaf people’s needs.

Peer support opportunities bring Deaf people affected by cancer together. In these spaces, experiences are shared, advice is exchanged, and people realise they are not alone. We also provide support for Deaf family members and carers, who often need guidance and reassurance themselves.

Cancer is overwhelming. Our aim is to make it feel more manageable.

Who We Support

Our services are designed for Deaf adults who use British Sign Language and are living with or affected by cancer. This includes people who are newly diagnosed, those going through treatment, survivors adjusting to life beyond cancer, and Deaf relatives or carers supporting someone they love.

We recognise that every cancer journey is different. Support is always personalised, shaped around the individual rather than a standard programme.

Accessibility Comes First

Accessibility is not an added feature of our service — it is the foundation. All support is delivered in BSL, ensuring communication is clear, culturally sensitive, and respectful. Information is provided in accessible formats, including video resources. When we meet face-to-face, venues are chosen to accommodate people with mobility needs.

Most importantly, we listen. If someone has specific requirements, we adapt wherever possible to ensure they feel comfortable and fully supported.

Why It Matters

The most powerful moments in our work are often the simplest. It might be someone saying they finally understand their treatment plan. It might be a person who arrived feeling anxious and leaves feeling reassured. It might be a smile that wasn’t there before.

Many people tell us they felt truly “heard” for the first time in their cancer journey. Others describe the support as “a huge relief” or “life-changing.” Being understood in your own language during one of the most vulnerable times in your life should not be a luxury — it should be a given.

Our Team and Values

We are a small but dedicated team of project coordinators, BSL-fluent support workers, volunteers, and outreach staff. Some of our team members have personal experience of cancer, and all have strong ties to the Deaf community. We combine professional knowledge with empathy and lived understanding.

Our work is guided by equality, dignity, compassion, and empowerment. In three words, we are: compassionate, inclusive, and empowering.

Looking Ahead

The Deaf Cancer Support Project operates as a charitable initiative, funded through grants, donations, and community fundraising. Continued support allows us to reach more Deaf people who need accessible cancer support.

If you would like to help, you can donate, organise a fundraiser, volunteer your time, or simply help spread the word.

And if you are feeling unsure about contacting us, please know this: you will be met with patience, kindness, and respect. There is no pressure — just support, in your language, at your pace.

No Deaf person should face cancer feeling isolated or unheard. We are here to make sure they don’t have to.