It's normal...
When your diagnosis of cancer was first confirmed you may well have experienced difficulty in coming to terms with your illness. You may have found that things and relationships which had been fine are now more challenging. Cancer can challenge every aspect of your life. You may feel sad, fearful, angry or ask "why me?" You may be in denial or want to avoid talking about cancer. You may feel alone. These feelings are normal. And it is okay to ask for help or to want someone to listen to your experience. Talking about cancer may be uncomfortable or upsetting, but it often helps you start to feel better. It may help to know that “around the time of a diagnosis of cancer, approximately half of all patients experience levels of anxiety and depression severe enough to affect their quality of life adversely.” For most, these feelings will subside, but if they do not then it can be invaluable to accept support from a specialist psychological or psychiatric service.
Cancer also affects family, friends and carers. If you support a loved one through cancer, you may have your own emotional needs that you want to look after. This leaflet aims to provide contact details for a range of options for managing the emotional impact of cancer that are tailored to your individual needs, whatever those may be.
Identifying the right support
If the feelings listed above are new to you the range of support options may seem overwhelming. Support ranges from casual drop-in sessions with someone who can offer a listening ear to more structured options such as counselling or psychotherapy.
Some services are labelled as offering mental health support but provide emotional support on a range of levels and are not restricted to those with specific mental health needs. This leaflet provides information intended to help you choose the right option for you. However, it might take a couple of tries until you find what works for you.
You can also ask your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or GP about local options. They will have details on referral criteria and waiting times.
Locations, opening hours and contact details are provided along with a brief description of the support that can be accessed. These are intended to help guide you in deciding which organisation might be most suited to your needs. If you would like more information, website addresses are listed to allow you to do some further research. Alternatively, a conversation with your CNS or GP can also provide further information and help with the referral process, if necessary.
This guide covers resources in Cambridgeshire. If you live further afield, your local Macmillan Information Centre, CNS or GP will be better equipped to provide you with details of local organisations that can support you. Some organisations listed in the ‘Voluntary Sector’ section are national charities and may have branches more local to you.
What to do in a mental health crisis
If you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health, dial 111 option 2. (If you are in Wisbech, dial 111 option 1 and ask the call handler to put you through to the First Response Service). Available 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The phone is answered by a trained mental health professional who will listen to your concerns and help you to get the support you need.
Resources at CUH
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
North West Anglia NHS foundation trust
Voluntary sector
All charities are accessible through self-referral. Charities where services are offered for a small fee or on a sliding scale are marked with a ‘£’.
Organisations are listed alphabetically within their category. We do not monitor the content of third-party organisations or websites nor does this list imply any association with or recommendation for that organisation.
Cancer specific
Hospice support
Other local options
Support lines
Other types of support
Support groups
Search for support groups here. (opens in a new tab)
Also, many charities for different types of cancer have support groups and helplines.
Cancer care map (opens in a new tab)
Courses
HOPE (help to overcome problems effectively) by Macmillan
The course concentrates on focusing and rediscovering your inner strengths and resilience to help you cope emotionally, psychologically and practically. Time is spent in facilitated discussions, group activities, information sharing and tools for you to try at home in between each session.
Locations: Cambridge Cancer Help Centre, or alternative options listed online or available through the Macmillan Cancer Information Centres
Take Control at Cambridge cancer help centre
The workshop brings together the most enabling and empowering aspects of the HOPE Programme, aspects which have been identified as essential to support you on your self-management journey as you strive to take control of your life. The workshop been designed to extend the option of self-management to anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis. You can attend no matter what stage you are at: whether your cancer treatment has finished or you are still currently receiving it.
Where Now? at Maggie’s
Maggie’s offer a range of courses and workshops that help you learn about living well with cancer and find support that is most appropriate for you. To find out more about the courses and workshops Maggie’s offer and to find your nearest centre please follow the link: https://www.maggies.org/cancer-support/our-support/courses-and-workshops/
Information sources
- Macmillan Website (opens in a new tab)
- Keep your head (opens in a new tab)
- Macmillan booklet: Your feelings after cancer treatment (MAC12517) (opens in a new tab) Looks at the emotional effects of cancer after treatment has ended.
- Macmillan booklet: How are you feeling? The emotional effects of Cancer (MAC11593) (opens in a new tab) Offers advice and guidance on the emotional impact of cancer.
- Macmillan Easy read booklet: Your feelings and cancer (opens in a new tab) Talks about the different emotions you might have when diagnosed with cancer, in an easy read format that uses pictures and simple language.
We are smoke-free
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus. For advice and support in quitting, contact your GP or the free NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
Other formats
Help accessing this information in other formats is available. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our patient information help page (see link below) or telephone 01223 256998. www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/accessible-information/
Contact us
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Telephone +44 (0)1223 245151
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/contact-enquiries/