We understand it can be very difficult coping with a diagnosis of bowel cancer, both practically and emotionally.
At first, you are likely to feel upset, frightened and confused, or you may feel that things are out of your control. But help is on hand.
It is very important to get the right information about your condition and know how it is best treated. Well-informed individuals are more able to make decisions and cope with what happens.
Rest assured, there is incredible help available: please see our A to Z of further support, where you can find out more about what is available. Each offers advice to support you emotionally, practically, financially, and physically, and includes factors such as employment, diet and living with a stoma bag, should you need one.
Remaining positive is one of the best things you can do to ease the burden on yourself. You’ll realise that you’re not alone and there are lots of fantastic people out there who will do all they can to assist you.
A to Z of Further Support
We hope you’ll be comforted to know that there is a lot of free support out there for patients, friends and family of bowel cancer sufferers.
Click on the name to go directly to the appropriate website to find further information and contact details:
ACAS (www.acas.org.uk)
Support and advice for employers and employees involved in disputes at work.
Bladder and Bowel Community (www.bladderandbowel.org)
Support and advice for people with bladder and bowel control problems.
Bowel Screening Scotland ( Bowel screening in Scotland | NHS inform)
Health information for those living or visiting Scotland
Bowel Screening Wales (Bowel Screening – Public Health Wales (nhs.wales))
Provides information about bowel cancer and bowel cancer screening in Wales.
Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org)
Information for people affected by all types of cancer. Speak to a nurse for advice and support
Carer’s Trust (Home – Carers Trust)
Information, advice and practical support to all carers across the UK. Services such as complementary therapies, training courses, and information on benefits and counselling may be available in your area.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (www.csp.org.uk)
Website includes information on physiotherapy and cancer.
Citizens Advice (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)
Free, confidential advice on money, work and housing.
Colostomy UK (www.colostomyuk.org)
Support, reassurance and information to anyone who needs or currently has a colostomy.
Daisy Network (www.daisynetwork.org)
Provides support and information for women who have experienced a premature menopause.
FAP Gene Support (The FAP Gene Support Group)
Group
Provides information for people affected by FAP which causes hundreds or thousands of small polyps to grow in the large bowel.
Fertility Network UK (Fertility Network (fertilitynetworkuk.org)
Support, information and advice on fertility and NHS funding.
Healthtalk.org (Healthtalk)
Watch online videos of people sharing their stories about health issues including bowel cancer.
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (www.hfea.gov.uk)
Information on fertility clinics.
IA (Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association) (www.iasupport.org)
A national charity with a network of support groups run by and for people with ileostomies and internal pouches.
Lynch Syndrome UK (www.lynch-syndrome-uk.org)
Raises awareness of Lynch Syndrome and provides information and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support (www.macmillan.org.uk)
Provides information and support for people with cancer including advice on finance, work, treatment and coping with cancer.
Maggie’s (www.maggies.org)
Centres across the UK provide free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer as well as their family and friends.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (www.nice.org.uk)
National guidance and advice to improve health and social care including information on diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer.
NHS bowel cancer screening programme – England (www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening)
Provides information about bowel cancer screening in England.
NHS Business Services Authority (www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk)
Information on health cost support in England, Scotland and Wales.
NHS Change4Life (www.nhs.uk/healthier-families)
Life Advice on making healthy changes to your life.
NHS Choices (Your choices in the NHS – NHS (www.nhs.uk))
The UK’s biggest health website.
NHS Live Well (Live Well – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Information on how you can improve your health and well-being
Penny Brohn Cancer Care (Penny Brohn UK – Cancer wellbeing for everyone)
Supports people to live well with cancer by offering a range of services, including wellbeing courses and complementary therapies.
Shine Cancer Support home – Cancer support charity for young people – Shine (shinecancersupport.org)
A network for anyone living with cancer in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Teenage Cancer Trust (www.teenagecancertrust.org)
Provide services and support for young people with cancer between the ages of 13 and 24.
UK Clinical Trials Gateway Clinical trials – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Information about clinical research trials running in the UK.
Urostomy Association (The Urostomy Association – Support for patients and carers)
Support and information for people with, or considering, a urinary diversion
World Cancer Research Fund (www.wcrf-uk.org)
Evidence based information on ways to reduce your risk of cancer