Support for people living with cancer

Updated 4 February 2021

Help and information for people living with cancer

The Wales Cancer Alliance is a group of 20 cancer charities working together to make things better for people affected by cancer and their loved ones. The current pandemic of Covid-19 is no doubt making many feel worried and anxious, to support you through this we’ve produced a list of organisation’s whose support lines and information can really help.

You might want to just have a chat with a listening ear, find out more about benefits and financial support or you might have a question about your cancer that’s unrelated to Covid-19. The important thing is to know that we are there, and we are all working together to support you.

Macmillan Cancer Support

0808 808 00 00

8am-8pm everyday

Marie Curie

0800 090 2309

8am-6pm weekdays, 11am-5pm Saturdays

Bowel Cancer UK

Ask the Nurse Online Support

Prostate Cancer UK

0800 074 8383

9am-5pm Monday-Friday

Myeloma UK

0800 980 3332

9am-5pm weekdays

[email protected]

Information hub

The Brain Tumour Charity

0808 800 0004

9am-5pm weekdays

[email protected]

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust

0808 802 8000 Opening hours vary

Bloodwise

0808 208 0888

10am-4pm weekdays, 10am-1pm Wednesdays

Pancreatic Cancer UK

0808 801 0707 10am-4pm Monday to Friday or via email.

Kidney Cancer UK

01223 870008

9am-4pm weekdays, 4pm-6pm weekends

Online support available

Brain Tumour Support

Support Group Video Chats using Zoom

Dedicated Support Line available 9am-5pm Monday-Friday for friendly help and guidance – 01454 422701

Facebook Support Forum

Specialist Counselling

Maggie’s Centre

Support online, over the phone and via video chat.

0300 123 1801 (UK Support line)

9am-5pm weekdays

Local support –

Maggie’s Cardiff (at Velindre Cancer Centre) 029 2240 8024 [email protected]

Maggie’s Swansea (at Singleton Hospital) 01792 200 000/ [email protected]

Tenovus Cancer Care

0808 808 1010

9am-5pm weekdays, 10am-1pm weekends

Breast Cancer Now

0808 800 6000

10am-3pm weekdays

Cancer Research UK

0808 800 4040

9am-5pm weekdays

Target Ovarian Cancer

020 7923 5475

9am-5:30pm, weekdays

British Liver Trust

0800 652 7330

10am-2.45pm weekdays (Not on bank holidays)

[email protected]

Online support group

Clic Sargeant

Online Live Chat 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and Facebook Groups

Ray of Light Wales

Online support, emails, telephone and Skype throughout the month. Facebook page here.

Old Mill Foundation

01792 851553

Via email

Blood Cancer UK

Information and support Online community

Support line available 10am-7pm Monday-Friday/ 10am-1pm Saturday-Sunday- 0808 2080 888

If you have any questions about the content on this page, please contact: Jon Antoniazzi, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, Wales for Macmillan Cancer Support – [email protected]

Statement on changes to screening provision

Issued 20th March 2020 and updated 27 March 2020

Statement in response to changes of screening provision in Wales following Covid-19 outbreak

Following the announcement to suspend some non-urgent appointments and procedures, Welsh Government has agreed the recommendations of Public Health Wales to temporarily pause some of the population based screening programmes. This will include the cancer screening programmes, and that: bowel, breast and cervical screening. This situation will be reviewed in 8 weeks.

If you have recently received an invitation to participate in bowel screening, Bowel Screening Wales want you to hold onto the kit for now and wait until services return to normal before completing it and sending it back. Bowel Screening Wales may send you a fresh kit or contact you to re-do your test when the service returns to normal.

The decision to pause cancer screening programmes in Wales is not one that has been taken lightly. But it will mean NHS screening staff can support front line services at this difficult time. It also means that the members of the public can observe the national call for no travel except when it is essential. Screening services will be restored as soon as possible. As screening services are for people without symptoms, it is important that anyone who is worried about possible cancer symptoms contacts their GP. GPs are being asked to increase their use of phone and video consulting so people don’t need to go into the surgery.

It’s understandable that people with possible cancer symptoms may be feeling more anxious at this time. If you or your loved ones would like to speak with someone about emotional support or general advice the following organisations provide support lines. They can help you.