Living with anal cancer
There are organisations that offer information and support to help you cope with anal cancer and its treatment. There are also organisations that offer general cancer support and information.
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.
Contact our cancer information nurses
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
The following organisations have information about anal cancer. Or provide support for people living with, or caring for someone with anal cancer:
The Anal Cancer Foundation aims to help and support anal cancer patients. They are also interested in improving prevention and research methods for anal cancer and the virus that causes the majority of cases, HPV.
Kemp House 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
Email: info@analcancerfoundation.org
Tel: 0203 488 6567
Visit the Anal Cancer Foundation UK website
Bottom Line is a charity run by people living with anal cancer and those who support them. Their aim is to raise the profile of anal cancer to improve diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. They have hints and tips on getting through treatment and life afterwards. As well as personal stories from their members and an online support group.
Bowel Cancer UK raise awareness of bowel cancer and campaign for better treatments and care. They provide information about bowel cancers, including anal and rectal cancers through their website and leaflets and they have an online forum.
Nurse email: nurse@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7940 1760
Visit the Bowel Cancer UK website
These organisations provide information and support for people affected by rare cancers:
This is an alliance of over 100 organisations working to address inequality in funding for rare cancers and improving outcomes for patients.
Email : info@cancer52.org.uk
EURACAN connects patients who have rare adult solid cancer to expert health care centres across Europe.
RareCan allows people with rare cancer types to share their information with researchers. By doing this they hope to speed up the finding of new treatments and ways to diagnose people with rare cancer. RareCan also allows people to connect with other people who have a rare cancer.
These organisations provide general information and support for people affected by any type of cancer:
The ACS provides information and support for people affected by cancer. As it is an American website, not all the information is relevant for a UK audience.
The Bladder and Bowel Community supports people living with bladder and bowel disorders and has a telephone helpline. The service is confidential. They can also give you information about stoma products.
They have a 'Just Can't Wait' card which allows holders access to toilets in shops and when you are out. It's free to order on the website.
Forward House 17 High Street Henley-in-Arden B95 5AA
Home Delivery Service: 0800 031 5406
Email: help@bladderandbowel.org
Visit the Bladder and Bowel Community website
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have a cancer information helpline and information and resource centre. They provide public and professional education, rehabilitation programmes and support groups for patients and relatives.
40-44 Eglantine Avenue Belfast BT9 6DX
Cancer nurse helpline: 0800 783 3339 Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 1pm Email: nurseline@cancerfocusni.org
Find out about Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Guts UK produce information and leaflets on common digestive diseases and illnesses. This includes information about cancer of the bowel, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach.
Helpline: 0300 102 4887 (open Monday to Friday, 10am until 2pm) Email: helpline@gutscharity.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.
Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) Contact email form
Visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website
Maggie’s is a national charity with centres across the UK. They offer care and support to people affected by cancer. Each centre is beside an NHS cancer hospital and is run by specialist staff.
You can join a support group, take part in weekly sessions like relaxation and stress management, or learn about nutrition and health. You can also visit just to have a cup of tea and a friendly chat.
Phone: 0300 123 1801 Email: enquiries@maggies.org
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer.
OUTpatients charity provide help and support to the LGBTIQ+ community who are living with, or have been affected by cancer. This support includes online peer support meetings for LGBTIQ+ cancer patients and their partners and carers. The website includes information about cancer risk and screening, and the impact of cancer treatment in LGBTIQ+ people.
The charity also provide education to health professionals working in the cancer care sector.
A patient led group that promotes understanding about pelvic radiation disease. Pelvic radiation disease is a late effect of radiotherapy treatment. They support patients and campaign for more research and better treatment for this condition.
Visit the Pelvic Radiation Disease Association website
Shine is a charity working to create a community of young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experienced a cancer diagnosis.
Shine has local peer support networks across the UK and runs a number of annual events including Shine Camp (a summer camping trip) and Shine Connect, a conference for young adults with cancer, their friends and family, and healthcare professionals.
Shine also runs workshops on topics such as working after cancer and managing anxiety and depression.
Phone: 07804 479 413 Email: hi@shinecancersupport.org
Read more on the Shine Cancer Support website
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. They can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity. Whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way you’re feeling. Their helpline is open every day between 10am and 10pm. They also offer a chat and email service.
PO Box 7324 London N1 9QS
Phone number: 0800 0119 100 open from 10 am to 10 pm every day Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt
Go to Switchboard LGBTQIA+ website
Tenovus Cancer Care provides an information service on all aspects of cancer. The charity provides practical and emotional support for people with cancer and their families. They have mobile support units bring cancer treatment into local communities in Wales.
Cardiff (Head Office) Tenovus Cancer Care First Floor Jones Court Womanby Street Cardiff CF10 1BR
Support line: 0808 808 1010
Find out about Tenovus Cancer Care
Trekstock provides support, guidance and connection to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. They offer specialist advice to help young people keep active during or beyond treatment, informative events and expert information.
Some people have a as part of their treatment for anal cancer. If you have a stoma care nurse, they will help you find the right bags and products. If you don't have a stoma nurse, ask your GP or surgeon to refer you.
This is a UK support group for people with a colostomy. It provides information and support and booklets to anyone who has or is about to have a colostomy.
24 hour free helpline: 0800 328 4257 Email: hello@colostomyuk.org General enquires: 0118 939 1537 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Visit the Colostomy UK website
The following are a selection of stoma product suppliers. Some of them also have information on living with a stoma. Unfortunately we are not able to include a complete list of suppliers in the UK.
There are also handcrafted stoma covers available. These come in different shapes and sizes and are made of a wide range of fabrics. Cancer Research UK is unable to list all the different companies that make these handcrafted covers. However, if you search the internet you can find different options available.
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
There are organisations and support services in your local area that you can access. You can ask your specialist nurse or doctor for more information about cancer services near you.
The NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support in England.
NHS Inform gives information about illness, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
NHS 111 Wales gives health advice and information for people living in Wales.
The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.
Last reviewed: 12 May 2025
Next review due: 12 May 2028
Anal cancer is when abnormal cells in the anus divide in an uncontrolled way. It can start in different parts of the anus and different types of cell.
Treatments include radiotherapy with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) and surgery. For advanced cancer you might have chemotherapy or radiotherapy on their own.
If you have anal cancer, there can be practical and emotional changes you may need help and support to cope with.
After a colostomy, you'll need to adjust practically and emotionally. It can take time to get used to all these changes. But there is a lot of support available.
There are many organisations and websites that help and support people affected by cancer and its treatment.
Anal cancer is cancer that starts in the anus. The anus is also called the anal canal.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
