Breathing problems resources and support

Asthma and Lung UK (previously The British Lung Foundation) provide information on all types of lung conditions. They run support groups across the country and produce a newsletter and other publications. They raise funds for research into lung disease.

Helpline: 0300 222 5800

Asthma and Lung UK website

Macmillan Cancer Support

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

Visit the Maggie’s website

Marie Curie runs 9 centres (hospices) throughout the UK. And a nationwide Marie Curie nursing service, providing care for patients in their own homes throughout the day or night, free of charge.

Head Office: One Embassy Gardens 8 Viaduct Gardens London SW11 7BW

Support line: 0800 090 2309. For emotional support and practical advice about terminal illness, including for family and friends. The support line is open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 4pm Saturday to Sunday.

Find out about Marie Curie

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is a UK charity dedicated to defeating lung cancer. It funds research into early diagnosis and provides support to patients and their families. It also helps people to stop smoking and provides anti smoking education materials for children and young people.

People affected by lung cancer can share experiences through the foundation's network of support groups and the online discussion forum.

Lung Cancer Helpline: 0333 323 7200 

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

For general health advice and information.

NHS website

NHS 111 online gives information if you need fast medical help but it's not a 999 emergency. 

Information about NHS 111 online

NHS Inform gives information about illnesses, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.

NHS Inform website

NHS 24 is a confidential telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland. It provides urgent advice out of hours.

Phone: 111

NHS 24 website

Hospice UK answers enquiries about any aspect of hospice care. The website includes a directory of hospice services in the UK and Ireland.

Telephone: 0207 520 8200

Visit the Hospice UK website

Offers mobility aids at low cost to help both elderly people and disabled adults and children. Has an extensive range of daily living aids and disability equipment. 

Complete Care Shop 330 Four Oaks Rd Walton Summit Centre Preston PR5 8AP

Phone: 0300 1000 248 (Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm) Email: customerservice@completecareshop.co.uk

Visit the Complete Care Shop website

Living Made Easy is part of the Shaw Trust. It provides information and advice on equipment and aids to help with daily living.

Email: lme-enquires@shaw-trust.org.uk

Go to the Living Made Easy website

A charity that is being run entirely by volunteers. They provide support, advice, and help to people affected by chronic pain and those close to them.

Telephone Pain line: 0345 603 1593 (Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm) Email: aopisat@btinternet.com

Write to: Action on Pain, 2 Mill Close, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, PE34 4JG

Visit the Action on Pain website

This website provides patient information and a decision aid tool to help explain malignant pleural effsuion, how it can be managed and what priorities & preferences patients and carers may wish to think about when making treatment decisions.  The content has been co-produced by patients, carers and clinicians through dedicated focus groups. It uses short animations to explain the condition and treatment options.

My pleural effusion journey

A support group for anyone who suffers from chronic pain. They deliver self management training to help those with chronic pain.

Freephone: 0800 783 6059 (Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm) Email: info@painassociation.com

Visit the Pain Association Scotland website

Pain Concern offers information and support to people with pain and those who care for them. They run a helpline staffed by volunteers and have an online forum called HealthUnlocked for members to share experiences. You can listen to podcasts that feature interviews with experts and people managing their pain. You can also subscribe to their newsletter, Pain Matters.

Helpline: 0300 123 0789 Email: help@painconcern.org.uk

Visit the Pain Concern website

College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) provides information about what help and therapy is available for sexual difficulties.

Telephone: 020 8106 9635 Email: info@cosrt.org.uk

Visit the COSRT website

Relate offers private and confidential counselling, and psychosexual therapy to help with relationship problems. They provide counselling over the phone, through a webcam or face to face at a Relate centre. Clients are asked to contribute towards the cost of their counselling sessions according to their income.

Visit the Relate website

Relationships Scotland provides relationship counselling, family mediation, child contact centres and other family support services across all of mainland and island Scotland.

InfoLine: 0345 119 2020 (open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)

Email: enquiries@relationships-scotland.org.uk

Relationships Scotland

A Bloch and others American Cancer Society, 2010 ISBN 978-0944235782

An American book but most of the information is relevant to the UK. It covers issues such as preventing weight loss and coping with dehydration, fatigue, and infection. It also discusses eating problems and digestion issues, such as swallowing problems, feeling sick and dealing with mouth sores. Focuses on survivorship and how to eat well after treatment.

Coping with Chemotherapy

Dr Terry Priestman Sheldon Press, 2009 ISBN 978-1847090805

Gives information about chemotherapy, its side effects, and how to cope with them. Also discusses the effect of chemotherapy on everyday life, including tiredness, sex life and fertility, social life, work, holidays, exercise and diet.

Dr Terry Priestman Sheldon Press, 2007 ISBN 978-0859699990

Gives information about radiotherapy, its side effects, and how to cope with them. Also discusses the effect of radiotherapy on everyday life, including social life, work, travel, exercise and diet.

A Ko, E Rosenbaum and M Dollinger Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009 ISBN 9780740786310

The author and contributors of this book are all American cancer specialists. The book covers how cancer is diagnosed, treated and managed day to day.

Jane Freeman Sheldon Press, 2012 ISBN 978-1847091413

Written by a cancer dietitian, this is a practical handbook for people with cancer. Filled with helpful tips and recipes.

J F Kelvin and L B Tyson Jones and Bartlett Publishing, 2010 ISBN 978-0763777609

An American book which gives both doctor’s and patient’s views on coping with the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. It has information about treatment for pain, nausea, tiredness, and other symptoms.

SL Rose and RT Hara Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009 ISBN 0763762571

An American book which gives information about caring for someone with cancer, including how to support them when they have symptoms or side effects.

Ian Banks J H Haynes & Co Ltd, 2009 ISBN 978-1844258086

A practical guide to sexual health and enjoyment.

S Kydd and D Rowett Big Think Media, 2006 ISBN 0978810805

A responsible guide featuring personal stories and expert voices. Intimacy after Cancer takes an in-depth look at how women respond to, deal with, and overcome barriers to intimacy after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.