Best for: Official health information and finding the right NHS service
NHS cancer information
NHS information about cancer symptoms, tests, treatment and living with cancer, with routes into urgent and routine NHS care.
Visit NHS cancer informationSupport library
Useful answers for the moment you are in.
Explore 134 carefully sourced guides covering diagnosis, treatment, everyday life, money, family, caring, advanced cancer, legacy and grief. Read one small step or stay as long as you need.
A perspective Debbie lived
Debbie chose what mattered to her when time felt limited.
Her son remembers that Debbie sometimes treated knowing she would die as a kind of superpower. For her, it created room to speak honestly and leave memories on her own terms.
There is no right way to face advanced cancer or prepare for death. This collection offers possibilities, never expectations. Keep what feels like you, change it, or leave it alone.
Explore living with limited time in your own wayReviewed 2 September 2026
Practical guides, written with care
Every guide points back to established UK sources. It offers a place to start, not a diagnosis or a replacement for professional advice.
Preparing the guide library...
Please use the right help
General information cannot know your situation.
For medical decisions or treatment concerns, contact your cancer team, GP, specialist nurse or pharmacist. Use the 24-hour number on your treatment alert card when instructed. If someone cannot stay safe or there is immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental-health routes in any UK nation, use our Get help now page.
Get urgent help contactsEstablished UK support
Find an organisation that fits
Search 25 national, local and cancer-specific services. We explain what each is best for so you can choose without opening twenty tabs.
Showing 25 trusted organisations
Best for: A broad first stop for anyone affected by cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support
Cancer information alongside emotional, practical, work and money support for people with cancer and those close to them.
Visit Macmillan Cancer SupportBest for: Detailed diagnosis and treatment information
Cancer Research UK
Evidence-based information about cancer types, tests, treatments, clinical trials and living with cancer, plus a cancer-nurse service.
Visit Cancer Research UKBest for: Face-to-face support near many NHS hospitals
Maggie’s
Free practical and emotional help online and in welcoming centres around the UK. No appointment or referral is needed to visit a centre.
Visit Maggie’sBest for: Practical rights and money problems that reach beyond cancer
Citizens Advice
Independent advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer problems and other practical issues. Services and names vary by UK nation.
Visit Citizens AdviceBest for: Checking benefits and charitable grants
Turn2us
Benefits information, a benefits calculator and a grants search for people facing financial insecurity across the UK.
Visit Turn2usBest for: Anyone providing unpaid support to somebody else
Carers UK
Advice for unpaid carers on rights, assessments, benefits, work, health, breaks and finding local support in all four UK nations.
Visit Carers UKBest for: Understanding employment options and workplace conversations
Acas
Free and impartial workplace guidance for England, Scotland and Wales, including disability, absence and reasonable adjustments.
Visit AcasBest for: Children, young people and their families
Young Lives vs Cancer
Practical, financial and emotional support for children, teenagers, young adults and their families from diagnosis onwards.
Visit Young Lives vs CancerBest for: Teenagers and young adults with cancer
Teenage Cancer Trust
Specialist information and support designed for young people with cancer, including treatment, emotions, fertility and everyday life.
Visit Teenage Cancer TrustBest for: End-of-life support, caring and bereavement
Marie Curie
Information and support around terminal illness, caring, dying, bereavement, hospice care and practical planning.
Visit Marie CurieBest for: Support after somebody has died
Cruse Bereavement Support
Bereavement information and support for adults, children and young people. Cruse Scotland operates separately.
Visit Cruse Bereavement SupportBest for: A real person to listen at any time
Samaritans
Confidential listening support by phone for anyone having a difficult time. You do not need to be suicidal to contact them.
Visit SamaritansBest for: Younger adults and the issues unique to their stage of life
Shine Cancer Support
Peer support, events and practical guides for adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are living with or beyond cancer.
Visit Shine Cancer SupportBest for: LGBTIQ+ patients, partners and chosen family
OUTpatients
Peer support, information and advocacy created with and for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer in the UK.
Visit OUTpatientsBest for: Anyone affected by breast cancer
Breast Cancer Now
Specialist breast-cancer information, nurse support, courses, events and opportunities to connect with other people affected.
Visit Breast Cancer NowBest for: Anyone affected by ovarian cancer
Target Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian-cancer information, nurse-led support, guides and ways to connect with other people who understand.
Visit Target Ovarian CancerBest for: Anyone affected by prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer UK
Clear prostate-cancer information and access to specialist nurses by phone, email or chat for patients and the people close to them.
Visit Prostate Cancer UKBest for: Anyone affected by bowel cancer
Bowel Cancer UK
Specialist bowel-cancer information and support, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and living with and beyond cancer.
Visit Bowel Cancer UKBest for: Anyone affected by blood cancer
Blood Cancer UK
Information and support for people affected by leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers.
Visit Blood Cancer UKBest for: Anyone affected by a brain tumour
The Brain Tumour Charity
Information, support and practical help for people living with a brain tumour and the family or friends around them.
Visit The Brain Tumour CharityBest for: Anyone affected by pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic Cancer UK
Specialist information and nurse support about pancreatic cancer, treatment, symptoms and everyday concerns.
Visit Pancreatic Cancer UKBest for: Cancer support in Wales
Tenovus Cancer Care
Cancer information, practical and emotional support, and community services with a particular focus on people in Wales.
Visit Tenovus Cancer CareBest for: Emotional and wellbeing support in Scotland
Cancer Support Scotland
Wellbeing, counselling and practical support for people affected by cancer across Scotland.
Visit Cancer Support ScotlandBest for: Cancer support in Northern Ireland
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Information, counselling, family support and wellbeing services for people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland.
Visit Cancer Focus Northern IrelandKeep this directory useful
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