World Cancer Day 2022 | How Cancer Care Map can help you

04 February 2022 — david-allen

Cancer Care Map’s pilot site was first launched on #WorldCancerDay 2018. Over the last 4 years, the website has now grown to over 3,000 local and national support services listed across the UK. In the last month alone over 22,000 people have accessed the site to help them find the support they need.

The aim of Cancer Care Map has always been a simple one; to help those living with cancer to find care and support services whenever and wherever you need them.

With 1,000 people a day diagnosed with cancer in the UK, 1 in 2 adults are now expected to be affected by cancer in their lifetimes. With improved treatments there are now more people either surviving or living longer with cancer, which means there has never been more need for the care and support services that are a so vital for so many.

When you are first diagnosed, there are charities and support organisations that can offer help and advice when you first have concerns or are waiting for tests. It can be a very anxious time but there are lots of ways of helping you deal with things like stress, problems sleeping and anxiety. Take notes during consultations or if you are able, have a friend or family member with you. Sometimes it’s hard to take everything in and you may have further questions that you can seek help with. 

Pre-treatment, you may have lots of questions and concerns about the treatment and there are services that can help you during this time with both practical and emotional support. 

During treatment, you may have side effects that impact your day to day life. The organisations that can be found within our Cancer Care Map are there to to help you manage things such as pain relief, anxiety and nausea, as well as practical things like transport, travel and managing your family and work life. 

After treatment, when you are recovering from your medical care, further support can be found through counselling, support groups, complementary therapies, online support, financial advice and with practical things like returning to work or managing family support. 

It is important to know that support doesn’t end when the treatment finishes. Specialist organisations are there to help you navigate your life after cancer and we are proud to list an inventory of those services available to you throughout the UK.

For those that need it, there are also many organisations that are there to help you and your family and friends at the end of life; to help you have those important conversations that many find difficult; and to support you to make final plans. There is also a wealth of bereavement support available to help people following the death of a loved one.

All these organisations can be found on Cancer Care Map. Whether they are local to you, or national organisations offering online or telephone support. Simply visit our homepage, type in your postcode and search for the support you need.

We are extremely fortunate to have people share with us their experiences and express their gratitude to the wonderful organisations that have helped them through their cancer journey.

On World Cancer Day, we’d like to share with you just some of those messages of thanks:

As #WorldCancerDay comes around again, know that you are not alone. That there is help out there when you most need it. Find that support on Cancer Care Map.