Other Cancer Support Groups
A separate leaflet on groups in S.E Wales is
available from your nurse, patient information
manager, cancer centre or RCT Library.
A directory of national and local support
groups and charities is available from your
local library
Library Support
Macmillan Cancer Information in Libraries
Cancer Information is available in all RCT
Libraries as a result of collaboration between
RBF, Macmillan and the RCT Library Service.
Librarians have been trained to help patients,
carers and family members access the right
information which may help at each stage of
your cancer diagnosis, treatment and after
care.
This service supplements the personalised
information you will be given at your
hospital consultations.
All RCT libraries and mobile libraries have a
limited stock with an order service for
additional titles.
Lists of recommended websites are available
at all libraries with computers and staff to help
access the information sites.
During Treatment
 Information on individual treatments and their side
effects
 Diet and living with changes in eating
 Cancer and complementary therapies
 Relationships and sexuality
 Controlling the symptoms of cancer: coping with hair loss,
breathlessness, fatigue, pain, lymphoedema, fertility, etc.
Follow up after treatment
 The cancer survivor’s guide provides emotional and
practical information for people who have finished their
cancer treatment.
Palliative care
 Booklets for practical, emotional, end-of-life and other
support available.
Carers
 Hello and how are you? – practical tips for caring for
someone with cancer
 Lost for words – how to talk to someone with cancer
 Caring for someone with advanced cancer
 Working while caring for someone with cancer.
Other Carers Support and Services
Rhondda Cynon Taf Carers Support Project
Tel: 0808 100 1801
Examples of information kept at local
libraries which may help at various stages:
At diagnosis
 The cancer guide to treatment and care
 A guide for young people living with cancer
 Cancer and older people
 Financial advice, benefits and grants
 The emotional effects of cancer
 Talking about your cancer
 Talking to children when an adult has
cancer
 Illustrated children’s books following a
cancer journey
A guide for patients & carers to
Cancer Services available in Rhondda
Cynon Taf
Support available to you ...
This leaflet is aimed at providing a brief guide to the
information and support available for people touched by
cancer in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
A diagnosis of cancer is a devastating experience for most
people. When first told they have cancer, many people feel
shocked, numb and unable to believe what is happening or
to feel any emotion.
At first you may find that all you can take in is the fact you
have cancer. You may panic or feel sick. You may ask the
same questions over and over again – this is a common
reaction to shock. You may find it hard to talk about your
illness with family and friend; others need to discuss it with
everyone. Taking a family member or friend with you to
hospital appointments may help to support you at this time.
The diagnosis and treatment may make you feel a range of
strong emotions, such as fear, anger, sadness or depression,
which can be frightening and difficult to deal with. Carers
and family members can also be similarly affected.
Your consultant is there to help you understand and will be happy to
answer any questions, so don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t
understand something.
Macmillan Cancer Information Service in RCT Libraries
makes quality cancer information easily accessible to
everyone in RCT. (See Overleaf)
Your Cancer Nurse Specialist or appointed nurse can answer your
questions and give you written information on your cancer to take
away and read
Breast Cancer Care Tel: 0808 800 6000
Provides information and support online, by phone and
face to face.
Name……………………………………………….
NHS Direct Wales: Information and about specific cancers
and treatments and DIY Information Prescriptions.
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
Tel …………………………………………………..
Patient Information Manager, Velindre
Tel: 029 2019 6132
Macmillan Information & Support Radiographer
Tel 029 2061 5888 Ext. 6428
Lymphoedema Specialist
Tel: 029 2061 5888 Ext. 6286
Benefits Advice
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Benefitting Families Project
Tel: 01443 668813
(For Rhondda Cynon Taf residents with dependant children)
Rhondda Cynon Taf 50+
Welfare Rights Project
Tel: 01443 668888
(For Rhondda Cynon Taf residents aged over 50)
Both Projects will take self-referrals and both do home visits
Helplines (Patients, Relatives and carers)
 Breast Cancer Care: 0808 800 6000
 Cancer Care line: 01495 22 1660 (24/7)
 Macmillan: 0808 808 0000
 Tenovus: 0808 808 10 10
 NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47
Cancer Centres
Drop-in-centres: information and support to include
transport, counselling and therapies for those whose lives
have been touched by cancer, including relatives and
carers. Ring the centre for full details
Rhondda Breast Friends
Cancer support group, Tel: 01443 687556
Rowen Tree Cancer Care (RCT)
Tel: 01443 479369
Macmillan Online Benefits Guide
www.macmillan.org.uk/howwecanhelp/financialsupport/benefits
madeclear.aspx
Cancer Support Groups in RCT
In the Pink (Merthyr Cynon Valley)
Breast Cancer Support Group
Tel: 01685 728654
Tenovus Benefits Advice, Counselling, Therapies, Practical Support &
Advice.
Tel: 0808 808 1010
Pontyclun Bosom Pals
Breast Cancer Support Group
Tel: 01443 237997
Other Support & Services
Beth (Beyond Everything There’s Hope)
Tel: 01443 671974
Financial Support for people who are affected by cancer.
Rhondda Breast Friends
Breast Cancer Support Group
Tel: 01443 687556