Living with cancer is hard, but, with so much help and support available and the diagnosis and treatment of cancer improving all the time, more people are living with the condition long beyond their diagnosis.
Living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis
Everyone will respond to a cancer diagnosis in their own way and it will be typical to feel angry, confused and unsure about what to do next.
Your medical team will be able answer your questions and provide immediate advice and support.
Your doctors and nurses can also give you a hand finding support groups to help you come to terms with your diagnosis, get involved with activities and things to do, and put you in touch with people that know what you are going through.
Cancer support groups in Solihull
There are number of cancer support groups in the borough and the ones below may be a good starting point:
- Breast Friends Solihull for emotional and practical support if you are living with breast cancer
- Solihull Prostate Cancer Group which provides support for prostate cancer patients
- Sutton Coldfield Cancer Support Centre which offers complementary therapies, support groups and counselling services
- Help Harry Help Others drop in cancer support centre in Birmingham for anyone affected by cancer from across the West Midlands
You can also download the Living with and beyond cancer in Solihull document to your own computer for details of regular and one off events.
Staying healthy after a cancer diagnosis
If you have had a cancer diagnosis, it is important to look after your physical health, your general wellbeing and stay as active as you can. You may want to think about:
Advice, information and support are also available in your local community. Provided by charities and community groups, as well as professional care providers, help is available throughout Solihull.
Community Advice Hubs
To sit down and discuss what help and advice is available with somebody in person, you can visit the Community Advice Hubs. The hubs are presented and managed by Age UK Solihull for Solihull Council with support from other organisations, including the Health Exchange Health Trainers, in:
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan works to improve the lives of people living with cancer and their friends and family in Solihull.
With Macmillan cancer support you can:
- call 0808 808 00 00 for a chat
- find a support group and other opportunities near you
All libraries in Solihull also have Macmillan information and advice and you can also visit the Health Hubs in Chelmsley Wood library and Hobs Moat library.
Help after cancer treatment
If you have had treatment for your cancer, you can also find out about:
- help for your life after cancer from the NHS Choices website
- help after you leave hospital
- help you can have to relearn skills and get recover well
Planning for the future
It you have received a terminal diagnosis for cancer it is perfectly normal to fear for the future.
From worrying about your care to sorting out your personal affairs, you may want help to:
- manage your money
- have your say
- your care and support needs
The Cancer Research UK website has a section which provides information about approaching the end of life.
The advice is designed especially for cancer sufferers and their loved ones after a terminal diagnosis. It provides helpful information, tips to cope and advice about where you can talk things through at this naturally difficult time.
It can be upsetting to read, but, the information can really help and could be invaluable alongside the advice from the NHS Choices website about NHS end of life care.
The Dying Matters website can also help, which provides advice on how to plan for your death in your way and help you discuss dying. Dying Matters is presented by organisations including the NHS, voluntary organisations and independent health and care providers.
With the help of Macmillan Cancer Support, the group also offers its Find Me Help service, to help you find local services.
Getting care and support to live with terminal cancer
If you have received a terminal diagnosis for cancer, received a terminal diagnosis for another progressive illness or you care for someone who has received a terminal diagnosis, care and support is available.
Your GP is the best person to speak to at first, who will be able to introduce you to district nursing and palliative care services. Palliative care in Solihull is provided by your GP and Community Nursing Team, and supported by Marie Curie Hospice and Macmillan Nurses.
Solihull Council may be able to provide care and support when you have been told your cancer is terminal. An assessment will be carried out to understand what care and support you need.
A qualified worker will work with you, and your carer or representative if you would like, to discuss your own needs.
You can also contact the social care team directly, by:
- sending an email to ccadults@solihull.gov.uk
- calling on the phone to 0121 704 8007