Understanding health services

Going for tests
Going for tests can be a worrying time. If you need help with worries about tests, you could:
- call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- talk to your GP. They will help find the right support for you. This may involve a referral to Talking Therapies or recommend medication.
- refer yourself to Talking Therapies. Talking therapies involve mental health practitioners trained to deliver psychological therapies. For more information, visit nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- pay privately for therapy. Ensure therapists are experienced and qualified, e.g. registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
Cancer coming back
It can be distressing to find out your cancer has come back. There are sources of emotional support for you:
- You can call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- You can speak to your cancer doctor or nurse. They may refer to a psychologist within the hospital, if there is one available or other services.
- You can talk to your GP. They may refer you to Talking Therapies or may recommend medication
- You can self-refer to Talking Therapies by visiting nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- You may have to wait for Talking Therapies. If you wish, you could pay for a private therapist. If so, ensure they are qualified, e.g. registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- You can contact a Maggie’s Centre. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.
Receiving cancer diagnosis
When receiving a cancer diagnosis, you will be supported by a GP practice and hospital team. There are sources of emotional support for you:
- You can call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- You can talk to your Cancer Nurse supporting you. They may be able to provide some support or refer to other services should you need them.
- Some hospitals may have psychologists you can access to support you. You can find out more by asking your cancer nurse.
- You can tell your GP how you are feeling. They may refer you Talking Therapies or recommend medication.
- You can pay privately for a qualified experienced therapist (e.g. those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- You can contact a Maggie’s Centre. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.
Starting and going through treatment
When going through treatment for cancer, you will be supported by your hospital team and GP practice. There are sources of emotional support for you:
- You can call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- Your Cancer Nurse may be able to provide some support or refer to other services should you need them.
- Some hospitals may have psychologists you can access to support you. You can find out more by asking your cancer nurse.
- Your GP may refer you to Talking Therapies or recommend medication.
- You can self-refer to Talking Therapies by visiting: nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- You can pay privately for a qualified experienced therapist (e.g. those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- You can contact a Maggie’s Centre. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.
Finishing and recovering from treatment
It is a myth you should always feel happy and relieved at the end of treatment. Many still feel the effects of stress and are uncertain about what happens next. You can seek help by:
- calling Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- talking to your GP about how you feel. They will help find support for you. They may refer you to Talking Therapies or recommend medication.
- self-referring to Talking Therapies. For more information, visit nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- It may take time waiting for Talking Therapies. You could pay privately for an experienced, qualified therapist, e.g. by visiting the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- contacting a Maggie’s Centre. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.
Living well after cancer
Most people who have completed treatment successfully will not have any problems after their treatment has ended. However, having cancer treatment is a busy time. After treatment, some people reflect on their experiences and find they do need emotional support. You can get help by:
- calling Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- speaking to your GP about your emotional issues. Your GP may recommend Talking Therapies or medication.
- referring yourself to NHS Talking Therapies via nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- paying privately for an experienced, qualified therapist, e.g. those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
Living with the consequences of cancer
Research suggests that many people can have long term problems following their cancer, even if the cancer was treated successfully. This includes emotional problems. You can get help for emotional problems by:
- calling Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- speaking to your GP. Your GP may refer you to Talking Therapies or recommend medication.
- self-referring to Talking Therapies at any time via nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- paying privately for an experienced, qualified therapist, e.g. those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
Living with treatable but not curable cancer
Hearing that the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard to bear. Having treatable but not curable cancer means that the cancer may be successfully contained but not removed from the body. This can cause emotional difficulties. You can hear a Macmillan podcast on the experience of living with treatable but not curable cancer. There are sources of support that may help you:
- You can call Macmillan Cancer Support if you need to talk on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm.
- You can speak to your cancer doctor or nurse. They may refer you to a psychologist within the hospital, if there is one, or other services.
- Talk to your GP. They may refer you to Talking Therapies or may recommend medication
- Refer yourself to Talking Therapies by visiting nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
- Pay for a qualified therapist. E.g. you can look for those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- You can contact a Maggie’s Centre. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.
End of Life
Finding out that the cancer cannot be cured and you are nearing the end of your life can be very difficult and distressing for you and those around you. You may feel overwhelmed and have strong emotions to manage. There are sources of support for you:
- You can talk to your clinical team about options that are available to you.
- You can call Macmillan Cancer Support if you need to talk on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm
- You could contact a local hospice and find out what support is offered, or visit www.hospiceuk.org/hospice-care-finder.
- You can talk to your GP about options for support in the community
- Find your own therapist, but you will have to pay. Make sure they are qualified and experienced, e.g. those registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
- You can contact a Maggie’s Centre as they offer a range of support. To find your nearest centre, visit www.maggies.org/our-centres.