One of the biggest challenges you will have is the uncertainty that cancer causes in your life.
Do not be afraid to ask for help - seek support from people and organisations you trust.
The types of support you can get if you need it include:
- support from your specialist nurse
- support from a medical social worker
- your local cancer support centre
- cancer support organisations
- programmes (courses) to help you get used to your cancer diagnosis
- psychological support, such as counselling
- financial support
- online support groups and forums
Keep in contact with your GP so they can give you advice and support.
Find out about financial supports
Support from your specialist nurse
The main point of contact in your care team is usually a specialist nurse. Your care team will tell you who this is.
Your specialist nurse will:
- support you through your treatment
- give you information about other sources of advice and support
- share their contact number so you can phone them if you have any questions
Contact your specialist nurse if you:
- if you have any questions
- need to talk to someone
What to do if you are worried about your side effects or symptoms
Your local cancer support centre
Community cancer support centres are in most local communities.
They help:
- people with cancer
- families and carers of people with cancer
The support services provided by cancer support centres can include:
- information and advice
- counselling and psychological support
- specialist services such as manual lymphatic drainage
- physical activity classes and programmes
- survivorship programmes for people who have finished cancer treatment
- programmes for loved ones and carers such as Building Better Caregivers - this is online
- complementary therapies
Ask your specialist nurse about your local cancer support centre.
Support organisations
To get free, independent support and advice contact:
- Irish Cancer Society
- Marie Keating Foundation
- YouCan Ireland
- Look Good Feel Better
- Citizen's Information
- Money Advice and Budgeting Service
If your local hospital has an Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Centre, they can help you too.
Cancer support line
You can talk to a cancer nurse on the Irish Cancer Society's support line.
Freephone: 1800 200 700
This is a free phone service that gives confidential information, support and guidance to people concerned about cancer.
Support programmes
There are online and in-person support programmes to help:
- you after cancer treatment
- if you are getting long-term cancer treatment
- carers
- your children
Life After Cancer Enhancing Survivorship (LACES)
Ask your specialist nurse about the LACES programme if you are:
- finished treatment
- getting maintenance therapy (long-term) treatment and living well with advanced cancer
The aim of the LACES programme is to help you to adjust, live well, and feel your best, physically and emotionally.
Cancer Thriving and Surviving
You can do the Cancer Thriving and Surviving programme from 6 weeks after you have finished treatment. You will learn skills that help you manage your health after cancer treatment.
Ask your local cancer support centre about the Cancer Thriving and Surviving programme.
Building Better Caregivers
Building Better Caregivers is an online programme for people who are caring for a loved one with cancer.
Back to work after cancer
The Marie Keating Foundation has advice and information for you and your employer on going back to work after cancer.
Back to work after cancer - mariekeating.ie
Support for your children
The CLIMB (Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery) programme helps children cope with a parent's cancer diagnosis. It is suitable for children age 6 to 12. Ask about CLIMB at your local cancer support centre.
Applying to college and cancer
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme offers a reduced points system to college courses.
DARE is for people whose schooling has been affected by certain conditions including cancer.
Through the scheme you may get an offer of a course you want to do even if you do not have the points.
You apply for DARE through the Central Applications Office (CAO). You need to be under age 23 by 1 January the year of admission to college.
Talk to your school or a DARE advisor in a specific college or university.
Menopause and cancer
If your cancer treatment causes menopause symptoms you can get support through the Empower programme. This programme helps patients to cope with these symptoms through lifestyle changes, psychological support or medicine if needed.
Empower menopause and cancer support programme - arccancersupport.ie
Personalised exercise
You can get information and support to help you become more active and improve your health and wellbeing during and after cancer.
Exercise and rehabilitation services directory - cancerrehabilitation.ie
Specialist support for your cancer
You may be able to get specialist advice and support for:
- the type of cancer you have
- treatment you are getting
- symptoms, complications, or side effects you have
You can ask your specialist nurse, GP or local cancer support centre.
Transport and travel to appointments
If you need transport to or from treatment appointments, you can ask for support.
Depending on where you live or where you are getting treatment, free transport may be available.
Ask your specialist nurse, local cancer support centre, or the Irish Cancer Society.
