Local Support Group Information
Support Groups
At York Against Cancer, we regularly partner with other organisations who help those living with cancer. We are always updating our database of local cancer support groups in Yorkshire to make sure you have somebody to talk to. Whatever stage of your treatment, these support groups can be a lifeline.
Bladder cancer support
Fight Bladder Cancer
Fight Bladder Cancer was founded and is run by people affected by bladder cancer. They provide detailed information about bladder cancer and also provide support through a confidential forum (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), as well as a buddying service. Call 01844 351 621 or email info@fightbladdercancer.co.uk.
Blood cancer support
York Haematology Support Group
York Haematology Support Group meets from 7.00pm – 9.00pm on the first Thursday of every month at the Working Mens Club in Huntington. Meetings offer the chance to get together in an informal environment and chat to others, and often hear from a guest speaker about various aspects of living with blood cancers. Anyone affected by a haematological cancer is welcome to attend. Call Group Leader Carol 01904 330705 or email carol.miller2@ntlworld.com.
Leeds Myeloma Support Group
Leeds Myeloma Support Group is a small, informal group of patients and family members who meet at 11am on the last Monday of the month apart from December, at the community hub in John Lewis, to find out more about living with myeloma and share experiences. The Group is led by Rita, a myeloma patient, along with her husband Simon. Anyone is welcome, but please contact Rita to let her know if you’re planning to attend for the first time and to confirm meeting dates. Call Rita on 0113 2520097 or 07948 089917 or email ritarumsey96@gmail.com.
Leeds Haematology Support Group
The Leeds Haematology Support Group is for anyone who has been affected by a blood cancer diagnosis. The group is run by Leukaemia Care. For further information, call Shirley Emmerson,
Regional Co-ordinator for Leukaemia Care, on 08088 010444 or email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk.
Lymphoma Action – Leeds Support Group
Lymphoma Action – Leeds Support Group is an online support group providing help to people affected by lymphoma. Register to join a range of monthly general and specialised meetings to discuss particular types or experiences of lymphoma. Other support includes a buddy service and a closed Facebook group. For more information, call the free helpline on 0808 808 5555 or email information@lymphoma-action.org.uk.
Bowel cancer support
Leeds Bowel Cancer Support Group
Leeds Bowel Cancer Support Group meet up on the first Tuesday of every month from 10am to 11:30am at the Robert Ogden Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds. Call Lynda Castle, Colorectal Nurse Specialist, on 0113 206 5535.
Scarborough Stoma Support Group
Scarborough Stoma Support Group meet monthly on Saturdays from March to November from 2.30pm to 4pm, at The Post Graduate Centre at Scarborough Hospital. Call the Stoma Care Team on 01723 342 388.
The Hull and East Riding Colostomy Support Group
The Hull and East Riding Colostomy Support Group meet every other Thursday from 12pm to 2pm at The Duke of Edinburgh on Great Union Street i8n Kingston Upon Hull. Call Pete Smith on 07989 565 335, Pete Rennard on 07939 518 642 or 01482 793 966 or Rosanna Grimsby on 01482 801 575.
Breast cancer support
Breast Friends
Breast Friends provides support for breast cancer patients in York and the surrounding areas. Meetings are determined by the needs of the women currently attending the group, meaning no two meetings will be the same. Call 01904 373088 or email info@yorkbreastfriends.org.
Living with Secondary Breast Cancer
The Living with Secondary Breast Cancer service is available in person and online. Whether you’d prefer group conversations with people or expert speaker sessions on a relevant topic for you, it’s up to you. The groups are a chance to explore wellbeing, side effects, exercise – or just share what’s on your mind. And it’s all facilitated by qualified counsellors. The York group meets at 11am on the third Monday of each month. You can register via the online application form.
Kidney cancer support
Friends of Renal Oncology Group (FROG)
Friends of Renal Oncology Group (FROG) provides information and support in a friendly and informal group. They also host interesting and informative speakers, ranging from medics with the latest information on therapies and treatments, to practical advice on subjects as diverse as dealing with side effects to getting travel insurance. Kidney cancer patients, family and friends are all welcome to attend in-person meetings in Oxford or virtual meetings via Zoom. The group meet on the first Monday of each month (one week later when there is a Bank Holiday) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Call Steve on 0777 4414353 or Jean on 0782 3322098.
Prostate cancer support groups
Leeds Prostate Cancer Support Group
Leeds Prostate Cancer Support Group is a group made up of men, wives, partners and family members who have been affected by or are living with cancer. The group is designed to provide information to those who have been affected by a prostate cancer diagnosis and help take the fear out of prostate cancer through discussions and sharing experiences. Call Ian Yearwood, Group Chair, on 07810 626397 or email info@lpcsg.co.uk.
York Prostate Cancer Support Group
York Prostate Cancer Support Group is for people living with and beyond prostate cancer, their loved ones and carers. It meets 4 times per year at The Leveson Centre from 5.30pm to 7pm, offering the chance to chat with others and hear talks by health professionals on prostate cancer and associated subjects. For further information call Rob Smith on 07760 121383 or email rob.smith143@tiscali.co.uk.
Scarborough Prostate Cancer Support Group
Scarborough Prostate Cancer Support Group is for people living with and beyond prostate cancer, their loved ones and carers. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Westover Club on Westover Road, from 7:30pm. Call Carol Popplestone, Macmillan Specialist Nurse, on 01723 385246.
Testicular cancer support
Testicular Cancer Online Support Group
The Testicular Cancer Online Support Group is a support group for people with testicular cancer and their loved ones. Join the group to share experiences & support, discuss treatment including orchiectomy, side effects and more.
General cancer support around York, North and East Yorkshire
York & Scarborough Hospital Cancer Wellbeing Service
The Cancer Wellbeing Service provides a wide range of free information and support to patients with a cancer diagnosis, their relatives, friends, and carers. You can talk to a member of the team about your cancer diagnosis and how it is affecting you. This includes emotional, physical, financial, practical, and spiritual concerns, or could be as simple as needing someone to talk to. The service has access to many easy-to-understand information resources to help meet your needs and can also signpost and/or refer you to local and national specialist organisations who are best placed to support you. You can speak to a member of the team by:
York: dropping in to the Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital, which is open Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 3pm, calling 01904 721166 or emailing yhs-tr.cancersupportandinformation@nhs.net.
Scarborough: dropping in to the Cancer Care Centre at Scarborough Hospital, which is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, calling 01723 342606 or emailing yhs-tr.cancersupportandinformation@nhs.net.
Macmillan cancer self-help and support groups
Macmillan cancer self-help and support groups enable cancer patients to help each other with emotional and practical support. Groups may cater for people with any type of cancer or for those with a specific cancer, such as bowel cancer. Groups can often support partners and families too. Every group is different so it’s worth finding out how a group could help you. Groups meet on a regular basis, perhaps monthly or weekly, in community venues or in public spaces such as cafes. Some groups only meet face to face, whereas others use a combination of in person and online meetings. Groups are listed in an area directory.
If you have any questions about this, or would like to add any support groups to our webpage, please call us on 01904 764466 or email office@yorkagainstcancer.org.uk.