BOWEL CANCER
INFORMATION ON BOWEL CANCER
BOWEL CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS
BOWEL CANCER LIFE STORIES
Information on Bowel Cancer
Bowel Cancer Charities
Charities are a great resource to help support you or your loved ones on your cancer journey. They can offer information and support in a variety of ways, practical, physical, emotional and financial. Some offer helplines, with access to medically-trained staff, and others fund research into finding a cure or better treatment for cancer. Please see below some charities that offer help.
Learning Disability and Cancer Screening
West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance and Bradford Talking Media have created three guides to bowel, cervical and breast screening which is aimed at those with a learning disability. There is also a range of languages and British Sign Language captions....
Guts UK
Guts UK – the charity for the digestive system. We all have guts – 25 ft of them in fact. Yet our guts have been underfunded, undervalued and understaffed for decades. Guts UK exists to change that. Telephone: 020 7486 0341 Website: https://gutscharity.org.uk/...
Anal Cancer Foundations
The HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation is dedicated to empowering anal cancer patients and accelerating prevention and treatment methods that eliminate anal cancer and the virus that causes the majority of cases, HPV. Telephone: +44 (0)20 7272 3347...
Bladder and Bowel Foundation
At the Bladder & Bowel Community, we help support the millions of people in the UK who are living with conditions that affect their bladder or bowel. Telephone: 01926 357220 Website: https://www.bladderandbowel.org/ Address: Bladder & Bowel Community 7 The...
Bowel Cancer UK
We’re Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer research charity and we’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life for all those affected by bowel cancer. Telephone: 020 7940 1760 Website: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/ Address: Bowel Cancer...
Other useful Bowel Cancer Resources
Click on the logos below to learn more
The Faecal Immunochemical Test – FIT Test
Sometimes you may be required to give a poo sample, either as part of a national screening programme (FIT test) or for some other reason. Cancer Research UK have created a helpful video on how to do the FIT test. You can watch it here.
We know some of you find this task a little daunting but don’t worry, Cancer Research UK have also developed this handy guide to help you navigate. The key thing to remember is that you mustn’t let your poo touch the toilet or the toilet water. Click the toilet image or here to see the guide.
Find a support group for Bowel Cancer
It can be really useful to speak to other people who know how you are feeling because they have been there too. Speaking to those who have a lived experience of cancer can be a great source of comfort. Many support groups also invite speakers or have medical staff in attendance, so can be a great resource to help you on your cancer journey. Here are some local support groups you may be interested in.
Barnsley Colorectal
Bottoms Up!
Brook House WMC, 221 Barnsley Road, Sandal Wakefield, WF1 5NU
Tel: 07974 657146
Email: midyorks.bottomsup@gmail.com
Had a bowel or bladder problem. Have you been affected by prostate, bladder or bowel cancer either as a patient or a carer?
Dewsbury & District Ostomy Support Group
This group meets the last Thursday of the month from 7-8.30 pm between March and November.
Speakers and stoma company reps
Grimsby Area Bowel Cancer Support Group
Open Door Centre, Albion Street Grimsby, DN32 7DL
07456 902917
Meetings are the first Friday of each month from 2 – 4pm
Scarborough Stoma Care Support Group
Meeting on the third Thursday of every month – 2.00PM – 4.00 PM
Dates for 2024
18 Apr, 16 May, 20 Jun, 18 Jul, 15 Aug, 19 Sept, 17 Oct and 21 Nov.
Wednesday 11th December 2024 – FREE Christmas Lunch @ Plaxton Court Restaurant (£5 deposit, returnable on the day). Please book your space by 17th October.
Sheffield Bowel Cancer Support Group
York Stoma Care Support Group
Acomb Garth Community Care Centre; 2 Oak Rise, York, YO24 4LJ
Tel: 01904 725762 – Stoma Care Nurses, York Hospital
Email: yhs-tr.yorkstomacareteam@nhs.net
Meetings all year on the third Wednesday of every month – 2.00PM – 4.00 PM
Summer lunch – Wed 3rd July – venue to be confirmed
Annual Stoma Open Day – Friday 18th October – venue to be confirmed
Christmas lunch – Wednesday 4th December – venue to be confirmed
This is an informal group is for individuals who have undergone stoma forming surgery. To meet others in a similar situation, share experiences and support each other over a cup of tea or coffee.
Family, friends and partners welcome.
Various speakers are also presenting at some meetings by arrangement.
There is some parking on-site, alternatively at Morrisons, or various bus services. We hope you can join us for a cuppa and a natter. There will be a raffle, guest speakers and stoma nurses attending.
Bowel Cancer Life Stories
Linda’s story
A bowel cancer screening test saved my life Having worked in cancer research for most of her career, Linda Wilkinson was very aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. “I considered myself to be very healthy. I never smoked, I hardly drank alcohol and I was...
Michael’s story
Cancer Champion Michael Barton, a 64-year-old bus driver, originally from Bradford, tells why he decided to volunteer for Yorkshire Cancer Community. In 2017, Michael’s partner, Marie, was struggling with repeated chest infections, the couple didn’t expect to be told...
Sandra’s story
Teacher Sandra Hudson is a terminal bowel cancer patient being treated at the Bexley Wing at St James’s in Leeds. She loved her job, but had to retire on ill health grounds. In January 2017 she had a prolapsed womb meaning that in April she had to have a hysterectomy....
Noel’s story
During Lockdown I became reacquainted with a wonderful blog which proved the perfect antidote to the coronavirus craziness going on in the world. Stripey Anne’s Blog – the ramblings and rants about something and nothing is a delightful and joyful account by Anne...
Kate’s story – Bowel cancer
One of the key messages of the Cancer SMART initiative, that we are currently delivering with West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance, is to be aware of unusual and persistent changes to your body, and contact your GP if you are concerned. Kate Bartholomew, a...
Cancer Journeys – Paul Bell
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Paul Bell about his battle with Bowel Cancer.
Cancer Journeys – Rebecca Forster
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Rebecca Forster about her career as an Oncology Colorectal Nurse Specialist and how she has helped many cancer...
Cancer Journeys – Clemy Crowther
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Clemy Crowther about her Mum's diagnosis with Cervical Cancer and more recently her Dad's diagnosis with stage 4...
Cancer Journeys – Stephanie Hirst
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Stephanie Hirst about her mother, Joyce's battle with pancreatic cancer and her father, Derek's battle...
Cancer Journeys – Ross Lavery
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Ross Lavery about his battle with Bowel Cancer. Jacqui's goal and legacy is to raise £1,000,000 for Leeds Cancer...
Cancer Journeys – Giles Atkinson
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Giles Atkinson about his mother, Gillians battle with stage 4 bowel cancer. Jacqui's goal and legacy is to...
Cancer Journeys – Mark Goold
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Mark Goold about his partner, Peter Kelly and his battle with bowel and secondary cancer. Jacqui's goal and...
Cancer Journeys – Sandra Hudson
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Sandra Hudson who lives everyday with terminal bowel cancer. Jacqui's goal and legacy is to raise £1,000,000 for...
Cancer Journeys – Jadine Smith
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Jadine Smith about her Mum, Carol's battle with Breast Cancer and secondary Bowel Cancer. Jacqui's goal and...
Cancer Journeys – Miki Mitchell
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Miki Mitchell about her husband, Chris's battle with Bowel Cancer. Jacqui's goal and legacy is to...
Cancer Journeys – Sally Brooke
Jacqui Drake talks to people who have had cancer or their loved ones and shares their experiences of this terrible disease. In this episode Jacqui talks to Sally Brooke about her battle with Colon Cancer. Jacqui's goal and legacy is to raise £1,000,000 for Leeds...