Always remember that your experience with cancer is as individual
as you are
You can choose what support you would like to access at a time that
is right for you. That may be now, or it may be years away.
You may have lots of practical and emotional worries / concerns
during your experience with cancer. There is lots of information
available to help you, from receiving your diagnosis through to
living with and beyond cancer, and we know that this can be
overwhelming.
This leaflet provides you with access to local contact and support
information which you may need at a time that is right for you during
your experiences with cancer.
Here to Help
To help make sure you have the necessary support and information
available to help you through your experience with cancer, The
Fylde Coast Macmillan Cancer Information and Support
Service Team has a wealth of knowledge, experience and
information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
|
Fylde Coast Macmillan Support and Information centre |
Contact and Hours Service |
|---|---|
| Macmillan Windmill Unit, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool FY3 8NR |
Tel: 01253 955710 Email: bfwh.macmillan.info@nhs.net 09.30 am – 4pm Monday to Friday |
| Fleetwood Hub, Fleetwood Hospital Bold Street Fleetwood FY7 6BE |
Tel: 01253 955710 Email: bfwh.macmillan.info@nhs.net 10 am – 2pm Monday to Friday |
During your experiences with cancer, you may have different
practical and emotional worries / concerns at various times during
your journey. At these times, you may find it helpful to identify
the information and support you currently need by using the
My Information Prescription on pages 5 to 7 and then having
someone to talk to about how you feel and get the support you need
to help you cope.
The Fylde Coast Macmillan Information and Support Service Team
provides a confidential, drop-in service to support with practical and
emotional concerns.
We also have a team of volunteer Cancer Buddies who can provide
practical and emotional support to you on a 1:1 basis as someone
who has experienced a similar journey.
Additionally, we can provide support and information to loved ones
involved in your care and have cancer buddies for carers.
There are many local community support groups sharing
experiences and supporting each other as well as community Health
and Wellbeing groups.
Support groups offer an opportunity to talk to other people who
are in a similar situation to you, and to share experiences. You might
learn from those a little way ahead of you in their journey and help
you develop strategies for coping.
We have lots of support groups across the Fylde Coast. These could
be specific to your type of cancer or a generic group such as a
gardening group or walking group.
To discuss your unique needs and for more information on what
is available within your locality, please contact the Macmillan
Community Support Workers at the Fylde Coast Support and
Information Centre on 01253 955710.
My Information Prescription
This ‘My Information Prescription’ is for you to help identify the
information and support that you may currently need.
Please drop into the Macmillan Information & Support Centre for a
chat about the information and support you need, or you can contact
The Fylde Coast Macmillan Team on 01253 955710
| My Information Prescription | Please Tick |
|---|---|
| Medical Information: | |
| My cancer Your Clinical Nurse Specialist will give you information on the type of cancer that you have. You can find more information on the Macmillan website or by calling into the local Macmillan Information & Support Centre. |
|
| Treatment Sometimes there are several treatment options available or there may be only one appropriate treatment. You can discuss these with your Clinical Nurse Specialist, Consultant, or GP who will be able to give you detailed written information. Or call into the Macmillan Information & Support Centre for a chat with a member of the Team, we can refer you back to your Clinical Nurse Specialist if appropriate. |
|
| Long term side effects Cancer and its treatments can have long term side effects. You can ask your Clinical Nurse Specialist, Consultant and GP. The local Macmillan Information & Support Centre hold lots of information and literature in the Centre to support you with this. |
|
| What happens after treatment? Following your treatment, you will be kept under surveillance with your clinical team for an appropriate amount of time. Please drop into or call the Macmillan Information & Support Centre, the staff has a wealth of knowledge, experience and information to support you as you leave hospital and once you are at home. |
|
| Support: | |
| What’s available to support me? The Macmillan Information & Support Centre staff provide a confidential, drop-in service to support with your needs and concerns. There are opportunities to meet on a 1:1 basis and the staff can also advise you of any groups of people with similar experiences which you may feel would be helpful meet. Please drop into or telephone the Macmillan Centre. |
|
| What’s available to support my loved ones? For your loved ones, having the right kind of information and support for them, so that they can care and support you, is important. The Macmillan Information & Support Centre staff has lots of information for anyone supporting and looking after someone with cancer. Your loved ones can drop into or telephone the Macmillan Centre. |
|
| Talking about my cancer: | |
| How you might feel Having a cancer diagnosis can be very emotional. People feel different emotions at different times. All emotions are valid at any stage, whether you feel them immediately or years later |
|
| Who can I talk to if I’m worried? There are many people you can turn to if you are worried, these include your Clinical Nurse Specialist, local Macmillan Information & Support Centre on 01253 955710, the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 0000, or your GP |
|
| Talking to other people about your cancer You may be worried about telling people you have cancer. Give yourself plenty of time, don’t be afraid of silences and try to be honest. The Macmillan Information & Support Centre staff can help you further with this if you are struggling. |
|
| Counselling Counselling can help some people cope with their emotions. Ask your Clinical Nurse Specialist, the Macmillan Information & Support Centre staff or GP about counselling services to decide which service is best for you. |
|
| Practical help: | |
| Work and Financial A lot of people find this a main concern, the Macmillan Information & Support Centre can support with benefit / work advice and guide you to appropriate service. |
|
| Holidays If you have had a cancer diagnosis, you may be worried about holidaying. It may be helpful to talk things through with someone, drop into or telephone the Macmillan Information & Support Centre and the staff who can listen provide information to support you. |
|
| Travel and transport If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, please ask if you are entitled to a parking pass. You may also be entitled to a bus pass, a blue badge through your local council or hospital transport. |
|
| Childcare Accepting help with childcare can be difficult. Try not to feel guilty asking for help from friends or family. Your child’s school or nursery as well as social services may also be able to help you with support and guidance. |
|
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Author Macmillan Cancer Team
Approved by Cancer Team Meeting
Date of Publication 23/02/2026
Reference No PL/1672 (V1)
Review Date 01/02/2029
