Support, Counselling and Advice
HNCF is a charity dedicate to supporting technological advances in the treatment of head and neck cancers. We do not provide counselling and we cannot offer direct medical advice.
Your first port of call must be your GP or dentist if you are concerned about any aspect of your health, be it mental wellbeing or physical symptoms and signs of cancers. The NHS has strict pathways for screening and treating anyone concerned about a possible cancer. For oral issues a dentist can also be consulted in the first instance - whether they are NHS or a private practice, dentists are trained to routinely screen for oral cancers.
Either way, please book an appointment and explain your concerns to a professional. If you are still worried then you are within your rights to ask for a referral to see an alternative specialist. The NHS will refer you and you will get help if you need it. You just have to ask your doctor and/or dentist. For any serious medical emergency call 999 and for another medical issue causing concern you can also call 111 for triage.
Recommended sources of help and advice
Other sources of help are available and some offer counseling services. We have put together the following list of organisations as a starting point for finding support, help and advice. Do contact them directly and do ask. They have trained teams in place to offer practical and emotional support on many levels. We are happy to help drive awareness of these organisations.
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Cancer Research UK
The world's largest independent cancer research organisation. It is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man, and was formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
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MacMillan Cancer Support
One of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.
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Reframe Cancer Support
This organisation provides one-to-one clinical, practical and emotional cancer support to people diagnosed with or caring for a loved one with cancer.
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Hospice UK
The national charity for hospice and end of life care. The charity works to ensure everyone affected by death, dying and bereavement gets the care and support they need, when they need it.
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Marie Curie
A registered charitable organisation in the United Kingdom which provides care and support to people living with a terminal illness and those close to them, and campaigns for better support for dying people. It was established in 1948, the same year as the National Health Service.
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Young Lives Versus Cancer
Previously "CLIC Sargent", is a charity in the United Kingdom formed in 2005. Young Lives vs Cancer is the UK's leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families. Its care teams provide specialist support across the UK.
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Samaritans
The Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline.