Most people feel overwhelmed when they are told they have cancer, even if the chance of cure is very high. They are likely to experience lots of different emotions such as confusion, fear and resentment, even anger. This does not mean, however, that they are not coping with the illness.
We’re here to help. Our Orchid support line staffed by nurses can help you think through your feelings and understand your treatment pathway. Call us on 0808 802 0010.
Family and friends can be a great help to talk to. However, men may feel that they need someone from outside of their family and friendship groups to chat to.
Counsellors are professionally trained and allow individuals to voice their fears without worrying their family.
Treatment for testicular cancer happens very quickly. The speed of this change can be difficult as life may be interrupted at an inconvenient time. Individuals might be studying, taking exams or have recently started a new job or a family.
Orchid currently offers a telephone counselling service for men affected by testicular cancer. To find out more, please contact the Orchid National Male Cancer helpline on 0808 802 0010.
It may not be until treatment has finished that men fully realise what they have been through.
To learn more about our telephone counselling service, please click here.
Here are some other useful contacts from excellent organisations.
The Testicular Cancer Network is a consortium of testicular cancer awareness, support and research charities working together to save the lives of men across the UK. The TCN may be able to recommend a group near you.
This is an excellent support group which meets in London on the last Monday of every month 5.30-7.30 pm, apart from August, and Bank Holidays. Meetings are a mixture of physical face-to -face meetings and online/virtual. Orchid is proud to support the group and guest speakers may give talks about related subjects or men can chat about various issues, even go for a drink.
The group also has a large online support group for any men who have been affected by testicular cancer. This is a closed Facebook Group and can be found here
Please email robert.cornes@orchid-cancer.org.uk for further information.
An excellent website with a large Facebook forum. Many men share their experiences and provide helpful tips on how to cope with treatment.
A huge source of information for anyone who has been affected by cancer and includes support services.
Telephone: 020 7840 7840
Questions/helpline: 0808 808 00 00
Help centres, run by professionals, who can discuss any aspect of cancer. Also run support groups and weekly sessions in relaxation, stress management, nutrition and health.
Telephone: 0141 341 5675
Email: enquiries@maggiescentres.org
Irish cancer website, with numerous links to support and information.
