The one-stop cancer information service

Cancer Journey is a ‘one-stop’ information service for anyone affected by any type of cancer at any stage of their journey. This unique service comprising a telephone helpline, operating seven days a week, and a comprehensive website acts as a central information point – either providing the information or directing enquirers to the help they need. Cancer Journey was developed after an extensive consultation process showed that information provision across Sussex was at best patchy and in some cases non-existent, and that this was causing difficulties to cancer patients and their carers. There is a wealth of information available but knowing how to find it and sometimes to understand it is creating difficulties especially to patients who do not have a specialist nurse. Whilst the service was initially developed for Sussex and Kent, the need for a national signposting service was soon identified and the service model revised.Information is available on all issues affecting cancer patients and carers along the whole of their journey. Issues as varied as carers services, living and working with cancer, finding support, how to find help in the home and financial benefits are all included. Advice is not offered on medical treatments. Cancer Journey is supported by, and is working in collaboration with, existing providers of cancer information including the Sussex Cancer Network, local hospitals, community services, hospices and many major cancer charities including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Prostate Cancer Charity to ensure that the information is up to date and to a high standard. The website- http://www.cancerjourney.org.uk is a key component of the information service. It contains links to reliable web based information for all stages of the cancer journey from diagnosis through to life after cancer. It incorporates an enquiry service; queries receive an immediate acknowledgement and a full response within 48hours with the added option of calling the helpline.The helpline: 0303 333 000 3 is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm with an answer phone service at other times. It is manned by a team of volunteers, supported by helpline supervisors who are qualified nurses. Macmillan Cancer Support has trained the teams. Calls to the helpline cost the same as 01 or 02 numbers so are included in most call plansCancer Journey is a registered charity. For more information please visit http://www.cancerjourney.org.uk