Long Term Health Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The MS Society has a York branch that offers information, advice about Multiple Sclerosis (MS). 

• Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) describes a group of diseases that affect the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that tell your muscles what to do. With MND, the messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles, which can lead to weakening, stiffness and wasting away.

The condition currently affects around 5,000 adults in the UK. As this is not a common disease, general healthcare professionals may not see many cases with MND. It is important to seek out specialised care. Further information can be found on The Motor Neurone Disease Association website.

• Brain Injury

An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an injury caused to the brain since birth. There are many causes to sustaining an ABI including falls, traffic accidents, tumours, infections and stroke.

Headway, is a national charity that supports people who have been affected by a brain injury. They provide support with the practical issues of living with brain injury (which can include legal advice, benefits and employment) and emotional issues such as behaviour.

Headway York can provide assistance with family and carer support, information, and holidays and outings. More information including contact details can be found at Headway York.

• Parkinson's

Parkinson’s UK has around 365 local groups across the UK. For details of the York group visit the Parkinson’s UK website.

• Stroke

The Stroke Association offers information, advice and guidance for stroke survivors and carers. For a local contact as well as My Stroke Guide – York then please use the link provided.

The York Speakability Stroke Group is run by and for people with Aphasia - language-loss following stroke, head injury or other neurological condition.

Cancer

Prevention and National Cancer Screening Programmes

• Cervical Screening

A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.  Detecting and removing abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer.

Deciding whether or not to have a screening test is your choice. To help, you can read NHS Cervical Screening - Helping You Decide.

• Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime.

Bowel cancer screening can help detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when it's easier to treat. It can also be used to help check for and remove small growths in the bowel called polyps  which can turn into cancer over time. 

• Breast Cancer Screening

About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If detected early, treatment is more successful and there's a good chance of recovery.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they're too small to see or feel.

Cancer support organisations

Sometimes a diagnosis of lung cancer can make you feel alone and afraid. Getting to know other people who have similar experiences can be helpful. One of the ways the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation do this is by running support groups for people with lung cancer.

Macmillan know how a cancer diagnosis can affect everything. So they will help you find your best way through. From advice about money and work, to someone who’ll listen if you just want to talk, we’re here when you need us most. There are a range of practical help and support groups in and around York.

Cancer Research UK carry out a number of roles including  funding scientists, doctors and nurses to help beet cancer sooner and provide information to the public.

York Against Cancer is a local charity helping local people affected by cancer. They  provide care and support for patients and their families in York and North Yorkshire, fund pioneering cancer research and provide cancer awareness education and information.

Breast Friends York has an aim to provide a safe, supportive environment in which people feel supported, throughout their cancer diagnosis and treatment and beyond. With the support of the Breast Care Nurses and a variety of breast cancer charities, meetings are determined by the needs of the women currently attending the group. 

The Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance brings together all the organisations that commission and provide cancer services in the Humber, Coast and Vale area, enabling effective and co-ordinated partnership working to improve patient experience. Here's the Alliance's list of support groups.

Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance, have also launched free online 'Cancer Champion' sessions to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to encourage early detection.