Support Groups

PLANETS Support Groups and Patient Information Conferences

We understand that being diagnosed with cancer can be deeply distressing and we appreciate the isolation this can cause. We aim to replace that with a hand of friendship and support, one of PLANETS main focuses is to help patients on their cancer journey.

You may initially feel burdened with information so you should try to discuss all your queries and concerns with your doctor and other members of your healthcare team.  There are numerous sources of support and information available to you.  As well as all the information on the PLANETS website, you will also find other useful recommended websites listed at the bottom of our home page.  PLANETS run Support Groups where patients can meet in person with a healthcare professional and other patients and form friendships and alliances as well as discuss any issues that you are experiencing. On a smaller scale, we organise ‘Coffee and Connect’ meetings which are patient led and allow you to meet informally, in small groups.  This can help to ease any feelings of isolation.   We also hold ‘Patient Information Days’ where patients can network and listen to presentations by medical practitioners in their specific field of expertise.

Details of these groups are posted below.  Alternatively, you can e-mail us at PLANETS.

NET patients may find it useful to join the Neuroendocrine Cancer UK online groups.  Pancreatic patients will also find a forum on the following link Pancreatic Cancer UK forum.  Colorectal patients may find specific information in the Bowel Cancer UK online groups.

NET Patient Support Facebook Group:

Click here to request to join our group which can be found on our Facebook page.

PLANETS Charity have set up a closed NET patient support group where NET patients can discuss relevant issues, in private, with other NET patients and representatives of the charity.  Please click on the link above to request to join this group and we will approve you.  Posts within the group are checked by us and approved before going live for other patients to see.  This is a friendly group where patients offer each other support.

E: contact@planetscharity.org

Upcoming Events 2024:

NET Patient Conference – Friday November 8th – 9.30am-3.30pm

Holiday Inn Eastleigh | Leigh Road | Eastleigh | SO50 9PG

Our NET Patient Conference is an invaluable day for NET patients (and their support network) offering the opportunity to listen to presentations from key NET medical and industry professionals. Lunch is included and the day will conclude with a Q&A session.

This year we have presentations from our specialist dietitian, Portia Rees-Jones, Dr Samuel Chan discussing NETS and medical oncology and Consultant Surgeon Arjun Takhar hosting a Q&A session with our Chairman Neil Pearce as well as interviewing Neil about his surgical career and the development of the excellent NET service at Southampton. Not to be missed!

To book your place, please click on the link and complete the form.

Past Events:

Upper GI Patient Support Group – 15th January

Slides from the presentations are available to view or download here:

Solent University Exercise Referral Scheme

UGI Oncology – Dr Luke Hill

UGI Dietitian – Maureen Gale

Maggie’s Southampton – Gilly Howard Jones

NET Patient Conference – Friday 13th October 2023

Presentation slides from the day:

ruth-lee-net-cancer-and-dietary-issues

alison-farmer-the-psychological-impact-of-cancer

dr-emma-williams-lifestyle-medicine

dr-judith-cave-medical-therapies-and-clinical-trials

dr-sachin-modi-interventional-radiology-in-nets

NET Patient Conference – Friday November 18th 2022

Online NET Patient Conference 2021:

The 2020 webinar can also be viewed here:

Colorectal Patient Support Group – Tuesday October 11th 2022

Gastrointestinal Late Effects of Cancer Treatment – Hannah Storrar

Virtual NET Patient Conference – Friday 27th November 2020

Thank you to everyone that took part in this webinar.  Below are the links to some of the presentations:

What are NETS? Judith Cave

Surgery for NETS – Arjun Takhar

Interventional Radiology – Sachin Modi

Nutrition for NETS During COVID 19

SafeFit Trial – Andy Bates

NET Patient Conference – Wednesday 17th October

Thank you to everyone that attended this day.  Below are the links to some of the presentations:

Fatigue and Activity with NETS

Exercise Training and Psychological Support Before Cancer Surgery

NET Nutrition – Tara Whyand

Surgery in NETS

Pancreatic Patient Support Meeting – Tuesday 20th February 2018

Thank you to everyone that attended this day.  Below are the links to some of the presentations:

Nutrition in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer UK Presentation

PLANETS NET Patient Conference – Friday 7th July 2017

Thank you to everyone that attended this day.  Below are the links to some of the presentations:

Chemo for NET’s – July 2017

NETs Nutrition Update NET Conference July 17

PLANETS NET Patient Conference – Friday 1st July 2016

Thank you to everyone that attended this day.

Below are links to some of the presentations:

Cathy Bouvier NET PF Southampton 2016

NETs Nutrition Update – Tara Whyand

NET patient conference Richard Ellis

PLANETS NET Patient Conference – Friday 3rd July 2015

Thank you to everyone that attended this day.

Below are links to some of the presentations:

Symptoms in NETS Presentation

Brian Stedman Presentation

Cancer Pathology

Overview of Neuroendocrine Tumours – Dr Raj Srirajaskanthan

Systemic treatment for NETs