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 2025:

NET Patient Support Groups

These support meeting for NET (neuroendocrine) patients will offer the opportunity to talk to fellow patients, your NET CNS’s and take part in a Q&A sessions.  Coffee, teas and snacks will be served throughout.

Hampshire NET Group Tuesday 22nd April (10.30am – 1pm):

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

To secure your place at this NET cancer support group, please use this booking link

Dorset NET Group Friday 25th April (11.00am – 1.15pm):

Waterfront Suite | RNLI College | West Quay Road | Poole | Dorset | BH15 1HZ

To secure your place at this NET cancer support group, please use this booking link

Pancreatic Patient Support Group – Tuesday 29th April – 10am – midday

This support meeting for pancreatic patients will offer the opportunity to talk to fellow patients, your CNS’s, dietitian and be introduced to other support services including Maggie’s. Coffee, teas and snacks will be served throughout.

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

To secure your place at this pancreatic cancer support group, please use this booking link

Pelvic Exenteration Patient Support Group – Tuesday 10th June – 11am – 3.40pm

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

This support meeting for patients will offer the opportunity to talk to fellow patients, your CNS, listen to presentations on your wellbeing through and after cancer and take part in a Q&A session with a consultant.  Lunch will be served at midday with coffee and tea served throughout.

Schedule:

11.15 – Welcome from PLANETS Charity – Jo Green
11.30 – Exercise Prehabilitation – Dr James Otto
12.00 – Pre and Post Operative Diet – Sara Akhtar
12.30 – Lunch
13.30 – Lymphodema – Helen Woolley
13.50 – Post Operative Pain – Jackie Gooch
14.10 – The Impact of Living with Cancer – Alison Farmer
14.40 – Stoma Care and Travel
15.00 – Break
15.10 – Q&A with surgeons Professor Alex Mirnezami and Mr Hideaki Yano
15.40 – Meeting Close

Agenda is subject to change due to clinical commitments. To secure your place at this support group please use this booking link

Past Events:

NET Patient Conference – 8th November 2024

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

Diet and NETS – Portia Rees-Jones

Medical Oncology and NETS – Dr Samuel Chan

Perioperative Medicine – Associate Professor Malcolm West

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

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