The Directory of Cancer Self Help and Support 2004/05 is an invaluable guide for putting people in touch with local cancer self help and support groups. Self help and support groups offer people affected by cancer the opportunity to meet and talk with other people in a similar position providing mutual support based on shared experience.

The user friendly directory includes over 700 self help and support groups as well as international listings, and is aimed at people with cancer, their partners, families and friends, people bereaved through cancer, and the professionals who work with them.

It is easy to use thanks to a detailed index system which allows users to look up groups by type of cancer, specialist subject or geographical area, and the good practice symbol identifies groups that follow Macmillan's declaration of good practice.

It lists the services offered by each group, such as one-to-one support, free complementary therapies, home or hospital visiting, support for children or teenagers, telephone helplines, bereavement support, professional counselling, and transport to meetings or hospital appointments. There is also a section on how patients can get involved in developing cancer services.

The directory also comes with a leaflet, to raise awareness of cancer self help and support groups, which folds out into a poster designed to be displayed in public places to promote the nearest group.

Ann Cole, who had colon cancer in 1999, said: "I go to a monthly colorectal cancer support group with about 20 other people. Some of them had their operations several years ago and they're still well, which I find very inspiring. We're all able to share our experiences, reassure one another and give advice. There are regular talks too. I just wish I'd known about it sooner, as it would have been very helpful when I was going through chemo."