Contact us

  • Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) is a type of cancer treatment with medication. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are both types of SACT.

    You may hear your doctor refer to your treatment as ‘SACT’ or ‘chemotherapy’. This is because chemotherapy is a type of SACT.

    Chemotherapy is where you take medication to kill cancer cells. These are ‘anti-cancer’ drugs and are usually taken either as tablets or through a vein.

    If you’re a cancer patient, you might have to stop working and this can mean you’re earning less. This might mean you’re entitled to certain benefits.

    You may be entitled to Personal Independence Payments and if you’re over 65, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance. Your carer could also get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

    Benefits will vary on a case by case basis so you should speak to an expert about this. For benefits advice, contact Maggie’s centre on 0161 641 4848 or email manchester@maggiescentres.org.

    The Christie at Oldham also has a benefits advice session on Thursday afternoons. You can phone 0161 918 7745 for more information about this.

    The cancer information centre at The Christie can provide general information about cancer and signpost towards relevant counselling or therapeutic services.

    If you have any general questions about cancer, you can call the centre on 0161 446 8100 or 0161 446 8107. You can also drop into the centre for help.

    If you have a specific question about your cancer and you are a Christie patient, speak to your consultant’s secretary. They can speak to your consultant and ask a member of your clinical team to contact you about your query.

    See a list of our consultants and their secretary’s contact details on our Find your consultant page.

    Yes – travel insurance is available to cancer patients, depending on what your doctors say. Your doctor will need to confirm you’re fit to travel.