UK helpline gives advice on cancer

In English, for anyone affected by, or at risk from, hereditary breast cancer.

Susan Hall, who has lived in the Pas-de-Calais for five years, said she could not find any relevant helplines in France and praised the work of the UK-based National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline, which has “been invaluable in the advice and support they have given me”.

Ms Hall wrote: “In view of my family medical history, I was referred to see an oncogeneticist regarding hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. I was tested and found to be a carrier of BRCA2 mutant gene, which gives a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women and breast and prostate cancer in men.

“I have had an oophorectomy (ovary removal) and am just going through the process of seeing a surgeon with regard to having a double mastectomy next year. The medical setup here in France is superb but, in my opinion, it just lacks the support that women need to give them information about their options.”

The 24-hour helpline is on 00 44 1629 813 000 and more information is online at breastcancergenetics.co.uk