About Penny Brohn Cancer Care

Penny Brohn Cancer Care changes the lives of people with cancer and their families. We provide care and support through counselling, advice and complementary therapies such as massage, which helps people relax and feel better. We run a national Helpline, where our trained volunteers offer a friendly ear and can answer your questions about cancer. We also offer advice on lifestyle and nutrition, such as ways to boost your immune system and help your body respond to its medical treatment. We offer all of these services to men and women with any type of cancer, along with their friends, families, or supporters. Please support us and help us to continue to be there for people living with cancer.  

Our history

The Charity was founded more than 28 years ago by Penny Brohn, a woman living with breast cancer. She recognised that thousands of other people with cancer would be feeling the same as her- isolated, fearful and uncertain. Penny worked tirelessly alongside teams of doctors, nurses and complementary therapists to develop a programme for people with cancer, now known worldwide as the Bristol Approach. She began the Bristol Cancer Help Centre in her friend Pat Pilkington’s house and defied her prognosis for nearly twenty years. Along the way she inspired thousands of people who used the services of the groundbreaking charity that she founded, now known as Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

Today Penny Brohn Cancer Care supports many thousands of people with cancer through a range of therapeutic courses and information services. The Charity sets the standard in complementary cancer care and has the backing of leading oncologists, healthcare professionals and complementary therapists.