Screening & support
You are not alone
Helpline
One number to talk, ask your questions and be guided
Whether you are worried after a test, going through treatment or close to someone who is ill, call us. A member of our team will answer with kindness.
Numbers
Hours: [TO BE CONFIRMED]
Your conversations remain confidential.
You can call us to:
- be listened to, without judgement, when worry feels too heavy;
- understand the steps of screening, a result or a care pathway;
- find out where to get screened near you;
- find support as a loved one;
- join our activities or a support group.
This is not an emergency service
The helpline does not replace medical advice. In an emergency (heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever during treatment…), go immediately to the nearest health centre or hospital.
Supporting patients
Understanding and finding your way
We help you understand the steps after an abnormal result or a diagnosis, and know which service to turn to.
Preparing for appointments
Listing your questions, gathering your documents, writing down the answers: well prepared, you will feel calmer in front of the doctor.
Company at consultations
To be confirmedDepending on availability, a volunteer can go with you to some appointments so that you do not go alone.
Staying in touch
To be confirmedDuring and after treatment, we check in on you and remain available by phone.
Emotional support and support groups
Support groups
To be confirmedRegular meetings between women affected by cancer, to share experiences, tips and hopes, in a kind and confidential setting.
One-to-one listening
To be confirmedPersonal time to talk, by phone or in person, and set down what weighs on you.
Referral to a professional
To be confirmedIf you feel the need, we can help you find a psychologist or a mental health professional.
Advice for loved ones
Listen before advising
Let her talk about what she is going through, at her own pace. Attentive silence is often worth more than advice.
Offer practical help
Rather than “Tell me if you need anything”, offer: “I’ll come with you on Tuesday”, “I’ll look after the children”, “I’ll cook dinner”.
Respect her choices
Decisions about care are hers. Encourage her to follow the medical team’s advice and to ask all her questions.
Avoid comparisons
Every cancer and every journey is different. Other people’s stories, especially the hardest ones, do not always help.
Beware of false remedies
No herbal tea or miracle product replaces a prescribed treatment. Discuss any other practice with the care team.
Keep sharing everyday life
She is still the same person. Ordinary moments, laughter and everyday news do her good.
And you: take care of yourself
Supporting a loved one who is ill is demanding. Rest, accept help and feel free to call our helpline too. And remember your own screening.
Questions to ask the doctor
- What exactly is my diagnosis, and at what stage?
- What treatments are possible, and which one do you recommend?
- What side effects might I have, and how can they be eased?
- How long will treatment last? Will I be able to keep working?
- What will it cost, and is any financial help available?
- Who should I call if there is a problem between appointments?
- Will treatment affect a future pregnancy?
- Should my relatives (daughters, sisters) get screened?
Frequently asked questions
Do GFVD-GL’s services cost anything?
The listening and guidance offered by the association are free. Medical tests and treatments depend on the health facilities. [TO BE CONFIRMED]
I have just found out I have cancer. Where do I start?
Take time to breathe: you do not have to understand everything in one day. Write down your questions, have someone go with you to appointments and call our helpline if you need to talk or be guided.
My screening result is abnormal: do I have cancer?
Not necessarily. An abnormal result means that a further test or a simple treatment is needed. For the cervix, it is often a precancerous lesion that responds well to treatment. What matters is not to stop the follow-up.
How do I tell my children about the illness?
With simple words suited to their age, while staying honest. Children sense when something is wrong: explaining often reassures them more than silence. We can talk it through with you by phone.
Is cancer contagious?
No. Cancer cannot be passed on by touch, by sharing a meal or by living together. A person who is ill needs presence and support, not to be kept at a distance.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. What you tell us is never shared without your agreement. Stories are only published on this site with your written consent, and under the name you choose.
I would like to help other women. How can I?
You can share your story, become a volunteer or join the association. Your experience can give others courage.
“Every smile, every step and every gift counts. Thank you for choosing to stand with us.”
Your story can give strength to other women
Sources
The information on this page is based on publications by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- World Health Organization — Breast cancer, fact sheet (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
- World Health Organization — Cervical cancer, fact sheet (opens in a new tab) — OMS / WHO
Content reviewed on 3 October 2026