The Farming Community Network (FCN Cymru) will launch a new bilingual guide designed to support farming families affected by cancer during this year's Royal Welsh Show.

The publication, A Guide for Farming Families Affected by Cancer, has been produced as part of the Rural Communities Cancer Project - FCN’s UK-wide partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to improve cancer awareness and reduce inequalities experienced by people living and working in rural communities.

Created specifically with the realities of farming life in mind and developed by farmers with lived experience of cancer, the guide offers practical information to help individuals and families manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis while continuing to navigate the demands of farming and rural life.

It includes guidance on accessing support, balancing treatment with farming responsibilities, and signposting to organisations that can help.

Copies of the guide will be available throughout the Royal Welsh Show on FCN Cymru’s stand and can also be requested by anyone unable to attend.

The launch on Monday, July 20 of the guide forms part of FCN Cymru's continued work with Macmillan Cancer Support.

To mark the launch, FCN Cymru and Macmillan Cancer Support will host a special reception during the show, kindly supported by NFU Mutual and NFU Cymru.

The reception will bring together representatives from the agricultural, health and voluntary sectors to discuss how organisations can continue working together to improve outcomes for rural communities affected by cancer.

During the reception, a panel discussion will be chaired by Kate Williams, National Lead for Wales at Macmillan Cancer Support, and will feature John Saunders Davies, a fencing contractor with a terminal cancer diagnosis, together with other guests representing healthcare and the voluntary sector.

Linda Jones, National Manager (Wales) for FCN, said: “A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, but for farming families the challenges can be even greater. Time away from the farm, concerns about livestock, financial pressures and the practical realities of rural living can all make an already difficult situation even more challenging.

“This new bilingual guide has been created to provide practical, easy-to-understand information that reflects the unique circumstances of farming life. We hope it will give people confidence to seek support, start conversations and know that they do not have to face cancer alone.”

Macmillan's External Affairs Manager for Wales, Rhian Stangroom-Teel, said: "A cancer diagnosis affects everyone differently, and farming communities face a distinct set of challenges. All too often, they're left to cope without the support they need.

"At Macmillan we believe that the work you do, or where you live, shouldn't determine the quality of the care you receive. This vitally important new guide will help signpost farming families to the support they need, and it has been created by farmers, for farmers. This is exactly the kind of community-led approach we need to help make sure that cancer support and guidance is based on the reality of peoples' lives.

"Partnerships like the Rural Communities Cancer Project are central to Macmillan's work in helping everyone with cancer to get the care and support they need, where and when they need it the most. We want to make sure that no one is left to face cancer alone.”

The discussion will focus on the Rural Communities Cancer Project, highlighting the importance of raising awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, encouraging earlier diagnosis and ensuring people living in rural communities know where to turn for support. Invited guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session with the panel.

John Saunders Davies, panel member, added: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help following a cancer diagnosis. Asking for help is a really important first step to take.”

Visitors are invited to call at Stand 768-CAT throughout the show to pick up a copy of the new guide and to learn more about FCN Cymru's work supporting farming families.