I’m writing this piece for Avril. Avril is my friend; and Avril has cancer. Since it was diagnosed, just before Christmas, Avril has been up and down and in and out of hospital; she’s been optimistic, pessimistic and at times plain speechless. From being a woman who barely switched on her mobile phone, she has become the fastest non-teenage texter in Britain (all those hours sitting about in hospitals). She has lost her hair and occasionally her temper, but not her sense of humour.

Whatever else cancer is – unfair, cruel – it is always a challenge. Aside from the cold, naked fear of death, the suffering of your loved ones and the changes in your life, the treatment is an ordeal in itself. Exhaustion, nausea, infections (even the slightest bug can land a patient in intensive care) and, of course, side-effects.

Not all patients experience side-effects. Another friend with cancer decided to pre-empt the effects of chemotherapy by shaving his head. We even talked about getting him some fetching disco wigs, although in the event he was feeling too poorly to venture out. Anyway, off he went for treatment, cycle after cycle of therapy, and the stubble remained stubbornly attached to his scalp. If anything, his hair seemed thicker – and in any case thicker than mine.

Avril has not been so lucky. A wig isn’t really her scene, so she’s been using a combination of scarves and hats instead. But that is not the only problem: losing your hair changes your face dramatically. Suddenly, your old look doesn’t work any more. And there are other problems: dry skin is a common side-effect, as are hot flushes. Skin becomes hypersensitive to sunlight, and patients undergoing radiotherapy can find that the area treated is red and sore, like sunburn. All of which affects morale; as Avril put it: “Now I really do know the meaning of a bad hair day.”

For the past 14 years, Look Good Feel Better (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk) has run hospital workshops to help women cope with cancer. Next month, it celebrates the opening of its 50th workshop, at the Maggie’s Centre in Charing Cross Hospital, London. So far it has helped 65,000 patients. What Look Good Feel Better does is simple, but very effective: over two hours, trained beauticians (all volunteers) show women how to take care of their skin and address specific concerns as well as offer expert tips on applying make-up.

The women also get a free goodie bag stuffed with products: make-up, creams, bath oils. It may seem like a silly thing, frivolity at a time of utmost seriousness, but these sessions, these small acts of kindness can (and do) lift spirits.

Times recommends

• Are eldest children really a cut above?
• Peaches Geldof: censored
• Top 10 style-setting films of all time