New health and wellbeing clinic for breast cancer patients

Women in Plymouth who are living with a breast cancer diagnosis now have the opportunity to meet other women to share their experience and offer support to each other after their treatment.

Health and Wellbeing clinics have been identified by The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) as one of the key interventions which could make an immediate difference to patients living with a diagnosis of cancer.

The Mustard Tree Support Centre, based at Derriford Hospital, currently offers Health and Wellbeing clinics for breast cancer patients in two ways. For women who have completed their treatment, all day events are being offered throughout the year and for those patients at the start of their treatment, group clinic sessions of up to 10 patients are provided two or three times a month.

The clinics offer the opportunity for patients to interact with clinicians, clinical nurse specialists, allied health professionals, support specialists and the voluntary sector. They also allow an opportunity for patients to talk to other people with similar experiences, widening their support network. The first clinic was held on Saturday 18 May.

Hannah Heayn, Cancer Support and Information Specialist, said: “From feedback taken after the event, the most common aspect that people enjoyed was being with others who had been through similar experiences as them. They enjoyed the social element of the event including positive reflection and even laughing about their shared experiences. They also enjoyed the support that they found again after treatment.

“Everyone who attended indicated that they would recommend this event to other women and there was a strong sense that this event is needed and would benefit breast cancer patients in the future.”

Linda Hallam, 61 from Plympton explained why she went along: “I was on my own, although I didn’t have chemo and radiotherapy I still had an operation and I didn’t know what was going to happen to me in the future. I’d been through everything and that was it then, there was just nothing else.

“It just answered a few questions and I met some lovely people. It’s easier to talk to people who have been in the same situation.”

The next clinic will be held on Saturday 23 November 2013 at the Mustard Tree Centre at Derriford Hospital and it will be an all-day event.

For women at the start of their oncology treatment, a Breast Wellbeing clinic is offered two or three times a month. This is where a small group of up to 10 patients get an opportunity to talk, ask questions and address any fears and concerns they may have about breast cancer and the treatments. Clinics are held at the Mustard Tree Centre on Thursday morning from 10am-12pm.

The Health and Wellbeing clinics are a joint initiative between oncology nurses and those providing supportive care and information with the Living With And Beyond Cancer Team. Running these clinics together, provides a unique opportunity to fully address anything that is an issue for patients as they start their treatment programmes.

Slafka Scragg, Project Manager for the Living With and Beyond Cancer team, added: “This new way of working started in August and the feedback so far has been excellent. Women have particularly valued the opportunity to be with others in a similar situation and have been left feeling much more positive and reassured about where to find additional support and information as they start their breast cancer treatments.

“We offer women information, hints and tips, tools and techniques and a way of meeting and connecting with others starting their treatment.”

If you have completed treatment for breast cancer more than six months ago and would like to attend the event, please contact the Living With and Beyond Cancer Team on 01752 431468.