Helping you support breast cancer patients during tHe coVid-19 pandemic and beyond
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At Breast Cancer Now , we ’ re powered by our life-changing care . We hear first-hand how a breast cancer diagnosis can make someone feel isolated , and how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already worrying and uncertain time for people affected by the disease . Just as the nursing workforce has been adapting to overcome these challenges , we ’ ve evolved to ensure people affected by breast cancer can continue to count on our support services . With Breast Cancer Now ’ s wide-ranging support services being a lifeline for thousands of people affected by breast cancer , we rapidly moved our services online when the pandemic paused our face-toface groups and events so that we were still there for people when they needed us most , and we continue to offer support online as we re-start our face-to-face services .
We ’ re acutely aware of the unprecedented resource and time pressures primary care professionals face right now and are here to support you and to provide emotional support to people affected by breast cancer .
For many , talking to someone who ’ s also been through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can be a helpful part of ongoing recovery , which is why Someone Like Me is so crucial . The service matches people with trained volunteers who ’ ve had similar experiences to them , to answer questions , offer support or simply listen .
Younger Women Together gives women aged up to 45 the opportunity to join small groups online or face to face . They meet with women who understand what they ’ re going through , and hear from experts on issues including treatment , fertility , exercise , and mental health .
‘ I wanted to know what I could do to help myself and give myself some structure to help me move through recovery , which is when I came across the Moving Forward course . Meeting other people who have had similar experiences has been so helpful .’
- attendee of Breast Cancer Now ’ s Moving Forward course .
We know that reaching the end of breast cancer treatment can sometimes be the hardest part . Losing the safety net of regular appointments and looking to the future can be difficult . As such , we have a range of support services that primary care professionals can direct patients to as they adjust to life beyond treatment .
Moving Forward provides a safe space for women to connect with others in a similar situation , along with the chance to access specialist information and expert guidance , covering topics such as healthy eating , managing menopausal symptoms and breast and body awareness . Our end-of-treatment support app , Becca , offers tailored strategies and bite-sized tips to help women live well after treatment . Becca can be downloaded on mobile phones or tablets .
Anyone with worries or questions about breast cancer or breast health can also speak to our breast care nurses . They ’ re ready to listen on our free and confidential Helpline , and Ask Our Nurses email service , to provide information and support , no matter how big or small the question . Through Breast Cancer Now ’ s online discussion Forum , people can reach out to our supportive community at any time of day or night .
Knowing that a secondary breast cancer diagnosis can prompt many uncertainties , our Living with Secondary Breast Cancer service is one that you can signpost patients to groups which are facilitated by trained counsellors , giving patients the chance to talk , listen and learn with people who understand the challenges that secondary breast cancer brings .
We ’ re Breast Cancer Now , the charity steered by worldclass research and powered by life-changing care . For more information about our support services and the return of faceto-face groups , please visit : breastcancernow . org / informationsupport / support-you
Anyone can call our free , confidential Helpline on 0808 800 6000 for information and support .
Breast Cancer Now is a charity registered in England and Wales ( 1160558 ), Scotland ( SC045584 ), and the Isle of Man ( 1200 ).