By CAROLINE WILSON
MORE women recovering from breast cancer will be offered psychological support following the roll-out of a hospital service.
Gartnavel General Hospital is launching a free course run by the charity Breast Cancer Care to help women move forward in their lives after undergoing treatment.
Experts say the long-term impact of breast cancer can be overwhelming and with more than eight out of ten people (86%) surviving breast cancer beyond five years, the need for continued support is increasing.
Patients report that they are left with unanswered questions about how to adjust after their diagnosis or how to manage side effects of treatment, like lymphoedema, hot flushes or reduced confidence.
The course allows patients to ask specialists questions in a relaxed setting and meet others who are going through the same experience.
Donna Swabey, a speech therapist, from Dennistoun, who is recovering from breast cancer, said: "When you have finished your treatment for breast cancer you feel isolated.
"Your body and emotions have been through so much that you find it difficult to articulate what is going on, and feel like no one can understand you, or relate to what you have been going through.
"The only people who might understand are those you met when having treatment, and even then, by the end of chemo you're too exhausted to get people's details and keep in touch.
"Meeting people outside the clinic environment who have the experience and expertise to support you while you try to return to your life is a great thing to do."
The charity also offers a range of other services including a telephone helpline, advice on buying lingerie after a mastectomy and a confidential email service where patients can get advice from a trained volunteer.
Breast Cancer Care has been running the four week Moving Forward course in Glasgow in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for three years at a number of hospitals.
The next course starts on Friday June 3 2016 at Gartnavel General Hospital and will run each week from 10am – 1pm. It is open to anyone with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer within the last two to three years.
The event is free, but anyone interested in attending must register in advance by contacting a member of Breast Cancer Care’s Services team on 0345 0771893 or movingforward@breastcancercare.org.uk
For more information go to www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.
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