 |
Your body, your self - claiming back your life
About this initiative
BCAC has identified a need within our public health system for improved psychosocial services for women with breast cancer.
The physical symptoms of surgery and treatments can be profound and often the emotional and social aspects of breast cancer are overlooked for many women. Counselling and support may be needed to help women cope with an experience of breast cancer and to assist them and their families with day to day situations.
We look to the Australian Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer as a model from which to begin improving services here in New Zealand. These guidelines can be accessed via the National Breast Cancer Centre website
Breast Cancer Support offers one to one and group support for those diagnosed with breast cancer from other breast cancer survivors.
The Auckland Cancer Society has a range of psychosocial services for cancer patients and the Sweet Louise Foundation offers services to women with metastatic breast cancer.
The Auckland YWCA offers an exercise programme for women who have experienced breast surgery at any time in their lives. The programme is called Encore - visit the Encore Page on the YWCA site for course details.
Looking good, even when cancer is diagnosed, can give patients control at a time in their lives when they need it most. Look Good Feel Better is a free service offered to women undergoing treatment for cancer, helping to restore and enhance their appearance both during and after treatment. Guidance, information and makeover expertise is offered at special workshops throughout New Zealand. Visit the Look Good Feel Better site for details.
This is a new initiative for BCAC. Watch this space for news as we progress with our work in this area.
