If you or someone you know has any symptoms that might be linked to breast or other cancers, don’t wait, visit your doctor now!
If you or someone you know has any symptoms that might be linked to breast or other cancers, don’t wait, visit your doctor now!
Living with cancer can be challenging, add a pandemic and the situation for many has become very stressful. Walk the Walk have gathered together advice and tips from cancer charities and organisations that are working on the front line of cancer. For more advice links are provided.
Contents...
Text by Walk the Walk, information provided by linked charities
... from Stephen Johnston, Head of the Breast Unit at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and a Trustee of Walk the Walk
"As Covid-19 continues to have an impact on all our lives, I wanted to take this opportunity to urge those of you that may have any potential symptoms that might indicate breast cancer, to visit your doctor and have a breast check as soon as possible - please don’t put it off. Over the past months many people have been fearful about entering hospitals or visiting their doctor due to the fear of catching Covid-19. Any delay in diagnosis of breast cancer could have an impact on diagnosis and treatment, and while it is important to remember that 9 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous, getting checked out and assessed is very important.
For those that are currently living with breast cancer and are currently being treated, you should feel assured that breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are all being carried out, and that hospitals are safe given all the protective measures and regular Covid-19 testing of staff and patients that are in place." - Stephen
2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for cancer patients across the UK, with worrying delays to treatment due to the pandemic. But there is a shining ray of hope during these challenging times as charities have forged forward with their digital support and many are now not only offering counselling, but a wonderful selection of activities, support groups and classes - some more traditional, some you might never have thought of.
Now, even more people can benefit, and from the comfort of your own home. Walk the Walk have been investigating and here are some of our favourites!
We just love “Tea and a Chat”, an online service launched since the outbreak of COVID19 that encourages live chat via a video call. Tea and a Chat is a great place for those with secondaries to meet, share experiences and catch up. There is never a particular agenda but always lots of support.
At a time when many secondary breast cancer patients are having to self-isolate, these video chats are helping to keep people in contact, make new friends and to maintain regular social contact with those in a similar situation which is always empowering.
Sign up here for a 1:1 Tea and a Chat session with a Patient Champion – organised by our friends at the wonderful charity Make 2nds Count.
Menopausal symptoms can be a huge issue for any woman, let alone if you are also coping with cancer and the side effects of hormone treatment. The combination of hot flushes, irritability, anxiety, night sweats and disrupted sleep all take its toll and for many it is exhausting. The good news is that there are things you can do to help yourself. Why not try “Managing the Menopause”, a fantastic weekly group class involving Emotional Freedom Techniques or tapping as it is often called. You’ll learn how to tap the body and quickly release hot flushes and other side effects of medication. It might sound too good to be true, but it has been proved to be very effective, so worth giving it a go.
To find out more visit here. This is just one of the many online classes offered by the wonderful charity Breast Cancer Haven. For details of all their classes, as well as a full range of Pilates classes to suit all levels, just click here.
Why choose when you can have them all… Move Dance Feel is a creative dance project that offers gentle online dance sessions that are designed to enhance wellbeing and offer holistic support. What could be more nourishing for the soul than coming together with other like-minded women to enjoy the healing effects of music and dance.
The class is open to all women including those who have either just been diagnosed with breast cancer, are undergoing treatment, post treatment and to those women who are caring or supporting someone with cancer. Plus, after each 45 minute session, if you want to stay online and socialise with the others in the class, there’s time for an optional brief chat.
Why not give it a go… more details here?
Or maybe a session in the “Relaxation Room” is just what you need. Available to anyone affected by cancer, relaxation techniques, mindfulness and meditation are powerful ways that you can create your own sense of wellbeing, help to build resilience, balance your emotions and support your immune system. To find out more, click here to book.
Move Dance Feel and the Relaxation Room are online classes offered by our great friends at Penny Brohn UK who continue to offer much needed support to those diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Ladies step aside, this is one for the men, the launch of the first UK Virtual Meet-up for men diagnosed with breast cancer. This new online resource is peer-led and is run by and for men who have had breast cancer. This is a wonderful opportunity for men to “meet,” share their experiences and to talk about the things that are important and unique to them.
Walk the Walk is very excited to be supporting this initiative with De Montfort University, ANCAN, and the Male Breast Cancer Coalition.
The next Virtual Meet-up will be on Thursday 26th November 2020 at 8.00pm (20.00) UK time.
For more information, email [email protected]
Meanwhile, if you didn’t know that men could get breast cancer, then check out the Men get breast cancer too link and find out more.
In the true sense of “collaboration” Walk the Walk is delighted to work with the following charities who all provide their expertise, education, support and counselling for men with breast cancer and their families.
We would love to hear from you, let us know if you have experienced an online class or community that you have enjoyed and feel would benefit others and we will try to share it!
Email us to let us know if there are any topics, subjects or articles that you would like to see included next time.
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