GMC Number: 7326125
Specialty: Imaging
Secretary: Niamh Hamer/Holly Hacker
Telephone no: 01174149015/01174145174
The good news about your breast check-ups.
What are they and how do they affect my care?
Information, support and practical advice to help you through treatment and beyond.
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is different for everyone and affects each person in an individual
way. However, research and patient experience indicate that it can be common for people to feel a
variety of emotions that may include fear, anxiety, low mood, confusion, anger, sadness, denial,
relief.
In the same way that the emotions people experience upon receiving a cancer diagnosis are unique to each individual, the ways in which people access support and the strategies they find helpful can
vary too.
This leaflet brings together a variety of suggestions for helping and supporting individuals
through difficult and challenging periods in their lives, as well as information on the support we
offer here at North Bristol NHS Trust.
It is important to remember that professional help and support is available. Talking to your doctor
or nurse to access support in your area may be the first step. Many areas also offer ‘buddy
systems’ or have support groups.
Remember, if you encounter difficulties related to your cancer or treatment, even if it is some
time after treatment ends, you are still able to access support.
For a list of options for support we provide at Southmead Hospital, please see below.
Physical activity is any form of exercise or activity involving movement that uses your muscles. It
helps to improve your physical and psychological health. Being fitter and stronger will really help
you to manage your daily activities, as well as increasing the level of feel-good chemicals
(endorphins) in the body. This can be a positive way of coping with the sometimes overwhelming
intensity of emotions.
Physical activity is recommended by the National Cancer Institute and the British Association of
Sport and Exercise Science. They advise that physical activity is safe and effective before, during
and after cancer treatment.
There is research evidence that physical activity can help in the following ways:
The Macmillan ‘Move More’ pack is an excellent resource that covers all of these points in more detail and also advises how to become more active at the different stages of cancer, how much activity is recommended and how to get started. It guides you through exercises that can be done at home and includes lots of everyday activities like walking, housework and gardening. This is available from the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre.
The Energise exercise programme is also available to introduce people to a supported environment to begin exercising. You can self-refer or you can be referred by your nurse specialist or another
medical professional. Full details of Energise and other physical activity programmes near to you
are available at the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre.
Eating well can sometimes prove challenging following a cancer diagnosis, due to the physical
side-effects of certain cancers and their treatments. Optimising your intake to achieve the most
balanced diet possible can have many positive health benefits, including improved immune system
function, better energy levels and improved mood. Specialist dietary advice may be provided
following a cancer diagnosis/ treatment, which should always be adhered to.
Recommendations from the World Cancer Research Fund for living well following a cancer diagnosis encourage you to:
If you would like further nutritional information, comprehensive literature can be obtained from
the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre.
For further support, please complete a self-referral form to see our Specialist Dietician for a 1:1
consultation. Referral forms are also available from the centre.
It might sound obvious, but a good night’s sleep can profoundly affect how well or poorly equipped
we feel to face the challenges of each new day. Getting into a healthy sleep routine can help us to
feel more physically and mentally able to function on a daily basis. A healthy sleep routine might
involve:
There is no ‘right’ way to feelHaving a positive mental attitude during and after cancer treatment can be beneficial. However, it is normal to feel a range of emotions when you are coping with treatment and recovering from it and allowing yourself to feel these without pressure to remain endlessly positive is important. Having the opportunity to talk openly and honestly about how you are feeling can be invaluable, whether this is with friends and family or through a support group or Living Well Course (see page 11).
If you feel that your mood is getting in the way of you being able to do things that matter to you
(e.g. at home or work) then it is worth seeing your GP or nurse specialist to talk about options
for psychological support.
It’s common to find our mind worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, but this can turn
up feelings of worry and low mood. Mindfulness techniques can help you to let go of the struggle
with difficult thoughts and feelings and focus on the present moment. With practice, mindfulness can have a wide range of benefits including reduced depression and worry, increased sense of calm and ability to cope with physical symptoms (like pain and fatigue), as well as an enhanced wellbeing generally.
You can get information about mindfulness techniques and courses from the Macmillan Wellbeing
Centre here at Southmead Hospital and Penny Brohn in Pill (www. pennybrohn.org.uk).
Experiencing cancer and treatment for cancer may have an impact on your appearance and the way in which you might see your body or feel about the way you look. Tips for dealing with changes in appearance include:
It can feel difficult to adjust to, and talk about, changes in appearance. However, keeping your
feelings to yourself can sometimes stop you doing things you enjoy or getting the right help. It
can help be helpful to talk about your feelings with someone you trust and who you feel comfortable or you may find it helpful to write down your questions or concerns and share these with your health professional.
Here at Southmead, we are able to offer support at any stage of your cancer journey.
We provide access to:
Please speak to your Clinical Nurse Specialist or the team in the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre if you
are interested in these support options or email LivingWell@nbt.nhs.uk.
These 5 week self-management courses are now offered as part of your routine follow-up care. The courses are facilitated by a health psychologist, specialist nurse and volunteer.
The courses include:
“I came to the Living Well course in 2014/15. Depression hit me after my treatment ended and the course was a shining light in the darkness; a safe space where I could spend time with supportive women who understood what I was going through. I cannot recommend this course highly enough; I learnt so many techniques for coping with the aftermath of treatment, which I continue to use.
Quote from Cathy, who attended a Breast Living Well course
Having a good support network can help ease what can often be a challenging journey for people who are living with a cancer diagnosis. There are many different of forms of support that may be more helpful at different times for different people who are trying to cope with the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Support that might prove useful includes:
Family and friends
It may feel difficult talking to family and friends about your fears and anxieties, but it can
often be helpful for both of you to ask for what it is you need from them in terms of support.
Hospital and medical staff
These staff (e.g. your Clinical Nurse Specialist and Doctors) are there to provide both medical
care for you and to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the treatment you have
received.
Helplines / websites
There are a number of both general and specialist cancer helplines and websites dedicated to
supporting people with cancer. These include:
0808 808 0000
0303 3000 118
If you have any further questions, please visit the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre at Southmead
Hospital, for information, support and a cuppa! Or you can call and book an appointment with one of our support workers for a Holistic Needs assessment so that you can receive personally tailored
information and support.
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
Beaufort House Southmead Hospital Westbury-on-Trym Bristol
BS10 5NB
Email: wellbeingcentre@nbt.nhs.uk
Phone: 0117 414 7051
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published June 2022. Review due June 2025. NBT003065
Holistic is a term that is used to describe all the needs that you might encounter as an
individual. We know that cancer can affect many areas of your life and as a result your individual
needs may change. As part of your ongoing care we offer you an assessment to ensure that, wherever
possible, all your concerns and needs are being addressed. This is what we call a Holistic Needs
Assessment (HNA).
A HNA gives you a chance to think about your concerns and discuss possible solutions. It has three
parts:
The questions may be answered on paper or electronically and will take around ten minutes to
complete. You can choose to be sent the check list of questions in advance or you can fill one out
at the time of the appointment.
You will then meet with the health care professional to discuss the issues you have and help you
consider possible solutions. Together you will agree on a plan of action to address your concerns.
This is then written down as your care plan. You will receive a copy of this plan to take away, or
a copy will be sent to you. Alternatively you can choose to hold the care planning discussion over
the telephone and your care plan will be sent to you.
A HNA is designed to look at your individual needs and you can decide what is included.
You will be contacted by telephone to arrange an appointment. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you when the discussion takes place.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published Nov 2021. Review due Nov 2023. NBT003095