A PIONEERING breast cancer support charity’s outreach centre will continue at Worcester’s breast unit after ‘overwhelming support’ from visitors.
National breast cancer support charity, Breast Cancer Haven (BCH), opened an outreach centre at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital last March as part of a one-year pilot scheme.
And now following an extensive service evaluation, the centre – the first to open on a hospital site – will continue to be offered by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
BCH has been offering their supportive therapies for one day a week from the new, £1.8m Worcestershire Breast Unit.
Each patient receives up to five free therapies to help relieve the side-effects of breast cancer treatment, including counselling, acupuncture, and nutritional advice.
In its first year close to 500 supportive therapy sessions have been run at the centre from a total of 138 patients.
One user said: “Breast Cancer Haven has been a lifeline to me which is difficult to put into words.
“I have never felt so cared for and supported. When outwardly I was coping well, inwardly it was Breast Cancer Haven,” she added.
Consultant breast surgeon, Steven Thrush said “We are so proud of the service provided at the breast unit and feel Breast Cancer Haven is integral to our ethos caring for the individual.”
Chair of the charity, Fiona Charny, said: “I am so pleased every patient is offered the opportunity of accessing Breast Cancer Haven services.
“This is the first place in the country where it is integral to the NHS.”
