About 70 breast and gynaecological cancer patients, their carers, and health care professionals attended an empowering session at Founders Heritage Park last Friday.
Survivorship Days, hosted by the Nelson Regional Breast Cancer and Gynaecological Cancer Trust (NRBGCT), are specially developed for breast and gynaecological cancer survivors to forecast life beyond cancer treatment and to provide patients with coping mechanisms during treatment.
Last week’s event was the first Survivorship Day hosted by the organisation since 2018.
Trustee Karen Scott says the health care professionals who presented included Helen Nott from Active Physiotherapy, PHO dietician Kate Goodman, Nelson Hospital breast cancer nurse Mary Woodford, Nelson breast surgeon Ros Pochin, and Nelson medical oncologist, Kate Gregory.
Survivors came from Golden Bay through to Marlborough to hear the speakers.
Topics included the importance of exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, 3D prosthesis for women who have had mastectomies, surgical updates, and breast cancer treatment developments.
Karen says, the patients and survivors all gave positive feedback about how the event created a space for practical advice, and the ability to connect with other women so they were no longer on their cancer journey by themselves.
NRBGCT offers a range of support to cancer sufferers. Go here for more information.
