Let's Talk Breast Cancer Awareness event write-up

We were joined by guests from Voluntary Action Rotherham, Rotherham Cancer Advocacy Service, Rotherham Hospital and Citizens Advice Rotherham. 

You can find a copy of the event slides at the bottom of this page. Should you have any questions for us or any of our guest speakers about the content below, or wish for the slides to be available in a different format, please contact us on: info@healthwatchrotherham.org.uk 

Coppafeel!:

Our first guest was Sophie Kirby, who works for the national breast cancer charity ‘Coppafeel!’.

Sophie discussed what the charity was about, why it was founded, how the charity supports those with breast cancer, and also advised how to check your chest for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Sophie also mentioned free handy resources that Coppafeel offer, including a ‘chest checker’ shower resource and posters.

To find out more information and to download and order your free resources, please visit the Coppafeel! website on: https://coppafeel.org/ 

  Rotherham Cancer Advocacy Service:

Our second guest was Faye McDool, the service manager of Rotherham Cancer Advocacy Service.

Faye discussed the effects of a cancer diagnosis and how the cancer advocacy team can support those facing cancer; by listening, supporting and empowering. 

Referrals: 

The Cancer Advocacy Service accepts professional referrals via Refernet, with the main referrals coming from Cancer Nurse Specialists.

Referrals are open to all tumour sites, and re-referrals are accepted.  

To make a self-referral, please contact the Cancer Advocacy Service on:

Telephone: 01709 515680 (option 3)

Email: Advocacy@citizensadvicerotherham.org.uk 

Faye then went on to mention the various excellent support services available in Rotherham and South Yorkshire for those diagnosed with cancer and their families. Please see the slides below for a full list of services and contact details. 

Functional Fitness - Rotherham:

We then heard from Leon at Functional Fitness.  Functional Fitness hosts exercise rehabilitation classes to tackle and overcome the barriers people face in accessing high quality, safe physical activity, and exercise. The trainers utilise their knowledge, experience and understanding to create specialist exercise programmes for people with cancer and other long term health conditions. 

Exercise Rehabilitation classes cannot be booked, and a GP referral is required to attend.

Please visit the Functional Fitness website to learn more about what they can offer you, times and dates of classes and much more - https://www.functionalfitnesstrx.co.uk/

You can also contact them on:

• Telephone: 07740 188 212 
• By completing their online ‘contact us’ form on their website. 

A huge thank you to all of our fantastic guest speakers for dedicating some time to speak at our event today, and to our attendees for listening.

Please see the event slides below for more information about the services mentioned above. 
 

Breast Cancer Now:

The organisation 'Breast Cancer Now' could sadly not attend this event, however they have kindly sent us some information regarding breast cancer, including a short video that is available on the slides below.
Macmillan:

Ann Parkin, a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist specialising in breast cancer, has also kindly sent us some slides discussing what breast cancer is, signs and symptoms, treatment options, side effects and support. You can view these in full by downloading the slides below.

Let’s Talk Feedback Survey:

Have you ever attended one of our Let's Talk online events - either as a guest or a speaker? Wanted to but never been able to make it due to the time/day? 

We would really appreciate your feedback for future events by completing our short anonymous survey:

https://forms.gle/gtcyAqch2RFXmPmy8 

November Let’s Talk event:

Join us on Wednesday 23rd November 11am - 12 noon for our next Let’s Talk event, discussing care homes and care at home.