Just weeks after completing chemotherapy, a Sunderland breast cancer survivor is helping to develop a support programme for women recovering from the devastating disease.
Kelly Ross, 39, is working with Newcastle University's Dr Sam Orange on the project. Dr Orange's team has been awarded £250,000 by the charity Breast Cancer Now to support the research.
The idea is to improve access to help with nutrition and physical activity for those adapting to life after breast cancer. According to the charity, one in three people will experience persistent tiredness after treatment, and almost half will experience depression and anxiety.
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Research has shown that leading a healthy lifestyle can both reduce these symptoms - and even lower the risk of breast cancer returning. Scientists have known for some time that leading a healthy lifestyle after a breast cancer diagnosis can help with these symptoms. And it could lower the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Dr Orange from Newcastle University said: “Surviving breast cancer doesn’t always mean living well. That’s why we’re keen to develop a support programme that will help women with healthy eating and exercise habits after breast cancer treatment.
"We know that adapting existing services is more efficient than developing new ones from scratch and means the support programme is more likely to become part of standard care for breast cancer. This could help women improve their quality of life and it could even lower their risk of the disease coming back.’’
The study will see researchers help NHS teams refer patients to existing support services, provide guidance about how such services could be adapted while also working with focus groups featuring NHS staff and patients to consider how to improve what is available.
40 women will also be referred to an "adapted died and physical activity" service and will feed back on patient and staff experiences.
Kelly completed chemotherapy in May. She said she has been keen to rebuild her strength through exercise, but has not had the confidence to head to the gym like she would have prior to illness.
She said: "I’ve always struggled with my mental health and have relied on exercise to boost my mood. Since completing my treatment I’ve tried to go back to the gym, but I have lost all my confidence. I don’t know what my body is capable of anymore and I’m self-conscious about having no hair and just one breast.”
"When you ring your bell to finish the treatment so many women are left thinking ‘what now?’ Your confidence is in pieces and the last place you feel like going to is the gym or an exercise class. I think it’s important that women can come together after their breast cancer treatment and get support around healthy eating and exercise that is tailored to them.
"It would also be so helpful to meet women who have been through a similar experience or look the same as me. The groups would be so much more than support with nutrition and physical activity, it would be women sharing experiences and empowering each other to rebuild our lives."
Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now said: “Almost 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and these numbers are rising. This project has real potential to help women to adopt and maintain healthy diet and physical activity habits after treatment, with the scope to especially help women experiencing long lasting low mood or extreme tiredness."
Breast Cancer Now is here for anyone affected by breast cancer, providing support for today and hope for the future. Find out more at breastcancernow.org
