News and Updates

Dr David Spiegel outlined the goals of supportive-expressive group therapy (SEGT) in his book Group Therapy for Cancer Patients published in 2000 by Basic Books. Dr Spiegel, Stanford University, pioneered the use of SEGT with women with breast cancer and is the model we use for the group. Goals include: Overcoming isolation – like Margaret,…

An Advanced Health Directive is a way to think about and plan what medical treatment you would like in the event that you cannot make decisions for yourself.

It would be nice to have a cleavage It would be nice to be able to bend forward without worrying Using your hand over your chest or a shirt tight around your neck It would probably be nice to see a hairdresser and use colour and wear a bikini in summer It’s sad that I…

One group member recently reflected on words and phrases that she and many women with secondary breast cancer find unhelpful. She writes On being a “Survivor” “The other phrase I have difficulty with is “Survivor”.  I personally have never referred to myself as a “Survivor”.  If I ever feel the need to label myself or…

Workshop 2011 Photos

One of the surprises in our BC journey ( and there are many good ones ), is experiencing the “random acts of kindness” that are often showered upon us when we least expect them and usually when we need them most.To think that an extremely busy, talented friend would take the time,materials etc to create…

Weekend Get Together 2010 Photos

As the facilitators running the group we are often asked what the group is like. We have a strong sense of what groups can provide, and in particular what this group offers these women dealing with this illness. The Group offers women a sense of belonging and comfort, the opportunity to help others and share experiences.

Many people who have been diagnosed with secondary or advanced cancer need to stop work, either permanently or for a period of time. Sometimes people stop work to allow for treatment and other times it is because they can no longer cope with full-time work.

Name – Janelle Date of Birth – 19/10/1984 Journey – My first diagnosis of Breast Cancer was 1st May 08. Surgery in June, and a scan discovering mets in liver and bones in July (post op). Chemo began 1st Aug after a short radiation of pelvis to prevent any pain, although I had none. Brain…