New service for cancer patients

Mar 31 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A NEW service is being launched at St John’s Hospital to help cancer patients.

The HeadStrong service, organised by charity, Breast Cancer Care Scotland and delivered in Livingston, teaches patients scarf-tying techniques and offers the chance to try on a range of hats, scarves, fringes and hairpieces as an alternative to wearing a wig.

The new service to help people facing hair loss as a result of cancer treatment will be launched in Livingston today (Thursday).

During each hour-long appointment, people can also find out how to look after their hair and scalp before, during and after treatment and will have the chance to talk through any concerns they have about hair loss with trained volunteers.

Six local volunteers, many of them with a personal experience of cancer and hair loss, will be running HeadStrong sessions every Thursday from 1 to 3.30pm.

Liz Howley, from Livingston, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and became a volunteer for Breast Cancer Care Scotland.

She said: “I know from my own experience that being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a very frightening and confusing time and that’s why I wanted to become a volunteer – to use my own experience to help people who are going through the same thing.

“The HeadStrong service is brilliant because we can teach people simple ways to boost their confidence and to help them feel that they’re regaining control of their life again.

“The service is not just about practical advice – the volunteers are there to give clients a space to talk about anything worrying them.

“When you’re having cancer treatment it can be hard to get time to yourself in between the medical appointments so we are there to give you a chance to relax.

“People can bring someone with them for support.”

Appointments are open to people with any type of cancer.

The service is completely free, as are all services offered by Breast Cancer Care Scotland.

Tina Gilbert, clinical nurse specialist at the Cancer Care and Chemotherapy Oncology Unit at St John’s Hospital, said she is confident the new service will prove a big help to local patients.

She said: “Hair loss is such a major event for the cancer patients that we see and can affect their self image.

“Through HeadStrong, we will be able to help people through what can be a very difficult period of their cancer treatment.”

Angela Harris, services co-ordinator at Breast Cancer Care Scotland, commented: “This is the seventh HeadStrong we’ve launched in Scotland and we’re very pleased to be able to offer this extremely popular service to people in West Lothian.”

For more information about HeadStrong at St John’s Hospital or to book an appointment, contact the hospital on 01506 522119 or visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk