Karen Hills, Metastatic Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), said: “A number of patients had asked how they could meet other people who had a similar diagnosis to themselves.
“We held a focus group in January with six patients who have bowel and breast cancer, and their loved ones, and the need for a support group was clearly identified. Although the tumour sites are very different, the challenges faced by our metastatic patients and their families are very similar.
“The first meeting was so positive. People were able to express some of their difficulties but also their successes in terms of how they are trying to live their best life despite their diagnosis. The fact they were able to chat with people who truly understand what they are going through was massively important.
“For us, it was really heart-warming to see the patients chatting with each other after the meeting and making those connections.
“We hope to find a venue in Swale next year so we can alternate the meetings between Medway and Swale and help more people live well with a metastatic diagnosis.”
Stephanie Gorman, Acting Chief Nursing Officer for Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, said: “Well done to everyone involved with getting both of these important groups off the ground to help support our patients during a difficult time of theirs, and their loved ones’ lives.”
*Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from its original site to distant parts of the body, making it more challenging to treat and manage.
Read our hospital magazine!
Join us in making a difference
