We survived and we’re stronger than ever
There are about one million cancer survivors in Australia, but life after the disease is often, if not always, difficult. Some of Australia’s leading cancer specialists and researchers have now come together to set up what is claimed to be the country’s first Cancer Survivor’s Centre.
There are about one million cancer survivors in Australia, but life after the disease is often, if not always, difficult.
Some of Australia’s leading cancer specialists and researchers have now come together to set up the country’s first Cancer Survivor’s Centre.
It was designed to help with physical and psychological issues that confront patients after their treatment and aims at helping patients with the after effects of cancer, including post-cancer fatigue.
Andrew Lloyd from the University of New South Wales last week launched Australia’s first cancer survivor’s centre.
“The centre is a physical rehabilitative and a cognitive rehabilitative process where, for instance, we do what is called activity pacing and graded exercise to help people improve their functional capacity,” Mr Lloyd said.
A range of medical professionals will draw up care plans which may include support programs for women recovering from cervical, breast or ovarian cancers.
“Surgical removal of the ovaries, some of the drug treatments that we use for breast cancer which seek to stop oestrogen activity, all may result in menopause and that in turn has a series of consequences including some symptoms and some deterioration in bone health, sexuality and fertility issues,” Mr Lloyd said.
“We are now looking at about three-quarters of our patients being cured and what we’re wanting is cure without side effects. We want quality of life so we are not just looking at prolonging life.”
The benefits of the centre are said to stretch beyond the patients and their families.
“I am talking about the research component which will be a very important part of the centre. It allows us to know how to best deal with these issues. It also allows us to benefit not only the patient who is attending the clinic at the time but also the generations of patients to come,” Mr Lloyd said.
