Transcript Breast Foot Forward A walking information and support group for early breast cancer patients. Prepared by Amanda OReilly Manager, Cansupport Clinical Oncology, Royal North.

Breast Foot Forward
A walking information and support group for early breast cancer patients.
Prepared by Amanda OReilly
Manager, Cansupport
Clinical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital
November 2011
Background
 Cansupport was established in 1981 to offer information and
support to cancer patients through groups and volunteer peer
support.
 Cansupport operates within a psychosocial service for cancer
patients at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Australia.
 A wide range of groups are offered with the following breast
cancer specific options.
Breast Cancer Information and Support Services
Early Breast Cancer
6 week series x 4 times per annum
Life After Breast Cancer Workshops x 2 times per annum
Bi-annual Forums
Look Good Feel Better Workshops x 8 per annum
Relaxation and meditation sessions - weekly
Advanced Breast Cancer
Monthly meetings
Barriers to existing services
•
Extensive hospital rebuilding program causes access problems
•
Parking and Sydney traffic
•
Resistance to attending traditional groups
•
Childcare causes limitations for younger women
Impetus for Breast Foot Forward Project
•
No existing form of ongoing group support provided
•
Offering psychological support in a non-threatening non clinical
environment
•
Evidence for support and information groups promoting social
connection and peer support
•
Evidence for benefits of physical activity in recovery and rehabilitation
•
Evidence suggests a reduction in recurrence risk by up to 50% if a
regime of 3-5 hours of moderate exercise per week is maintained
•
Patient and Volunteer fundraising $11,000
Project planning
Advisory committee formed with representation of
patients, volunteers, breast care specialist nurse,
physiotherapist, local community member and a
psychologist.
Tasks included finding a venue, planning the route,
developing paper work, legal/insurance aspects,
promotion of the walk.
Breast Foot Forward - The name and logo
patient approved, distinctive and encouraging
The Venue- Manly, Sydney Australia
Manly Beach
THE MODEL
THE WELCOME
THE ORIENTATION
traditional peer support, professional facilitation, topics eg
teaching a walking meditation.
introductions and morning tea.
includes safety measures.
The Route - 5kms, level, scenic, regular seating, own pace.
The Members - varied fitness levels, any stage of early breast
cancer journey, female supporters welcome.
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Paperwork
•
Information flyer and walking date calendar
•
Registration
•
Medical approval form
Other preparations
Legal/insurance clearance
First aid training for facilitators
Promotion
Catering
Resources: exercise recording book, pedometers
EVALUATIONS
29 registered participants -14 returned evaluations
11 completed treatment - 3 currently in treatment
Have you attended any other forms
of information and support whilst
dealing with your EBC diagnosis.?
I have attended the Breast Foot
Forward walks on...
1 occasion
2 occasions
NO
3 occasions
4 occasions
5 occasions
YES
6 occasions
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
How did you find out about the walks?
Age Group
Word of
mouth
Over 75
Cansupport
meeting:
61 – 75
46 – 60
Other Health
Professional:
30 – 45
Breast Care
Nurse:
Under 30
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
5
10
15
The walks have been helpful in
improving my level of exercise
Attending the walks makes me feel
less isolated
Disagree:
Agree
Neutral:
Neutral
Agree:
Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0
5
10
15
Sharing experiences and feelings
with other women is helpful to me
Being able to interact with
other women is helpful to me
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Neutral
Disagree
Disagree
0
5
10
15
0
5
10
15
Being able to interact with the
facilitators is helpful to me
I would recommend this group
to other women
Agree
Yes
Neutral
No
Disagree
0
5
10
15
0
5
10
15
Other Comments

“Motivates me to get off my bum. My husband pulls the covers off
me now so I have to go in the mornings too.”

“I appreciate the information from the facilitators.”

“I’m not local but am happy to travel to Manly.”

“I appreciate the support and evolving information on breast cancer.”

“Manly is a very beautiful easy walk and the ocean views, beach and
landscape add to the enjoyment.”

“Love walking by the ocean – very therapeutic.”

“Its encouraging to see there is life after the treatment.”`

“Keeping an exercise record book has been helpful to monitor my
weekly activity.”
LESSONS LEARNED
Due to varied levels of fitness the walk stretches over
distance and requires volunteers to supervise.
Maintaining an email data base allows for monthly
reminder notice
Future and recovery focussed rather than disease and
clinical focus. Patient enabling.