ARC bring cancer support online
A webinar aimed at helping patients to manage the side effects of hormonal therapies during breast cancer is set to take place next week.
Cork ARC Cancer Support House announced the webinar recently as the latest instalment in its free online series helping patients and their families online.
The webinar, led by breast cancer nurse counsellor at Cork ARC Fiona Moriarty, will bring together the expertise of Prof. Roisin Connolly, Medical Oncology consultant at CUH, Shirley O’Shea, Senior Health Promotion Officer with the HSE, and Fiona Rush, Senior Dietitian with the HSE.
Hormone therapy treatment is prescribed to breast cancer patients with hormone sensitive tumours for up to ten years and can cause a range of side effects.
With patients typically taking this treatment at home, these side effects can be exacerbated by the loneliness and isolation associated with Covid restrictions over an extended period.
While not all patients who have been prescribed hormone therapy as a treatment will experience difficult side effects, Cork ARC want to ensure that anybody who needs a helping hand or listening ear can access that support.
Breast cancer nurse counsellor at Cork ARC Cancer Support House, Fiona Moriarty said: “This webinar will be extremely important for women who may be struggling with the side effects of hormone treatment for breast cancer.
“These treatments are usually prescribed just when hospital treatments are coming to an end when patients often report that they feel increased vulnerability and a sense of aloneness.”
Ms Moriarty said ARC has been running these sessions for hormone therapy patients over the past seven years.
“Our experience in this area has shown us that more needs to be done to support these women. While we can’t offer the in-person workshops this year, we are delighted to expand this support online meaning we can support anyone who needs it no matter where they are based,” she said.
The webinar will take place on 30 April and follows the immensely popular Diet in Cancer webinar held by Cork ARC last month.
It is the latest in a busy programme of webinars and online supports that the Cork ARC Cancer Support House team are preparing for patients and their families.
Early registration for the webinar is advised. For more information and to register, visit corkcancersupport.ie.
Cork ARC Cancer Support House has provided help, information and support to people with cancer since 2003.
Services include counselling, group therapies, physical therapies, bereavement support, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and art therapy.