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REACH
TO RECOVERY
Together
with leading oncologists in the field we have designed a programme
to assist breast cancer patients on their road to recovery.
The
Reach to Recovery programme is committed to help you achieve
maximum recovery physically, psychologically and cosmetically.
Most
of the woman involved in running the programme have had breast
cancer. They have successfully battled the disease and stepped
forward to volunteer their time and share their experiences
with other women in the same predicament. Members meet every
last Saturday of the month.
OBJECTIVE
OF THE PROGRAMME
- To
provide a listening ear
- To
help patients overcome the initial shock and trauma of mastectomy/lumpectomy
- To
give information on rehabilitation after the operation.
- To
allay unfounded fears and rumours of the disease
- To
provide information on exercises and helpful hints on dressing,
brassiere selection and breast forms (prothesis)
- To
encourage new patients to attend monthly support group meeting
- To
provide contacts for follow up visits
WHAT
IS INVOLVED
Our
volunteers will visit you while you are in hospital recuperating
from surgery. They are assigned to help at the breast clinics
of all government/restructed and private hospitals.
Membership
is voluntary and free! Join us and learn how to manage the cancer
in you and subsequently you can in turn, help others in the
similar circumstances.
Email
us if you are interested or you can call us at 6221 9578.
OSTOMY
CLUB
The
Ostomy Club aims to rehabilitate newly-operated ostomates enabling
them to adjust to a new lifestyle and lead quality lifes.
Members
meet every third Saturday of the month to share their personal
experiences, exchange information and gain an insight into how
others cope with their stoma and the problems they have encountered.
Volunteer doctors and stoma therapists are present at the meeting
to provide professional advice on how to achieve independence
and confidence in the care if their stoma.
Well-rehabilitated
members visit new patients either before or after their operation
to render psychological and emotional support.
Email
us if you are interested or you can call us at 6221 9578.
NEW
VOICE CLUB
Membership
at the New Voice Club has increased significantly since its
formation in 1985. Members are ex-patients of some form of laryngeal
cancer and have undergone surgical treatment or laryngectomy.
After the surgery, in which the vocal chords are exercised,
patients lose their voices completely. Rehabilitation includes
learning how to speak again.
The
New Voice Club provides rehabilitative support for laryngectomees
and help them to learn how to speak again, with or without speech
devices. It also reaches out to new patients and renders emotional
support to members and their families in coping with a 'new
voice' after the surgery.
A
Visiting Team, comprising Club's members will visit and counsel
laryngeal cancer patients and offer psychological and emotional
support either before or after their operation.
MEETING
SCHEDULE
Members
meet on the last Tuesday, once every 2 months during which
they are encouraged to share their experiences and discuss the
problems they have encountered. Volunteer surgeons form the
Ear, Nose & Throat specialty, speech therapists and the
nurses are present at these meetings to give free medical and
professional advice.
Every
Tuesday, the Club conducts Speech Practice sessions for members
at the Singapore Cancer Society's premises. These sessions proved
to be very effective judging from the tremendous progress made
in their speech by those who have attended the lessons.
Email
us if you are interested or call us at 6221 9578.
ONCOLOGY
SUPPORT GROUP
This
is a self-help group for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy
or surgery for cancer, run by volunteers who are themselves
cancer patients.
Facilitated
by trained oncology nurses and ex-patients, the group offers
interactive sessions aimed at relieving the stress following
a diagnosis of cancer and subsequent medical treatment of the
disease.
The
meeting session provides the opportunity for cancer patients
and their families to interact with ex-patients to express their
thoughts doubts, fears, and frustrations. They can voice any
questions they have about the disease, side effects, modes of
treatment, coping methods and so on. However, it must be emphasised
that the support group is not an avenue for those seeking a
second opinion on treatment options.
By
sharing their experiences on how they have coped with their
cancer and are now on the road to recovery, cancer survivors
in the group provide the crucial psychological and emotional
support to these cancer patients and their families. Participants
are assured that meetings are held in strict confidentiality.
MEETING
SCHEDULE
The
Oncology Support Group holds meetings at Singapore Cancer Society's premises.
Admission
is free and patients are encouraged to bring along one or more
family members or loved ones.
To
ensure a more fruitful session, first-time participants are
urged to bring along essential information such as diagnosis
and treatment plan/s.
CONTACT
DETAILS
You
may contact our Nurse Co-ordinator at Tel: 6221 9578 for
an appointment.
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