Survey for new Brighton cancer centre’s body image service (From The Argus)

Survey for new Brighton cancer centre’s body image service

4:00pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

People living with cancer in Sussex are being asked to give their views on a new service that will offer support on hair loss and body image.

It will form part of the new Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre, which is due to open in spring 2014.

The centre, based next to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, will offer a wide range of services, advice and help.

Current and former patients have formed a service users group so their first hand experiences of the disease can influence the kind of support offered at the centre.

The group is asking anyone affected by hair loss, skin or nail problems or body confidence issues – including family, friends and carers – to take part in a survey.

Sharon Tullett, 46, from Hove, lost her hair when being treated for breast cancer.

She said: “It started coming out in handfuls and I put on weight.

“I got to a stage where I just couldn’t bear to look at myself in a mirror and my self-esteem could have been really low but my family, friends and my support group were always there for me, helping me stay positive.

“We’re looking at, among other things, what we can do to help people whose body image has suffered through having cancer.

“For example, I went round the wig shops in town and tried on a few, but it would have helped to talk to someone who’d been through the same thing.

“This is your opportunity to have your say – tell us what’s needed to help people with cancer feel better by looking better.”

To take part in the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/DL3 PM56.

The closing date is October 31.