Vita Issue 14 Winter 2013

Feeling the heat Coping with menopausal symptoms after breast cancer

Every loser wins How to lose weight and keep it off post treatment

With complements Do complementary therapies really work?

the show must go on Fashion show model Andrea Hull shares her experience contentswinter 10 14

3 Inbox Your letters, tweets 21 and emails to Vita 4 News The latest goings on 06 Welcome to Vita

As we start another year, many of us will be thinking about 6 Work out in style Hot topic things we want to do differently in our lives. Perhaps taking Active fashion 17 With complements up a new activity or starting new, healthier habits. On Do complementary therapies page 13 we speak to Gabby Mottershead, who started Real lives really work? walking after breast cancer in a bid to be more active and 8 Time is a healer who now leads one of Breast Cancer Care’s Best Foot Five years on from Your questions Forward walking groups. breast cancer answered If losing the weight you might have put on during 9 The show must go on 18 Ask a breast treatment for breast cancer is top of your list of New Year’s Meet our cover star cancer expert resolutions, you might find our article on page 12 useful. 10 Check this out Our experts answer Here we look at how to lose weight safely and hopefully Returning to work your questions keep it off for good. 11 The aftermath For some people, a new beginning can mean a return Coping when treatment In touch to an old routine. For Sue Eagling, a fresh start after her has finished 20 Vita bloggers treatment for breast cancer meant going back to the job Meet our new bloggers she enjoyed and the colleagues she missed. You can read Healthy living about her experience on page 10. 12 Every loser wins Good food Whatever goals you’ve set yourself for the year ahead, I Keeping a healthy balance 21 Wakey wakey wish you the very best of luck with them and the very best 13 Vita goes walking Start the day with a of health for 2013. One reader tests out a good breakfast I hope you enjoy this issue, which has been kindly new activity supported by our friends at Asda. Fundraising Your health 22 Working in partnership 14 Feeling the heat 23 Calendar of events What you should know about 24 Walk this way menopausal symptoms Laura Fountain 25 Breast Cancer Care free Editor Media matters service listings [email protected] 16 New pages The latest books on breast cancer Vita is kindly supported by

Vita Editor: Laura Fountain; Online editor: Pete Coles; Design: Luisa Cosio. Vita is published by Breast Cancer Care, 5-13 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0NS. Tel: 0845 092 0800. Registered charity in England and Wales 1017658. Registered charity in Scotland SC038104. ISSN 1751-3081. © January 2013 Breast Cancer Care. All rights reserved. Vita is a FREE magazine. It is not sold, hired out, or otherwise reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright holder. Twitter: @Vita_mag Facebook: facebook.com/breastcancercare. Cover image courtesy of WOMAN&HOME/Liz McAulay. Cover image courtesy of WOMAN&HOME/Liz McAulay. Inbox

Don’t forget to visit Vita online… www. vita.org.uk

Dear Vita Way, and, one week after finishing radiotherapy, I climbed Ben Vorlich This issue’s When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and on a stunning autumn day. It was so star letter advised to have a mastectomy, I was shocked and great to feel normal again! wins a £50 frightened. Frightened that my interesting and active Two years on, I’m back to wearing voucher from life would come to a sudden stop; frightened, in a proper rucksack. On a rambling our friends particular, that my hill walking days were over. But holiday recently one of the women in the at Asda. the best therapy for me was realising I could still get group was using a waist-pack. I got talking to her out on the hills. and discovered she’d had breast cancer and had I couldn’t wear a rucksack, but discovered that developed lymphoedema. It was the lymphoedema many outdoor shops stock ‘waist-packs’, with a that prevented her from wearing a normal rucksack. strong, padded belt, a bag attached at the back, We both agreed that the waist-pack is one of those containing compartments for food, drinks, first aid simple discoveries that helps to open up the world kit and straps underneath to hold overtrousers and again — we want to spread the word! a folded sit-mat. So, six weeks after my operation, I was walking an eight-mile stretch of St Cuthbert’s Jane

Carry on Real lives

First diagnosed with primaryregardless breast cancer a decade ago, Anne Shingler was told she had developed secondary breast cancer in 2008. She tells us about the differences in care she received after her secondary diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer the day my husband and I moved from London to a new home in Dear Vita Dear Vita Wales. Everything seemed a blur. It took months of treatment including a mastectomy and chemotherapy before I could return to work, building up from scratch a new business teaching piano in Wales. Ending treatment was also hard as the hospital’s support had been great and having it taken away suddenly left me feeling in limbo. Four years later, a recurrence of the cancer was found on my mastectomy I found Autumn’s Vita particularly interesting Sometimes I have read your scar. My husband’s private insurance covered me for quick treatment and I had radiotherapy this time, which I found much more manageable than the chemotherapy had been. After treatment, I felt positive and moved on quite quickly. Then in 2008, I was and the article ‘Does breast cancer have to be magazine and ended up grinding diagnosed with secondary breast cancer ‘Even when I’m tired, I make small targets after a routine check-up. like meeting friends for coffee. I’ve managed There were defi nite differences from bigger things too – I went to Sicily to learn the way I’d been treated previously. For one, no nurse was in the room when I Italian, I performed in three Proms and I was given the diagnosis. The consultant carried the Olympic torch.’ was kind but blunt and explained my life so pink’ caught my eye. my teeth at the bias towards expectancy would be severely shortened and there was no cure. nerve-wracking. The support from I started chemotherapy again but people on the Breast Cancer Care decided to carry on working. If I was Discussion Forum was vital at this time. need hormone treatment for my cancer. in the same situation now, I’d make a My life’s changed massively since I try to live for every day. Even different decision, but at the time, the then. I made an effort to meet other when I’m tired, I make small targets routine helped distract me even though people and it’s helped greatly: I’ve like meeting a friend for coffee. I’ve it was exhausting. started a meeting group for people with managed bigger things too – I went to Helen’s view was very similar to mine. I like primary breast cancer. Issue 13 Around this time, my husband left secondary breast cancer in Cardiff. I Sicily to learn Italian, I performed in three me as he was unable to cope. It was also joined two social groups and went Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and I devastating. I felt incredibly isolated. to a pottery class. I campaign for Breast carried the Olympic torch in Blaenavon. We’d been very close and, since I Cancer Care around secondary breast I know I have a reduced life expectancy gave individual piano tuition in Wales, cancer issues and, at present, I only and I’m often very tired, but I’m still here! I hadn’t met many other people locally. I just got back from holiday and I hope For a time, I was very anxious and even there’s a lot more to come for me. the pink branding and agree wholeheartedly was different with two articles things like going to the shop became Find out more about our services and campaigns for people living with secondary breast cancer at Hot topic www.breastcancercare.org.uk/secondaries

that it works. Anything that generates funding about secondary breast cancer www.vita.org.uk | 11 Niftyshades? has to be encouraged. and the story of how a man’s Does the colour pink bother you when it comes to fundraising for and raising awareness of breast cancer? However, since being diagnosed five years life changed after his wife died with breast cancer. YES says Helen, who thinks pink is too fluffy for a serious subject.

NO says Sue, who is What’s the problem with girlie, rose-tinted, candy ago, I do find some aspects of breast It felt as if the more uncomfortable faces of the proud to wear her fl oss, bubble gum, blushing pink? From that description quite a bit! Pink, in our culture, is pink T-shirt. synonymous with a prettiness, gentleness, and sweetness that seems completely incongruous to I’m more than happy to wear pink when I’m many of us who have been diagnosed with breast representing Breast Cancer Care. I’m proud cancer. It is stereotypically deemed a feminine cancer awareness/fundraising a bit too disease were tackled because, although we all to be a volunteer for the charity and I see my ‘Pink is colour and yet breast cancer isn’t exclusive pink T-shirt as my uniform. It doesn’t stop with instantly to women. Although men may make up a tiny the T-shirt, I often add a pink cowboy hat and percentage of the statistics, they are there. feather boa for fundraising. Asking for money recognisable A bit of pink gloss or fl uffy pinkness isn’t going doesn’t come easily to me but my outfi t gives me as being to soften the blow for women (or men) faced confi dence – I almost become a different person. associated with a diagnosis of breast cancer. But there is a We never forget the seriousness of breast frivolous – I remember someone describing hope the disease won’t come back, for many of problem with rejecting pink out of hand. Many cancer. Pink is instantly recognisable as being with breast people understand the pink branding. Consumers associated with breast cancer charities and those cancer and may fi nd it easy to notice and understand the with a personal experience often share their story. signifi cance of the pink logo when they buy I believe we’re raising the profi le of Breast those with products as unconnected with breast cancer as Cancer Care as well as fundraising and we go a personal breakfast cereals. If it means that someone opts out of our way to get noticed. Over the past year experience a diagnosis as ‘a long, slow, miserable us it does, and when it does it can’t be cured, only to buy a pink-branded product so that money we’ve used a big pink bra called ‘Barbra’ for often share goes towards a breast cancer charity rather than fundraising with lots of success. To us ‘Barbra’ choosing another product that’s got to be a good symbolises the beauty and femininity of women their story.’ thing. The harsh reality is that breast cancer and we use her to raise money to help women charities need to get in suffi cient funds to enable who’ve had breast cancer feel beautiful again. them to do their valuable work. I‘ve had breast cancer and I’ve never been I’d like to say no to pink but if pink works then grind’ and, retrospectively, that’s how I managed until we die. It’s vital that all aspects of the offended by breast cancer charities using pink to that’s a price worth paying isn’t it? I think so. raise awareness or fundraise. I don’t associate the colour with the trauma of having breast cancer so don’t think the use of pink makes the disease seem nice and fl uffy – to me pink is synonymous with Breast Cancer Care and its caring nature. felt. I couldn’t relate to pink wig wearing disease are covered. we do use different colours in a number of our other activities, such as our recent ‘Support for the woman behind the breast cancer’ advertising The shade of pink that’s associated with breast campaign. But pink’s universal association with cancer is a distinctive one, which is why it gives breast cancer among the public is exactly what

such good stand out for the cause. It’s vibrant, makes it work so well in raising both money paint©iStockphoto.com/4khz pink and breast-shaped money boxes for energetic and strong. In my view it transcends all and awareness, and it’s hard to imagine that will notions of ‘fl uffi ness’. It’s also an excellent colour change. Judy Beard Director of Fundraising to refl ect the qualities I’ve seen in many of the and Marketing, Breast Cancer Care people affected by breast cancer who support www.vita.org.uk | 17 and participate in our fundraising work. We know pink doesn’t appeal to everyone, and donations at all and still can’t. As Helen Eleanor said, soft and fluffy, rosy pink linked to breast cancer is alien to how most of us relate to this terrible disease. I do donate and buy products when I can – I just think such a serious business has been glamourised (for want of a better word) a tad too much.

Alison

Get in touch with Vita… Tweet @Vita_mag Follow us Email [email protected] @Vita_mag Write Vita magazine, Breast Cancer Care, 5–13 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0NS

www.vita.org.uk | 3 News

Breast Radiotherapy Injury Rehabilitation Service

Barts Health NHS Trust has radiotherapy induced ‘late effects’. launched a new service dedicated Signs and symptoms include to improving the lives of people chronic pain, loss of function of who are living with the debilitating the arm and hand, lymphoedema, ‘late effects’ of breast radiotherapy breathing problems, and emotional received as part of their breast and psychological distress. For cancer treatment before 1990. further information and to arrange The service aims to provide a referral email Marianna. assessment, treatment and advice [email protected] for people living with breast or call 0203 465 5623.

Hitting the right notes NewsNews Emma Dennis and her husband Steven Goulden, both professional opera singers, held a fundraising concert to mark Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day and raised VIVIEEWS £1,000 for Breast Cancer Care. Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and has attended Breast Cancer Care’s Living with Secondary Breast Cancer event. The opera duo has also supported the Carols by Candlelight service in Sheffield over the past two years and helped to make it a really New breast screening special occasion. equipment in Scotland

The Scottish Government has £30 million Detect Cancer Early announced plans to invest £12 million programme, which aims to increase over the next three years to upgrade by 25% the number of Scots diagnosed breast screening equipment across with early stage cancer. The initial Scotland. The funding will be used stage of the programme focused on to replace analogue mammography breast cancer and took place last machines with more advanced September. Bowel cancer and lung digital units. The funding is part cancer campaigns are planned for of the Scottish Government’s the near future.

4 | www.vita.org.uk News

Mummy’s Lump by Gillian Forrest, Sarah Garson and Breast Cancer Care (Free, for download on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with iBooks and on computer via iTunes).

Gillian Forrest, a consultant child what was happening to my children.’ psychiatrist and senior research To help other parents Gillian decided fellow at Oxford University, was to write a book aimed at the under diagnosed with breast cancer when sixes, which would explain what their her children were five and seven. mum was going through. Mummy’s She says: ‘Even though I am an Lump follows Elly and Jack through experienced child psychiatrist, I was their mother’s diagnosis and very unsure how to talk to my children treatment for breast cancer. The iPad about my diagnosis. Nobody asked edition includes read-along narration if I had any problems with explaining by actress Zoë Wanamaker.

One Whoops! The new edition direction of our Secondary Around 400 people have joined breast cancer Pack The Autumn issue of Vita Breast Cancer Care’s online photo resource pack featured pictures of Cheryl Kerr, gallery to help raise awareness was published in but we forgot to mention the of the issues people face after December. It’s photographer. Thank you to treatment for primary breast cancer. aimed at anyone James Lacey for letting us use You can search the gallery by topic with a diagnosis U including diet and exercise, body P his brilliant photos. of secondary breast cancer, but family, image and relationships. If you’re friends or carers may also find it useful. on Facebook, look out for a series This revised edition includes a new section of infographics showing the results about difficult choices and decisions at of a poll about moving forward the end of life. You can order it from www. all in a from breast cancer and find the breastcancercare.org.uk/publications Moving Forward gallery at www. day’s work breastcancercare.org.uk/mfgallery Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day shone a spotlight on secondary breast cancer on 13 October. Breast Cancer Care sent out hundreds of copies In November John of its new awareness-raising booklet, Ice, ice, Killingworth took on the its three short films were watched world’s most gruelling around 1,000 times and media coverage marathon – the Antarctic reached more than 6 million people. The baby campaign hugely increased the amount Ice Marathon — to raise of talk about secondary breast cancer funds for Breast Cancer on Twitter, and the avalanche of tweets Care. John’s mum died and Facebook posts on the day itself from breast cancer and reached nearly 300,000 people. As well as raising awareness of the issues he has taken part in many faced by people with secondary breast events but this was by far cancer, Breast Cancer Care has made his toughest challenge yet great progress in its campaign to improve standards of care. Find out more at www. with temperatures of -20 C breastcancercare.org.uk/secondary and strong winds. John has already raised over £54,000 from his adventure! 13 Oct 2012 www.80degreessouth.co.uk white tablet©istockphoto.com/hocus-focus

www.vita.org.uk | 5 Your looks Work out in style Feel confident and look good while you exercise by following Jane Buckley’s tips.

The key is to feel comfortable and secure at all times, without having to worry about 1 whether your top will slip or your prosthesis will move about or be visible. Specialist mastectomy sports bras are available and with the correct Comfort is fitting, you should be able to take key when you’re part in group exercise without feeling self-conscious. working up a sweat

During treatment and follow up, you of exercise routine can help give may be advised to keep fit and healthy. us back a certain sense of control. It’s very easy to let these good When exercising, you may be intentions slip once everyday life starts more worried about whether to get in the way but the new year is someone will notice your specialist a great excuse to put good intentions clothing or prosthesis if you’ve had back into practice. Having some kind a mastectomy.

(Above) T-Shirts from the XPG Sports Range by Jenni Falconer at Debenhams from £18; Yoga pant, George at Asda, £10; (Right) Anita 5321 sports bra from Nicola Jane - £54 autumn running©iStockphoto.com/gaspr13

6 | www.vita.org.uk Your looks

Functional clothing doesn’t have to be dull as these sleeves show

Your breast care nurse or lymphoedema specialist may advise you to wear a 2 compression sleeve during exercise if you have lymphoedema. These needn’t look too medical as there are now some sleeves on the market that are patterned and can look like a fashion accessory (as seen on the Chic Compressions sleeves and gauntlets; Sleeves plain from £49.99, catwalk models at this year’s Breast patterned/crystals from £64.99; Gauntlets plain from £44.99, patterned from £54.99 Cancer Care London fashion show). www.chic-compressions.com

Stay confident and secure while swimming with a specialist costume xxxxxx

Swimming is a great form of exercise, but you may be put off by the thought of having 3 to wear a swimming costume following a mastectomy. Although some styles of swimsuits are suitable after a mastectomy and can be bought from various high street stores, you may prefer to invest in a swimsuit with pockets to hold a prosthesis securely and discretely. It’s also possible to purchase a special swim prosthesis that is chlorine resistant and can look more natural under a swimsuit.

Navy Swimsuit with Aqua Darts from Pink Ribbon Lingerie - £35 Lotus Swimsuit by Tweka from AmpleBosom.com from - £34.50

For more fashion tips and links to high street and specialist clothing retailers, visit Jane’s Place at www.janesplace.co.uk frame©iStockphoto.com/Nastco, fswimming pool©iStockphoto.com/allianoi

www.vita.org.uk | 7 Real lives Time is a healer Vita last spoke to Kayla Doohan back in Issue 2 in 2007 when she was one year on from the end of her breast cancer treatment. We caught up with her to see what life is like now and talk to her about volunteering for Breast Cancer Care. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2005 I was 20 years old. I had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and tamoxifen treatment. I lost a part of my early twenties. All your friends are out partying and you’re in the house not well. It wasn’t just the treatment but also the next couple of years. The emotional part is much harder to get over than the hospital treatment. I used all Breast Cancer Care services: I had a One-to-One Support volunteer and I went to the Younger Women’s Forum (where I now volunteer). ‘Lots of people I think it was the session just meeting other find after their hospital people that was most useful. As a volunteer, that’s what you find attendees say too. treatment finishes is the New beginnings hardest part.’ During my treatment I got a lot of help from Breast Cancer Care and one thing I did want to do was be a volunteer, but I had to wait a couple a lot of things I held back for a couple of years of years before I could do it. I’ve been involved that I should have spoken to someone about with a lot of things that I’ve loved doing. I’ve just before. Lots of people find after their hospital modelled at my first Lingerie Evening. It was very treatment finishes is the hardest part as it’s all ‘It’s taken a nerve wracking but really good. I really enjoyed it. the emotional aspects. Even though all your I’m also a One-to-One Support volunteer. appointments are finished at the hospital, if you few years but I Whenever I’m supporting someone I always go ever do think you need to talk to someone don’t feel like my back to how I felt. Everyone diagnosed will have sit worrying, speak to your breast care nurse or health is back similar feelings and emotions but someone in call Breast Cancer Care. their early twenties will find it completely different Some people find it hard to plan and think about to as best as it to someone older. the future, the thing I found hard to deal with was can be.’ It’s taken a few years but I feel like my health the fear about it coming back, but I try to brush is back to as best as it can be since being that aside. I know some women diagnosed don’t diagnosed and I’ve just entered full-time work like to look too far into the future in case things after a couple of years at college. get bad again, but I don’t see it that way at all. All You and everyone else assumes once you get to I really think about is the future. My partner and I the end of your hospital-based treatments that’s have just moved into our own place this year so it it — but it’s not like that at all. There were is more about us settling down now.

If you’re a younger woman with breast cancer, you may find Breast Cancer Care’s Younger women with breast cancer booklet useful. Call the Helpline for a free copy.

8 | www.vita.org.uk Real lives The show must go on

When Andrea Hull we laughed a lot in the watched the Breast Cancer bad times. Following my diagnosis, I have Care fashion show in rekindled my dream 2010 she had just finished for singing and treatment. She couldn’t songwriting – I’ve have dreamed that two even recorded a years on she’d be taking to track. I hope through the stage with confidence. my gospel music, and being a model I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy in the fashion show, that I was chosen to be a model for the I will encourage and Breast Cancer Care fashion show. How inspire people that often does a normal woman get the there is life after opportunity to be a model and strut her breast cancer. I stuff on the catwalk? It’s been a huge don’t need long hair self-esteem boost. to be beautiful. I I was diagnosed with inflammatory may only have one breast cancer in 2010. My first thought breast but I am a when I received this news was I had to fantastic 44-year-old stay strong. My second thought was sophisticated how on earth was I going to tell my woman with my life children? At this point my daughter was ahead of me. Watch nine and my son was 21. I decided there out world! and then that I would remain positive. In 2009 my sister Months later my son would tell me he Christine was a was confused because I told them I volunteer at The had breast cancer with a smile on my Show. She told face. But it was important to me that ‘I don’t need long hair to me what a fantastic event it was and even when I felt low I put on a smile. If in true Andrea style I said: ‘I want to I looked happy, my children and my be beautiful. I may only come next year’ (I don’t like to be left family were happy. have one breast but I am out!). When I did finally attend as a guest I had chemotherapy and then a fantastic 44-year-old it was just after I had completed my surgery. About two weeks after my first radiotherapy following my own breast chemotherapy session my hair started sophisticated woman.’ cancer diagnosis. It was amazing and I to fall out. I wanted to regain control was blown away. so I got my nephew to shave it all off. Breast Cancer Care is there for anyone Losing my hair as well as my boob has about telling my daughter about my hair who finds themselves facing been very difficult. They are both things loss and yet as soon as she saw my this difficult disease. I have always had that you identify with your femininity bald head she said I looked ‘trendy’. a secret desire to be a model but never as a woman. However, I have decided Me – trendy! felt pretty or tall enough. Now, thanks that hair is overrated. I can look just as But breast cancer hasn’t been all bad. to them, I have fulfilled one of my wonderful without it. I was so worried It was quite a low period but as a family childhood dreams.

The model search for next year’s shows is under way. If you’d like to apply to be a model in the 2013 fashion shows, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/theshow or call 0845 092 0806. frames©iStockphoto.com/Nastco, image courtesy of WOMAN&HOME/Liz McAulay. frames©iStockphoto.com/Nastco, image courtesy of WOMAN&HOME/Liz McAulay.

www.vita.org.uk | 9 Real lives Checkout this Going back to work after treatment for breast cancer isn’t always easy. But, with the right support, it can help get your life back on track as Sue Eagling explains.

I started back at work at Asda in October after having 15 months off during treatment for breast cancer. I was diagnosed in August 2011 and I’d been off work since then. I had only worked at Asda for 10 months before I was diagnosed, but while I was off work I was missing the customers and my colleagues. It was a funny situation because I’d never had that length of time off before. When I decided it was time for me to go back I was still feeling pretty tired because of the effects of treatment but I was ready. Restoring identity ‘I’d never had that length of time off before. You lose a bit of your self-worth and When I decided it was time for me to go back your identity when you’re not working. I was still feeling pretty tired because of the But going back to work has restored that for me. I feel better because I’m effects of treatment but I was ready.’ earning money again and it has given me my feeling of self-worth back. I had a lumpectomy and my lymph He said if I felt I was ready that it was of having the lymph nodes removed. nodes removed under my arm. I OK by him. I then spoke to the Services Now I’m back at work I’m finding that then had to have chemotherapy and Manager at the store where I work and under my arm is hurting after a long radiotherapy and I now have to take asked her how I’d go about this. I had shift. I find heavy bags of dog food quite letrozole for five years. to see a member of the occupational difficult to lift but I only have to ask and Chemotherapy was really tiring. I’d health team, who assessed me and said someone will help me with them. And have a good week and then a bad week I was fine to return to work. if I say to my colleagues I need to go in a constant cycle. Asda has been very supportive and I home, I can’t finish my shift, they’re OK When I popped in to the store while eased back in gradually: I did a couple with that because they understand. I was off ill, everyone asked me how I of hour shifts to start with. Now I’m up was and they were very supportive. to 14 hours a week, which is more than I You can find out more about Breast I spoke to my doctor and said: ‘I’m was doing before I had treatment. Cancer Care’s partnership with Asda fed up and I want to go back to work’. I’m still numb under my arm because on page 22.

If you’re thinking about going back to work after treatment, you might like to talk to someone who has been in a similar position. Breast Cancer Care can put you in touch with a trained volunteer who can help. Call the Helpline on 0808 800 6000 for more information. photo©Shaun Flannery

10 | www.vita.org.uk Real lives

Far from being a time of The celebration, the end of treatment can bring with it its own set of challenges, as aftermath Gaynor Haywood describes. ‘You look great! The treatment’s finished actually gone it was easier to deal with suggested I contact the Day Therapy so you can get back to normal.’ If I as I no longer had a say in the matter. Unit at Wakefield Hospice and referred heard that one more time I was going I struggled with the looks of pity and me to the Clinical Psychologist. to scream! I’ve had two encounters feeling like a victim when I wore a scarf The Hospice was the turning point under the surgeon’s knife, five months so a wig became my saviour. for me. There was acknowledgement of chemotherapy and a month of In truth the wig was far better than that feelings of despair after treatment radiotherapy and here I am still standing my own hair had ever been. But the has ended are normal and that I wasn’t (well wobbling) on the other side. So confidence it had given me during the alone. Along with my ongoing sessions why am I not ‘bouncing off the walls’ past months was proving very hard to let with the psychologist I feel I’m on the with elation? way to being more self-accepting. I expected to feel such happiness The cancer has changed my life in and to have a permanent grin on my ‘I had expected to feel ways I would never have anticipated, face but it just wasn’t happening. such happiness and to and my husband and close friends Quite the reverse: the feelings of panic, have dragged me through the hardest vulnerability and fear were a hundred have a permanent grin year of my life. Sometimes I can’t make times stronger than any I’d experienced fixed on this face of sense of what has happened, let alone during the long months of treatment. mine but it just wasn’t comprehend what may happen in the I could not ‘keep a lid on it’, no matter happening.’ future, but for now I’m just concentrating whose company I was in. The tears on taking small steps in rebuilding my would flow to the extent that I was self-confidence and enjoying my life. inconsolable. My coping strategy was to go of. I had been able to hide behind the withdraw from anyone and everyone so I facade. People who didn’t know me didn’t subject them to my abject misery. too well never even knew I’d been ill. I felt I was at the edge of a dark hole and Now that my hair was coming back if I took another step I would be over the the fear of taking off the wig and edge and would never get out. admitting that things had changed What do I do now? was hard to come to terms with. I wasn’t a cancer patient in the truest I felt my femininity had been sense any more. I knew I would be compromised. I was angry with taking drugs for the next five years, but myself for not being able to embrace in the bigger scheme of things that was the new me with short hair. Why a walk in the park. Yet I wasn’t ‘back to could I make light of the fact that my normal’, I wasn’t even back at work. I left breast would never be the same felt such a fraud. Why was I feeling sorry shape again, but I couldn’t cope for myself when I had survived? There with the fact that when I looked in were many people worse off than me the mirror someone else’s face who never had the chance to be at this looked back? point in the journey. It was an endless For almost a month I retreated cycle of being cross and angry with into my shell and cried constantly. myself, beating myself up for not pulling Bumping into my breast care nurse myself together. I needed to get a grip. at an oncology appointment was the Losing my hair during chemotherapy turning point. She asked me how I was bad enough, but once it had was and the floodgates opened. She

If you’re experiencing feelings similar to those Gaynor describes, you might find Breast Cancer Care’s Moving Forward courses useful. To find out more about these visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/movingforward or call the Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

www.vita.org.uk | 11 green apple©iStockphoto.com/paci77 says Lucy. risk ofbreast cancercoming back,’ being overweightcouldincrease the healthy weight.‘There’s evidencethat recovering from treatment.’ less activethanusualwhenhavingor weight gain.Andsomepeopleare hormone drugsalsoseemtocause more higher-calorie foods.Some Trust. ‘Theytendtocraveandeat at theRoyalMarsdenNHSFoundation says LucyEldridge,dieteticteamleader emotional supportduringtreatment,’ be severalreasons forthis. and gainedafewpounds,there could If you’vehadbreast cancertreatment way toloseweight safely and hopefully for good. for breastcancer. GarethFletcherlooksat thebest Many peopleputonweight during orafter treatment Healthy 12 | www.vita.org.uk on scientificevidence,’ saysLucy,‘and weight loss.‘Often, they’re notbased physical activity. healthy eatinganddoingregular 0.5–1kg (1–2pounds)aweek through to setarealistic goal.Aimtoloseabout If youwanttoloseweight,it’s important Lose itfor good There’s agoodreason tomaintaina tofoodfor ‘Some peopleturn Avoid faddietsthatpromise rapid Every

living loser Lucy of moderate intensity.’ activity. some regularphysical ‘It’s alsoimportant todo healthy eatingandsuitableexercises. able togiveyoumore information about able toholdaconversation. make yousweat,butshouldstillbe should increase yourheart rateand moderate intensity,whichmeansit physical activity.Thisshouldbeof which ishighincalories. biscuits, cakesandcrisps. fast foodsandprocessed foodslike are highinfatorsugar.’ Theseinclude amount ofsugarydrinksandfoodsthat and vegetablesaday.Andlimitthe if youloseitslowlyandsteadily. you’re more likelytokeeptheweightoff Your GPorpracticenursemaybe It’s alsoimportant todosomeregular Lucy alsorecommends limitingalcohol, ‘Try toeatatleastfiveportionsoffruit E ldridge T his shouldbe wins 2 weight-loss tips healthy Five 4 5 1 chocolate foroccasionaltreats and keepbiscuits,cakes Cut downonsugarydrinks, semi-skimmed milk products, likeskimmedor Choose lower-fat dairy 3 or cycling)aweek activity (suchasfastwalking minutes ofmoderate-intensity Try todo at least150 vegetables aday of avarietyfruitand Eat atleastfiveportions pasta andcereals varieties ofbread, Eat wholegrain Healthy living

One too many Alcohol is high in calories, and these can soon add up if you regularly drink a lot. Did you know? • A single measure (25ml) of spirits contains 55 calories Vita goes... • A small glass (175ml) of white wine contains 130 calories walking • A pint of premium lager contains 250 calories Gabby Mottershead took up walking after treatment for breast cancer. She now leads one of Breast Cancer Care’s new Best Foot Forward walking groups.

For years I thought I was too busy to exercise but now I take my health seriously and make exercise a priority. cook with, so I use much less fat than I ‘For me, losing So I fit everything else in around it. did before.’ weight was about I’d worked in an office for years and Margaret also tries to go walking every not been into exercise. I put on weight getting control of day to maintain her activity levels. during chemotherapy and I’d read that ‘If you want to lose weight, you’ve my life back after exercising regularly and keeping your got to do it for yourself, not because breast cancer.’ weight down may help reduce the someone tells you that you should,’ she chances of cancer coming back. Margaret says. But she also finds support from I started walking with my husband friends and family invaluable. around parks near where we live in Taking control As part of her transformation, Margaret Manchester. Or we’d head an hour Margaret Unsworth from Penistone in dyed her hair red after it grew back or so out of the city and walk around South Yorkshire, was diagnosed with following chemotherapy. ‘One day, the countryside. Even getting out at breast cancer in 2010. After finishing my husband was looking for me in the lunchtime would give me a boost. treatment, including surgery and supermarket. He saw me from the back Getting out in the fresh air doing chemotherapy, she decided it was time but didn’t recognise me at first. Who’s exercise makes me feel better. During for her to lose weight. this slim redhead, he thought!’ cancer treatment you can feel out ‘For me, losing weight was about of control. The doctors are making getting control of my life back after decisions and you can feel helpless. breast cancer,’ says Margaret, who Exercise is something you can do to joined a local slimming club. take control and help you feel better. Margaret has now lost almost four After treatment I wanted to give stone since May 2011. something back so I volunteer as a ‘I eat lots of fruit, vegetables, salads walk leader. Our group meets on a and low-fat foods,’ she says. ‘I haven’t Saturday morning and we walk for banned anything, but I limit the amount 30 to 40 minutes then stop for a cup I have of certain things, like chocolate of tea and a chat. We have a mix of and alcohol. people coming along, some have ‘I’ve learnt to cook in a different way. finished their treatment but one woman For example, I now use an oil spray to came during her chemotherapy. If you’re in Manchester, Calderdale Breast Cancer Care’s DVD Eating well being active offers or South Yorkshire and want to more information at tips. Order your free copy by calling volunteer as a Best Foot Forward the Helpline on 0808 800 6000. walk leader, call 0845 077 1893.

www.vita.org.uk | 13 xxxxxxx©iStockphoto.com/ Feeling Your health 14 | www.vita.org.uk HEAT bear it.We lookat therealityofliving withmenopusalsymptoms. the lives ofwomen and yet oftenpeoplethinkthey shouldgrinand treatments for breastcancer. They canhave asignificant impacton Menopausal symptomsareacommonsideeffect ofsomethe the menopause naturally? than womenwhogothrough the can experienceworsesymptoms chemotherapy-induced menopause know thatwomenwhoundergoa much complaint.Butdidyou to needgrinandbare without symptoms are somethingyouneed their lives,youmightthinkthatany women willfaceatsomepointin menopause, somethingthatall all agree aren’t much fun. and nausea–allthingsthatwecan distressing andthenthere’s fatigue hair from chemotherapycanbe a traumaticexperience;losingyour unpleasant: breast surgerycanbe for breast cancerare allpretty The sideeffects oftreatment more intense. frequency. It canalsomakethem more suddenlyandwithincreased make thesesymptomscome on by treatment forbreast cancer may menopause, amenopauseinduced – canbethesameasforanatural sweats, headachesandsuch like may bringwithit–hotflushes,night chemotherapy-induced menopause While thesymptomsthata Sudden impact So whenitcomestothe menopause naturally? go through the than women who worse symptoms can experience induced menopause a chemotherapy- women whoundergo Did you know that menopause are farfrom trivial. the sideeffects ofapremature a premature menopause.And remove theovariescancause Chemotherapy orsurgeryto cause menopausalsymptoms. injection) willstopyourperiodsand hormones, whichisgivenasan used tostoptheovariesproducing Goserelin (ahormonetreatment cause menopausalsymptoms. oestrogen, whichcaninturn the levelorblockactionof treatments are usedtoreduce oestrogen. Severalbreast cancer stimulated togrow bythehormone positive breast cancers)are as oestrogen receptor orER Some breast cancers(known Your health

Going through the Going through the menopause, you might be able to avoid. If you know especially at a younger age or if it comes when to expect hot flushes you can be menopause, especially on suddenly, may affect your confidence better prepared for them. at a younger age or and self-esteem and make you feel less For some women it may be possible to if it comes on feminine. You may feel as if you have switch to another hormone treatment as quickly become old or that you have lost this might help with symptoms. You may suddenly, may affect control over what is happening in your want to ask your specialist whether or your confidence. life. And all of this comes at a time when not this is an option for you. you’re still dealing with a diagnosis of Making the switch breast cancer. As well as physical changes to Some of the more common The heat is on the body, women experiencing menopausal symptoms include hot Hot flushes are the most commonly a menopause may also have flushes, night sweats, palpitations, mood reported menopausal symptom with psychological symptoms. Loss of changes, joint pain, changes to skin and many women describing them as confidence, depression, anxiety, hair and vaginal dryness. You may put intolerable. They can be a constant irritability and panic attacks can all be on some weight or find that your weight reminder of your diagnosis of breast attributed to the menopause. Many distribution alters. This is often more cancer and may affect your self-esteem women do not realise these symptoms concentrated around the waist. You and wellbeing. In turn, this can have a of menopause are normal and fear they may also have difficulty sleeping. knock-on effect on social life, working may be on the verge of a breakdown. Night sweats, for example, might life and personal relationships. If menopausal symptoms are affecting not sound very troublesome to the It may be useful to keep a note of your quality of life, don’t suffer in silence. uninitiated in this night-time ritual, but when you experience hot flushes. This Your GP, breast care nurse or cancer to those experiencing them they can can help you to identify any patterns to specialist is there to help and to take have far-reaching consequences. The them or if anything triggers them that these issues seriously. sleep disturbance they cause can lead to tiredness, irritability, forgetfulness and lack of concentration the following If you’re experiencing side effects described in day. And if you’re sharing a bed with a this article, you may find our booklet Menopausal partner night sweats can affect them too. This can then begin to have an effect on symptoms and breast cancer useful. Alternatively your relationship. you can call our Helpline.

What you can do • Follow a healthy lifestyle — women • Ask for help from all sources who are more active tend to suffer involved with your care (breast care less from menopause symptoms. nurse, GP or cancer specialist).

• High-impact exercise, such as • Keep a diary of symptoms to step aerobics, can actually make identify triggers. symptoms worse. • Avoid or try to modify • Best activity is aerobic, sustained, known triggers. regular exercise such as swimming or running. • Ask if there is a local menopause clinic that you can be referred to. • Use relaxation or stress reduction techniques. • Do not suffer in silence.

To find out about Breast Cancer Care’s specialist services for people with breast cancer in your area, call 0845 077 1893. Or to speak to someone about the issues you are facing, call the Breast Cancer Care Helpline free on 0808 800 6000.

www.vita.org.uk | 15 Through Her Breast Cancer Journey Cancer Breast Her Through cancer tosupporttheirloved one. family ofpeopleaffected bybreast which aimstohelpthefriends and drug dealersmightuse. the kindoflanguageaddictsand perspectives, including written from herownanddaughter’s account ofhowChristinecoped. This bookisabraveandbrutallyhonest daughter istakinganddealingheroin. now writtenthebook Welsh fashionshow. Katherinehas Forum andwasamodelinthe2010 Cancer Care’s Younger Women’s life changing’.SheattendedBreast as‘Gruelling…but cancer journey honeymoon. Katherinedescribedher finding alumpinherbreast whileon breast cancerin2009age 33after Katherine wasdiagnosedwith ebook; £6.99, paperback) Formosa Bown (£1.02, Journey ByKatherine H Your Guide Media matters 16 | www.vita.org.uk N It’s ano-holds-barred storythatis er BreastCancer

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pile of books©iStockphoto.com/Juanmonino pile of books©iStockphoto.com/Juanmonino Ye sense ofwellbeingthatIreally needed. lose myselfinmyheadandcomeawaywitha of others.Ifeltsecure and looked after. Icould relax, dealwithsomethoughts, clearmyhead therapies, Ifelthadmore timetostopand treatment. WhenIstartedthecomplementary along withtheroutines ofgoingtohospitalfor the anxietiesandstresses Ifeltwere swept going tomyhospitalappointments.Ithink and soon. clearing myhead,givingmespacetorelax in dealingwiththem.Thesetreatments helped, discomforts andmademefeelmore confident reflexology helpedmefeelbetteraboutthese from nauseatodiarrhoea.Ifoundthe problems withthechemotherapydrugs, general wellbeing.Ihadarangeofdigestive which wasgreat formyfeetandalso great help.Ithenstartedtohavereflexology, blistered, massageofmyfeetandlegswasa drugs affected myfeet,makingthemsore and that helped.Later, asthechemotherapy Earlyon,itwasmassageandaromatherapy including thatarmandhandwasblissfulrelief. was really sore from the cannula.Amassage, for me.WhenIhadthechemotherapy,myhand I wouldacceptanyhelpoffered anditworked chemotherapy andradiotherapywasonewhere complementary treatments.through Thejourney I amopen-mindedandhavearespect for I wasjustgettingonwiththetreatment and s says With E ithne Cullen You shouldalsocheck with yourspecialist as wellwhat youare mostcomfortable with. which willgiveyouthegreatest overallbenefit When choosingatherapyyou shouldconsider them relax orthatacupuncture easesnausea. example, somepeoplefind massage canhelp and toincrease theirsenseofwellbeing.For the sideeffects oftheircancertreatment complementary therapiestotryhelpwith Some peoplewithbreast cancer use complements side effects ofbreastcancertreatment. Butdothey work? Many peopleturntocomplementary therapiestohelpwiththe the greatest you should which will which will a therapy choosing consider consider give you benefit. benefit. overall When When prescribed byadoctor. and nowIwouldn’t takeany medicineunless taking it. had acounteraffect onthetamoxifen–Istopped mixture theherbalisthadprescribed couldhave been prescribed bythemedicalprofession. The not tomixdrugs,especiallywhentheyhad me. Hewashorrified–hetoldmethatitbest relayed thistotheoncologistwhowastreating her work.ThenexttimeIvisitedthehospital cancer. Shetoldmemanyoncologistssupported knew verylittleaboutthetreatments forbreast was, andIbecameanxiouswhenrealised she time wasIaware thatsheknewwhattamoxifen These madenodifference tomyproblems. Atno money. Sheprescribed medicineandapowder. what wascausingmysymptoms. I wasgoingthrough themenopauseandthat’s tamoxifen causingmyproblems, butshedecided my ‘medicine’asneeded.Itoldherthatitwas she couldassessmyprogress andmakeup She suggestedIhadseveralconsultationsso certificates toprove shewasproperly trained. a herbalist.Shewaswellrecommended andhad about nothing.Ibecamedesperatesocontacted these, whoseemedtothinkIwasmakingafuss to mydoctor, oncologistandsurgeonabout effects: sweats,shaking,dizziness.Icomplained While takingtamoxifenIsuffered awfulside No compared to conventionaltreatments. there ismuch lessreliable research aboutthem effective complementarytherapiesare because treatments. Itcanbedifficult tojudgehow your breast cancerandyourcurrent andpast talk toyourcomplementarypractitioner about interact withyourtreatment. You will needto avoid sometherapiesespecially iftheycould breast cancer. Your doctorsmayadviseyouto or GPthatitissafetohaveifyouhad I wasscared attheharmI couldhavedone I sawherforaboutsixmonthsandspentalotof says Valerie www.vita.org.uk |17 P earson Hot topic Your questions answered Ask a breast cancer Breast Cancer Care’s experts answer questions on breast cancer and expert its treatment. I’ve been taking the hormone therapy letrozole I was diagnosed for the past two years but have really struggled with breast with the side effects, particularly joint pain. cancer 18 months My specialist said I can have a break from ago. I had the letrozole for a short while if I’m really surgery, chemotherapy, struggling but I’m wondering if that’s safe? radiotherapy, and I’m now taking tamoxifen. Joint pain is a really common Short breaks from treatment I was told chemotherapy side effect of letrozole (and (sometimes called ‘treatment holidays’) might send me into an the other aromatase inhibitor can offer temporary relief from early menopause and I hormone therapy drugs, troublesome side effects but it’s difficult haven’t had a period since exemestane and anastrozole). Many to say if they will affect the effectiveness my chemotherapy. When women find it settles down after a of your treatment. There isn’t enough few months of taking it, others find research evidence to provide a clear will my periods return? they can manage by taking pain relief answer about whether breaks are safe such as paracetamol or ibruprofen. and if so, how many and for how long. Chemotherapy can cause Sometimes, if you are overweight, losing However, stopping treatment for a an early menopause, and weight can help as it reduces some period of a few weeks is unlikely to have even if your periods come of the strain on your joints. But for a a detrimental effect. So it might come back after chemotherapy, minority of people joint pain continues down to you making a personal decision you may find that you experience the to be a severe problem. Sometimes about how much your quality of life is menopause at an earlier age than specialists will suggest trying a different affected by the joint pain. If you are you would have otherwise done. drug. Depending on their situation finding it hard to decide, you can always The younger you are, especially if and previous treatment this might be ask for another appointment with your you are under 35, the more likely it tamoxifen or another aromatase inhibitor. specialist to talk through your options is that your periods will return after All the aromatase inhibitors can cause again, and your breast care nurse (if you chemotherapy. Some people find joint pain, but some people seem to have one) can also be a good source of their periods come back fairly soon tolerate one better than another. information and support. after chemotherapy, but they may return up to two years after. Tamoxifen can make your periods stop too but, unlike chemotherapy, should not have a permanent effect (although some people find they never start their periods again after finishing tamoxifen because their natural menopause has occurred during the time they were taking it). Most people take tamoxifen for five years so you may have to wait until after you finish taking it to see if your periods come back. Breast Cancer Care’s factsheet Fertility issues and breast cancer treatment has more information.

18 | www.vita.org.uk Your questions answered

I’ve been given the Some people would prefer to avoid choice of having radiotherapy. There is no right or wrong either a mastectomy answer; just one which is the best option or a lumpectomy and for you in your situation. radiotherapy. I’m not sure There are a few things that can help how I’m supposed to decide. you decide. You can ask your surgeon What do you suggest? or breast care nurse to see photos of the different surgical procedures (including breast reconstruction if this is something you are interested in). You may like to try online resources such as the NHS breast cancer decision aid, which takes information you supply to help you summarise your preferences to surgery. It also provides additional information and patient photographs. You can find it online at This is a really personal mastectomy, there is no significant http://sdm.rightcare.nhs.uk decision. There are lots of difference to overall survival. Put You might also want to speak factors to weigh up, but every another way, women who have had to women who have had either a woman will give different a lumpectomy and radiotherapy live mastectomy or lumpectomy. We can put weight, or importance, to each factor just as long as women who have a you in touch (usually by telephone) with which is why you are the best person mastectomy. trained volunteers who have had either to make this difficult choice. As you Some women feel that they would surgical procedure through our One-to may have been told, although there is like to do everything they can to avoid One Support service. a slightly increased risk of the cancer a mastectomy. Others feel slightly You can contact our UK One-to-One returning in the breast (local recurrence) differently and are reassured that a Support team directly on 0845 077 when you have a lumpectomy (breast- mastectomy means their risk of a 1893 or email ukpeersupportteam@ conserving surgery) compared to a local recurrence is as low as possible. breastcancercare.org.uk

I’ve heard about a new drug called TDM-1 in the news and I wondered if it’s something I could have? Do you have any information about it? I have secondary breast cancer in the bones and liver.

TDM-1 is a combination TDM-1 has received a lot of of trastuzumab (Herceptin) media attention because it’s quite an and a chemotherapy drug exciting idea: being able to deliver called DM-1. Trastuzumab is chemotherapy directly to the cancer a targeted therapy, and is only given cells, but without many of the usual to people whose cancer cells have side effects. high levels of a protein called HER2 TDM-1 has been trialled on women (known as HER2 positive). Attaching the with secondary or locally advanced chemotherapy drug to the trastuzumab HER2 positive breast cancer and early means that the chemotherapy is results have looked encouraging. But delivered straight to the cancer cell. TDM-1 has yet to receive a licence Normally chemotherapy targets both so it is not currently available outside healthy cells and cancer cells meaning a clinical trial. If you want to know if it that people will experience side effects might be a suitable drug for you in the such as hair loss and mouth ulcers. So future you can speak to your specialist.

If you have a question about breast cancer or its treatment, you can call the Breast Cancer Care Helpline free on 0808 800 6000.

www.vita.org.uk | 19 In touch Meet our Follow three women at different stages of their bloggers breast cancer journey.

Laura, Jenny and Cheryl have all had a long-held passion for Brazil, Argentina Cheryl Thornett breast cancer, but their stories are very and Mexico, and will certainly be jetting I grew up in California and Alaska, different. While Laura is still having off for more adventures when my breast and came to the UK in 1975 after treatment, Jenny is five years on from her cancer journey is over. I met my husband when singing diagnosis and training for a marathon. in a choir he directed. After years You can follow their stories over the next of having breast cysts, I wasn’t few months on vita.org.uk The blogs scared when I was called back after began in December and our writers will a mammogram in 2008, but to my be posting new ones regularly about shock I was diagnosed with ductal what is happening in their lives and how carcinoma in situ (DCIS). I had a they are coping with their experiences. lumpectomy and radiotherapy. But We asked them to introduce during my second annual check themselves to you, so here they are – up I was diagnosed with invasive in their own words! breast cancer. This time, I used Breast Cancer Care’s online forums Laura Price I’m a 30-year-old Yorkshire lass and was ‘Sadly, my employers diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer were not very in June. I had surgery to remove the Jenny Fairclough cancer and am now nearing the end supportive, so at of my chemotherapy treatment. I am My name is Jenny and I am a breast 64 I decided to opt also awaiting the result of a BRCA gene cancer survivor. I am 53 years old and for retirement.’ test and will decide whether to have a I was diagnosed in 2008 at the age of bilateral mastectomy by the end of 49. I live in Eccleston, near Chorley, in Cheryl the year. Lancashire with my husband Martin and When I’m not busy fighting breast our cat Tessie. I work three days a week as to help me through my treatment. cancer, I can usually be found reading, a music teacher in a sixth form college in Sadly, my employers were not very writing, catching up with friends or Bury and in my spare time I enjoy walking, supportive, so at 64 I decided to opt travelling around South America. I have running and cycling. In January 2013 it will for retirement. be five years since my diagnosis and I will be celebrating by running in the Edinburgh Marathon in May 2013 to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

‘In January 2013 it will be five years since my diagnosis and I will be celebrating by running in the Edinburgh Marathon.’ Jenny

Follow the Vita bloggers at www.vita.org.uk

20 | www.vita.org.uk Good food Wakey wakey Start the day on the right foot by waking up to a good breakfast.

Roast tomato 4 Meanwhile, for the eggs, rubbed toast bring a medium pan of Serves 4 water to simmer and add the vinegar. 4 ripe vine 5 Crack the eggs and gently Breakfast energy bars tomatoes halved drop them into the water. 4 large portobello Makes 12 bars in a saucepan until the butter 6 Cook for 5 to 6 minutes mushrooms halved 100g butter has melted. until softly poached and 1tbsp vinegar 200g clear honey 3 Stir in the remaining transfer to a warmed plate 4 large eggs 200g rolled oats ingredients except sesame with a slotted spoon. 75g fresh baby 150g mixed seeds seeds and press into a 7 Arrange the spinach onto spinach, rinsed 100g toasted flaked 22cm square baking tin. the mushrooms, drizzle the 1tbsp olive oil almonds 4 Sprinkle over the tomatoes and spinach with 8 slices of Irish soda 100g sultanas sesame seeds. the oil and cook for a further bread, toasted 50g ground almonds 5 Bake for 15 minutes 2 minutes until the spinach 2tsp sesame seeds until golden. has wilted. 1 Preheat the oven to 200C 6 Allow to cool slightly before 8 Squash a tomato half into or gas mark 6. 1 Preheat the oven to 180C, cutting into 12 bars. each slice of toasted bread. 2 Lightly grease a large Gas Mark 4. 7 Leave in the tin to cool 9 Sandwich the mushroom baking sheet then place the 2 Heat the butter and honey completely before removing. and spinach together tomato halves on the tray and place on top of the with the halved mushrooms. tomato toast. 3 Season well and bake for 4 Spoon into a glass and top 10 Top with the softly Oaty yogurt 13 minutes. with the reserved oat mixture poached eggs and serve with nuts before serving. with an extra roast tomato. Serves 1 Tip Try using a flavoured 25g jumbo oats yogurt like strawberry or add 1tbsp flaked almonds fresh fruit for a different taste. 1tbsp hazlenuts (roughly chopped) 2tsp clear honey 3 dried apricots (chopped) 1tbsp dried cranberries 150g low fat natural yogurt

1 Dry fry the oats and nuts for about 3 minutes over a medium heat until toasted. 2 Stir in the honey and dried fruit and allow to cool slightly. 3 Reserve 1tbsp of the mixture and stir the rest into the yogurt.

Recipes courtesy of www.shakeupyourwakeup.com

www.vita.org.uk | 21 Fundraising events Working in partnership Breast Cancer Care and Tickled Pink

The 16-year Tickled Pink partnership by breast cancer to receive the best more than 18 million Asda colleagues between Breast Cancer Care and Asda treatment, information and support. and customers. has raised £30 million to date. This has In 2012 Asda secured exciting new all gone directly towards helping people Help where it’s needed Tickled Pink products including Jaffa across the UK affected by breast cancer Last year, the money raised by Tickled Cakes, Special K and Lucozade. George through the work of Breast Cancer Care Pink helped Breast Cancer Care to at Asda created a dedicated Tickled and Breast Cancer Campaign. support 1.9 million people affected Pink range including T-shirts, umbrellas, Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign was by breast cancer either online, over shoes and slippers. Brand new Tickled launched in 1996 and Breast Cancer the phone, in person or via its expert Pink Bingo launched and bingo dabbers Care has been involved since the start. publications. More than 14,000 people were sold in Asda stores. In 2005 Breast Cancer Campaign joined were able to attend services including Meeting the challenge the partnership so that Asda could Younger Women’s Forums and Living Tickled Pink is spearheaded at Asda help fund both breast cancer support with Secondary Breast Cancer. by Chief Operating Officer Judith services and research. Specialist nurses and trained Helpline McKenna. Judith is a great Over the past 16 years, donations staff were able to answer more than supporter of the campaign and has from Tickled Pink have helped to fund 14,000 calls via the Helpline thanks to taken part in several challenges Breast Cancer Care’s services, moving Asda, its customers and colleagues. for Tickled Pink. In 2011 she the charity closer to achieving its vision, Tickled Pink has also helped highlight completed the Great North Run which is for every person affected the importance of breast awareness to and is planning to run the Virgin London Marathon in 2013. Judith says: ‘We are proud to have supported Breast Cancer Care for 16 years and to have been able to contribute so much to the charity, enabling it to continue offering its wonderful support services to anyone affected by breast cancer. ‘We have fully integrated the Tickled Pink campaign into our business and we support the partnership as creatively as we can. Activities included Tickled Pink product ranges to colleague fundraising, high-profile events such as Girls Night Out and a brand new in-store bingo initiative for 2012.’ Breast Cancer Care relies on the support of companies like Asda to ensure that its services remain free and widely available. For more information visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ your-company-and-us pink feather©iStockphoto.com/conmedia24

22 | www.vita.org.uk Fundraising events Working A big Calendar of in partnership Thank February 8 Vietnam to Cambodia Cycle Ride March YOU 17 Reading Half Marathon 24 Wholefoods Market Breakfast Run, Kingston, London Here are some of the corporate partners that April have shown their support this October. 7 Paris Marathon 14 Brighton Marathon 21 Virgin London Marathon A team of 11 employees at EMCOR Burgen Bread turned its packaging 28 Greater Manchester Marathon UK completed a four-day, 250-mile pink throughout October and staff and Trek China charity bike ride from the Eastleigh held Pink Fridays. office to the Cheadle base, to May raise money and awareness for QVC hosted another incredible 11 Pink Ribbonwalk, Blenheim Breast Cancer Care this October. ‘Be Aware, Show You Care’ show. Palace, Oxfordshire The team, which included two An array of products were sold 12 Ignis Asset Women’s EMCOR UK board directors, wore and customers donated in their 10km, Glasgow pink cycle helmets and pink high- thousands to raise £380,000. 12 Sheffield Half Marathon visibility jackets. QVC staff in Knowsley and Chiswick 15–19 London to Paris Cycle Ride raised even more money through 18 Pink Ribbonwalk, Scone Palmer’s donated £1 from the sale pink days, raffles and cake sales. Palace, Perthshire of every Palmer’s Cocoa Butter 25 and 26 Edinburgh Marathon Festival Formula Skin Therapy Oil and £1 for Swarovski sold a range of 26 Bupa Great Manchester Run every ribbon added to its Facebook glamorous pink jewellery throughout 27 Bupa London 10,000 app, Paint the UK Pink. October including a beautiful pink June ribbon charm and glitter pen. 1 Pink Ribbonwalk, Petworth Asda’s support continued for House, West Sussex another year through its Tickled Companies including Chamilia, 8 Pink Ribbonwalk, Pink Campaign. Asda colleagues Rieves, Next, Fitflop, Boux Avenue, Leeds Castle, supported it with fundraising ideas, Tresor Paris, Genie Bra, Yankee Kent such as sponsored baked bean Candle, Tangle Teezer, ChapStick, 15 Pink Ribbonwalk, bath dunks and colleagues having Elemis, Morphy Richards and Marble Hill Park, their heads shaved to help to raise Makita sold products throughout Twickenham, funds for Tickled Pink. An array of October to raise money for London products turned pink and a Julien Breast Cancer Care. 15–24 Women v McDonald designed re-usable bag Cancer Cycle, helped to raise even more funds. Thank you to all of Breast Cancer Kenya Care’s partners’ staff and customers 12–16 London to Paris Dorothy Perkins has raised a for their incredible fundraising Cycle Ride fantastic £3 million for Breast throughout October including 26–30 Trek Iceland Cancer Care to date. Curves Gyms, BHS, Blackhouse, Barclays, Baker & McKenzie and Tui. Office sold a pair of limited edition pink studded shoes and donated Six law firms, Ashurst, Baker If you want to take on a 50% of the profits to Breast & McKenzie, Charles Russell, challenge for Breast Cancer Care. Eversheds, Ince & Co and Simmons Cancer Care, visit www. & Simmons, took part in Breast breastcancercare.org.uk/ Interflora increased the donation in Cancer Care’s first Tour de Law events or email events@ October on the sale of each floral office-based cycle challenge. They breastcancercare.org.uk creation purchased at http://flowers. raced 500km and raised £10,000 breastcancercare.org.uk over two days.

www.vita.org.uk | 23 Fundraising focus

If you are unable to take part, why not join us as a volunteer? The Pink Ribbonwalk would not happen without our dedicated crew of volunteers. Roles on the day vary from looking after walkers on the route to presenting them with a well-deserved medal at the finish. This is a great Walk opportunity to work in our team, meet new people and be an important part of one of the most uplifting and this way emotional events of the year. Visit www.pinkribbonwalk. org.uk for more details. Looking for a challenge? Join us in one of five locations for a Pink Ribbonwalk.

The Pink Ribbonwalk in Care. They have helped me to Blenheim Palace association with woman&home show I’m living with secondary Oxfordshire – Saturday 11 May is returning for its ninth year this breast cancer and given me the summer. Taking place at five opportunity to educate and inspire Scone Palace stunning locations across the others in the same situation. Perthshire – Saturday 18 May country, you can join us for a 10 ‘We chose to take part in the Petworth House or 20-mile walk through beautiful 10-mile walk at Blenheim Palace West Sussex – Saturday 1 June countryside. We will support you and the beautiful surroundings around the route before you cross definitely inspired our team effort. Leeds Castle the finish line in front of friends Together we completed the walk Kent – Saturday 8 June and family. in three hours and raised over Last year Clare Rayner, 37, from £3,000 — it was a fantastic day!’ Marble Hill Park Twickenham Milton Keynes took part in the The Pink Ribbonwalk will be London – Saturday 15 June Blenheim Palace Pink Ribbonwalk travelling to a new venue in 2013. with a group of 10 friends. Clare Described as ‘the loveliest castle was diagnosed with breast cancer in the world’, Leeds Castle in Kent To register visit aged 27 and seven years later was is the perfect backdrop for a Pink www.pinkribbonwalk.org.uk told she had secondary breast Ribbonwalk and we hope you will and quote VITA1 to be entered cancer. Clare says: ‘Each year my be able to join us. With a medal, friends, family and I have been massage and BBQ for you at the into a free prize draw. fundraising for Breast Cancer finish, what are you waiting for?

24 | www.vita.org.uk Service dates Free services for people affected by breast cancer

Information 5–26 March TBC Sessions and Courses Perth, Complementary Talk to someone Sessions and short courses therapies, 27 March on a range of topics. Salford, Moving who’s been there Ayr, Diet and breast cancer, Forward course, 26 31 January February–19 March Barnsley, Moving Forward course, 8–22 February HeadStrong Bangor, Moving Forward Book a private, practical course, 27 February–20 March session to help you prepare Birmingham, Moving Forward for the possibility of losing course, 27 February–20 March your hair due to cancer Bournemouth, Moving treatment. Forward course, 25 Bangor • Birmingham • February–18 March Blantyre • Bournemouth • Bridgend, Passport to breast Bradford • Cardiff • Chester • Chesterfield • cancer rehabilitation Our One-to-One Support service can put you in touch Clatterbridge • Doncaster • 1–22 March TBC with a trained volunteer who’s ready to share their East Kilbride • Glasgow • Cardiff, Passport to breast experiences and understanding over the phone, and Halifax • Huddersfield • cancer rehabilitation, you can talk with others online through our Discussion Kilmarnock • Leicester • 4–25 February Forum and Live Chat sessions. East Kilbridge, Stress and Liverpool • Livingston • relaxation, 28 February London • Middlesbrough • Edinburgh, Moving Forward Newcastle • Peterborough • course, 20 February–13 March Preston • Rhyl • Southend • of each month Hamilton, Moving Salford •Stockport Cardiff, third Thursday Your Forward course, • Welwyn Garden City of each month 30 January–20 February • Wolverhampton Edinburgh, first Monday Huddersfield, Moving • Wrexham of each month QUESTIONS Forward course, 9.30 January Glasgow, Every third Glasgow, Diet and breast Younger Women’s Wednesday cancer, 7 February; Moving Forums Leeds, last Thursday answered Forward course, 7–28 March Events for women of each month Kilmarnock, Stress and aged up to 45 with Liverpool, fourth If you have questions relaxation, 20 March breast cancer. Tuesday of each month about breast cancer or 25 and 26 January Livingston, Signs and Bristol, London, fourth breast health call Breast 15 and 16 March symptoms of recurrence, Edinburgh, Thursday of each month Cancer Care’s free, 21 February Manchester, third confidential Helpline Llantrisant, Moving Forward Living with Wednesday of each month on 0808 800 6000 (Text course, 7–28 March Secondary Breast Motherwell, fourth Relay 18001). You can London, Diet and exercise, Cancer Wednesday of each month also ask your question 19 February, Moving Forward A chance for people with a Sheffield, first Thursday by email, order free course, 5–26 March; secondary diagnosis to talk of each month information resources Liverpool, Healthy eating, openly and increase their and get instant access 26 February knowledge. Lingerie Evenings to information at www. Middlesbrough, Managing Aylesbury, second Join other women who breastcancercare.org.uk menopausal symptoms, Wednesday of each month have had breast cancer 31 January and fourth Wednesday to gain more confidence Manchester, Moving Forward of alternate months when choosing a bra course, 1–22 February Birmingham, first after surgery. Edinburgh, 14 March Newport (Gwent), Passport Monday of each month Birmingham, 21 March Halifax, 27 February to breast cancer rehabilitation, Bristol, second Wednesday East Kilbride, 21 March Reading, 28 March

www.vita.org.uk | 25 Classified adverts

Royce Lingerie

Royce Lingerie’s great selection of ‘Caress’ bras is designed to give you extra support, comfort and care after breast surgery, just when you need it most. All our Caress bras have bilateral pockets to hold your prosthesis. For more information and to find your nearest stockist please call 01295 265 557 or visit www.royce-lingerie.co.uk

Anita Care offers the most Bouncing Back Exclusively for women Gabriella Sandham Lingerie & comprehensive range worldwide of with breast cancer. Personal advice Swimwear Boutique. Mastectomy bra silicone breast forms, lingerie and and fitting from Lesley an ex nurse fitting specialists who provides a friendly swimwear designed specifically for who has experienced breast cancer measuring and fitting service. Cup Size: women who have undergone breast and treatment. Check out our bargain AA–K Back Size: 28–54. Boutique: 161 surgery. With 125 years of expertise, basement on the website or visit us Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 Anita Care offers practical, comfortable in our new premises. Phone for an 5QH. www.gabriellasandham.com and stylish solutions to post-surgical appointment 0191 4872241 Room 4 Telephone: 020 7223 5558 Email: women. For all enquiries please call 020 Storage King, Team Valley, [email protected] 8446 7478 or visit www.anita.com Gateshead, NE11 0JH www.bouncingbackbras.co.uk Harwayes Lingerie is a specialist About The Girl Fabulous, stylish supplier of post surgery and mastectomy pocketed bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits, The Bra Clinic Support after Surgery. lingerie plus swimwear. Brands include and gorgeous post surgery lingerie. Mastectomy bra specialist Susan Royce and Anita. Following a recent Receive a complimentary swim beanie Cooper provides an essential specialist change in ownership a fitting service is with all pocketed swimwear purchases. service for women when recovering from now available with our experienced staff Excellent personal customer services, breast cancer surgery and treatment. at our sister shop: Saffron Lingerie, advice and care, easy returns policy and For online shopping, clinics and Mill St, Stafford. Call 01889 502 643 quick despatch. Find our blog on style information, visit www.thebraclinic.co.uk or visit www.harwayeslingerie.com to after surgery, visit www.aboutthegirl. or call Susan on 07918 656 628 (m). discuss your requirements or request co.uk or call 01444 417791. a catalogue. Contura Belle Our 2012/13 range of Amoena Latest breast forms, beautiful Silima® breast forms, making use of Jashcroft Fabulous hats, Liberty print lingerie, fashionable swimwear, available state-of-the-art soft silicone technology headscarves, cotton turbans and by mail order or online at www. and a wide selection of stylish and beanies. Made in GB. Non-wired and amoena-online.co.uk Also, don’t miss supportive bras, are now available from cotton support bras. Based in Bucks, our free lifestyle magazine featuring Contura Belle, the mail order specialist. Jashcroft is a trading name of 4myhead. in-depth articles, health reports, fashion, Order by phone, post or online. Call com Limited, approved by Trading real-life stories and readers’ letters. 01295 220 524, fax 01295 257 877 or Standards. Free first class post For details on our free fitting service, visit www.conturabelle.co.uk in mainland UK. Ring Jo on magazine or catalogue, call 0845 072 07505 028 099 or buy online 4023 or visit www.amoena.co.uk Cool and Beautiful Nightwear at www.jashcroft.co.uk Cool, ultra feminine, 100% cotton, Betty and Belle Winner of ‘Best lingerie mastectomy nightdresses. They are shop in the UK’ award. Exquisite lingerie discreetly pocketed to hold a soft and specialist bra fitting shop with an prosthesis with plenty of fabric in extensive range of bras and swimwear the skirt to allow for extra comfort. to suit mastectomy, lumpectomy Designed as a result of personal and reconstructions. Bra alteration experience and made in the U.K. and pocketing service. Visit www. Available to buy on-line from www. bettyandbelle.co.uk or call in at 35 coolandbeautiful.com or telephone Oxford Rd, Cheshire WA14 2ED; 01568 750011 for more information. 0161 929 1472.

26 | www.vita.org.uk Classified adverts

Nicola Jane New 2013 Collection of Our free, Mastectomy Fashion now launched! Beautiful, feminine lingerie and stunning swimwear all fitted with pockets to hold confidential your prosthesis discreetly and securely. Award-winning customer service and over 29 years’ expertise. Guaranteed Helpline free ‘no quibble’ returns. AA–J cup fitting. Call 0845 265 7595 or visit www. nicolajane.com for a free catalogue and information about our shops is here to answer any questions about breast cancer or breast health Trulife provides a wide selection of bras, accessories and natural breast forms restoring comfort and confidence Whatever your concern, you can be confident we’ll after breast surgery. The revolutionary Impressions range includes the lightest understand the issues you may be facing, and that prostheses available, giving a flawless the information you’ll receive is clear and up to date. look and suiting every lifestyle. For more Calls are answered by nurses and trained staff with information call 0800 716 770 for a catalogue or visit www.trulife.com experience of breast cancer.

Womanzone ABC Distributer NHS-approved specialists in caring for women after breast surgery. Working with healthcare professionals and Breast Cancer Care in the education of bra and prostheses fitting. We offer a wide range of lingerie, made-to-measure swimwear, pocketing service and free fitting service. Warrington: 01925 768 992, Leeds: 0113 258 9505 www.woman-zone.co.uk

T o advertise here please email us at Calls may be monitored and recorded for training purposes. Confidentiality is maintained between callers and Breast Cancer Care. Our award-winning Helpline is a member of The Helplines Association. [email protected]

www.vita.org.uk | 27 We understand your need for support doesn’t end when treatment finishes.

Our Moving Forward services and information are for anyone living with and beyond breast cancer, helping you approach life after treatment with confidence. Whether you’re managing the ongoing side effects of treatment, thinking of going back to work or looking to improve your overall wellbeing, Moving Forward can help. Contact us to find out more. www.breastcancercare.org.uk/movingforward Free Helpline 0808 800 6000 Text Relay 18001 Calls may be monitored for training purposes. Confidentiality is maintained between callers and Breast Cancer Care.

Scotland and East Midlands and the Northern Ireland North of England 0845 077 1892 0845 077 1893 [email protected] [email protected] Wales, South West and London and the South Central England East of England 0845 077 1894 0845 077 1895 [email protected] [email protected]

To receive future issues of Vita call us, email or cut off this slip, fill in your details and return it in an envelope to our freepost address: Breast Cancer Care, Vita RRKZ-ARZY-YCKG, 5-13 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0NS.

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