A health and wellbeing event run by a team from Kent Oncology Centre, with Macmillan and other volunteer organisations, recently, has had very positive feedback.

The event, held on 24 May, was attended by around 60 patients and carers, as part of the Survivorship programme and was organised by the Kent Oncology Centre Survivorship Group, led by Gemma Craig, Lead Oncology Nurse, and Dr Rema Jyothirmayi, Consultant Oncologist.

The event took place at Detling Showground and was for patients who have completed or are nearing completion of active cancer treatment.  It aimed to help those who attended feel supported in managing the transition from treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery) to ‘normal’ life.

The event included talks about diet, exercise, financial support, emotional wellbeing and health awareness. There were also a number of information stalls staffed by local support services and charities.  The afternoon consisted of a number of breakout sessions, to allow attendees to choose subjects of interest to them.

Dr Rema Jyothirmayi said: “The health and wellbeing event was a success, with patients feeding back to us that they found it informative and useful.  It’s very important to make sure that people who are nearing the completion of their treatment feel supported in moving forward.  It isn’t always an easy process, and it’s vital that people have the information that they need.”

“We are planning to run similar events on a regular basis, with the next one planned in September, and we hope we can really build on the success of the first one.”

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