Cancer Doesn't Care - Pelorous
Cancer Doesn't Care - Pelorous
Cancer Doesn't Care - Pelorous
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The Effects of <strong>Cancer</strong> on Relationship and Intimacy<br />
The Natalie Shipman Memorial Lectures<br />
Chai clients come to see us from diagnosis onwards<br />
and naturally their most important objective is to get<br />
the cancer into remission. However, once that has been<br />
achieved they may need help to learn how to carry on<br />
with their lives.<br />
<strong>Cancer</strong> and the treatment for cancer can have a<br />
devastating effect on peoples’ lives, both physically<br />
and mentally. The surgery and the chemotherapy drugs<br />
can have an adverse impact too. A patient’s<br />
perception of their own body image may change and<br />
this in itself can alter their relationship with their partner,<br />
and cause distress to both of them. Talking about<br />
intimacy in such circumstances can sometimes be<br />
embarrassing, or difficult, and make either or both of<br />
the partners feel awkward.<br />
Health professionals may not think to ask their patient<br />
whether their cancer treatment is impacting upon their<br />
relationship with their partner, and may be unaware<br />
that it is affecting the patient’s state of mind. Whilst the<br />
physical symptoms of the cancer and its treatment can<br />
be dealt with by those health professionals, the<br />
emotional symptoms need to be separately understood<br />
and addressed.<br />
It can often be hard for a couple to find the right words<br />
to use when starting to talk about their physical<br />
relationship. People then put off dealing with their<br />
feelings, and talking about intimacy with their partner,<br />
as it can feel like their privacy is being invaded.<br />
Communication is essential for any relationship to work,<br />
and Chai can help a patient and their partner to think<br />
about how best to keep it going. It is therefore<br />
important to be able to talk about this matter<br />
confidentially, with an independent, professional<br />
person, in order to help the patient and their partner<br />
avoid letting the cancer destroy the intimacy in their<br />
relationship.<br />
“Whilst the physical<br />
symptoms of the cancer<br />
and its treatment can<br />
be dealt with by health<br />
professionals, the emotional<br />
symptoms need to be<br />
separately understood<br />
and addressed”<br />
Chai has professional counsellors, trained specifically<br />
in relationship and intimacy issues, who support<br />
patients and their partners through the difficult period<br />
in complete confidence. One of our counsellors, who<br />
has a degree and diploma in psychology, specialises<br />
in issues relating to intimacy. She lectures internationally<br />
to both experienced professionals and post-graduate<br />
students on the issues that particularly impact on<br />
intimacy within relationships.<br />
We are fortunate to have additional counsellors who<br />
work with relationship issues and also specialise in issues<br />
relating to intimacy.<br />
Our counsellors have been able to utilise those skills in<br />
helping numerous clients and their partners through the<br />
difficulties brought on by cancer and its treatment.<br />
The Natalie Shipman Memorial Lectures are held in<br />
memory of Natalie Shipman z”l who passed away just<br />
before her 8th birthday. Natalie was the daughter of<br />
Chai’s co-founder Susan Shipman.<br />
2009<br />
The 20th lecture was for the first time held in<br />
Manchester at Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Professor<br />
Albert Singer, Consultant Gynaecologist travelled from<br />
London especially to again chair this annual event. The<br />
auditorium was full to hear Professor Gordon Jayson talk<br />
about The Latest Developments in the Treatment of<br />
Ovarian <strong>Cancer</strong>.<br />
Professor Jayson is a Professor of Medical Oncology at<br />
Christie, and has a particular interest in biological<br />
research, leading clinical trials for the Paterson Institute<br />
and <strong>Cancer</strong> Research UK. He highlighted the risk factors<br />
for women and spoke about awareness of signs that<br />
may lead to early detection. Professor Jayson went on<br />
to speak about new treatments and ongoing research,<br />
Prof. Albert Singer, Susan Shipman & Prof. Gordon Jayson<br />
and explained some of the challenges involved in<br />
treating ovarian cancer. The lecture culminated with a<br />
variety of questions from the audience, which were<br />
posed anonymously.<br />
2010<br />
Living With and Beyond <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
Keynote Speaker – Dr Adrian Tookman<br />
Consultant in Palliative <strong>Care</strong> Medicine, Medical<br />
Director of Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and<br />
Director of Marie Curie Hospice Hampstead<br />
Monday 11th October 2010<br />
Chai <strong>Cancer</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Centre<br />
144-146 Great North Way, London NW4 1EH<br />
Admission free by ticket only.<br />
Please call Vicky Brown to book your place<br />
on 020 8202 2211.<br />
42 20 years of cancer support in the community<br />
20 years of cancer support in the community 43