Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 1-3) within the past 24 months? Researchers at the University of Surrey would like to hear about your experiences.

Understanding factors that influence how people cope after a cancer diagnosis is important to better support those recently diagnosed. University of Surrey is exploring the different ways people think about their illness and how this may be associated with their psychological wellbeing.

We are looking for people to fill out a short questionnaire exploring thinking styles, wellbeing and health. Findings will help inform interventions to support for those recently diagnosed. You must be over 18 years of age and living in the UK to take part.

If you're interested in participating, please click on the following link to complete the survey: https://surreyfahs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2tDvQrWtSx5xBj

If you would like more information, please email: sarah.beck@surrey.ac.uk

gf you or a loved one has been affected by cancer, you could help improve cancer support in Southampton. Macmillan Cancer Support and the Wessex Cancer Alliance (WCA) are working together on a new project, the Right By You patient, carer and community advisory group. 

Why your help is needed
People have told Macmillan and WCA that cancer care provided by GP practices and hospitals is not always joined up and people don’t always get the support on the things that matter to them. 

“I have this team around me, supporting me…. sometimes the team don’t work very well together”

“It’s the little things, that are not the medical things in the community …  it can feel as if we are left to our own devices”

This new project is about patients, carers, GP practices and the hospital in Southampton working together to make sure people affected by cancer get the support they need in a place of their choice.   If you have experience, thoughts and ideas about how to make this better for people, your help is needed.

What the patient, carer and community advisory group will do
The group will help shape new services for people affected by cancer.  They will make recommendations about how to ensure patients, carers and loved ones get clear information about cancer care and treatment and other the support where and when they need it.
 
The group will meet 6 times a year for 1 hour. Until people can meet face to face again, the group will meet online and support will be provided with accessing online meetings. Members will receive a financial contribution to the cost of joining virtual meetings. They will also be offered opportunities to get involved in other ways if they wish to.
 
I am interested, what do I do now?
Anyone affected by cancer can get involved and recruitment is ongoing all year round. If you would like to get involved or arrange an informal chat to find out more, please contact heather.stacey@uhs.nhs.net  or call on 07553 332932.

​Below is also a copy of the official flyer, which you can share with anyone who may be interested.

The Cancer Services Partnership at NHS Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (HHFT) are hosting a virtual session on 18 November 2020 focussing on how people can improve their mental heath and wellbeing during challenging times. This session is not just for cancer patients - family, friends and carers are also encouraged to join. 

This is a half-day event starting at 9.15am and it will have four 30-minute sessions followed by time to ask questions afterwards. 

If you are interested in joining, please email cancerservicespartnership@outlook.com and a copy of the agenda and Zoom joining information will be shared with you closer to the event date. A copy of the flyer can be found below.

If you’ve had a cancer diagnosis, the Macmillan Survivorship Research Group (MSRG) at the University of Southampton want to hear from you about your experiences.
 
Commissioned by the Wessex Cancer Alliance, the MSRG will be setting up a User Reference Group, who will support the evaluation of cancer services across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The User Reference Group’s participating in the evaluation will help ensure personalised cancer services are responding to the needs and services of everyone diagnosed with cancer.
 
Participating in this group will involve:

• Attending virtual meetings up to three times a year over the next two years (via Microsoft Teams or Zoom)
• Reading documents in preparation for meetings and participating in discussions

 
One to two representatives from the group will also be a part of Advisory Group (which will also meet up to three times a year on Microsoft Teams or Zoom, starting 9 October 2020.) However, recognising the short notice period, input will be sought outside the meeting from members if attendance is not possible. Expenses incurred through attended these meetings will be paid.
 
Taking part in the URG will provide an opportunity to get involved in all stages of the evaluation, including:

• Evaluation design
• Shaping evaluation delivery
• Interpreting emerging evaluation findings
• Shaping recommendations for practice
• Advising and contributing to outputs from the evaluations
  

 
If you are interested in this opportunity, or have any queries about the role, please contact the Evaluation Lead for the MSRG, David Wright at D.Wright@soton.ac.uk.