Ballymena venue for lung cancer meeting
THE Northern Trust's new Lung Cancer Information and Support Group is inviting all lung cancer patients in the Ballymena area to its inaugural meeting.
Open to patients, their families and carers, the Lung Cancer Information and Support Group will meet on Thursday June 4, at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena.
It wants to hear of the needs of those affected by the illness, and to look at how best to deliver relevant services.
Running from 2.00-4.00pm, the meeting will be addressed by Susan Christie from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Janis McCulla from the Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN).
The new group has been formed following research last summer by the Lung Cancer Nurses in Northern Ireland and the NICaN. This highlighted interest in establishing a support body in Northern Ireland.
Antrim Area Hospital’s Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist Mary Ann Conlon was among a small team sent to Glasgow to visit the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and also to see an established support and information group in action.
“We were very impressed and came home keen to get something similar operating here, in Northern Ireland,” she said.
The Northern Trust then set up a steering committee with Mary Ann Conlon, Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist and colleagues Macmillan Nurse Claire McFall, Occupational Therapist Judith Ellis and Social Workers Jackie Cassidy and Michelle Murphy and, after much hard work, the group is ready to hold its first meeting.
“This is an important initiative. The diagnosis of lung cancer can leave people feeling isolated and frustrated at the lack of information available to them. This group will provide much needed information, support and reassurance, in an informal and friendly setting.
“People want to understand what is happening to them and research shows that this type of help can reduce the distress that patients and their families suffer.”
“Through the support group, patients will be able to offer each other support and advice. Families and carers, who are also welcome, will be able to exchange views and experiences,” she said.
“Future meetings will be tailored to what the members want. Some will want to talk about symptoms such as breathlessness or fatigue or nutritional issues. Others may want advice on benefits or on matters that healthy individuals may not even consider, such as travel insurance,” she said.
Speaker at the first meeting will be Susan Christie of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Anticipating that prompt diagnosis could save thousands of lives, the Foundation carries out research into the early detection of lung cancer.
Practical and emotional support is also provided, along with guidance for children and young people on making informed decisions about smoking and the tobacco industry.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation also campaigns to raise awareness of the early signs of lung cancer, research funding and resources for patients and their carers.
Meetings of the Trust’s Lung Cancer Information and Support Group will be held on the first Thursday of every month from 2.00-4.00pm in the Ecos Centre, Ballymena.
Anyone interested can simply turn up or, for further information, contact either: Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist Mary Ann Conlon at Fern House, Antrim Area Hospital, telephone 028 9442 4716 or, Macmillan Nurse Claire McFall, Robinson Hospital, Ballymoney, telephone 028 2766 0352.
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Weather for Ballymena
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
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Wind direction: South east
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