Cancer Alliance launches ‘It's okay not to be okay’ booklet
Patients and clinicians have co-produced a booklet offering practical advice and sign posting to services to support people with the emotional impact of cancer.
Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance (KMCA) is officially launching a 'It's okay not to be okay: Managing with cancer' booklet to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October).
co-produced
The booklet was co-produced over a number of months with patient partners from the alliance's Working Together Group and clinicians from the Cancer Psychological Support Service.
Tracey Squire, KMCA's MacMillan User Involvement Manager, who leads the Working Together Group, said: “The Cancer Psychological Support Service wanted a leaflet that would explain to patients how to access the service.
The clinicians wanted to work with patients on the design, but when they met with the group, it developed into much more.
“Our patient partners wanted information available to patients that would help them with the everyday anxieties as not all cancer patients need psychological support from professionals, some need to just know how to manage their feelings.”
'difficult emotions'
Dr Clare Reeder, a Macmillan Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Cancer Care and the Lead for the Cancer Psychological Service for Kent and Medway (CaPS-KM), added: “Going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect so many areas of life and bring significant loss, fear and uncertainty. It can have a huge effect on loved ones too.
“We wanted a leaflet that would highlight the distress cancer can bring, and offer some tools for managing difficult emotions and worries, as well as sign-posting if someone feels they need extra specialist help.
“Our patient partners' input is invaluable in making sure our written information is engaging, readable and covers the things that really matter to patients.
“It was a pleasure to work with the patient partners on the Cancer Alliance's Working Together Group to produce this booklet.”
'safe space'
Julie Pout is one of the patient partners with Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance's Working Together Group who co-produced the booklet. Julie herself received support from the Kent and Medway Cancer Psychological Support Service.
Julie said: "The psychological support service gave me a safe space to process what treatment had left me carrying and helped me feel more balanced and in control.
“I didn't realise how much support I still needed after finishing treatment, but the team helped me understand what I was feeling and gave me practical tools to move forward with confidence.
“The psychological support I received was just as important as the medical treatment, and it has helped me manage challenging situations with far more clarity and confidence."
Where to find the booklet
Look out for the 'It's Okay Not To Be Okay: Managing with Cancer booklet in clinic rooms or ask your cancer care team for a copy. It is also available on the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance website.
Notes for editors:
• For further information and interview requests, please email the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance team at mtw-tr.englandkmcanceralliance@nhs.net
• More information on Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance is available on the website www.kentandmedwaycanceralliance.nhs.uk