CANCER patients and their carers in the Busselton area are well supported by a range of free services on offer from the Cancer Council Western Australia.
Cancer support coordinator Yvonne Innes said a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment could be enormously stressful for people.
“It’s important for anyone affected by cancer to know they do not have to go through the journey alone,” she said.
“Our services include practical support, peer support and a complementary therapy service all designed to help those whose lives have been affected by cancer.”
The therapy service is provided by trained volunteer therapists and includes hand and foot massage, facials and reiki.
“These therapies are an effective way for cancer patients and their carers to relax and have some much needed time out,” Yvonne said.
Not only cancer patients but also their carers are invited to come along and try the service and experience the benefits of relaxation.
Diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in July last year, Deborah Cavanagh underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She said the advice she received from Yvonne was very useful, particularly in helping her to prepare for the emotional ups and downs of treatment.
In August she started participating in the complementary therapy program and has high praise for the service, where she has received reiki and a variety of massage treatments.
“It is fantastic and the quality of the treatments is top of the line,” Deborah said.
“It is such a relaxing experience, everyone here understands what we are going through and we have a lot of laughs.”
She also joined a support group through the Cancer Council, which she said had been a wonderful and inspiring experience.
Reiki therapist Lucille O’Neil began volunteering when she moved to Busselton six years ago and has found it to be a rewarding experience.
“We have grown a lot in that time, and I’ve met some wonderful people here,” Lucille said.
The Cancer Council’s complementary therapy program aims to improve general wellbeing and quality of life and can help people to cope with the side- effects of cancer.
Complementary therapies do not aim to cure a person’s illness but are used to complement mainstream treatment or care.
Clients are offered up to six free sessions of a complementary therapy service.
At the moment the service needs someone trained in massage.
Anyone interested in using this service or volunteering should contact Yvonne on 9751 2762 for more information.
