WEST Cheshire residents living with cancer can now access a personalised element of the ‘recovery package’ designed to improve their quality of life.

The initiative from the Macmillan Cancer Support team at Brio Leisure will examine the day-to-day difficulties many cancer survivors and patients face following medical treatments.

Macmillan professionals will look at a comprehensive range of issues during a personalised question and answer session with patients. Concerns such as financial difficulties, and accessing mental and physical health support, can be raised during the confidential sessions.

It’s hoped the all-inclusive approach will improve patient recovery times as well as the future health and wellbeing of those diagnosed with cancer.

Andrew Makin, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Project Manager at Brio, said: “Surviving cancer is not the same as living well, and time and time again I hear people describe the sense of falling off a cliff when they have finished treatment. As more people survive cancer in the long-term, measuring their quality of life will become increasingly important. A Holistic Needs Assessment as part of the Recovery Package is a personalised plan to help people manage the impact of their cancer. It is essential if we are to see any meaningful improvement in the support people receive after their treatment.”

Teresa Owen, from Saighton, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 after being admitted to hospital with acute appendicitis, said the assessment and care planning initiative would be well received by patients.

She said: “Every patient’s needs are different as is everyone’s cancer journey. By using this service, you can see what support is out there and have it tailored to your needs.

“In my case the hospitals I attended were fantastic. But when you finish your treatment, once you are out of that loop of dealing with medical staff, you are on your own and you don’t have the professionals to reassure you.”

Cancer patients can sign up to the programme through the Macmillan team based at Brio Leisure centres across West Cheshire.

“This is a simple process. You just answer a questionnaire with a Macmillan professional, which identifies the issues that are having an impact on your life and wellbeing. In my case I had to give up my job as a school teaching assistant while I was undergoing chemotherapy. I was in the fortunate financial position that I could do so – not everyone can.

“Following my surgery, I did suffer from anxiety and that affected my sleeping, so I’ve also been able to access different meditation techniques that really helped,” she added.

Teresa’s personal plan involved stepping up the amount of exercise she was doing. Latest medical research shows that undergoing a programme of moderate to vigorous daily exercise can reduce the risk of different cancers from returning.

“I went to a Macmillan Health and Wellbeing event and discovered that the risk of re-occurrence in bowel cancer patients was reduced by as much as 50 per cent if they exercised regularly.

“Now I’m exercising three times a week and have done Zumba classes and gym sessions at Ellesmere Port Sports Village and Northgate Arena. I feel so much better and a lot healthier,” she added.

Macmillan’s relationship with Brio Leisure means patients who need them can access free health and wellbeing sessions at Brio Leisure centres across West Cheshire

“The worry of cancer returning never goes away even though I’m approaching my five-year anniversary. I feel like I need to do everything to reduce that risk. I just wish I’d have had access to this programme from the beginning of my journey because it would have been so helpful,” she added.

For more information on the care plans, people can speak to the Macmillan Team at Brio by emailing brio.macmillan@nhs.net.