S2 Ep37 Giving patients control of their breast cancer follow up - Kieva Noble

My Breast My Health

Life is predictably unpredictable. Things happen randomly, unexpectedly, and out of our control.
A breast cancer diagnosis for example is such a life event. Similarly, after breast cancer treatment has finished, you can't predict how you recover. You may find changes to the breast. You may be feeling certain symptoms that you are not particularly sure of. You may need support for your mental well-being. All of these don't happen on a particular day at a particular time. So, what happens when you do find unusual symptoms and need help?
An open-access follow-up service may be the solution. This is an alternative way of following up with those who have finished treatment for their primary breast cancer. Instead of going to a follow-up clinic once a year, you can get support at a time that is suitable for you.
In this episode, Kieva Noble who runs such a service discusses how an open-access follow-up service works. We talk about how she ensures the holistic needs of patients are addressed, who is eligible to join and what happens when someone does indeed need help and support.
It was a great conversation, which I know you'll enjoy.
Let me know what you think about this episode and all the others by saying hi to me on social media @DrTashaG.
Happy listening.
Tasha x