Northern Ireland's leading cancer charity, Action Cancer, opened their first office in Derry this week, offering invaluable services including digital breast screening services, men's MOT health checks, counselling, complementary therapy, Listening Ear Service, health promotion and research.
The new office at 38 Clooney Terrace, forms part of the charity's regionalisation campaign, helping them reach out to the estimated 1500 people living with cancer in the Derry area. Their work will help reduce incidences of cancer in what has been ca
lled a 'cancer hotspot'. Every year an average of 350 people in the Derry Council area are told they have cancer and just under 200 people lose their lives to the disease every year.
The 'Journal' spoke to local woman Sandra Smyth, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006 and underwent two bouts of surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"And now I'm getting on with the rest of my life," she said cheerfully.
Speaking of whether she was 'cured' of cancer, Sandra said: "They don't like to say you're actually clear for five years, and if it hasn't returned in five years then they say you're clear. However, it's gone for now and I'm feeling absolutely fabulous."
Sandra praised the cancer charity: "I'm absolutely delighted that Action Cancer has opened up here in Derry. The first time I came across any of their services was when I was in Belfast for five weeks for radiotherapy. When I was going home they gave me their number and told me to keep in touch from home and to continue with treatments, so I have and I find it absolutely brilliant. I come at least once a fortnight for a lovely hour just to lie and chill and relax and get pampered and it's just wonderful. I get reflexology and they have a listening ear service and counselling services, which, to be honest, I haven't felt the need to avail of, although I know it's there if I need it."
She continued: "It's great being among people who understand. Friends and family are brilliant, but they don't know the reality of what you've been through and so coming here to speak to people who know exactly where you're coming from is a great feeling and a great benefit for my emotional wellbeing. Action Cancer also helped me learn to relax, which I always had difficulty with in the past.
On your doorstep
Sandra urged local people to avail of the services on offer at Action Cancer: "Their number is in the book so phone them up. They're very accommodating, whether you need counselling, or to talk to someone through the listening ear service or just want to try some alternative therapies. It's all on your doorstep now so if you need it, use it."
Mickey Bradley, local radio producer and bass player with The Undertones, also helped launch Derry's Action Cancer offices and recognises the value of its many services.
"I was asked to come along to officially open the Action Cancer offices because a couple of years ago I had bowel cancer myself," he said.
"For some people bowel cancer can be a very difficult thing to talk about, but for some reason I've never had a problem talking about my own experiences with it. The best thing to do is to go to your doctor very early.
The full article contains 566 words and appears in Journal Friday DER Edition newspaper.
