More than 100 breast cancer patients from across the county attended Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven's inaugural patient support conference 'Live Well After Breast Cancer'. 

The full-day programme included expert speakers on subjects such as the menopause after breast cancer, managing anxiety, the role of exercise in recovery, and nutrition.

  • Mr Steven Thrush - Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon/Trust Cancer Clinical Lead
  • Dr Jacqueline Radley - GP and Advanced Menopause Specialist
  • Dr Kate Davies - Macmillan Principal Clinical Psychologist
  • Jo Cunningham - award-winning cancer specialist dietician
  • Leighton Bentley - CanRehab qualified exercise specialist

As well as our keynote speakers, patients accessed our wellbeing zone to talk face-to-face with practitioners in areas such a lymphoedema massage, hair and wigs, physical rehabilitation and scar tissue massage.

The conference, which was the brainchild of Senior Breast Care Nurse Rachel King, was 12 months in the planning, and was put together based on feedback from patients together with the expertise of the clinical and charity support teams as to which areas of information and guidance are required post and during treatment.

We know that life after treatment can be extremely challenging and many patients need extra support to help them adjust.  The aim of the conference was to do just that - specifically designed to inform, reassure, guide and support across any questions patients have.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with just a handful of comments below. We look forward to running another conference event in 2027, keep an eye out for information early next year. 

‘Would 100% recommend. Fantastic day and amazing value for money. Excellent speakers on topics that are very valuable at this point in recovery. Wonderful stands and helpful contacts. Good to meet other patients too.

’‘Every patient should be given this information... Great day.’‘Very informative topics / engaging presenters.  Excellent first conference, really well organised.

’‘Whole day was brilliant. Useful, interesting and great to speak to others here.

’‘Excellent day. I’m glad I made myself come even though I thought I didn’t want to.

’‘Very accessible and nice that it was a whole day. You can tell a lot of thought and effort had gone into it. Please do this kind of event again, I really enjoyed it.

’‘Thank you for doing this. This is very needed for all of us! Also – you should charge more than £10!!

’‘It has been a wonderful, informative day and I have enjoyed meeting new friends.

’‘The day was totally amazing, so informative, really helped.

’‘All speakers were informative, clear and gave brilliant advice, thank you.

’‘A very informative, thought-provoking and reassuring event. Good to feel part of this special community, thank you all!

’‘Covered numerous aspects to support everyone on different levels of journey.