Ann's Story

“The Centre helped me to get through my second occurrence of cancer. I was able to deal with my fears and anxieties which had been so debilitating during my first experiences of cancer. The Bristol Approach gave me the tools to deal positively with my medical treatment and to feel stronger; I learnt to focus on the important aspects of my life.”

In my 50s I was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat it.

The treatment was excellent but the health service is not as good at supporting you through the emotional trauma. When I tried to get back to normal I felt as if I was falling apart. I still had two children at school and I went back to work as a social worker but soon left because I couldn’t cope with trying to support other people.

It took me a good two to three years to feel like my old self again. Then five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer again and I had a mastectomy. It was in the same breast as before so they couldn’t give me radiotherapy and I didn’t want chemo again as it made me feel so awful last time and contributed to my inability to get back to feeling normal. I also still felt I hadn’t been provided with enough personal support from the health service.

I heard about the Bristol Approach and although I’d never been someone who used complementary medicine I decided to go along. Initially I had counselling, relaxation, healing and shiatsu massage. I felt such an improvement and was able to go there when I wanted due to the flexibility of the Cancerpoint sessions. I went for over six months and found I was soon able to look after my grandchildren and was even able to join a health club.

I believe that how you feel affects the outcome of the illness, and using the Bristol Approach made me feel so much better. I have learnt a lot about getting the most out of life and every day I get up and look forward to what I am going to do. The life I have now is more enjoyable than it ever was before.

ANN FLETCHER, 66
Former social worker; Married; Mother of four; Grandmother of eight; Bristol. Breast cancer diagnosed in 1993. Second occurrence 2003.