Welcome back after the January break: Thank you for all those who attended and welcome to those who attended for the first time. Thank you also to the breast care nurses who joined us Helen and Michaela.
Updates/Info: The nurses updated us on change of staff at the Breast Care Unit. Mr Tafazal, one of the breast cancer surgeons has left the Unit. He has been replaced by Mr Parvaiz.
The nurses spoke about The Magseed Marker. This is a tiny magnetic seed that helps accurately mark the location of a cancer that cannot be felt within the breast. The nurses also spoke about Magtrace. The Magtrace Lymphatic Tracer is a liquid tracer containing iron fillings used specifically to localise the dominant draining axillary lymph nodes called sentinel lymph nodes.
Questions:
A member raised that her treatment involved full removal of her lymph nodes. She does a lot of air travel for work. She confirmed to avoid lymphoedema she wears compression socks and a compression sleeve.
Another member raised concerns about what to check for along the scar line after a double mastectomy.
Men & Women: The nurses also asked if the Group was open to men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was agreed that the Support Group is there for men as well as women. It was agreed this would be conveyed to the Breast Care Nurses to pass on to any men who have had a breast cancer diagnosis.
MacMillan Funding Update: I am pleased to confirm the grant application for the Group was successful and we have been given a grant of £3,000. I will go through at our next meeting what areas the funding covers to help support the Group.
Winner of the Xmas Quiz: I am told that the winner of the Xmas Quiz is Mark, an acquaintance of Helen’s. He has been presented with his voucher. Thank you to all those who participated. I will let you know how much money we raised at the March meeting.
Strawberry Tea – June: Tickets will go on sale in April for the strawberry tea. Can I please ask members to bring along to the next meeting items for the raffle and tombola.
Read more on February’s meeting here: February Newsletter
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