I’ve recently been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in the bone and struggling mentally even to get out of bed in the morning. Is there any counselling available?
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Hi couchpotato16
Thank you for posting. It sounds as though you are having a difficult time and this is completely understandable. Being told you have secondary breast cancer can be completely overwhelming and is full of uncertainties. It can be hard to know what to think, where to turn to for support, and even harder to find anyone who really understands what it feels like to live with the diagnosis.
You ask about whether you can have counselling and this can be a very good way of getting emotional support for low mood, depression and anxiety. Your breast care nurse, treatment team or GP will be able to refer you to local counselling services (talking therapies ) and may be able to tell you about other services in your area, such as mindfulness relaxation and complimentary therapies which can also help. You are also able to self-refer for talking therapies on the NHS.
Our Living with Secondary Breast Cancer services are also here for you. They’re all facilitated by trained counsellors, to help you find the support you need, in person or online. However you access a service, you’ll be able to talk, listen and learn with people who understand the challenges that secondary breast cancer brings.
We also have a secondary breast cancer online peer to peer discussion forum including a private discussion group for sharing information and support. The forum and private group are message boards where people affected by secondary breast cancer can learn about other people’s experiences and share their own if they wish to.
You can read the forums without registering. But if you would like to join a discussion or start your own, you can find out how to get started here.
You may also find it useful to look at the websites Every mind matters and Anxiety UK for further support and information.
Please do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes,
Katy
Breast Care Nurse
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