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CANCER SUPPORT Support for people affected by cancer in France Cancer Support in the Poitou Charentes (CSIPC) was formed in 2002 to support English-speaking people affected by cancer living in France (and not just in Poitou Charentes). A growing team of 'Active Listeners,' trained by Macmillan (UK) is available to listen over the telephone, engage in e-mail correspondence or visit (if distance permits). A French language specialist is available to help translate medical documentation. Gradually bi-linguists are becoming available at local hospitals - currently Poitiers ( 86), Angoulême (16) Ruffec (16) Bordeaux (17) and Niort (79). It is hoped to establish a contact at Limoges (87) in the near future. Part of the support work involves enabling those affected by cancer to obtain access to information to help them regain some degree of control over their situation. CSIPC report that they are now the principal contact in France for referrals from the UK via Macmillan (UK) and The Bristol Cancer Clinic. Individual contacts are also received from many regions of France. The possibility is being explored of creating a National Association, able to promote the development of more local support groups which would be autonomous but with access to central resources. Two local new groups are already in preparation in the Parthenay (79) area and the Aquitaine region. Anyone interested in joining this important work should contact CSIPC (details below). Bi-linguists are needed, particularly near major hospitals to develop support during the most stressful part of cancer diagnosis and treatment when French language skills, however good they may be, often prove insufficient. Breast Cancer Awareness Month The month of October has been designated breast cancer awareness month in France since 1994 and activities go under the programme name "October Rose". Many Associations engage in activities to promote greater public awareness of the disease, its prevention and screening. CSIPC joined this national effort in 2004, and the monies raised helped CSIPC create a newsletter, 'Touchlines'. To celebrate the start of "October Rose 2005 ", CSIPC presented 'In The Pink', a day of individual attention to help people 'look good, feel better'. It offered image consultancy, skin care and make-up guidance, exchange of experience, mutual support, information, as well as music and a finger buffet at a beautiful venue. It was greatly appreciated by all who came. A full report will be featured in the next edition of Touchlines.For more information, contact Linda Shepherd (President of CSIPC) Le Bourg 16350 BENEST, Tel 05 45 29 08 93 or andrew.shepherd@wanadoo.fr The CSIPC Web Site www.cancersupportfrance.info is regularly updated, and contains full details about the Association, together with useful resources and information.
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