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Getting ready for Living with Secondary Breast Cancer online groups

Thank you for registering for our Living with Secondary Breast Cancer online group. We’re really looking forward to meeting you on Zoom when you join us for the group. To help you get ready, we’ve compiled a list of common questions and answers.

Do I need to bring anything? 

No, just get as much out of the group as you can and participate as much or as little as you like. 

How do I use Zoom? 

We’ve put together a detailed guide to using Zoom and the other technology you’ll need to attend your Living with Secondary Breast Cancer online group. 

What can I expect? 

These groups are relaxed and offer time to talk about what’s on your mind with others who understand from around the UK. Each meeting is facilitated by one of our experienced counsellors who will welcome you when you join. 

Conversations often focus on everyday issues and the impact of living with secondary breast cancer. We encourage people to share their knowledge and first-hand experience with others who ‘get it’ in a way that no one, no matter how hard they try, can understand unless they’ve lived it themselves. 

Sometimes the sessions may bring up themes and feelings that you find difficult. But the counsellor will be on hand to support you and the other group members. 

If you don’t feel like sharing anything, there’s no pressure. You can just sit back and listen to the rest of the group. 

Bear in mind that the groups aren’t a group therapy session, and don’t provide individual medical care or advice. 

How many people will be at the group? 

The groups typically have around 6 to 12 people for both in-person and online sessions. But sometimes have more, sometimes less. 

Do I have to speak or go on camera? 

If you can, please keep your camera on for the duration of the meeting. It helps to make the group feel more connected. If your computer doesn’t have a camera, don’t worry, you can let us know in the chat. 

You’re welcome to keep your microphone on, but if you’re in a noisy environment, you’ll need to mute yourself when you’re not speaking.  

Are the groups confidential?  

Yes. You’ll be in a confidential, safe space. The counsellor will help to create a safe environment for group members to be as open as they want to be. And everyone is reminded to keep the discussions confidential. 

Are online groups accessible? 

If you need more support from us to take part in our services, we’ll do our best to make reasonable adjustments. If you need further assistance, contact us at secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org or on 0345 077 1893. 

Do I have to attend every single group?  

No. You can come to as many or as few as you'd like to. We totally understand that you might not feel up to coming along for whatever reason. If you could let us know that’d be great, but don’t worry if you can’t. We won’t get in touch to ask where you were. 

Will a healthcare professional be there? 

We don’t usually invite healthcare professionals to the monthly groups. They are an opportunity for you to talk openly about whatever’s on your mind with other people in a similar situation. We occasionally invite a healthcare professional along to observe a session to help them promote the service. We’d let you know beforehand in your monthly invitation email. 

I'm aged 45 or under and living with secondary breast cancer – will there be others my age at the group? 

It depends on the group. Sometimes there’ll be a few other younger women, and sometimes there might not be any. You’re more than welcome to attend any group. 

If you'd like to attend a group just for younger women, we also hold a Living with Secondary Breast Cancer group for Younger Women online. It's a chance to meet women you're age who are going through similar experiences. 

Will my employer give me time off to attend? 

If you're working, your employer should allow you time to attend. Please contact us if you're experiencing any difficulties, and we can provide you with a letter to give to them.

I have another question, can you help? 

If you have more questions, please reach out to our Living with Secondary Breast Cancer team at secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org or call us on 0345 077 1893. 

 

 

 

 

 

Our group guidelines  

Breast Cancer Now’s services bring together a diverse range of people with different experiences. These groups aim to provide a safe space where you can talk freely and share your thoughts and feelings if you wish to do so. We ask for your cooperation in observing the following guidelines:  

  • Join the group from a quiet and private space, somewhere you’re least likely to be disturbed. Please wear headphones if there are others in your household who may hear the call. This is to ensure the privacy of others in the group and you may also find it helpful in blocking out any background noise.
  • To support communication and build trust between group members we ask that you join the session with your camera turned on. If you feel uncomfortable with having your camera on, please contact us for a chat (0345 077 1893 or email secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org). We will do what we can to make sure you feel safe and comfortable joining the group including having a test video call on Zoom if you would like or arranging an introduction call with you and the therapist facilitator.
  • Please help us to keep to time by joining promptly. To minimise disruption, we will be unable to let you join beyond 30 minutes after the start time. If you have not used Zoom before, please read our guidance below.
  • To ensure that you feel comfortable to speak freely, anything said in the session will remain strictly confidential. We ask that you do not share any specific or identifying information outside of the meeting. It is prohibited to capture screenshots or take personal videos or pictures of the group.
  • Everyone’s feelings and experiences are valid, and we recognise that these will be different for everyone; there are no right or wrong statements. We ask that you respect the views of others in the group and don’t impose your beliefs on anyone.
  • We encourage you to listen actively to others. Due to the nature of online groups, there may be times when we inadvertently interrupt or speak over another person; this is ok and, in this instance, our counsellor will make sure everyone has the opportunity to speak.
  • In the unlikely event that any behaviour in a group is deemed inappropriate or upsetting to others, Breast Cancer Now staff will be on hand to intervene as appropriate. 
    Sometimes these groups may bring up themes and feelings that you find difficult. Your wellbeing is our priority and, by ensuring that you look after yourself, we hope that you will be able to get the most from these sessions. If, at any time you need to take a break or leave, please just let us know. If you do leave unexpectedly, we will get in touch with you afterwards to check in. If possible, you may find it useful to plan to do something you enjoy after a session or do something to help you relax. This could be something as simple as a walk in the fresh air, lighting a candle and having some time to yourself with a cup of tea, or calling a good friend. This may help you transition into the next phase of your day.
  • In online groups, discussions about different books, websites, videos etc are often shared between groups members. After online groups, the services coordinator will share a summary of the resources discussed on email, so you don’t have to make notes yourself. Items shared that are not Breast Cancer Now resources, should not be seen as an endorsement by Breast Cancer Now. On occasion there may be some items we cannot share in a follow up email, due to not being in keeping with clinical best practice/ NHS standards and guidance. 

If you would like further support after a meeting or just want to talk things through, our breast care nurses are at the end of a telephone line. Call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm.  

Please be aware that WhatsApp groups set up by service users who attend our groups, are personal groups. We do not facilitate in any way the setup of these nor can monitor or advise on what is shared in these groups. They are in no way the responsibility of Breast Cancer Now. 

Your details and information will be kept private and confidential within Breast Cancer Now. The counsellor facilitating the group may share information with the secondary breast cancer team in order for us to support you. 

There are some exceptional circumstances in which the facilitator or secondary breast cancer team may pass on personal information outside of Breast Cancer Now, for example:

  • If we believe someone is at serious risk of harm, either from themselves or others
  • A service user acts in a threatening or abusive way
  • If we receive a court order requiring us to divulge information
  • If we are passed information relating to an act of terrorism 

If you would like to find out more about how we use your information, you can view our Privacy Policy on our website.  

If you do have a concern or complaint about our services, a Breast Cancer Now volunteer, group facilitator or a member of staff, please do talk to us. You can do so by contacting the secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org. Alternatively, you can view our complaints policy here.