Skip to main content

Getting ready for Living with Secondary Breast Cancer online group for younger women

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

How do I use Zoom? 

Our online group take place on Zoom. Please read our guidance on how to set up Zoom on your phone, tablet or laptop before the event. If you’re still having trouble, let us know and someone on the team can talk you through it. 

What can I expect? 

Our groups are a great opportunity to meet other younger women with secondary breast cancer from across the UK. A qualified counsellor will welcome everyone and lead the session. 

You're welcome to join as many or as few sessions as you as you like. Conversations often focus on everyday issues and the impact of living with secondary breast cancer. You can share your experience with people who really understand or simply listen. 

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? 

We encourage you to keep your camera on. It helps everyone to feel more connected. We’ll also invite you to introduce yourself, ask any questions and contribute to group discussions if you want to.  

Are the groups confidential? 

All our groups are confidential, creating a safe and private space for you to share. At the start of every group, we remind everyone that what people share in the group stays in the group. 

Are online groups accessible? 

We want our online sessions to be accessible to everyone. You can use our Zoom guidance to get set up on Zoom for the online course. If you’re still having trouble, or need additional support to take part online, please email secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org or call 0345 077 1893 and we’ll do what we can to make sure you can take part. 

What do other people say about Living with Secondary Breast Cancer for younger women? 

I felt part of a community and learnt from others, whether professional speakers or people with secondary breast cancer. It also helped me ask questions regarding symptoms or queries I have and see how others have dealt with such issues. 

Do I have to attend every group session? 

You don’t need to come along to every session. You're welcome to join as often as feels right for you.   

We understand that sometimes you might not feel well enough to attend, plans changed unexpectedly and you might not be able to some anymore and that’s totally OK. 

If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can offer your place to someone on the waiting list. We’ll send you reminders leading up to the event, and you’ll be able to cancel your reservation on our online booking system. 

Will a healthcare professional be there? 

No. Our monthly groups are a safe space for you to talk openly with others who understand, so healthcare professionals don’t usually attend. Occasionally, a professional may join to learn more about the service so they can better support their patients, but we will always let you know in your invitation email if this is the case. A member of our services delivery team might also attend a session to see how the group is getting on and to gather any feedback.

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? 

Absolutely. Just email us at secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org or call 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.