Samantha's breast cancer thank-you

Staff at the Breast Unit at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust are saying a big thank you to former patient Samantha Fisher, who's raised money to give others diagnosed with cancer a much-needed pick-me up.

Samantha, from Wick near Bath, held fund-raising events in her local community to help buy around 500 goody bags.

She said: "I remember the dark days when I was very scared and someone gave me a big hug and support. I hope these bags, with chocolates, toiletries and little practical items, will give people a bit of a boost just when they're feeling down and frightened. It can be really beneficial when someone you don't know is rooting for you and wishing you well."

Breast Care Nurse Specialist Rachael Bolitho said: "This is a really nice gesture from Samantha that we know will be very appreciated by our patients. Samantha wanted to give something back for the care she received and she understands what our patients are going through."

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and will affect around 1 in 10 women at some time during their life. It can now be treated very effectively and most women who develop breast cancer will be permanently cured following treatment. However, they will need regular breast cancer surveillance with mammography.

Over 3,500 women are referred to the RUH Breast Unit every year, about 400 of these will be diagnosed with cancer. The vast majority of patients are women, but the unit also sees men with breast problems, two or three of whom will have breast cancer.

The RUH Breast Unit has one of the most up to date facilities in the south west of England. It provides an integrated range of services for patients with breast problems, including rapid access diagnostic clinics by a team of dedicated specialists. It has state of the art breast imaging equipment and is one of very few trusts in the region with digital mammography, breast tomosynthesis and breast MRI.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

Download printable version