22/08/2019 | Press releases

Women with secondary breast cancer to benefit from littlelifts boxes

More women will be given a helping hand as they go through breast cancer treatment at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT).

Norfolk-based breast cancer charity littlelifts has provided extra comfort boxes to Ipswich Hospital which will support women with secondary (incurable) breast cancer who face chemotherapy as part of their treatment.

Pictured left to right are cancer quality of life project coordinator Sarah Lawrance, littlelifts operations and events executive Kay Phoenix, littlelifts founder Oa Hackett and Macmillan oncology breast cancer nurse specialist Rachel Clifton.

 

With help from women who have undergone chemotherapy, the packages are full of specially selected items to help alleviate some of the side effects it can cause. Receiving a littlelifts box can also have a positive impact on patients’ wellbeing at what can be a difficult time.

When the charity first teamed up with ESNEFT, the boxes were specifically for women with primary breast cancer. However, thanks to feedback from people like Macmillan oncology breast nurse specialist Rachel Clifton, based at Ipswich Hospital, the boxes will also be given to women with secondary breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Rachel said: “I felt women with secondary breast cancer should be seen in the same light as those with primary breast cancer. They deserve a boost too and will experience the same side effects of chemotherapy treatment as ladies with primary breast cancer, and that’s what these lovely boxes are all for.”

Oa Hackett founded littlelifts after experiencing primary breast cancer first-hand, she was diagnosed in 2014 at the age of 28.

The charity teamed up with ESNEFT last year to provide the boxes, which contain a variety of practical items, including a soft toothbrush and lolly recipes and moulds because chemotherapy can leave mouths sore and painful, a water bottle and cordial. They are also packed with other treats such as herbal tea, chocolate, sweets and a notebook and pen. 

Oa said: “In response to feedback like Rachel’s and her passion for supporting women with secondary breast cancer we wanted to make our littlelifts boxes available to those women too as there is an inequality for care and treatment between the two forms of the disease.

“We have seen the impact they’ve had on primary breast cancer patients and we know they will be well received by women with secondary breast cancer too.”

Since October 2018, 82 littlelifts boxes have been given to patients at Ipswich Hospital thanks to generous support from breast cancer charity Art for Cure.

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