3rd WE CAN EAST AFRICA SUMMIT ON BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER APRIL 22-23rd 2016 FAIRVIEW HOTEL NAIROBI, KENYA

Adaptation & Implementation of Reach to Recovery tools for Peer to Peer Support By Katheke Mbithi Catherine Ngaracu

LOGO RRI

What is Reach to Recovery? Reach to Recovery International is a Breast Cancer Support Network that was founded 64 years ago in the USA by Teresa Lasser following her operation for breast cancer. It is built on a simple yet universal principle: : “ One woman who has experienced Breast Cancer herself gives freely her time and experience to assist and support another woman with Breast Cancer”

At that time, there was no psycho-social support for breast cancer patients. As a matter of fact, in 1952, breast cancer was treated surgically with no recognition of it’s emotional impact. Patients then were discouraged from believed that a breast cancer patient who had adjusted well to her own operation could provide emotional and practical support to another breast cancer patient on a one to one basis.

WHAT DOES RRI DO? When RRI was founded, offering Peer Support was not it’s initial purpose but today, it is an essential if not the essential, mandate of the Reach to Recovery Programme. The peer support is offered to both the breast cancer patient and her family. Members go round communities educating about breast cancer The Organization also advocates with other like minded Organizations for suitable breast health policies Became a full UICC Member in 2009

RRI not only offer supportive care but also educate women about the disease We promote patient interest and rights The primary purpose of RRI Peer Support Programme is to offer psycho-social support to breast cancer patients and this improves their quality of life Peer Support is recognized as playing an important part in the recovery process of a patient

BEGINNING OF AN ENDLESS JOURNEY My journey and road to recovery DID NOT start neither after Chemotherapy nor Radiotherapy BUT when a Breast Cancer Survivor walked into my hospital room and introduced herself as a Reach to Recovery Volunteer who had also gone through the same She pulled a chair, sat down and listened to me without interrupting and let me vent out my all. I vividly remember like it was just yesterday, she just sat there holding my hand, looking at me calmly with a glow in her eyes.

11 years ago that lady promised to walk with me on the journey to recovery and to date, a week does not go by without her calling me or my husband to check on us…thank you Catherine… I do believe we have angels here on earth.

WHAT IS PEER SUPPORT? There is a lot of support to cancer patient worldwide Peer support differs from professional supportive care. It is based on a shared experience Patients are often heard saying ‘even though my family is a wonderful support system, I need someone who has been in my shoes’. “BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!!!” A Reach to Recovery is that SOMEONE. She has a strong connection because of a similar diagnosis

When one is diagnosed with breast cancer, floods of emotions overcome them The emotions can start before a diagnosis is confirmed and they continue long after the completion of treatment One is faced with either ***long periods of treatment and it’s side effects ***lack of femininity ***fear of disfigurement

The goal of RRI Peer Support Programme is to prevent or treat as possible the psychosocial symptoms The programme may be professionally or peer supervised. It gives the patient an opportunity to discuss her fears and anxieties in a safe and non-judgemental environment. It reduces her social isolation

RRI Peer Support Programme includes: One on one visits Group support meetings Telephone support Social Media ***All these provide the patient to see the problems they are facing through the eyes of others. ***Give a new perspective on the situation ***Reduce the inappropriate guilt felt by some

***Help her recognize that the problem(s) are the result of cancer rather than some personal failure The RRI Peer Support Programme/group assist a patient to develop more active coping skills, and to dispel the feeling of isolation

FYI Cancer may have started the fight, but I won it!!!

LET’S CONNECT katheke@gmail.com katheke.mbithi Katheke Mbithi 254 722 604 744 254 733 443 344

The approach As in one on one support, the volunteer will be to matched according to: ***Age ***Language ***Cultural background ***Diagnosis and treatment In a support group meeting, volunteers will talk and discuss common issues with a breast cancer diagnosis

With a telephone call, the volunteer introduces herself and asks if it is a good time to call/talk It is very important to establish a safe and non-judgemental enviroment which translates to enhanced confidentiality To have support at the earliest time possible after cancer diagnosis tends to reduce the stress and anxiety and helps promote healing

To have support at this early stage of someone who has experienced what they are going through gives them hope that they too with time, will return to the life they had before. When one is accommodated through peer support, they will have a deeper understanding of their cancer experience and learn how to manage their emotions. They will have an opportunity to ask for help to manage cancer treatment symptoms

At times it is difficult to talk with your loved one about your feelings, because you both have so much going on. Peer Support teaches one on how to manage personal relationships with spouse, partner, siblings, children, friends and caregiver. Peer Support can improve or enhance the quality of life for survivors to overcome feelings of loneliness and helplessness

Did you know that… Having cancer can be a lonely experience? A RRI Peer Volunteer cannot direct the wind but can adjust the sails 

MEMBERSHIP First and foremost, one needs to be a Breast Cancer Survivor All Volunteers are carefully selected and trained. There is a Comprehensive training programme which ensures volunteers of the highest caliber The training focuses a lot on development of good communication skills. This not only means how to speak, but to LISTEN. High degree of confidentiality is observed between the patient and the Peer Supporter

Assists with coping mechanisms The RRI Peer Support is a non-medical programme so the volunteers are not able to either recommend or provide medical treatment options The RRI Peer Volunteer gives medical information BUT not medical advice The RRI Peer Volunteer NEVER interferes with the Patient/Doctor relationship

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF A RRI PEER VOLUNTEER ***Does not advise ***Does not re-assure ***Does not generalize ***Does not sympathize ***Does not judge ***Have knowledge of support skills ***Confidentiality ***But most of all, the volunteer has CARE

Characteristics of a RRI Peer Volunteer Keeps time Committed Patient Empathy Emotionally mature Caring Positive attitude Responsible

RRI COMMUNICATION SKILLS Verbal Non-verbal *Gestures *Facial Expressions *Body Language *Eye Contact *Appearance *Personal Space

PARTING SHOT A FEEL A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY

ASANTENI SANA

HELLOOO….. 254 722 512 915 cnngaracu@yahoo.com Catherine Ngaracu Catherine Ngaracu-Mutua 254 722 512 915

Big Sister & Lil’ Sister