Over the past year, I have been carrying out research exploring life beyond cancer. This project has been nothing short of insightful, emotional, rewarding, at times overwhelming, but a pleasure to conduct! For this year’s World Cancer Day, I’d like to share what this research has explored so far. This blog features insights from participants, provides information about support groups across Essex, and reflects on my own experiences throughout the project.
I will start this blog by quoting the ‘cliffs edge’. Many participants described how their regular hospital appointments and the opportunity to raise questions or concerns with their consultants came to an immediate end following their treatment. This was a common reflection from many participants, with some describing it as losing their ‘comfort blanket’. Cancer treatment was described as an intense period, with several appointments and treatments keeping individuals in and out of hospital daily. Therefore, when their treatment came to an end, people were left feeling lost. Some explained how they had unanswered questions and were navigating their lives with many long-term effects including fatigue, surgically induced menopause, fear of cancer recurrence, aches, pains and the emotional impact of having just had cancer.
“No one hands you a guidebook for what to do … nobody gave me a list of these are the different support services you can access now. You know, this is how to build yourself back up” (Participant).
These experiences were shared, with many participants unaware of support they could access or who they could speak to about their ongoing effects. Whilst not all my participants knew of the support they could access following their treatment, for some individuals, their worries were often lightened when they attended peer support groups. They were able to speak to peers who had been through similar experiences and form meaningful connections.
As part of this project, I wanted to gain an understanding of what support services and groups exists across Essex. I have visited several peer support groups, and services that support people living with and beyond cancer. Many of my participants mentioned the value that these services have provided during and after their treatment. Some of the peer support groups I attended included Tea and Talk at Toby’s and Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward Course. These groups provided a space for individuals to connect with others who understand what it is like to live with and beyond cancer. There were moments of shared laughter, some tears but most importantly these groups cultivated a sense of community. Many individuals, whether it was their 10th time attending or their first, were eager to share with me just how valuable the sessions had been whilst navigating their diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
I also visited groups that provide more wellbeing-focused support, facilitating activities that help people reconnect with their bodies, reduce anxiety, and create moments of calm during treatment and beyond this. I attended a walking group with Life After Cancer Essex and a yoga and mindfulness session with the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. These sessions created safe and inclusive spaces for people to manage not only their emotional recovery, but their physical one too. Individuals were actively engaging in their own wellbeing, at their own pace, in an environment where they felt understood.
I have written several blogs highlighting these services and support groups, if you would like any more information about them, please read these blogs here:
- Breast Cancer Now- Moving Forward Course. | Healthwatch Essex
- Macmillan Cancer Support – Seated Yoga at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Macmillan Cancer Support Centre | Healthwatch Essex
- A trip to Helen Rollason | Healthwatch Essex
- Life After Cancer Essex (LACE) – ‘Being with others who get it’ | Healthwatch Essex
- An Introduction to The Macmillan Essex Citizens Advice Welfare Benefits Service | Healthwatch Essex
- Tea and Talk at Toby’s | Healthwatch Essex
I wanted to say a big thank you to those who have shared their experiences with me so far, whether on a walk, over teams, or chatting to me during a support group, I am extremely grateful for the reflections you have shared. I hope that this project continues to raise awareness of the great support being provided across Essex.
Beth’s Breasts:
Hi, I’m Beth, the Research Officer who has been facilitating this project. Over the course of this research, I have been incredibly moved by the openness and honestly of people sharing their experiences before, during and after cancer treatment. Listening to these experiences has been impactful in ways I did not expect. During this time, I had an experience of my own which I feel is important to share.
In November 2025, I started to feel a lot of pain in my left breast, this was accompanied by a tiny lump found during my monthly chest check! As many people do, my mind jumped to worst-case scenarios and I did have a little cry, thinking that this could be something serious.
I booked a same day appointment with my GP and was then referred for the 2-week breast cancer pathway. Seeing these words felt quite daunting even though I knew this was a standard screening procedure, and appropriate given the symptoms I presented with. I was seen by the breast team within 2 weeks of my referral, and the appointment was much smoother than I had imagined. Thankfully, the scan showed some benign fatty ‘Islands’, which appear and go down by themselves. Whilst this outcome was reassuring, the experience itself has stayed with me.
I wanted to share this experience as a reminder of how important it is to get things checked, even when it feels scary, awkward, or easy to put off.
For young women especially, I hope this highlights a few key things:
- Always listen to your bodies – We know ourselves better than anyone else! If something feels off, please speak to someone, a family member, friend or healthcare professional.
- Check your chest! – Monthly checks can help you understand what is normal for you, and what is not. There is some clear and accessible guidance on how to check your chest, including the guidance published by Breast Cancer Now: Signs and symptoms of breast cancer | Breast Cancer Now
This research, and my own experience during it, has reminded me of how important it is to talk, to speak up, to get checked and to support one another. I hope this blog encourages even one person to listen to their body or to have a conversation around anything that feels unusual.
Breast wishes,
Beth.
Beth Pittuck,
Research Officer