Therapy offered to sufferers of breast cancer scarring pain

HELP is being offered to women suffering pain from scarring after breast cancer – by a woman who has experienced the agony herself.

Hannah Poulton, a 42-year-old physiotherapist from Leicester, decided to set up a project after her own experience with excruciating scars and seeing the impact of breast cancer surgery on her friends.

Based on her years of experience working in cancer services in the city, she realised there was a gap in support so approached Macmillan for a financial grant to support her project.

Hannah said: “My clients say to me ‘I’m so grateful to be alive but I’m not fully living.’

“Many are in constant pain, their scars feel tight and raised, restricting movement and causing a pulling sensation.

“Their scaring has a direct impact on their everyday activities on a physical and emotional level.”

A Macmillan spokeswoman said: “Currently, there is no support offered to women with breast surgery scars despite the fact that they can cause constant pain and leave them unable to pick up their children.

“So Hannah has teamed up with Macmillan to launch an innovative new scar therapy service in Leicester.”

As well as helping to alleviate the pain and discomfort of breast surgery scars, Hannah is working with the Macmillan breast cancer team at Leicester Hospitals to raise awareness of the benefits of scar therapy.

“Aftercare for your scars following cancer surgery is so important and can make a huge difference to quality of life but few people know about the benefits of scar therapy,” she said.

“Because of this, some people are not aware of how to touch and care for their scars or which products to use on their scars to enhance scar recovery.

“Scar therapy is a gentle, light touch, massage-based therapy to de-sensitise hypersensitive scars, reduce pain and pulling which some scars can cause and help with the aesthetics of the scar.

“Scar therapy cannot get rid of the scar but it can help to soften it.

“It is a holistic approach, looking at the whole person and acknowledging the emotional connections with the scar.

“We can also teach self-scar massage techniques, so individuals can continue scar therapy at home.”

For information, support or someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit the Macmillan website.

SERVICE SET UP BY WOMAN WITH HELP OF GRANT FROM CHARITY