Pair learn lessons on cancer care

By BARBARA WARD

A meeting with Senator Patrick Kennedy was the highlight of a conference trip to the United States for two members of Newark Breast Cancer Support Group.

Mrs Joyce Bennett (60) and Mrs Carole Blackburn (59) travelled to Washington to attend a four-day advocacy training conference with three other representatives from the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

They met delegates from Rhode Island and with them met Senator Kennedy, who is a supporter of breast cancer issues.

Mrs Blackburn, of Queen’s Farm Gardens, Balderton, said: “It was very similar to us meeting our MP, Mr Patrick Mercer. Mr Mercer is a supporter of our group and Patrick Kennedy is a supporter of groups in America.”

During the visit the women were shocked to find that treatment for breast cancer in the US was very expensive.

“One of the things we did learn was that our NHS is not so bad,” said Mrs Bennett, of Heron Way, Balderton.

She said because medical care in the US relied on health insurance, not all women had enough cover to pay for all the treatment they needed.
“We spoke to one woman who had become bankrupt through paying for her breast cancer treatment.”

She said American women lobbied their senators urging them to support research into breast cancer.

Mrs Bennett said the medical journey for a woman with cancer in the UK was much smoother than in the US.

“Here, once you are diagnosed, you automatically see a consultant and within three weeks you could be in hospital.

“In the US, once they have been diagnosed a woman has to find a consultant or oncologist and this can depend on how much it costs and whether their health insurance will cover it.”

Newark Breast Cancer Support Group was started in 1997. It offers emotional and practical support to sufferers and their families and friends. Mrs Bennett, who had cancer in 1988, joined the group because she didn’t want women to feel as isolated as she had done.

Mrs Blackburn, who had cancer in 2000, said she had support from family and friends, but wanted to put something back to help others.

The support group meets monthly at the Aura Business Centre, Manners Road, Newark. For further details contact Mrs Bennett on 01636 683564.

Alice Twitchin, the Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaigns and advocacy network manager, said the women attended the conference to find out how campaigning and advocacy worked in the US and to see what worked well at the conference so they could apply it to their annual lobbying event, the Westminster Fly-In.

ABOVE: Mrs Carole Blackburn, left, and Mrs Joyce Bennett. 080507JC5-3

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