QSCBC PATIENT SUPPORT GROUPS

Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group and Friends helping Friends Support Group

Patient support groups set up at the QSCBC over twenty years ago, help both Thai and international breast cancer patients. Many of the volunteers are breast cancer survivors offering a free service of emotional and practical support. Wigs and head scarves are available at no cost for those who have lost their hair during chemotherapy and who do not have access to scalp cooling, (a service provided by the QSCBC to prevent hair loss). Bras, designed especially by the surgical QSCBC team for breast cancer patients to use after surgery, are also given to patients in need.

The Friends Helping Friends group make bespoke breast prostheses to give to patients which are light, washable and suitable for a hot climate. Most of the QSCBC patients do not have incomes sufficient to buy a commercially produced prosthetic breast or a post-operative bra. The QSCBC advocates a supportive bra be worn after any breast surgery. The prostheses are also given to hospitals in other parts of the country, for patients who have undergone mastectomies and the group offers training sessions. The QSCBC has a remit to preserve a patient’s breast whenever possible and introduced breast conservation surgery thirty years ago. Channel 3’s popular women’s television show, Woman to Woman supported the project and encouraged other cities in Thailand to join the cause: the project was a huge success. The show presenters have also regularly discussed the issues surrounding breast cancer and helped to bring the QSCBC Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to the public, in their role as QSCBC breast cancer ambassadors.