Let's Meet

Title

Let's Meet is our annual informal information and support event for women and people affected by cervical cancer and their loved ones.

What is Let's Meet?

Let's Meet provides an opportunity to share experiences, get answers to your questions and learn from our speakers.

The event covers all aspects of living with and beyond a diagnosis, including your physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. The support of family and friends plays a key role in how we get through a cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, but there is nothing quite like talking to someone who is going through the same thing. We want to give those affected by cervical cancer a chance to do that. Each year, we see new and familiar faces come together in this supportive community.

This year’s theme is centred around looking after yourself and your wellbeing. Our aim is for you to leave feeling connected with others and provide you with some simple techniques that you can apply to everyday life, to help improve your wellbeing. Whether you have just been diagnosed or were diagnosed many years ago, Let’s Meet is for you, providing a safe place to connect with others and talk about your experience.

We normally host Let's Meet as a full support and information day in London for patients and their loved ones affected by cervical cancer, however due to the unpredictability of the current situation, we have decided to hold it online virtually across a week, again this year.

The sessions on offer are:

Importance of exercise, Alisa Burke

Monday 13th September, 13.00 - 14.00:

In this session, Alisa Burke, cancer and exercise specialist, will:

explore how being active can help boost your immune system, reduce treatment side effects and improve cancer outcomes
describe the three important types of physical activity and how to know if you are doing too much or too little
discuss specific considerations for being active relating to cervical cancer, lower body lymphoedema, peripheral neuropathy and for reducing risk of osteoporosis
give you tips and links for activities you can introduce moving forward in your daily life no matter whether you have just had a diagnosis, are on treatment, post treatment, or supporting someone with cervical cancer.

There will be time throughout the session for questions and discussions.

Sex and Relationships: Looking to date and start a new relationship (women and people who have had cervical cancer only), Julia Pugh

Tuesday 14th September, 12.30 - 13.30:

In this session, Julia, will be talking about how a diagnosis and treatment may interrupt a healthy sexual function of your mind and body. We will be tackling questions people may have about dating and desire and what to do if things go wrong. The aim of this session is to empower and encourage you to feel more confident about sex and intimacy. There will be time throughout the session for questions and discussions.

*This session is for anyone who is looking to start dating or a new relationship. *

Let’s Talk, Rebecca Shoosmith and Hannah Dwyer

Tuesday 14th September 17.30 - 18.30 & Friday 17th September 12.30 - 13.30:

Feedback from previous Let’s Meet events has shown that attendees would like to have more time to chat to each other about their experiences and develop friendships from the day.

“Come and join me in this relaxed space where we can shoot the breeze on life, the universe and beyond cervical cancer!” - Rebecca Shoosmith

*Please note that this session is only for anyone who is living with or beyond a cervical cancer diagnosis.*

Looking after your mental health, Sahil Suleman

Wednesday 15th September, 12.30 - 13.30:

Psychological or emotional difficulties following a diagnosis of cervical cancer are not only common but also understandable. The good news is that there are many simple things that patients and loved ones can do to support themselves through this difficult time.

During this session we will look at areas such as coping with feeling isolated and worrying thoughts. Sahil will be sharing some ideas from his experience as a Clinical Psychologist which can help you understand these challenges, and build your confidence as you adjust to your situation and move forward. We hope you will all find something useful in this session. There will be an opportunity for some questions and discussion at the end.

Sex and Relationships (with partners), Lynn Buckley

Wednesday 15th September, 17.30 – 18.30:

A cervical cancer diagnosis and treatments may impact on your intimate relationships. This interactive session, will provide you with information and tips on how to address any difficulties in your current relationship, including the following topics:

Changes to the body after a cervical cancer diagnosis
Possible problems you may experience
Practical advice to address problems from a physical, psychological and emotional perspective.

There will be time throughout the session for questions and discussions.

Yoga, Sue Skelton (women and people who have had cervical cancer only)

Thursday 16th September, 12.30 - 13.30:

Sue teaches various styles of yoga to enhance the holistic benefits. This session will be a very gentle inclusive mat based class which will include some breath work to reduce stress, some gentle movement practice to release tension in the body and a guided relaxation to calm the mind.

Mindfulness, Chris Bowles

Friday 17th September, 17.30 - 18.30:

In this session, Chris, will explore the ways in which mindfulness can help people with a cancer diagnosis and their supporters to:

Stabilise and ground themselves at times of stress and difficulty
Learn to love the body again, just as it is right now
Recognise and let go of ways of reacting that can trigger low mood or anxiety
Savour the pleasant aspects of life from moment to moment
Cultivate greater kindness, compassion and self-care

During the session you will learn a series of short mindfulness practices that you can take away and use in your daily life.

If you have any questions or concerns about Let’s Meet or the sessions, please contact [email protected].

Are you a healthcare professional?

Let's Meet is our annual event for women who have been affected by cervical cancer. We would be extremely grateful if you could help us make the week a success by making your patients aware of it by sharing this page.