Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for cancer

The course is for people aged 18 +, who live or are registered with a GP in Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale.

It’s designed to support people who’ve completed intensive cancer treatment (this could include surgery or intensive chemotherapy etc). 

It’s not suitable for people who are newly diagnosed, who will be signposted to appropriate support by the healthcare professionals involved in their care. 
 

Mindfulness aims to bring your attention into the present moment in a way that’s friendly and accepting.

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy is scientifically proved to help depression, anxiety and chronic pain. It can help you:

•    Feel less stressed.
•    Manage chronic pain.
•    Reduce worry and over-thinking.
•    Improve sleep and tiredness.
•    Live more fully in the present.
•    Get back in touch with the everyday pleasures of being alive.

The course is run by Sharon and Christina, who are experienced in teaching mindfulness in line with good practice guidelines from the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches. Christina also has over 20 years' experience of working in cancer care.

They run one course each year. Over eight weeks, you'll attend a two-hour session, at a local venue.

As part of a small group you'll learn:

• Guided instruction in mindful meditation.
• Short mindfulness practices.
• Guided gentle physical stretching.
• Group discussion.

In between sessions, it's important you set aside time for daily home practice, which will be supported by audio guides and a workbook.

To register your interest in the course, you can:

• Click here to self-refer online (in the box that asks reason for referral, please select MBCT for Cancer – 8 week course.
• Phone 01706 619020 and ask to be referred for the MBCT for Cancer – 8 week course.

Your referral will be assessed.  Following this, Sharon or Christina will be in touch to discuss the course and whether it's right for you. 

Kay and Gwen have attended our mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for cancer sessions, which they found really helpful. They have recorded some feedback, in a short video.

Watch the video with feedback from Kay and Gwen.

More comments and feedback

• "I have learned that I am not alone with my fears, anxieties and worries. I am not abnormal. I have learned techniques which will help me to overcome and understand some of these fears emotions etc. and help me to have a better future.
• "It’s brought a freedom and awakening to be more compassionate to myself in difficult times."
• "I am so glad I did this course and would recommend to anyone who has been through cancer."
• "I think everyone in the world should be mindful, it would make the world a better place, but especially for cancer patients who can feel lost after the all clear and it puts life into perspective."
• "I have learned by being mindful and being present with our mind and body has given me a sense of relief from the treadmill of worries. I can now practice and live in the present which has opened an awareness of myself I would never have imagined possible."
• "It’s a very good course, which helped me to learn how to breathe and think in a different way about stress and other things which I may experience in life. I spend more time looking at life and the future in a better way, not being fearful or wondering what will happen to my family if I am not around."
• "This has been the best course. It has been a very welcoming group where I have felt comfortable right from the beginning. It has given me strategies that I will be able to use going forward and that will have a positive long-term impact, this is the biggest difference from other courses I have attended."
• "After eight weeks, I feel so much more positive and so much less anxious which will change my life massively."
• "I have learned to be mindful and appreciate things around me more. Take time to breath in difficult situations. I now think about what different activities I can do without shutting them down, by using different techniques."
• "I am more aware of how being mindful to myself I can feel more positive, that I have been through a lot and need to give myself more credit."