Force Cancer Charity

FORCE Cancer Charity works locally to support anyone affected by cancer.

In September 2004 FORCE opened a purpose built cancer support centre in the grounds of the RD& E Hospital. The Centre is open five days a week and offers a whole range of non-clinical cancer support services. A library and resource room gives people access to an extensive selection of books and up-to-date information as well as guided internet access. Other services include one-to-one counselling, support groups, the ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ programme and complementary therapies. The aim of these services is to ensure that patients and families are never without good support and information from the time of diagnosis.

Meriel Fishwick, Chief Executive and Centre Manager says: ‘Traditionally cancer services have focused on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease itself. But as many of us know only too well, cancer is often associated with emotional distress, physical disability, social breakdown and varying degrees of hardship. Professional support and information for cancer patients and their carers is now widely accepted as an important part of modern first class cancer care. It isn’t luck that has brought about the Centre or the wide range of services now used by over 250 people each week. FORCE has benefited from a huge amount of support and goodwill from local people, not to mention the gift of our site in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’.

FORCE welcomes cancer patients, their families and carers at the Centre and can provide access to support groups such as Oesophageal, Breast, Lymphoedema, Prostate, Brain Tumor, Relaxation and Anxiety Management and ‘Moving On’ sessions.

Furthermore, complimentary therapies include massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture and Indian Head. We also arrange appointments for wig fittings at the Centre once a week as well as having trained volunteers to assist with trying our headscarf’s.

Despite moving into supportive care, research remains a very important part of our work. FORCE funded research is now carried out by the Peninsula Medical School and the Charity funds a post-doctorate as well as a studentship at a cost of £180, 000 over three years.

FORCE funded research is currently focussed on lung and ovarian cancers. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK and it often spreads to the brain as a secondary tumour. Our research is focussed on understanding how this cancer spreads through the behaviour of certain cells. Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in women in this country. Because the early stages of the disease are relatively symptom-free sufferers are often not diagnosed until the cancer has spread to the omentum, a sheet of fatty tissue that surrounds the stomach and other organs in the abdomen. The actual processes involved in the spread of ovarian cancer to the omentum are not really understood and FORCE funded research aims to investigate this important aspect.

Apart from research and support for patients and their families, FORCE has helped fund a new generation of equipment. Anyone treated for cancer locally is likely to benefit from equipment provided by the Charity – at a total cost of over £2 million.

None of the above would be possible without the huge amount of support we receive from local people. We have over 70 volunteers who help at the Support Centre, on Cherrybrook Ward and at our local shop in Heavitree. With all our funds coming from voluntary contributions, we rely on our ‘Friends of Force groups, fund-raising events, legacies, donations and our six times Award Winning charity shop in Heavitree to raise much needed funds.

The FORCE Cancer Support Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9: 30am until 4: 30pm and we are located on site at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Wonford.