Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK. It is estimated that one in seven women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lives. UHB Charity’s Breast Cancer Appeal is aiming to further improve the quality of care that patients with breast cancer receive at the hospital.

The Charity’s aim is to bring revolutionary new equipment to Birmingham, and to provide 'added extras' that will help to make things a little easier for patients with breast cancer.

In 2016 UHB Charity teamed up with Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC) to raise money to purchase a mobile mammogram unit, providing breast screenings in the community for people who may not be able to access an examination at the hospital.

LFBC founder Veronica Kumeta explained: “Whilst survival rates are improving all the time, one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, so we have a duty to ensure that people know what to look out for and examine themselves regularly.” 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham already offers patients a number of cancer treatments that are not available in every NHS hospital, as a Charity we aim to ensure that the hospital continues to be a centre of excellence for cancer care.

In 2018 UHB Charity brought in two new pieces of imaging equipment for the Radiotherapy Department, which cost a total of £400,000. The equipment allows doctors at QEHB to offer a new technique called Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) to patients undergoing radiotherapy for left sided breast cancer. 

DIBH allows doctors to take advantage of a patient holding their breath, which moves the breast away from the heart during treatment delivery, minimising the dose to surrounding areas and protecting the heart. This system has revolutionised treatment for patients with left-sided breast cancer.

Ben Allen, Technical Lead Radiographer at QEHB said: “This new equipment allows the radiographers and the patients to be confident in the DIBH treatment delivery and ensures we are delivering the radiotherapy exactly as we plan to.

“It is a patient friendly system and is extremely quick and easy to use, minimising the time the patient needs to lie on the treatment couch whilst ensuring the highest quality delivery of DIBH.” 

We also provide specialist Bras for patients post-op so they get the best possible support after surgery as many commercial bras aren't suitable to wear after major surgery. The Ameona bra is part of a beautifully feminine collection that aids recovery care and helps to speed up post-surgery healing along with helping towards a woman’s psychological recovery.

Cold Caps are something else we provide for patients during their Chemotherapy Treatment to help reduce the side affect of hair loss. Its cooling effect reduces blood flow to the scalp, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches this area. This helps to prevent hair loss. It's usually worn for 15 minutes before each chemotherapy treatment.

And sometimes it's the small things that can help as we provide Lollipops for our adult and young patients to help take the metallic taste Chemotherapy can leave behind.

We couldn't do any of this if it wasn't for our incredible supporters. If you can donate, please click on the button at the top of the page. Thank You.