Authors: Sally Harrold and Tarnya Hotchkin
Look Good...Feel Better Australia, Redcliffe, QLD 4020, Australia
Background: Look Good...Feel Better (LGFB) is a free national community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients, through hands on experience, techniques to help them restore their appearance and self image during their treatment. The program was established in 1990.
Method:
Look Good...Feel Better hosts workshops in 24 countries, and in 184 centres throughout Australia. The duration of a workshop is two and half hours, teaching participants how to manage the appearance the appearance related side effects. These steps are taught by our 1600 industry trained volunteers who dedicate their time to assist at the workshops. There are twelve basic steps of skin care and make up that is demonstrated in workshop. This allows an easy format for the participants to follow and recreate the look at home. A patient can attend a workshop only once at convenient location
Results: Since our inception in Sydney in 1990 we have helped over 100,000 women. In 2011 we helped 9000, through the participation in our workshops
Referrals can come from a variety of sources; of the 1,822 workshop participants surveyed during 2011, 1,079 learnt about the program from health professionals and 932 were registered for a workshop by their health a health professional.
The above post workshop qualitative survey assessments indicated the positive impact of the LGFB program. These surveys also provided some insight into the reasons for participant non attendance.
Clinical Implications:
The LGFB workshops are conducted in a supportive non threatening environment by fully trained professional volunteers. Thus allowing each participant to adjust to the temporary appearance related side effects of their treatment, and explore the different avenues to manage them. Every woman undergoing treatment for cancer should have access to the program and afforded the opportunity to attend.
Acknowledgement of funding: The cosmetic industry founded and continues to generously fund and support LGFB.
Conclusion:
Our aim is to help cancer patients face the mirror with confidence; with our long term goal to be assisting 15,000 cancer patients per year by 2015. We need the continuing support of those working directly with the patient, to promote the benefits of attending a LGFB workshop.
The presentation will include participant feedback following their attendance at a LGFB workshop. It will illustrate the referral process for health professionals, enabling them to help us to reach our goal of 15,000 participants in 2015.