Services


CUAN's range of services

Offering support to people experiencing cancer, along with their family members



Our Counselling Service

Cuan offers a free counselling service to people with a cancer diagnosis and to their family members.



Our Complementary Therapies

Cuan offers a range of free complementary therapies to people or family members who are on their cancer journey



Activities

Cuan often organises different activities for service users

Our Counselling Service

Cuan offers a free counselling service to people with a cancer diagnosis and to their family members.

The service is completely confidential except where there may be a risk to the service user or someone else or a child may be in harm's way. Apart from these circumstances no information is exchanged between the counsellor and anyone from Cuan or another person.

How to access the service?

Service Users make an appointment by contacting the centre counselling coordinator who will then gather more details & complete an assessment with the person. The Coordinator will make a referral to the counsellor if deemed appropriate. We offer our service users 8 free Counselling sessions.

Cuan receives some funding from The Irish Cancer Society for the counselling service and must demonstrate accountability in regard to the funds by providing statistical information. No personal information is exchanged.

Cuan places a huge emphasis on confidentiality and asks our service users to honour the commitment of "what is said in Cuan, stays in Cuan".

Financial Care Coaching

This Service is provided by a Chartered accountant to help with tasks such as reorganising income and expenses, completing forms and applying supports

One to one appointments are available with an accountant who can provide confidential advice on the following topics:

  • Debt advice
  • Review of income and expenditure
  • Applications for social welfare entitlements
  • Housing Assistance
  • Family Assistance Allowances
  • Advice on tax credits and end of year returns to Revenue
  • Succession Planning
  • Referrals to third parties e.g. INTREO, MABS, Mortgage Advisors, Financial Advisors
  • General discussions around personal and family finances

  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD)

    We are now providing a MLD service in Cuan, facilitated by a trained therapist. If you have or have had a cancer diagnosis and suffer from lymphoedema as a result, please contact the centre to make an appointment. All therapies are complementary to our Service Users and their family members.

    What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD)?

    Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is an Advanced Therapy in which the Specialist uses a range of focused and gentle rhythmic propelling techniques to move the lymph fluid in the direction of the lymph paths. It is a method based on gentle, rhythmic and continuous movements that copy the rhythm of the body's lymphatic system. MLD is a calm manual technique that stimulates a non-functional or weary lymphatic system. Keeping the lymphatic system in good condition is vital for supporting well-being and for restoring strength when the system has been made vulnerable through events such as surgery or illness.

    Play Therapy

    Play, art and music therapy help children work through emotional, social and behavioural difficulties from cancer. Using the mediums of play, art and music, rather than talk, can help the child learn to express themselves, explore and make sense of the world in which they live and resolve any difficult or painful experiences. Creative therapy may be beneficial for people who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally.

    Adolescent Counselling

    Talking to someone confidentially to discuss a difficulty in your life can be a real help as you go through your cancer journey. Children, Adolescents and their loved ones can get free one-to-one counselling

    Childrens Programme

    Sponsored by the toy show appeal, the programme includes therapeutic workshops and day trips for children affected by a cancer diagnosis.


    Our Complementary Therapies

    Cuan offers a range of free complementary therapies to people who are on their cancer journey and to their family members.

    Complementary Therapies offered at Cuan Cavan Cancer Support Centre are:

    Reiki: a gentle energy technique used to strengthen the body's flow of energy; it is a deeply relaxing and non-invasive procedure.

    Reflexology: involves applying pressure to points on the feet which correspond to various parts of the body, each session adapted to the individual's needs. It can support relaxation and comfort.

    Indian Head Massage: creates a feeling of balance and calm. It is a gentle head, neck and upper back massage.

    Clinical Aromatherapy: the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological wellbeing.

    Oncology Massage: a specific customized massage designed to meet the changing needs of someone in treatment or with a history of cancer.

    Nutritional Advice: one to one consultations for all your dietary needs.

    Acupuncture: Cancer treatments often cause pain and uncomfortable side effects that can last well beyond the final treatment. Acupuncture can manage that pain for many people.

    Bio- Kinesiology: This tests biochemical pathways in the body and identifies where any blockages or imbalances lie. Sessions include food toxicity testing


    Transport Service

    Cuan now offers a transport service to accommodate service users undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments in Dublin


    Service User:

    6 free Complementary Therapies per service user in a 2-year period. If a service user wants additional treatment, a voluntary contribution can be made.

    Family Member:

    Offered complementary treatments once a month for the duration of family member's treatment.
    If a family member is deceased, treatment will be offered once a month for six months.

    Long Term Service User:

    On rota for a period of two years.
    Maximum of 6 treatments per service user in a two-year period.
    If a service user wants an additional treatment, a voluntary contribution can be made.
    The NCCP contributes towards the funding of Cuans complementary therapies

    Activities

    Cuan often organises different activities that service users have identified as being of interest to them. This has included yoga, tai chi, painting and self-development talks. Cuan is always eager to hear what its service users want.

    1/ Strides for Life Walking Programme
    Regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life in cancer survivors. Keeping and staying active can help improve not just your physical but also mental health and wellbeing. Strides for Life is a structured 16-week walking programme developed by the Irish Cancer Society to help people recovering from cancer treatment to improve their level of fitness. The programme is supervised by a trained leader who will assess and monitor each individual's progress throughout the 16-week period. The course begins with an information session and an initial assessment where each person is provided with a tailored exercise plan.

    2/ Cancer Thriving and Surviving
    Adapted by Stanford University. The programme is run over six weeks with a 2.5 hour a week commitment to help people with the transition from active treatment to living with and beyond cancer. To access this programme service users will need to be a minimum of 3 months - post treatment.

    The model is based on self-management with information and support and includes modules on:

  • Techniques to deal with problems such as fatigue, frustration, pain, isolation and poor sleep.
  • Living with uncertainty.
  • Exercise for regaining and maintaining flexibility and endurance.
  • Making decisions about treatment and complementary therapies.
  • Communicating effectively with family and health professionals.
  • Nutrition and healthy eating.
  • 3/ Look Good Feel Better Workshop
    Finding out you have cancer can be daunting and life-changing. The added stress of the appearance related side effects of treatment can be very hard to cope with.
    This can have a serious effect on self-esteem and confidence, at a time when a positive attitude is very important. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy and strength, but with the support of Look Good Feel Better it need not take away her self-confidence.
    The team in Look Good Feel Better uses the power of make-up to help rebuild self-confidence and self-esteem for women who have gone through cancer treatment.
    A team of dedicated volunteer make-up artists run these workshops. Each participant receives their own kit bag of make-up and skin care products to keep.


    CUAN - Cancer Understanding And Nurturing