Nicole is a Personal Breast Cancer Navigator/Coach and Speaker. Navigation is the the individualized assistance given to patients to help overcome the challenges of the very daunting cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and into Survivorship.  My passion is Survivorship and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and exercise from a physical and mental perspective.

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A cancer patient navigator is an individual trained to help identify and resolve real and perceived barriers to care, enabling patients to adhere to care recommendations and thus improve their cancer outcomes.

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A cancer patient navigator is a person who helps guide a patient through the healthcare system. This includes help going through the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a medical condition, such as cancer. A patient navigator helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient navigators may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits and medical tests and get financial, legal, and social support. They may also work with insurance companies, employers, case managers, lawyers, and others who may have an effect on a patient’s healthcare needs. Also called patient advocate.

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BSc (OT) Wits, Certified Hand Therapist (USA)
Complex Lymphoedema Therapy (Casely-Smith)

Guided Imagery and Music Fellow (AMI)
Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation
Management of Lymphoedema

Guided Imagery and Music
Pr. No. 0087645

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The fields of therapy in which I’ve chosen to specialise and practice are all not very well known in South Africa. With this in mind I have included below some information about my journey towards focusing in each of my chosen areas.

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Hand and Upper Limb Therapy

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at Wits in 1990. I then worked in the area of Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation for a few years before leaving for the United States in 1993.

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Lymphoedema

It was while in the USA that I developed a special interest in the management of oedema (swelling), attending my first course on this topic in 1997. Since then I have attended a course in the Vodder (German) technique of Lymphoedema Management in South Africa.

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Guided Imagery and Music (Bonny Method)

I have come to appreciate each person and client as a unique whole, and that recovery from injury and illness is more than simply a physical process, but involves the body, mind and spirit.

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The Breast Health Foundation (BHF), is a Not for Profit established in April 2002 in conjunction with several companies and organisations.

 

We educate the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness and empower women.

Since it’s inception, the BHF has developed into a transparent and effective organisation which reaches our nation’s women.

 

The money that is raised is used to teach women – those who have had and those who have not had breast cancer – to spread the word of the importance of self-examination and medical examinations.

 

The BHF aims to put to rest myths surrounding breast cancer and to provide an open forum where women feel that they can come forward with their problems. Traditionally, women in Africa have been seen as the heart and soul of the family.

 

By ensuring their health and by educating them, the health education messages are passed on to children, husbands and partners.

At the Helen Harder Foundation, we aim to provide financial assistance & pamper bags to women under 40 with breast cancer, and to offer inspiration and concrete advice for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

We are also continuously raising awareness and want to be an information platform for anyone seeking more knowledge about breast cancer. 

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The foundation was established to honour the memory of Helen Harder, a courageous young woman who always maintained a positive outlook.

Wings of Hope Cancer Support is a Non-Profit Organisation initiated by mainly breast cancer survivors in 2012, who not only have undergone their own journey with cancer but have been trained in breast cancer support as well.

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Wings of Hope Cancer Support is a caring group of women and men who understand the unique effects that being diagnosed with cancer may have on an individual both physically and emotionally. We have the ability to reach out to both men and women as we have been touched by the disease ourselves and have a heartfelt empathy with the patient. 

Reach for Recovery is an international breast cancer support group. It is affiliated to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). It is a non-medical programme designed to help women with breast cancer in their return to daily life.

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In South Africa, Reach for Recovery (RFR) is an autonomous non-profit organisation run by volunteers since the late 1960’s. Reach for Recovery is a breast cancer support organisation with a unique focus on breast cancer support and one of the only organisations that provide a patient support service on a national basis. It is built on a simple yet universal principle: that of one woman who has experienced breast cancer herself giving freely of her time and experience to assist and support another woman with breast cancer.

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We are a local, Pretoria-based Breast Cancer Support Group, first started in 2015.

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We had a long-held vision of providing support and education for women during breast cancer diagnosis, which has led to the support group.

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​Our mission is to educate, support and empower women across South Africa with information relating to this breast disease.

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Perky Pinks produces realistic adhesive silicone nipples for women who have undergone a bilateral mastectomy. 

 

Made by an artist, Perky Pinks adhesive nipple prosthesis replicates the shape, size, colour and texture of real nipples.

 

Cara is the proud owner of Perky Pinks, a company that is dedicated to help women who have lost their nipples after mastectomies to feel comfortable and beautiful again.

Her goal is to help all South African women who have gone through the ordeal of breast cancer to feel beautiful, feminine, confident and whole again.

Love Your Nuts (LYN) is a registered Section 18A, non-profit testicular cancer awareness campaign based in South Africa.

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In his thirties, Torsten Koehler, the founder of LYN Foundation, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1995 ironically whilst educating young teenagers about sex education at a school where he was employed as a teacher. 

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His journey of survival started by openly confronting his thoughts and emotions, relating the reactions of his friends, family and not least, his students, who gave him enormous help and hope. With their encouragement, the German version of his book “Love your nuts” was published in Germany in 2004 and thereafter in English in 2011

Our hats are designed to be worn during hair loss, instead of a wig. Our Cotton Lycra has been tested and has a SPF greater than 50 but please take extra care when outdoors. We recommend you wear a Compassionhat Sleep Cap under a sun hat or peak cap when spending time in the sun and remember the sunscreen especially on your face, neck and ears.

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Our hats are uniquely sized to fit a head with little or no hair.

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When you have lost your hair due to something like chemotherapy, you also lose the hair around your natural hairline. You would want a hat that covers the entire natural hairline to make the hair loss less obvious. Our hats not only cover the hairline in the front and on the sides of the head, but also offer a lower than normal fit in the back of the neck.

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Our hats fit securely and won’t be blown off by a breeze or even a strong wind.

We offer comfortable and stylish headwear for anyone suffering with hair loss from chemo or alopecia.  We use the softest cotton and Bamboo material, and also offer beautiful children’s sleep caps and winter beanies that are fun and pretty.

Our headwear is locally made, and with this, we get to support a family. In trying to stay Proudly South African, we aim to use local suppliers for our chemo packs wherever possible.

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We also stock beautiful summer sun hats that can be worn with a silk scarf underneath to create a chic look. These hats are approved by the CANSA Association and can be worn during or after treatment. They are a must for our South African summers!

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We have carefully put together chemo care packs, as we know it is difficult to buy a gift for a loved one during this time. We have selected gifts that we know will be useful, based on personal experience.

Knitted Knockers are hand knitted breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or similar breast procedures.

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Knitted Knockers are softer and lighter than any other prosthesis, much more comfortable to wear and can be placed in any regular bra. The knitted fabric breathes and prevents the heat rash and discomfort experienced by many women wearing the silicone ones.

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Knitted Knockers are made by volunteer knitters all over the world and now the movement has spread to South Africa too.

The Deluxe Chemo Kit is packed with items to inspire and support anyone going through cancer and is the perfect gift for family or friends.

 

As a breast cancer survivor, businesswoman & blogger, I was inspired to build the ultimate Chemo Kit with many of the things that gave me comfort, strength & little bit of sparkle during chemo.

 

It’s not easy to know what to say when someone gets cancer. Show you care with a Deluxe Chemo Kit from boobs2boardroom.

 

For more info email Angelique Lynch at boobs2boardroom@gmail.com