A DROP-in group for people suffering from rare forms of cancer will start in Beccles next month.The group is being set up by Beccles resident Susan Pearce, of Ingate, who five years ago was diagnosed with the “minority cancer” oestrogen receptor negative.

A DROP-in group for people suffering from rare forms of cancer will start in Beccles next month.

The group is being set up by Beccles resident Susan Pearce, of Ingate, who five years ago was diagnosed with the “minority cancer” oestrogen receptor negative.

Susan, 44, believes that because there is less known about these rarer strains of cancer, people do not receive the same support- which is where her new group comes in.

“I want to let people know there are people out there know there are others like them,” said Susan,. Who was unable to take most cancer treatments because it was oestrogen receptor negative. “I want to form a group so they can talk openly about their illness and get a response from someone who understands.

“Everyone else gets put into categories but we don't. You get assigned a breast care nurse but you're thinking 'she doesn't know what I'm going through, she hasn't had cancer.'”

The drop-in group, which is also open to the loved-ones of the cancer sufferers, will start in June and meet on the first Tuesday of every month at the Kings Head in Beccles from 10am to 1pm.

Whilst the group will centre on providing support for people with minority cancers, Susan is keen for anyone affected by any form of the disease to feel welcome at the meetings.

“It's open to everyone really,” she explained. “The Open House will be there for anybody with cancer to sit and talk, about cancer or life in general, and know that the people they're mixing with are of the same mind because they've all got some sort of cancer.

“There are meetings at the James Paget but people don't always want to go backwards and forwards to a hospital when they've had cancer.”

Another aim of the group is to raise awareness of cancer in the local area, and to encourage people to do regular checks.

Shortly before Susan was diagnosed with cancer, she was told that a growth on her breast was benign.

However through doing her own research she realised something was not right and persuaded her doctor that she should have the growth removed- only to reveal Stage Three cancer underneath the growth.

“All the books said you should remove it so I basically saved my own life,” she said. “If I hadn't listened to my own body I wouldn't still be here.

“We're all human, and even if the doctor says its ok, it doesn't make it gospel.”

Anyone who is unable to attend the groups, but wish to talk to another cancer sufferer, can call Susan on 07727020058. She will be available from 10am to 4pm or 6.45pm to 7.45pm.