Frequently Asked Questions

If you cannot find the answer to you question below please contact us directly.

What makes The Haven unique?

The Haven is leading the way in the field of integrated breast cancer support by offering an in-depth and individually tailored programme of care to people affected by breast cancer through its network of day centres.  We differentiate ourselves by:

• Providing specialist day centres for people affected by breast cancer and differ from other cancer support day centres in the UK by providing free in-depth programmes of one-to-one support. The breadth and depth of Therapies offered as well as the groups and classes are unrivalled anywhere.
• Liaising with the medical profession caring for each person.
• Being a global leader in our field.  Cancer specialists from all over the world visit our Havens to learn about our approach to supporting people who are living with the effects of breast cancer and its treatments. 
• scientifically researching the impact of therapeutic approaches we provide.

How do we work with the National Health Service providing medical care for breast cancer?

• We work in partnership with the NHS by offering an integrated breast cancer service. We do this by liaising by letter with the GPs and hospital Medical and Surgical Consultants of every person who comes to us.
• Whilst people can come to us without a medical referral, we get many referrals from breast cancer consultants and specialist nurses who send their patients to us for specific help e.g. acupuncture for symptom management, counselling and mindfulness for psychological support and stress management.
• We keep in-depth records of our care for every person we treat. By sharing this information with other health care partners, we help to provide seamless care across the entire patient pathway from diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
• We also offer psychological support and information to the friends and family of people who are living with or who have died from breast cancer; a service not always available through the NHS. 

How do we support health care professionals looking after people affected by breast cancer?

• We offer personal and professional support to health care professionals via our website and also via Health Care Professional Away Days. 
• By providing written information, research and online materials, which include DVD and audiovisual material, to inform organisations about integrated breast cancer care.
• By reviewing and updating the evidence base for supportive and complementary therapies to provide a readily available source of information for health care professionals.

How do we participate in national initiatives to improve the lives of people with breast cancer?

• We are active participants in the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative whose aim is to help people live well with and beyond cancer. We have contributed to discussions to help shape future services and had our Haven at Home DVD evaluated in Yorkshire as part of the initiative.
• We continue to work with the Department of Health's Health Improvement Leaders, Macmillan Cancer Support and cancer networks to make our services a formal part of the treatment pathway for breast cancer survivors in the UK. This is done by providing our services through Havens to people who can reach them and also by our outreach programme (taking services to people where possible) or via on our website or Haven at Home outreach programme.

How do we contribute to the research agenda for breast cancer?

• With the support of our prestigious Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board and through our involvement with the National Cancer Research Institute, the NHS and universities, The Haven is committed to performing and publishing rigorous research to evaluate the benefit of the supportive and integrated therapies we provide for people who come to us.  
• We are committed to finding the most beneficial ways of providing in depth help to people living with breast cancer both nationally and internationally.
• Dr Caroline Hoffman, our Clinical Director and Research Co-ordinator, has sat on the National Cancer Research Institute’s Complementary Therapies Clinical Studies Development Group since its inception and she is now in her third term with Professor George Lewith, University of Southampton, a member of The Haven’s Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board.

What information do we provide for people who cannot reach a Haven?

• The Haven website offers information and support for people living with or affected by breast cancer as well as information about each of the therapeutic services we provide. 
• Much of The Haven’s programme is available on our website for people who cannot reach a Haven in the form of a DVD and audio CD programme called The Haven at Home. 
• This information, along with the lay summaries of our research available on The Haven website, is certified by the Department of Health’s Information Standard. This quality mark indicates the rigorous process we undergo to produce our high-quality information for people with breast cancer.

How do we support the health of the wider community and people with other cancers?

• Whilst we predominantly provide our services to people affected by breast cancer, we do also provide a health and wellbeing seminar programme which is available to people with other cancers as well as to the wider public. 
• This service is led by highly-qualified and experienced specialist nurses who have worked for many years in the NHS in the field of breast cancer, cancer care, palliative care, cancer rehabilitation and integrated cancer care. 

I am a man with breast cancer, can I still benefit from The Haven?

Yes absolutely, men are just as welcome as women

Do I have to live within a certain distance of a Haven to attend?

No you do not have to live within a certain distance. If you live to far away to travel to a Haven we have information we can send to you as part of our outreach programme, please click here for more information.

Does it matter how long ago I was diagnosed?

No it does not matter.

Is there parking at the Haven?

London: The London Haven is very easily reached by public transport. Fulham Broadway tube is a few minutes walk away.

Leeds: Free parking is available for Haven Visitors only at the Yorkshire Haven within the Gateway car park. Spaces are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Please use the spaces marked 'Haven Visitors Only'.

Hereford: There’s a short stay car park (up to 4 hours) at the back off Gaol St.

I have ordered tickets to an event, but I have not recieved them, how do I get them?

Normally tickets are sent out the week before the event. If you have not received your ticket 2 days before the event please call us. There are some exceptions to this which should have been detailed on the calendar.

I do not live close to a Haven/ I am unable to get to a Haven, can you still help me?

Yes. Although anyone can come to one of our Havens, some people may live too far away or find it difficult to travel, so we have produced films and audio podcasts of some of our therapies with which may be helpful for you to watch, listen to and participate in at home.  Thanks to generous funding from Bupa Giving, this programme is free to anyone with breast cancer. Please click here for more information.