Cancer Support France is opening a new branch in Lyon and Paul Keats speaks to Expatsradio.
Cancer Support was formed in October 2002 following the experience of breast cancer and its treatment of its founder Linda Shepherd.  The cancer was discovered shortly after settling in the Poitou-Charentes. 
Radiotherapy proved to be the most difficult period, and during a psychologically disturbed time, Linda realised how fortunate she was to be able to speak some French as the only support services available to her were in French.
She recognised the additional stress placed on a patient who has no or very limited French skills on top of a potentially life-threatening disease, and decided to explore the possibilities of creating a support group.
"I handled the initial surgery quite well, but I had a very difficult time during my subsequent treatment. Fortunately my specialists recognised psychological reactions, and made sure I had the support I needed. It was a good job I could speak some French, as a lot of consultations and all my emotional care had to be given in French. This made me think how lucky I was and how difficult it must be for someone to cope in a similar situation but without the language."
After considerable research, it became clear that nothing of this nature was available for English-speaking people.
"Discussions with my doctor, radiotherapist and psychologists revealed a need for the kind of support I began to feel I wanted to offer and so the vision for the group evolved."
After speaking to her own G.P. and cancer specialists their support for such a group to be created was evident.
Support from CHU Poitiers
In December 2002 Professor Daban, the head of the Radiotherapy Department at CHU Poitiers, gave Linda an hour of his precious time to discuss the vision, the group's membership and its aims and objectives. The meeting ended with the promise of practical support.  This promise has been fulfilled in many ways, culminating in 2008 when Professeur Daban agreed to become Patron of the association.
You can contact CSF by phone on 05 45 89 30 05
via their website at: www.cancersupportfrance.info
or the new Lyon branch by e-mail at: csf-lyon@hotmail.com