WOMEN who are undergoing cancer treatment often feel depressed, lethargic and self-conscious.

Look Good Feel Better is a programme which aims to put the smile back on the faces of those who often do not have that much to smile about.

The concept entails providing a two-hour beauty/make-over workshop with qualified beauticians and trained volunteers who take small groups of cancer patients and give them skin-care and beauty tips especially designed to combat the side-effects of cancer treatment.

Each patient also receives individual advice on make-up and skin-care to suit their specific complexion.

These workshops are being held at the Haematology department at the Provincial Hospital and at GVI in Mangold Street. The workshops will now also be held at the new oncology section at the Livingstone Hospital. The workshops are held every six weeks.

“Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength but it does not have to take away her self confidence,” said Bev Geleta, Port Elizabeth Look Good Feel Good co-ordinator.

“If you look better, you feel better. Women can find the physical side-effects of cancer treatment very difficult to cope with and this morale-boosting service is a wonderful oppotunity to help restore their sense of well-being and self esteem.”

For some of the patients at the Livingstone workshop it was the first time they had experimented with make-up.

Some were a little apprehensive at first, but quickly got into the swing of things and enjoyed the demonstration and trying their hand at applying their own make-up.

“I have always wanted to try putting on make-up when I was younger, but I was always too scared. Now this workshop has shown me exactly how to do it, and I can now easily do it at home. I feel really great,” said Caamila Joel.

Look Good Feel Better was launched in the USA in 1989 and has spread to 20 countries worldwide. The programme is endorsed by the Cancer Association of SA and the Breast Health Foundation.