The journey through breast cancer does not end when treatment finishes. For many people, completing treatment brings relief — but it can also bring new challenges: lingering fatigue, anxiety, stress, emotional overwhelm and uncertainty about what comes next.
That’s why the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation’s Breast Cancer Recovery Program is returning throughout 2026 in both Newcastle and Maitland. This 8-week mindfulness-based program has already helped many local survivors navigate life after treatment with greater confidence, resilience and peace.
Why a recovery program matters
Breast cancer treatment affects the body and mind in profound ways. Studies show that mindfulness-based approaches like Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and similar programs can significantly reduce symptoms such as anxiety, stress and fatigue among cancer survivors, including those who have completed treatment for breast cancer. Evidence also suggests beneficial effects for psychosocial symptoms, such as mood disturbance, fear of recurrence and overall quality of life.
Mindfulness is not about “relaxing harder.” It is about learning how to be present with what’s happening — with kindness, clarity and non-judgment. These skills can help people respond to their inner experience with awareness rather than avoidance, which research suggests supports sustainable wellbeing beyond the program itself.
What makes this program different
Our Cancer Recovery Program was thoughtfully designed with breast cancer survivors in mind. This is more than a general wellness class. It’s a group experience that brings together:
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Gentle mindfulness practices
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Body awareness and movement
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Guided meditation
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Stress and emotion regulation tools
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A supportive community of others on a similar journey
As one past participant shared:
“I didn’t realise how much stress and fear I was carrying after treatment. This program helped me slow down, notice my thoughts without judgement, and find a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in months.” — Former Participant
Words from the facilitator
Cath Adams, Clinical Psychologist and facilitator of the program:
“This group is designed to help people reconnect with themselves after treatment. Many people leave treatment feeling like they should ‘bounce back’ immediately, but recovery isn’t linear. Through mindfulness, we give participants tools to navigate physical and emotional stress with curiosity and compassion. It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence.”
Cath’s expertise in psycho-oncology — supporting people through the emotional realities of cancer — creates a deeply supportive environment where participants feel understood, seen and heard.
What participants have said
Here are just a few of the ways past participants described their experience:
💬 “I now have tools I use every day — mindfulness has made sleepless nights easier to manage and given me a way to be gentle with myself.”
💬 “Joining the group helped me feel less alone. Hearing others’ stories reminded me that recovery is a shared journey.”
💬 “I feel more grounded. This program didn’t just help my mind — it helped my whole life.”
Who the program is for
The Cancer Recovery Program is open to people in the Hunter region who have completed active breast cancer treatment and are ready to focus on recovery and wellbeing.
Whether you’re several months post-treatment or a few years on, this program helps provide tools for living fully and intentionally in the next chapter of life.
Continuing in 2026
This program will run regularly throughout 2026 in both Newcastle and Maitland. Because group numbers are limited and each session is carefully facilitated, we welcome expressions of interest early.
Once you submit your expression of interest, our Supportive Care Coordinator will be in touch to talk through the next program dates and help you decide if it’s the right fit.
Final thought
Recovery is not just about healing the body — it’s about healing the experience of living after cancer. The Cancer Recovery Program empowers people with practical tools, community and compassion to not just survive, but to thrive beyond treatment.
