THE days of feeling unattractive because of the effects of cancer treatment are over, thanks to a beauty programme by the Look Good Feel Better organisation.

THE days of feeling unattractive because of the effects of cancer treatment are over, thanks to a beauty programme by the Look Good Feel Better organisation.

Cancer patients receiving treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital were pampered with a 12-step skin-care routine during the launch of the Look Good Feel Better programme.

The breast clinic was abuzz with activity as cancer patients came to be pampered.

Margaret Hewson, the programme director, said the initiative, introduced locally in 2004, aimed at looking after the emotional and social wellbeing of patients.

"The programme supports cancer patients by helping them regain the self-confidence they need to be emotionally strong to face the world and fight the disease," Hewsonb said.

She said products were carefully chosen to ensure they did not interfere with the treatment.

Volunteers guide patients through the regime, focussing on side effects such as dry, very sensitive skin, hair, eyebrow, eyelash loss, pigmentation marks and discolouration of nails.

Workshops will be held once a month at Chris Hani Bara Clinic from January next year. Workshops are currently held in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban.