Horsham-based female personal trainer, Becky, is a cancer exercise specialist. She shares her thoughts on World Cancer Day – marked annually on 4th February – which has a new focus…
It’s a while since I’ve posted about World Cancer Day – I think that these things can be hard for those in the cancer community; raising our “awareness” tends to feel like an unnecessary slap when we already feel the impacts of the disease keenly, and are highly aware of it.
However, this year there’s a new campaign focus, the start of a three year cycle, and it’s one I appreciate: United by Unique – the idea of people-centered cancer care and ways of making a difference. Why does this appeal? Read on to find out…
Cancer is a unique experience
I think that, for the vast majority of people who have yet to experience cancer, there’s a perception that it’s a homogenous experience. You receive a diagnosis, undergo brutal treatment, and often die quite quickly and traumatically. The reality, as those who have lived it or supported someone who has, is very different.
For example, the broad cancer type I’ve experienced is sarcoma. These fall into two main categories, but within these categories, there are about 100 subtypes… and each of those will be diagnosed and treated differently from each other. No two experiences of cancer are the same – this is good news in some ways, as it means that, just because your neighbour’s partner’s cousin’s dentist had a certain type of cancer and you get diagnosed with it too, doesn’t mean that you will experience the same path and outcomes as them. It also means that you both deserve to be seen and heard as the individuals you are, and treated as such.
Why does personalised cancer care matter?
Ultimately, the goal for many cancer patients is survival, and beyond that, to be able to live their life as they choose to. As we all want different things out of our one precious life, our priorities in recovery will be different, and that’s where a personalised approach is important.
Again, to use myself as an example, I knew that I wanted to return to strength training, horse riding, and travelling abroad as soon as it was safe and practical to do so. I also knew that I didn’t want to have children, but I did want to enjoy all of the other things that a then-31-year old single woman might want to do. So I worked with my medical team to make sure that I had the support I needed to do those things.
Happily, the effort and attention paid off. Whilst the physical and emotional recovery needed has been significant, I am fortunate that I’ve recovered as well as I have, and been able to return to the activities I wanted to. Which brings me to where I am now…
Patient to professional: helping others
Last summer, I was asked as part of a panel event where I’d like to be professionally in five years’ time. “Inundated,” was my answer. I want more patients and survivors to be seeking help with their strength and fitness, and to be able to access specialist support from professionals such as myself.
We’re trained differently, and we understand the unique needs and perspective of cancer patients and survivors. It’s easier for them to train with a cancer-certified professional, knowing that a lot of the emotional factors that they feel can go unsaid. They appreciate those who have an understanding of the side effects of their treatment and how to overcome them safely. And they get to benefit from a tailored approach that works at their pace whilst also being as progressive as they’re capable of at a given point. This is one of the things we’re talking about when we discuss ways of making a difference.
I’m grateful to have the skills I do, and be able to make a difference to the people I work with. Hopefully I’ll continue to do so.