World Cancer Day: Supporting people living with cancer

The theme for World Cancer Day 2022 is ‘I am and I will’, a direct challenge to negative misconceptions about cancer.

Here, you can read about Chris Wheal, who is using his ‘lived experience’ to support people newly diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.

You can also hear from Kent GP Dr Sona Gupta about why it’s important to get symptoms and signs checked out and take a look at just some of the help Macmillan Cancer Support can provide.

Chris Wheal, 77, from Grafty Green near Headcorn, volunteers at Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone, providing support to patients.

A former shopfitter, Chris also volunteers with the community safety team and 24/7 response team at Kent Fire and Rescue Service. 

Chris had both hormone and radiotherapy after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. 

He said: “My two volunteering roles are similar in that I’m offering support to people and with the volunteer work with oncology team, I know and understand what people are going through.  

“In November 2018, I had an abnormal test at my GP practice. I was put on the 14-day referral to cancer specialists.

“The cancer had been picked up before it had broken out of the prostate and, in February 2019, I had three months' hormone therapy, followed by radiotherapy with hormone therapy.

“I still have to go for yearly checks on my levels and it’s always a jittery time waiting for the results.''

‘understanding’

It’s his ‘lived experience’ that Chris uses to support newly diagnosed patients who visit Kent Oncology Centre, which is also home to the Macmillan Information Centre. 

He said: “People are not aware how Macmillan can support them. It’s about listening, understanding and more often or not, pointing people in the right direction.

“Everyone knows the word cancer, but it’s not until it becomes a reality for you that you really understand.

“Clinicians can give you the medical side of things, but people can have fears about tests, they can be worried by things they have read in the media.

“You may feel uncomfortable or even embarrassed about going for some tests, but you shouldn’t be put off by that.

‘reassurance’

“I was scared when I went for a biopsy because I didn’t know what it involved. In my experience, it was a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it wasn’t painful. Of course, I can’t say everyone will have a pain-free experience but the majority are.

“That’s the kind of reassurance you can give patients because you’ve been through it yourself.”