The Record Shows, I Took The Blows... And Did It My Way

'Eat healthily, and exercise lots.' - Common sense, right? So why is it so controversial to say this in the same sentence as 'I have cancer'?

Last month I had four weeks off work. It was a compulsory break as part of my contract, so I used my free time to work with a few charities. I met with the Educational Team from the Teenage Cancer Trust, some new employees at Macmillan, and the team at the British Liver Trust. It was lovely going back to the Teenage Cancer Trust, I saw people whom I had lost touch with since my first round of treatment over ten years ago. It was so refreshing to see them under nicer circumstances, to have a coffee with them without being attached to a chemo drip, and talking over the bleeps of heart monitors or the sounds of dialysis machines. I wanted to find out a little more about how they raise awareness in schools, youth clubs, scout halls etc. They are a small department, with a huge task, but they are so dedicated. I shared my experiences of talking to schools, and explained why I think it is so important to talk about cancer to teens, to dispel any myths and fears they may have, and offer some advice if they know anyone suffering with the disease; and the team shared their techniques with me. I also told them about my journey over the last year, and how beneficial I have found chanigng my diet.

Next, I went to visit some new recruits at a Macmillan Conference, I was there to give a speech, and share my experiences of the Macmillan service. I told them how much of a support they were from the begnning of my treatment right through to today - not only to me, but to my mum too. And I told them also about the benefits of eating healthily and exercising lots aswell.

During the final week of my month off, I went to see the team at the British Liver Trust. I noticed what a small team they are, but admired their determination at promoting a seemingly inmpossible message of looking after your liver in the face Britain's ever growing culture of fast food, binge drinking and crash dieting. I spoke to them too about how changing my diet has been a huge contributing factor to my recent scan results.

But not all of the charities were supportive of my faith in the power of nutrition. I was told to be careful when telling people about how I adapted my whole life style in an attempt to combat the disease which seems intent on strangling the life from my rose, preventing it from blossoming. And this made me quite angry. I was angry because I don't claim to be an expert, I don't mislead any one into thinking I am medically trained and have done years of research on the topic of nutrition, I just tell them what happened to me, how I chose to help myself when all the medication failed. But my anger soon turned to frustration as I realised that Charities depend on the information they are provided with from hospitals and medical experts. And so if they are receiving no official recognition of the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, and they are shown no case studies or examples supporting such claims, I guess they would be sceptical. So again, I come face to face with the brick wall, and the medical profession's blindness to alternative treatments.

Others I spoke to however, told me how they knew of people who had also tried changing their diets and had success stories of their own, and I soon realised that many people have taken their health into their own hands, and taken a pro-active approach to their treatment. So why are we so afraid to talk about it?

Since I have told my story on a couple of News Channels, and to a magazine and newspaper over the last couple of months, many people have been in touch asking for details on the diet I have adapted to. They are people who either want to prevent themselves from getting the disease, have the disease, or are trying to prevent the disease from returning. People want to know about it, they want to give themselves the best chance at fighting cancer, naturally, they want to have access to all the information that might be of benefit to them. And as I sit writing back to them with my list of super foods and vitamins, I wonder if chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy treatment was ever such a taboo subject, or just as controversial as nutritional therapy seems to be today. If we came round to the idea that toxins might help to fight disease, why are we so intent on refusing to recognise that nature might be just as effective?

Since my last set of scans I relaxed my diet a little, maybe drank a bit more than I should have, and treated myself to red meat on more than the odd occasion. So when it came to having my next set of routine scans a few weeks ago I freaked out. I freaked out and ran away - something I have never done before. I worried that I hadn't been looking after myself, and the scans would reflect this - so I didn't turn up for them.

But I can't run away forever. I re-booked the scans, and I'm due to get the results next week instead. Of course I am still worried the results may not be good. The tumours may have become live again, and with there still being no realistic chance of conventional medication having an effect on the disease, I will be left to fight this all by myself once again.

And so if I am told those awful words again, that my cancer has returned for a seventh time, and that I should go home and enjoy whatever time I have left, I'll turn to my own medication. It won't be the way the textbooks advise, it won't be the way some of the charities recognise, but I'll face it all, and I'll stand tall, and of course, I'll do it My Way!

New! Magazine & Macmillan - Encouraging People To Talk

Check out this week's edition of New! Magazine. As part of Macmillan's campaign to get people talking about Cancer, there is a double spread in this week's copy about my story. From the day I was diagnosed at 16, to where I am today, it describes the pain of treatment, from losing my friends, to the amazing support I have today from new friends, colleagues, my family and boyfriend. Cancer patients know there is no beginning and end to having this disease, but I hope that by sharing my story in National Publications such as this, I am able to show people that being diagnosed with cancer isn't always a life sentence, and even if sometimes it seems that way, there are ways you can help yourself, and others, even if it is just by talking about it.

Thank you to New! Magazine and Macmillan, for giving me the chance to share my story, I hope it offers comfort and advice to those who read it. And I hope it is successful in Macmillan's mission to get others to speak about their experiences too, no two cancer patients have exactly the same story, we can learn so much from just talking...

Kiss From A Rose - Extract 3 - My Biggest Battle, Losing My Hair

The third extract I have chosen describes the most painful part of my battle, losing my hair. At the age if 16 I was devastated to be told my hair would fall out as a side effect from my chemo, at a time when I wanted to go out with my friends, get to know boys, and take pride in my appearance I felt incredibly robbed of normality. Losing your hair is such a physical effect of the medication, it makes it abundantly clear to everyone that you are ill. Even if you are having a good day, with no hair, eyebrows or eyelashes, every time you walk past a mirror or glance at your reflection there is no escaping the reality. Here is how I felt when, after a a few weeks on chemo, I came face to face with my nightmare.


My Biggest Battle, Losing My Hair

Are They Finally Starting To Listen?

Natasha Vince in The Mirror

There is an article in the paper today, finally raising awareness about Oncology waiting times on the NHS and GPs' reluctance to recognise the possibility of Cancer amongst young adults and children. The Mirror has a two page spread about the importance of medical staff sitting up, and listening to young people when they complain of pains and discomfort. But the blame is placed completely on shoulders of the Government, and the cuts made by the coalition this year. Not entirely fair I feel, as this has been an ongoing problem for years. Certainly when I was initially diagnosed in 2001 Labour was in power, and Britain was enjoying reasonably economic stability - to the public's knowledge anyway. So where else should we be looking? Who else should we be telling to open their eyes? How about the doctors?! The people we turn to when we become aware there is something wrong, when we need reassurance, when we need help. It is these people that often present our first hurdles, who turn us away and tell us nothing is wrong, who encourage us to carry on with life and ignore the problem. It seems that rather than make a referral, many would rather make a mistake! And GP's must be made accountable for these mistakes, one in six young people are diagnosed with cancer everyday in the UK now, everyday! These statistics are too significant to ignore, and if it is a matter of educating our doctors, young and old, then it must be done, too many teens and children are being denied the chance to fight.

BBC News 24 Interview

Natasha Vince on the BBC

A further interview on the BBC about the recent report from Cancer Research into the benefits of eating right and exercising more in the fight against Cancer.

Sky News Interview

Natasha Vince on Sky News - Afternoon Live

A recent report from Cancer Research emphasises the importance of Diet and Exercise in the prevention and treamtent of cancer - what have I been saying all along? Sky News asked me to share my story about the benefits of adapting your diet and lifestyle to conquer any disease - not just Cancer. I hope it persuades people that what you put into your body has a direct affect on your health. It's time to sit up and take note, it could save your life... it saved mine.



And Still, They Will Not Listen

Over the last couple of weeks since my most recent scan results, I have been trying hard to tell everyone I know about the benefits of eating right, and exercising more. If not to assist in the treatment of an existing medical issue, but to at least ensure you stay as fit and healthy as possible, to look after your body as much as you can.

I have also visited a couple of local schools, one primary, one secondary - my own Secondary School Townley Grammar, in fact. I went to raise awareness about health, fitness and having the confidence to know your own mind and body and so push for medical attention when you think you need it.

I started at the local primary school where the teachers organised a fund raising event for the British Liver Trust - a charity I have been working hard to promote awareness of and raise money for. They decided to hold a 'Breakfast Club' where the children and their parents could pay a few pounds for a couple of slices of toast and a hot drink or juice and socialise before school started. I thought it was a fantastic idea, and was thrilled when the school asked me to come along and talk a little about the Trust as well as my story. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves, especially the little ones, and I was shocked to find out that people were queueing for over twenty minutes just to buy a cup of tea and contribute to the fund! It was extremely heart warming to see how people care and will strive to help when given the chance. When I stood up in front of everyone to explain a little more about the Trust and about my experiences everyone fell silent, and I felt really proud to be a voice for such an important charity. I spoke about how just a year ago, I was told there was nothing the hospital could do for me, and warned me not to expect to last too long past the end of this year, yet with perseverance, optimism and a little initiative I fought it, I'm healthier than I have been in a long time, I'm alive.

When I stepped down I was approached by many mums, some just wanted to say hello, but others had their own stories about fighting to be heard, and fighting to be treated. Not everyone I spoke to was talking about cancer, and as I listened, I realised that perhaps it isn't just cancer that gets over looked so much. Those feelings of frustration at out National Health Service started bubbling again, why do some doctors have such issues listening to their patients?

That morning the pupils raised over one thousand pounds for The British Liver Trust, what an amazing achievement in under two hours.

But I wanted to reach out to the age group I was when I started my treatment, so I went back to school. The Head Master of Townley Grammar School allowed me to hold a series of talks to different age groups about what it is like to be diagnosed with such a devastating, and isolating disease at such a vulnerable age, so far I have spoken to Years 10 and 11 as well as the Sixth Form, and in a couple of weeks I will return to talk to Years 8 and 9.

I explained that I wasn't there to scare anyone, but with 1 in 3 people affected by cancer now, I wanted to give them a little information about what it is like to be diagnosed and have to go through chemotherapy, as well as how to support someone they might know going through similar treatment. The students were so welcoming, and it was lovely to see some of the teachers that taught me many years ago. But I was most struck with the response I got following each talk. I invited people to come to me afterwards and ask any questions they might have - rather than standing up in front of all of their friends and I thought perhaps one or two might have approached me, but last week I was talking to students for over forty five minutes following my speech, as they asked me for more information about the chemo, and how to support family members fighting cancer.

The most frustrating thing for me however was when a couple of students approached me about complaints they had made to their GPs over a long period of time, regarding pains they were experiencing. Both had been refused scans, and both were taking the pain killers I had been sent away with so many times. I ask the questions again, why aren't these doctors listening to their patients?

But there was worse to come. One young lady, who has given me permission to talk about her story as she too wants to raise the point that teens are too often overlooked my GPs, told me about her cousin. A boy of 13, he complained for many months of a pain in his knee, but was continuously told by his doctor not to worry about it, it was growing pains, it was in his head - the usual. One day at school the pain was so bad, as he put his foot down on the ground while walking down some steps, he fell and broke his leg. Of course, he was taken to hospital where they pinned his leg together, put on a plaster cast and was told to rest it while it healed. The problem was, it wasn't healing, and it was only when he continued complaining about the pain that the hospital finally carried out a scan to find out why his leg was taking so long to mend.

Then they found his tumour.

How did they miss that when they were pinning his leg back together? But by now it was too late, the boy's cancer had spread up the bone in his leg, and it had to be amputated immediately and followed up by an intensive course of chemotherapy. His mum thought he was getting better, until the hopital realised it had spread to his pelvis and it wasn't responding to the treatment. He died two months ago at home with his family. The hospital told his mum if the tumour had have been found while his leg was pinned, his chance of survival would have been much higher. Is that fair? To tell a grieving mother that if a medical expert had listened to her son when he was complaining that he could still be here today? How many times does it need to be said that we know our own bodies? So why didn't that doctor listen to his patient?

But there is hope. After talking to the Sixth Form I was approached by two young ladies hoping to be accepted into medical school next year. They asked me how to be good doctors, they asked me how to avoid making the same mistakes my GP and so many others had made. I thought how refreshing it was that they had asked those questions, and it demonstrated to me that already they had the right approach to patient care, they are an encouraging example of our next generation of doctos. I told them to have an open mind, if someone comes to them three, four, five times with the same complaint, to look deeper, to acknowledge that something might be very wrong. I told them to remember my story, to remember that noone knows their body better than the person themselves, I told them to listen to their patients.