There has been a lot of emphasis on the Cancer Screening, training Champions and holding events to raise awareness. But, what does Cancer Screening Champion Training involve?
I’ve been round the block a few times, and have, what I think, is a pretty good understanding of health issues, current treatments, and success rates. I’m sure a lot of you reading this will feel the same, especially if you are adult and have a life’s experience behind you. So, I wonder, if, like me, you enter into some courses, thinking, OK I understand what’s required – I’ve got this.
Hello? Have you ever then been blown away by all the things being presented that you DIDN’T KNOW? Well, this is what happened to me:
Firstly, my understanding was that we were being trained in the rationales for the three different types of cancer screening: Breast, Bowel and Cervical cancer. Got That. What the tests involve. Got That. Sharing the information with other people. Wait – I haven’t Got That. Are we doing powerpoint presentations? How will that go down with multi cultural groups, people with mental ill-health, or how will that encourage people to engage and talk to us?
Here is what I heard:
Breast cancer screening is for when you have NO symptoms – well blow me down – I have missed loads of those, thinking meh I am ok – no lumps or bumps, all is fine. What a plank I am.
Then some members of the group started sharing their experiences, about family members and friends, and one member said they had just received a diagnosis of cancer. I wasn’t expecting that and thought how brave this person was to share that in the group, how frightened they must be feeling, not knowing what was coming next, and if ‘next’ included the worst case scenario – what would happen.
What did happen next is that everyone opened up and started asking questions about the different types of tests.
The rigmarole involved in using the Bowel Cancer FIT test - how cumbersome the bowel cancer FIT test is – finding containers – actually getting your poo into a place where you can take a sample – we don’t talk about those things ahem.
The Cervical Cancer Screening is NOT to detect cancer, but to detect the presence of the HPV virus, the presence of which might indicate cancerous cells, therefore there is a follow up test.
I never knew that!!!
We discussed the indignity involved in the cervical cancer smear test and how might people from other cultures respond to this – we asked questions about how these individuals can be supported. We touched on how someone experiencing mental ill health might feel about these tests and what measures might be put in place to support them too.
At the end of our session, I had completely forgotten about powerpoint presentations and how to get the message across – that everyone should take up their screening appointments to avoid problems later. I was engaged and interested and chatting. Then I realised that this is how to share information - in an informal way, through conversation and advising and generally being supportive – helping people to engage and share their experiences and beliefs.
Everyone’s fears are different, and what might appear a molehill to one person, may seem a mountain to another. But, together we can level the playing field and help each other to look after ourselves.