Become a Cancer Champion

Plymouth Cancer Champions

What is a Plymouth Cancer Champion?

A Cancer Champion isn’t an ‘expert’: you may know a bit, and you may have some direct experience of cancer, but what matters most is your wish to improve the experience of the cancer journey amongst people in your community. You’ll connect with people worried about undiagnosed symptoms, and others already diagnosed and struggling. You’ll raise awareness of cancer symptoms within your community.  You’ll listen empathically, and this can encourage people to take the step of seeking help as soon as possible.

You may connect with people you know well: friends, family, neighbours, people you work or socialise with.  Or perhaps with people you meet in your day to day life – local residents, friends of neighbours.

As a Cancer Champion, you’ll help by:

• Having conversations with people about cancer in your everyday life. Talking means cancer becomes a word we’re all more comfortable with.

 

• Sharing information – e.g. leaflets, online information.

 

• Perhaps sharing a personal experience – this may benefit someone going through something similar or may encourage someone to go for help.

 

• Sharing social media posts.

 

• Offering a little support to access help, e.g. encouraging someone to contact their doctor or helping them access an advice or support organisation or group.

Cancer Champions don’t …

Diagnose

Give advice, e.g. about treatment

Get paid for this role

Cancer Champions do …

Write your own ‘job description’ and do as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.

 

Get support and training from the Plymouth Cancer Champions Project team.

We believe that by working together we can increase cancer survival rates. Across Plymouth, some people are less likely to spot cancer, go for help and attend screening appointments. Cancer Champions can help to change this. Whatever you do as a Cancer Champion, you will make a positive difference.

The earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances of survival. Encouraging and supporting people to be aware of signs and symptoms and to seek help from their doctor are two ways Cancer Champions can make a real difference.

Facing cancer alone is a big challenge. Plymouth Cancer Champions can help make sure no-one is alone on their cancer journey by helping people access information, signposting to practical and emotional support, and sometimes just by being there for a friendly chat.

For further information, please email Kirsty at kirsty@zebra.coop