Caroline's Blog

Long gone are the days when you'd have to walk to the shop and buy a paper to get your news fix or when a patient would need to write a letter or make a phone call just to share their views.

Now, it's as simple as typing a word into Google, having a quick flick on your iPad or tweeting your thoughts on Twitter.  Technology surprises me everyday and at the Trust we have had to work hard to adjust our way of thinking to keep up with social media and technological developments.  

When we appear on news programmes nowadays, the audience can instantly comment on Twitter or facebook and we can catch up on anything we missed online.  Similarly celebrities are exposed in a way like never before, with their personal lives there for everyone to see - not that I don't deny enjoying that bit!

Everything is scarily yet brilliantly accessible.  

In terms of Twitter specifically - it does more than just offer instant news and a regular flow of information.  It actually offers massive opportunities for charities and organisations with a worthy cause, and for those individuals needing support - all of whom can share their news, advice and ask for help. 

It's impressive to see just how well connected various cancer groups and charities are on social media - both with each other and with their patients, volunteers and supporters.  Retweeting has become a way of other NHS trusts and charities almost patting each other on the back and showing agreement, by spreading their wisdom to more and more followers.  Similarly, it also operates as an up to date fundraising tool, ideal for promoting events and thanking supporters.

Even more amazingly, Twitter has given people with cancer a platform to shout about their story and link with other people from across the UK facing the same daily highs and lows.  I follow a few people with a terminal diagnosis and they are admirably striving to be open about their experiences, linking their Twitter accounts to regular blogs and giving warm messages of support to others with similar diagnoses. 

Social media has become a support network that simply did not exist 10 years ago.  Despite occasional criticism, when looking at it properly, the power of social media is something that should be absolutely praised…

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Manchester City Council's new campaign keeps catching my eye driving around Greater Manchester.  The campaign boasts cheeky pictures linked to different parts of the body and aims to drive young people to sexual health information website anyplanstonight.co.uk.  A few weeks ago, I also read about Kent NHS Trust, which has developed a new app displaying condom access points.

These seem like bold, direct and effective ways of engaging with young people.  But, is enough being done elsewhere?

Young people are assumed to be the healthier age group, careless and free, but as we see day in day out at The Christie, young people can be tragically affected by cancer.  Every year, our Young Oncology Unit treats 130 (check figure) young patients between 16 and 24 years.  The spirit of those patients, their families and the staff astounds me no matter how many times I pop in there.

In my view, cancer charities and trusts are unarguably committed to communicating everything from symptom checks to fundraising initiatives, and take their roles of raising awareness very seriously.  When I look at dynamic campaigns like Sometimes it's Cancer, I think we and the NHS in general should follow their lead with the efforts made to engage with and support young people.  They are our future, so now is the time to act.

Perhaps by starting with social media…

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I always try and spend some time wandering through the wards and chatting to staff and generally having a nosey in on the different units.  Getting to meet patients and hear about their personal journey is by far one of my favourite parts of my week.  One such patient this week was Sara Duncan, many of whom may recognise from the Sara and Lola special moment video, which has attracted more than 100,000 views across the UK and the world.

I was fortunate enough to meet Sara on our chemo ward a few days ago and hear about how the video had come about.  After putting something simple together as a family keepsake, they soon realised the power of their story, the emotion it conveyed and how it could speak to so many others.

On the back of their video, Sara and her family have started fundraising for ten cancer charities and have received support from across the globe.

Stories like this don't come about often and it is a very special, yet tricky decision for someone suffering from cancer to open their front door to the general public for them to admire, judge and even criticise.   Sara and Lola's video has been met with huge admiration, emotion and praise, but sadly it has also come up against a fractional amount of criticism from people not in the know.  I would therefore like to make this point - cancer can affect me, you and everyone we know, no matter how healthy a person is - it can strike any of us.

Many mothers have found Sara's video comforting and inspiring as an example of how we can engage with our children properly around the sensitive issue of cancer diagnosis.  As a mum myself, I can only imagine that it's a decision that is made with absolute caution.  Motherhood is so incredibly personal and everyone simply does the best they can.  Sara and her partner, Craig, have involved Lola in a way that they believe will help her understand and in turn help the family over the years to come.  I can only admire them for it.  Their efforts will benefit not just The Christie, but nine other deserving charities.

• Please watch the video here

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I can rarely open the newspaper without seeing headlines with the word 'cancer' jumping out at me. Sometimes it's a painful, inspiring or brave story about a patient; sometimes it's the scaremonger stories claiming that 'this and that' give you cancer; and other times it's the stories that make me sit up and think 'wow'.

One such story was printed in one of our regional newspapers last week. The title was 'Christie study heralds 'a new era of hope' in ovarian cancer battle'.  It covered the trials for Avastin, a drug trialled at a number of hospitals, including ours. After around 1,800 women took part, it has been shown to slow down the progress of ovarian cancer by up to six months. Thanks to successful progress, this treatment is now available to women in England on the NHS through the Cancer Drugs Fund  

Research and in-depth clinical trials are what drives the world's ongoing battle in fighting cancer. Meticulous studies by our leading experts never cease to amaze me, making me even more proud to be part of The Christie.

I always aim to highlight the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes here -away from the wards, theatres and waiting rooms - work that also really matters.  The above is a true example of just that.  It makes me look forward to coming in each day.

• Follow this link to read the article I mention above.

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