As my content doesn’t get many (if any) views on this platform I won’t be posting here in the future. You can follow Strive for Five on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. I hope to see you there.

Not my usual Monday night! Watch this space for more information over the coming days!

Busy week #RepresentingPatients It started in Manchester on the faculty for Junior Investigator Network Group for new researchers Friday I was in London for an energetic and far reaching round table on trust in healthcare. Now for cuddling up with my scruffy mutt Tommy!

I'm proud to share my first paper as lead author, on the vital topic of INTEGRATING PATIENTS INTO PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. This is an example of how I'm trying to improve cancer care. #RepresentingPatients You can read the full paper here: doi.org/10.1080/0300... 1/2

Improving preclinical and clinical oncology research through patient integration

Over the past few decades, patient centricity has evolved from an idea to a clearly defined component of cancer care, integrated into clinical practice: patients with cancer are now more involved i...

doi.org

Please join me in signing this petition asking the NHS to fund free dental care for people who have head & neck cancer. Surely this is a no-brainer for the government? petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

Petition: Fund free dental care for head & neck cancer patients

We want the Government to fund free dental care for head and neck cancer patients both during and after treatment to address the significant oral health challenges that survivors may face, and to impr...

petition.parliament.uk

I was honoured to be invited to write this piece for Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation, sharing how lived experience can positively shape research - a topic I'm passionate about! #RepresentingPatients #PatientEngagement news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/01/15/m...

Making your research better: a patient perspective - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News

Steve Clark tells us why patient involvement is so much more than just a requirement - it can actually bolster your research in surprising ways...

news.cancerresearchuk.org

How long does it take to achieve change - it took 11 years to get Avastin approved for NHS prescription for bowel cancer! We eventually got it over the line just before Christmas. The key factors are determination, resilience and teamwork This was my entry to campaigning

I’m excited to be #RepresentingPatients at the 8th Patient Centricity & Collaboration Congress 2026 Europe in London on 25 and 26 February. My topic is one I’m passionate about: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE NEEDS A COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION Who’ll be there? #PCCWC26

12 years ago I had a fab party go say thank you to all the friends and family who helped me get through my stage 4 diagnosis, surgery and intensive chemo. I couldn’t have done it without their amazing help and support. A great time was had by all and it was my first time singing with the band!

Merry Christmas, especially for everyone going through chemo right now Christmas is a great time but can be overwhelming when on treatment, so take time out when you need to, but don’t lock yourself away Laughter truly is great medicine - remember to have fun! MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄

Sharing a fond memory - in 2014, a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, I passed the Budokon MMA red belt This shows that A DIAGNOSIS OF STAGE 4 CANCER DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THE END OF YOUR LIFE, IT CAN BE THE REASON TO START LIVING IT!

90% of cancers happen in people over 50. @nature.com has an interesting edition focussing on cancer in OVER 50s - why do risks of getting cancer increase with age - how does cancer treatment affect aging process - how do cancer treatments affect different age groups www.nature.com/articles/s41...

ne thing about being a patient engagement consultant and patient advocate who is living life with a serious disease, is that I have to jump through certain hoops every now and again, and regular CT scans are part of this. However I've never had a CT with pomp and circumstance! 1/3

I love being able to champion change for patients by using my patient advocate experience & my pharma expertise. I’m grateful to @AdelphiGroup for inviting me to be part of such a challenging and forward-focussed session in Manchester last week. 1/3 #RepresentingPatients

I'm excited to be presenting "Effective Clinical Communication is Crucial for Patient Empowerment" at next month's conference, it looks like a great two day programme For more information on the conference: patient-empowerment.com #PatientEmpowerment25 #RepresentingPatients

One of the privileges of being a Patient Advocate is that I get to #RepresentPatients. Recently I was asked to give the patient perspective on the future of DISEASE PREVENTION An excellent report has been published HERE: pharmaphorum.com/patients/pre... 1/2

A prevention healthcare revolution: The future of pharma

Explore the future of pharma as systems, data, and digital tools revolutionise prevention healthcare. Stay ahead with these industry insights!

pharmaphorum.com

Proud to have been involved in the GOOD PATIENT PARTNERSHIP GUIDE, a great initiative to encourage pharma to work with patients to help improve health literacy - critically important to help set patients up for treatment success precisionaq.com/en-gb/good-pat… #RepresentingPatients

Sometimes I have to remind myself that “living life with stage 4 cancer” is about LIVING LIFE! Last week I took Tommy on a little tour visiting family & friends then had a few days in the Peak District Great adventure #Stage4 #stage4cancer #LivingLifeWithCancer

What a great experience - spent Thursday and Friday in Harrogate with @cancerresearchuk.org for their ALL FELLOWS meeting - an opportunity to meet and network with talented cancer researchers from across the UK. 1/4 #CRUKAllFellows

Here’s a new app giving access to the only bespoke, managed mobile database of bowel disease related research - could be a useful tool for any colorectal cancer patients looking for active studies. Great initiative from Bowel Research UK and Acpgbi bowelresearchuk.org/trialsapp/

Misinformation is rife around cancer and it’s putting people’s lives at risk This report on BBC Panorama shines a light on these dangers and is worth a watch Even Strive for Five is targeted by people peddling fake cures www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Panorama - Cancer Conspiracy Theories: Why Did Our Sister Die?

Marianna Spring investigates the rise of health conspiracy theories. Are social media companies’ algorithms pushing potentially harmful content at vulnerable patients?

bbc.co.uk

Being in a clinical trial can gain access to the latest treatments and help us all learn more about medicines in development. The big challenge is often finding out about them - that’s where this site is excellent, best I’ve found: clinicaltrials.gov

This afternoon I had great fun recording a podcast as part of Chris Nichols’ series called “About Time”, we talked about Strive for Five and Beyond & so much more! You can find the series here, it's a great listen: open.spotify.com/show/4hPwWq5...

12 years ago today I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel (colorectal) cancer When I was told “it’s spread to your liver and both lungs” I thought my life was over, but thanks to great medical & surgical care, and the support of my incredible friends and family, I’M STILL HERE! 1/6

Two sides of Wednesday -what a difference! Started with my CT. I’m allergic to the contrast so I have to be on cetirizine and steroids, which ramps up the anxiety. Had to revisit the importance of the tip on coping with SCANXIETY (attached for anyone going through this) 1/3

Let’s talk about food - can it cause cancer, and can it prevent cancer? In their latest video, @cancerresearchuk.org talk to Professor Marc Gunter to tackle this issue - it’s worth a watch! youtu.be/RxxjbuC7Ct4

Can foods be cancerous? | That Cancer Conversation Podcast #diet #cancer #superfoods

YouTube video by Cancer Research UK

youtu.be

Thank you to all the amazing nurses who’ve done so much to help me on my cancer journey over the past 11 years - I literally wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you to all the nurses, what you do makes a real difference, we all appreciate you. #InternationalNursesDay

“The Prevention Revolution in your Healthcare” was the bold title of our expert panel yesterday afternoon at the #Anthropy25 meeting at Eden Project in Cornwall. The whole discussion will be captured and condensed into a paper which will be published soon, watch this space!

I’m already feeling inspired and #Anthropy25 has only just started! I’m at the Eden Project for the next few days & presenting in the session “The Prevention Revolution in Your Healthcare” where I’ll be representing the patient perspective #RepresentingPatients

Excited to share our new white paper on engaging patients fully in the development of their medicines! We hope is an interesting and stimulating paper. I'm looking forward to hearing your responses and opinions Check out the full manifesto here: bit.ly/4kXKpPm