Support types

A cancer diagnosis changes your life. It can take time to assimilate what it means to you, who you are and what’s next for you. The bumps in the road may be numerous and don’t end even when treatment is over, for some this may be the most difficult time. To have help, support and guidance from a cancer coach can be invaluable.

Cancer coaching is an emerging field, like health and life coaching, but it focuses on the unique needs and concerns of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
A cancer coach can help throughout any stage of diagnosis, both for patients and carers. The coach can help empower you to navigate your diagnosis, treatment, and the impact cancer has on your life and relationships.

Additionally, cancer coaches can help connect you with practitioners or services that are geared towards your needs. Everybody’s cancer experience is unique, a cancer coach can help personalise the type of coaching and care you receive.

Improve strength and aerobic health to improve the quality of daily life; meet with a clinical exercise specialist to create a safe and appropriate exercise programme which takes into consideration your individual challenges and meets your personal goals.

Supporting health and wellbeing through nutritional therapy; speak to a specialist dietitian who can provide dietary advice for cancer patients and those in recovery. They can help you make small changes to your diet to optimise your strength and tolerance to treatment or enhance recovery.

Talking therapy which utilises a focused state of attention in a safe and controlled way; meet with a cancer-trained hypnotherapist to collaboratively meet your goals which could include the management of pain, fears and phobias, insomnia and fatigue.

Advising on physical appearance to aid positivity; meet with an image advisor who understands the effect that hair, skin or body appearance can have on a person’s mindset when living with or beyond cancer.

Proactive and purposeful advice; a life coach will approach issues methodically to make sustainable changes with you. They can also support family and friends impacted by cancer.

Individualised support and knowledge-sharing about the swelling which can occur after cancer treatment; meet with a lymphoedema specialist to self-manage and keep your lymphatics healthy after cancer treatment, while caring for your skin and preventing further lymphoedema.

Practical and emotional strategies for managing the menopausal effects of cancer treatment; speak with a menopause practitioner with an in depth knowledge of cancer treatments and hormone therapies, plus the long term effects they can have on a woman’s cycle and fertility.

Bringing awareness and acceptance to people impacted by cancer; meet with a mindfulness and meditation professional to build conscious and compassionate thoughts while dealing with difficult emotions due to the impact of cancer.

Sharing safe and effective ways to remain active; speak with a cancer physiotherapist who can guide anyone impacted by cancer through safe exercise suggestions to contribute to overall health and wellbeing and in addition, mental wellness.

Guidance and support in finding control, comfort, function and independence; practice pilates with a trained cancer instructor who is focused on your personal goals and ability.

Providing a safe, confidential space to talk openly; speak with a cancer psychologist to make sense of your unique experience of cancer, whether you are an individual, part of a couple or a parent.

Addressing concerns about sex and relationships; speak with a psychosexual therapist who is trained in helping people to adapt and manage the sexual consequences of cancer treatment.

Providing a safe, confidential space to talk openly; speak with a cancer psychotherapist to make sense of your unique experience of cancer, whether you are an individual, part of a couple or a parent.

Bringing significant cancer experience and an open forum to ask anything; speak to a cancer nurse specialist with a broad and in depth knowledge of many cancer types and forms of treatment.

Individualised support for speech and language issues that can occur after particular cancer treatments; meet with a cancer speech and language therapist to manage the effects of voice and speech changes, jaw mobility, swallowing difficulties and cognitive communication issues.

Safe and accessible yoga practice and breathing techniques; meet with a yoga instructor who is adept at working with oncology patients and those in recovery. Strength and conditioning can be built through safe and personalised movements, while the breath is used to optimise relaxation.