Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer

The whole cancer community desperately needs the government's cancer plan to drive change and deliver improvements in care for all of us. We now need to hold the government to account to deliver the plan FOR cancer patients. 6/6

I highlighted that the UK is falling further behind the rest of the world in actual results FOR cancer patients I used this platform, on World Cancer Day to celebrate the successes that have been achieved in cancer and to call for improved care for cancer patients 5/6

This was one of those "pinch me moments" I never thought I'd be invited to 10 Downing Street & I was honoured to be asked to speak on behalf of cancer patients to introduce The Secretary of State, @wesstreeting I hope that I represented @CR_UK and my fellow patients well 1/6

Now we have to hold the government accountable to deliver the plan FOR cancer patients. @DHSCgovuk

On #WorldCancerDay the biggest news for cancer in the UK landed today - the 10-year Cancer Plan We desperately needs the service to improve and I hope that this plan can truly be a turning point for cancer. @CR_UK has summarised the plan: news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/02/04/bre…

@GenEdwards And you too :)

@StriveforfiveBC It was so lovely to see you!

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!

The fact that some scientific journals are now receptive to patients as lead authors reflects the growing recognition of the value of people with lived experience of their disease 2/2

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/10.1080/030079…

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/7433…

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/mak…

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!

I’m trying to make the most of my bonus years - enjoying every day, sharing hope, and campaigning for improved care in cancer.  5/5

I’ve actually been labelled an “outlier” and an “anomaly” many times because of my longevity with stage 4. But combining all of us “outliers” gives a trend of increasing survival - there are more and more of us living longer and fuller lives with stage 4 cancer.  4/5

WHY ME? I ask this about survival, why am I still here? I’ve lost so many fab people to cancer yet I’m still here, over 12 years after a stage 4 diagnosis. My theory is that it’s a combination of mindset and medical advances 1/5