Dr Cordelia Galgut

I am setting up a Twitter Circle #fearofcancerrecurrenceandprogression group #FOCRAP to explore what would be useful/supportive moving forward. If you would like to be involved, please let me know. Those affected, mental health profs, medics,others involved, all welcome/needed.

In this interview I talk about how I think that sadly, there is even less of an appetite for understanding the long term effects of cancer, so many years on from when I was diagnosed and starting g speaking and writing about the mismatch between what we experience and the reality

'I think we’ve lost curiosity about each other…' Ian Florance revisits some of his ‘Careers’ interviewees – @DrHNewman @cordeliagalgut and Sabah Khan - to find out what happened next… bps.org.uk/psychologist/i…

@bbcwritersroom Need to query something. Which email, please.

Thank you for your patience as we worked our way through a bumper year of script submissions. It has been amazing reading each and every one of them. If the news isn't what you were hoping for then remember it's a huge achievement just to complete a script. Many of the writers who gain a place in our development groups were unsuccessful initially so keep writing and submitting your scripts.

Did you submit a script to our latest Open Call which closed in December 2024? We're sending out updates via email to everyone who applied today so please check the inbox for the email address that you applied with. Also check junk/spam folders if you cannot find your email as sometimes our emails end up in there.

@RoyalFamily @macmillancancer Yes. Indeed. But please don’t forget all of us mental health professionals who work both within the NHS and outside it. We work tirelessly, too, to support those living both with and beyond cancer. #livingwithandbeyondcancer

This World Cancer Day, we are sending love to all those navigating a cancer diagnosis – as well as the incredible doctors, nurses, charities and families who work tirelessly to support them. 🫶 If you are in need of support, consider getting in touch with… 💚 @MacmillanCancer offers a number of services for people living with cancer at every stage of their experience, and promotes better cancer care. The charity is available to provide emotional, practical, physical, and financial support. 🧡 @MaggiesCentres provides free emotional support and practical advice in centres across the UK and online to everyone with cancer, as well as their friends and families. There is no time limit on support, Maggie’s is available for as long as needed. 💙 Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) are committed to saving lives through research, influence and information. The charity funds scientists, doctors and nurses to work towards prevention, diagnosis and treatment of over 200 types of cancer.

@cancer_K2A @cancerNSW @DaffodilCentre @CNSA_ORG @UTS_CST @COSAoncology @McGrathFdn @OncologyNewsAus @PC4TG @POCOG1 @drcarolynee @Afaf_Girgis @Njt14 @aliepea @JiaJennyLiu @TriggerShep @garvey_gail @anniemiller01 Hi Ben. That sounds good. The trouble is that it’s always so dependent on who’s supporting, isn’t it? Great to give FOR this kind of an exposure. Fingers crossed it takes off- no idea really how things are for you all in Australia. You must be really happy it’s finished!

@cordeliagalgut @cancerNSW @DaffodilCentre @CNSA_ORG @UTS_CST @COSAoncology @McGrathFdn @OncologyNewsAus @PC4TG @POCOG1 @drcarolynee @Afaf_Girgis @Njt14 @aliepea @JiaJennyLiu @TriggerShep @garvey_gail @anniemiller01 Thanks Cordelia. I very much agree. That's why we've proposed a stepped care model, where the first step is normalising & validating these worries for all people affected by cancer, followed by additional tailored support for those who need it.

🚨New 2 min🎞️summarising step-by-step plan to address fear of cancer recurrence in clinical practice. Watch👉youtu.be/cr_3KEOTAv8?si… Read the 📰👉link.springer.com/article/10.100… Explanatory🧵👇

@cancer_K2A @cancerNSW @DaffodilCentre @CNSA_ORG @UTS_CST @COSAoncology @McGrathFdn @OncologyNewsAus @PC4TG @POCOG1 @drcarolynee @Afaf_Girgis @Njt14 @aliepea @JiaJennyLiu @TriggerShep @garvey_gail @anniemiller01 👏 for completing this @cancer_K2A It’s great that you highlight FOR as a valid psychological impact of cancer. My worry, as ever, is how much over medicalisation and pathologisation of sufferers will ensue. Pronounced FOR is pretty universal and normal. FOCRAP.co.uk.

@cancerNSW @DaffodilCentre @CNSA_ORG @UTS_CST @COSAoncology @McGrathFdn @OncologyNewsAus @PC4TG @POCOG1 @drcarolynee Further thanks to my fear of cancer recurrence clinical pathway co-authors @Afaf_Girgis Natlie Taylor @Njt14 Alison Pearce @aliepea @JiaJennyLiu Hetaher Shepherd @TriggerShep @garvey_gail Iman Zachary @drcarolynee Dan Ewald @anniemiller01 & Jo Shaw. Please share the 🧵above 🙏

@cancer_K2A Well it is indeed a very common unmet need. It’s important when addressing this understandable terror, not make people feel abnormal if they can’t contain it. Normalising it often helps those paralysed by the fear, rather than offering strategies. #livingwithandbeyondcancer

🧵1/6 'What if the cancer comes back?' is a thought that troubles most people affected by cancer. For some, these worries (ie, fear of cancer recurrence), stop them from thriving & planning for the future

Joined X 13 yrs ago and things have indeed moved on a bit re better understanding of the emotional effects of cancer. Not enough though and still miles and miles to go re even the most basic understanding of the long term effects. Let’s speak out more! 🙏 amazon.co.uk/Aftermath-Copi…

@KensingtonRoyal @royalmarsden Thank you for highlighting cancer’s long term effects. They seldom get much publicity but they need to. amazon.co.uk/Aftermath-Copi… #livingwithand beyondcancer @LesleyLesleys

I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional. In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer. It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. C

@BBCr4today @LesleyLesleys And unfortunately, as I know well, having been diagnosed at 48, with survival rates having improved, many more of us will be living on with long term effects, so we need more of a focus on this reality, too!!

More patients are being diagnosed with cancer at an early stage, but nearly one third are waiting longer than 62 days for treatment. Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, tells #R4Today there are higher cancer survival rates 'than ever before'.

@StevenBartlett Hi Steven. I certainly think it is worth highlighting issues I raise in amazon.co.uk/Aftermath-Copi…. Do take a look. It’s an unpopular subject but needs airing, and it needs someone with your profile and voice to do it! Thanks

@FryRsquared Only just seen your documentary on cancer. Excellent & Solidarity 🙏 I don’t think the issues you raised are talked about enough. I try, as a psychologist and woman who had bilateral bc 20 years ago and suffers long term effects. Please keep going if you can bear to

@Beatson_Charity Absolutely! Have you seen FOCRAP.co.uk & amazon.co.uk/Aftermath-Copi…

🌟 Fear of Recurrence: A Participant’s Perspective🌟 "To have a group of people and professionals who you don't know, but you can vent to, you can laugh with, you can cry with and who all have the same understanding. It's really great support."

@LesleyLesleys Great testimony! We still don’t talk enough about treatment options/quality of life, in cancer care. I raised these issues in amazon.co.uk/Aftermath-Copi… 5+years ago. They are still as relevant and pressing as they were. There’s a bit of a shift, but not enough. Why not?

“Quality of life is ultimately what it is all about. Your goal in surviving a disease is not just to survive, but to recapture some semblance of what you had before. I think pragmatic trials such as these are a big step forward in putting the patient first.”

@GogsGagnon @ThanksCancer Yes. V happy to be unremarkable😃

In the cancer world, we don’t say “good luck with scans” — we say “may you remain unremarkable” and I think that is beautiful.

@annanhills @LesleyLesleys Fear of recurrence will likely be a big factor www. focrap.co.uk

“The mental health impact of cancer is as significant as the physical impact” #eastcanceralliance

@KensingtonRoyal @thewales_news twitter.com/cordeliagalgut…

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright. 🎬 by Will Warr

Anyone who’s had/is having cancer treatment will know it’s a really long multi-staged haul for most of us. It’s so helpful that the P&P of Wales are both making that point, instead of putting out unrealistic messages about what having cancer is really like. My heart goes them. 👏