At the end of January, Marianna Vitaloni of DiCE had the opportunity to participate in Roundtable, a half-hour programme by TRT World – the international service of the Turkish state broadcaster.

Marianna did a pre-record about the results of the DiCE survey of young CRC patients and survivors.

The core of the programme was a discussion led by news presenter Enda Brady. Around the table, I was in esteemed company with Khurum Khan (Royal Marsden Oncologist), James Kinross (colorectal surgeon) and Anisha Patel (GP and eoCRC survivor). Anisha was online, joining us from her surgery.

The discussion structure was prepared in advance by a researcher who contacted each of us to identify potential themes. This worked exceptionally well, allowing Enda to smoothly move the conversation along and bring out all of the key issues and our individual messages.

James and Khurum were very strong on the nature and causes of early-onset cancers. Several kinds of cancer are increasing in younger people. James was able to bring his knowledge of the gut microbiome. Anisha passionately described the impact of cancer on her life. Khurum brought a global perspective with his experience in Pakistan.

My main contribution was to talk about the positive, the ways in which I had changed my life following cancer, and in particular, the importance of lifestyle factors. Exercise is an essential part of rehabilitation, but even more important for everyone in terms of disease prevention, including cancer. My biggest change in this respect has been to take up running.

After the recording, Khurum, James and I continued the conversation all the way down the street, onto the Tube and halfway across London. Khurum started by saying, “You are right, exercise is key, I’ve taken up running too”.

“So have I” said James. “I stopped drinking alcohol and took up running. I realised that if I was going to give this advice to my patients, I should be doing it myself”. We had a great time, swapping Parkrun stories. Parkrun is a public health initiative that encourages people to walk, jog or run at 9 am every Saturday morning.

Since that day, we’ve been in touch, pursuing common interests. James and I are long-time friends and research collaborators. Khurum is very involved in ctDNA for the monitoring of Minimal Residual Disease in oncology treatments. Watch this space.

Author:

Stephen Rowley