Conversations about cancer are a crucial part of medicine, however, the topic can often seem daunting. The range of related issues is huge and includes education, prevention, research, inpatient treatment and counselling - not to mention the fact that taking about cancer can also evoke strong emotions.

Sarah Drake is CancerCare’s Development and Engagement Officer and an important part of her role involves getting out and about into the community to talk about our work. Sarah, who has a lived experience of breast cancer and has used our services, is a regular guest lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, alongside Behavioural Sciences lecturer Dr Jenny Watts.

According to Dr Watts, Sarah’s input has added a valuable element to their studies.

“I teach a small group of postgraduate medical students who are progressing towards their Postgraduate Diploma in International Medical Sciences and Sarah joins us on campus to answer questions and give a presentation three times per year. She is a highly engaging speaker and brings a lot of humour, as well as sharp insight to the topics of delivering life changing news, supporting relatives and especially supporting children,” said Dr Watts.

In addition, Sarah recently attended the first CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialists) Forum since the pandemic and gave a presentation to all the CNS nurses across Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust and Cancer Alliance, highlighting what CancerCare does and how we support local families.

“This aspect of my work is one of the reasons I wanted to be an Engagement Officer for CancerCare. Attending such important engagement opportunities means I’m not only an advocate and an ambassador for the charity, I’m also helping educate specialist student doctors on the importance of holistic support and the dialogue around cancer between patients and clinicians,” said Sarah.

We’re excited to push our presence into the community further afield and increase awareness of cancer support.