Introduction
In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa-Ann O’Donnell, a therapeutic radiographer at Beeston Western Scotland Cancer Care. Lisa explained her role in radiotherapy, emphasising the personalised approach for each patient. She then discusses her journey in promoting movement for cancer patients, drawing from her clinical expertise and her experience with fibromyalgia.
Lisa-Ann shares insights from the Can Rehab Cancer Exercise course she completed in 2021, highlighting the importance of incorporating movement, whether it is shoulder rolls or a 5k run, into cancer care. We talked about the challenges patients face, including fatigue and fear, and how gentle exercise can positively impact their well-being. Lisa-Ann stresses the individualized nature of recommendations, encouraging patients to start with small, manageable activities.
We discussed the misconception that cancer patients must engage in intense physical activity, dispelling the notion that every story needs to involve extreme feats, as well as the older advice that rest is best – we know from the research that this is not the case. Lisa-Ann emphasised the goal of helping patients feel better and maintain independence in their daily lives. We also recognised that promoting movement doesn’t require significant resources but can significantly improve patients’ lives.
Lisa Anne O’Donnell talked about the joy of helping patients realise their potential for gentle exercise to enhance their lives, regardless of their diagnosis. She addressed the misconception that patients might feel pressured to engage in extreme activities based on media stories and highlighted the importance of tailoring exercise to individual capabilities, promoting confidence rather than pushing for intense physical feats.
Sarah and Lisa discuss the 5k Your Way initiative, a monthly event encouraging those with cancer diagnoses, whether recent or past, to join a park run. Lisa stresses the welcoming atmosphere and the option to walk, volunteer, or gradually build up activity. The initiative, run by Move charity, aims to provide support, foster a sense of community, and make exercise accessible for everyone.
They discuss the significance of small, sustainable changes in physical activity, emphasizing that guidelines are goals, not starting points. Lisa shares her involvement in 5k Your Way in Scotland and its positive impact on patients and their families. The initiative offers a free, inclusive, and supportive environment for people to engage in physical activity at their own pace.
Sarah and Lisa both stressed the importance of normalising activity during and after cancer treatments, focusing on individual goals and preferences. Lisa gave examples of success stories where patients regained confidence in creating or maintaining active lives. The conversation concluded with an invitation for individuals in the West of Scotland to join 5k Your Way events and find support within their local community.
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