When Dr. Farida Anderson volunteered as an NHS Cancer Voices patient representative with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, she thought it would be a chance to help other patients like her.
The 61-year-old, from Prestwich, has been able to share her experience of what it is like to go through breast cancer with healthcare professionals so that they can make improvements to services.
Farida is the face of a new campaign to encourage more people affected by cancer to volunteer as patient or carer representatives
But she also found signing up as a patient representative has helped her rediscover the confidence she had before she had cancer.
Farida – who is the face of a new campaign aimed at recruiting more Cancer Voices representatives – is now encouraging others affected by cancer to sign up and volunteer to help improve services in Greater Manchester.
She said: “I’ve been a Cancer Voices patient representative for two years now after having breast cancer. As someone who has had cancer you don’t always think there’s anything you can do once you’ve finished your treatment. You just kind of think you’ll move on to what happens next.
“But volunteering with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance has given me an opportunity to align some of my previous working life experience and my cancer experience and use it to help other people going through cancer. It’s helped me find my confidence again and the person I was before I had cancer.
“I’ve met lots of people who have had cancer or are going through cancer at the coffee and cake meet ups and have shared my cancer journey with health professionals.
“I think it is important that the doctors and professionals know about the mental health impact that having a cancer diagnosis brings with it. Once the cancer treatment has finished and your hair grows back people think life gets back to normal, but you also need help with your mental health. I’m pleased to say I think the Cancer Alliance is now making a difference in this area.
“As a black woman I’m also very keen to make sure that information about cancer screening and how to spot signs and symptoms is available to people in black and Asian communities to help make cancer an everyday conversation.
“There’s lots of different things you can do as a volunteer, and you just do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with and have time for.”
According to Naomi Roussak, Patient and Public Involvement Manager at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, patients like Farida who share their experiences of having cancer are vital to improve cancer services for others.
Naomi said: “Hearing from our volunteers like Farida helps us to better understand what patients want and how services can be improved.
“We can’t improve cancer services, outcomes and experiences of care for patients without involving those with a lived experience of cancer.
“If you’ve had a cancer diagnosis, or you’ve cared for someone who has in the Greater Manchester area we need to hear from you. You can help us make a difference for future patients in Greater Manchester.
“No matter your needs, lifestyle or interests, we’ll find a way for you to share your point of view.”
