This headline is great quote from Chuang Tzu, the Chinese philosopher two thousand years ago, and is still relevant today for people living with a cancer diagnosis. For most people, life after cancer is never really the same as before.

According to the Government, cancer is the cause of just over a quarter of all deaths in England. In 2021 in England, 134,802 people died from cancer.

Cancer Research UK report that every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer.

However, according to new NHS Digital figures, survival rates in England have improved for almost all types of cancer.

Cancer treatment is challenging, isolating and deeply personal. Many people say they experience anxiety, with many others reporting depression and panic attacks.

Maggie’s Cancer Centres are there for people going through the difficult cancer journey and their families. Maggie’s offers this support through cancer caring centres in the grounds of over 20 NHS hospitals across the UK, as well as online and through phone and video calls.

Maggie’s Yorkshire is a warm, welcoming place in the grounds of St James’s Hospital in Leeds where people with cancer and their families and friends can meet others who are experiencing the same thing as them, find support groups specific to their needs and get advice and information from the expert staff.

I recently spoke to Amanda Procter, the Centre Head who oversees the day-to-day running of the centre. We discussed what visitors typically say about their experiences with Maggie’s. She told me:



Maggie’s offer Cancer in the Workplace workshops. The workshops are led by cancer support specialists or psychologists and cover the emotional and physical needs of people with cancer, the impact on families, friends and colleagues and the journey experienced by people that extends beyond treatment and recovery.

Most people with cancer will complete their treatment successfully and be announced to be in remission. Remission means that the signs and symptoms of the cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

The number of people living well with cancer is increasing and for some, returning to work is a critical stage on their path to recovery.

The focus of the workshop is to help employers understand some of the things that people go through with cancer and their treatment experience.

It is vital for employers to understand the feelings and fears of people subjected to cancer to be in a position to help.

Maggie’s is there for anyone with cancer, their family and friends, whatever kind of cancer, and whatever stage they’re at.

There’s also no time limit on support, Maggie’s is there for as long as necessary.

Maggie’s support is delivered by an expert team, including cancer support specialists, clinical psychologists, benefits advisors, nutritionists, and relaxation therapists.

Some final thoughts:






You can read my interview with Sadie Munro & Amanda Proctor - Maggie’s, A Haven Of Hope In A Sea Of Uncertainty