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Brian is under pressure

In this video, part of a Cancer Research UK online course, an actor playing a worker is challenged - not very productively - about his lifestyle.

In the previous step we heard what some people think about cancer. We know that there is a lot of fear and misunderstanding about the disease.

We’re now going to listen to a conversation between Brian and his workmates. Brian is in his 20s and works on a building site.

You can practise your listening skills again with this conversation. In particular, listen carefully to see whether anyone mentions the word ‘cancer’.

Activity and Discussion

As you watch this video, think about the conversation and share your answers to the questions below in the comments section.

  • What do you think Brian is thinking and feeling during the conversation? And why?
  • How would you react if you were Brian?
  • What changes could Brian make to reduce his risk of cancer?
  • How would you approach a conversation with Brian about his health?

You can compare your list of Brian’s risky behaviours to the checklist included in the downloads section below.

What’s next?

In the next step we will listen to a conversation with Anita, and see how she reacts to challenges about her lifestyle.

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Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Myth-busting

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FutureLearn - Learning For Life

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