Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Mythbusting

Syllabus

• Week 1

  Myths, facts and listening skills

  • Welcome to Talking About Cancer

    This week, we meet Alex, who explains the importance of talking about cancer. We then examine myths and facts, and meet lead educators Gill Kilgour and Gwen Kaplan. We also introduce Anita and Brian, whose stories we will follow.

  • Key facts and health messages

    Some people may be reluctant to talk about cancer because they don’t think they have enough information or they won’t know what to say. In the next step, we introduce some key facts and figures.

  • Myths and facts in everyday conversations with Anita and Brian

    Good listening skills are an essential part of effective cancer conversations. Listen carefully to Anita and Brian’s chats with friends and colleagues and think about the myths, facts and health messages in steps 1.3 and 1.5.

  • What have you learned this week

    Let’s check the main points we’ve covered this week and the key tips so far for an effective cancer conversation.

• Week 2

  Break through barriers and encourage action

  • What are the barriers?

    This week, you'll learn about overcoming barriers that prevent people from changing their lifestyle and checking their health. In the first step, we explain what a barrier is and identify some examples.

  • Barriers to lifestyle changes

    We catch up with Brian at 45, listen to his conversations with family and friends, and identify the barriers people may face when making lifestyle changes. How can we help overcome these?

  • Barriers to seeing a doctor

    Anita feels unwell, but hasn't seen a doctor. What are the potential barriers she is experiencing? What can be done to encourage her to see a doctor?

  • What have you learned this week?

    Let’s check the main points we’ve covered this week and add some more key tips for an effective cancer conversation.

• Week 3

  Prepare for conversations and develop an action plan

  • Managing our own feelings

    How do you feel when having difficult conversations? How might your feelings affect your conversations? How can you manage your own feelings so that you keep the focus on the person you are talking to and not on yourself?

  • Conversations with the doctor

    Brian’s struggling to shake off a recent illness. In this step, we'll see two different conversations he has with his doctor, and find ways we can help people prepare for a productive appointment.

  • Preparing for your conversations

    Being prepared for cancer conversations can give us confidence and make discussions more effective. Make a plan that will assist you in listening to people and helping them.

  • What have you learned?

    Let’s check the main points we’ve covered this week and summarise the key tips for an effective cancer conversation.

  • Thank you, and well done!

    And finally ...

Who will you learn with?