Home / Healthcare & Medicine / Cancer / Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Myth-busting / Brian is under pressure
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.
GILL KILGOUR: We’ve just had further insight into how some people think about cancer. We’re now going to revisit Anita and meet Brian, and listen to two of their conversations. First, let’s go to Brian and his workmates. In this conversation, Brian is in his 20s and works on a construction site. Listen out for the lifestyle factors that could impact on Brian’s health and put him at a higher risk of cancer. His colleagues bring a number of them up in conversation, but it doesn’t seem like Brian is taking this on board. How do think Brian might be feeling during this conversation? Once you’ve watched the conversation, take a look at the learner activity and share your answers in the Comments section. [COUGHING]
SPEAKER 1: I mean, don’t get me wrong, mate. You’re looking good, but that cough, mate, I’ve gotta tell you– it sounds bad.
SPEAKER 2: What is–
SPEAKER 1: I’m just saying.
SPEAKER 2: You’ve got a cough there.
BRIAN: You cough. Everyone coughs every now and then.
SPEAKER 2: Yeah, you don’t cough every now and again. Anyway, we shouldn’t be smoking anyway. We’ve got to get on.
BRIAN: Well, yeah. I suppose we’re here for a job, at the end of the day.
SPEAKER 2: Exactly. The boss said he’s written everything down in the portacabin, so we need to go and have a look. Oh, and there’s sunscreen in there as well. He said we have to wear it, because if–
BRIAN: Sunscreen?
SPEAKER 2: Yeah, because it’s really hot today.
BRIAN: What?
SPEAKER 2: Sunscreen, T-shirts, helmet.
BRIAN: Oh no. I mean, this is why I like this job– so I can take my top off, go to the top, and display to the world this item of perfection. [LAUGHTER]
SPEAKER 1: – it might be a nice change if maybe you gave it a rest and put on a T-shirt. That might be quite nice.
SPEAKER 2: Yeah.
BRIAN: You’re just jealous, aren’t you?
SPEAKER 2: Yeah. We’ve had loads of people coming up and complaining at the front desk to say–
BRIAN: Complaining there’s not enough people like me. [GROANING]
SPEAKER 2: It’s not that.
BRIAN: You’re just jealous, aren’t you, little tubsy boy with your little–
SPEAKER 1: Tubsy?
BRIAN: Yeah, tubsy.
SPEAKER 2: Tubsy.
BRIAN: I mean, come on, we go out for those burgers last night, and I’m eating them and have a couple of beers, and I’m not showing it. But you, on the other hand–
SPEAKER 2: But come on, Brian. He’s not the–
BRIAN: I mean, is that beer?
SPEAKER 2: – only one eating burgers. You’re eating them as well.
BRIAN: You eat burgers as well.
SPEAKER 2: Yeah, but I see other vegetables than a gherkin every now and again.
SPEAKER 1: Besides, man, we eat the same thing. We drink the same thing. The only difference is I’m a little bit older. Trust me, this is your future, mate. This little food baby is your child just waiting for you.
BRIAN: You are just definitely comfortable with your physique, but I’m uncomfortable with that baby, I’m telling ya. I’m gonna be like this. I train all the time. I go out, I have a drink, I have some food, and then I’m fine the next day.
SPEAKER 1: And smoke one pack, two packs, three packs of cigarettes?
SPEAKER 2: Yeah.
BRIAN: Look, just something I’m working– you’re just nagging at me!
SPEAKER 2: Look at the time. We’ve got to get going. You need to get some sunscreen on.
BRIAN: Oh, always the– [INTERPOSING VOICES]
SPEAKER 2: Come on– Health and Safety. I’ll get in trouble.
BRIAN: If you guys stop smoking, I’ll stop smoking. What about that? But right now, you guys aren’t smoking. I mean, are not smoking. You what I mean. I can’t even think straight.
SPEAKER 1: Tell you what, mate. I will stop smoking as long as you come over and just put a little bit of sun cream on that head.
BRIAN: Just stop touching me, will you?
SPEAKER 2: Come on!
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.
This article is from the online course:
Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Myth-busting
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This article is from the free online
Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Myth-busting
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