This week’s guest is Natalie Woodward, a truly remarkable young woman. She was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer at the age of 36, but after a full year of treatment, the cancer started to grow. In the middle of the pandemic, she literally had the mother of all operations to remove it. She had to learn to walk again. To dance again. To accept she would never have sex again. And yet there is still hope.

She is passionate about balancing the scales when it comes to cancer treatment. Cancer poverty is a thing. Many people have to give up their jobs during treatment and worry about how they will pay the bills or keep a roof over their head. Not everyone is lucky to have a partner who can support them. Similarly, there is a real postcode lottery when it comes to trials and the latest treatments. If you live in a rural area, hundreds of miles from a big cancer centre, or you can’t afford to pay for something privately, you may get different treatments which could affect how long you survive.

I would love to know your thoughts on all of this – let me know. And please do find Natalie on social media and tell her how wonderful she is. Let’s spread the joy.

Natalie Woodward

Twitter https://twitter.com/NatsWoodward

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamnatwoodward/

Find out more about Natalie:

Twitter https://twitter.com/iamnatwoodward

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamnatwoodward

Don’t Ignore the Elephant Knitting pattern 

Use the code DITE for 20% off

Knitting Pattern by Claire Fairall Designs 

All profits go to the Institute of Cancer Research 

Liz O’Riordan

Instagram @oriordanliz

Twitter @Liz_ORiordan

YouTube @DrLizORiordan

Website www.liz.oriordan.co.uk

Don’t Ignore The Elephant is hosted by Dr Liz O’Riordan, in association with Elizabeth Richards, proudly sponsored by AOK Events, produced by Bird Lime Media.