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A letter to cancer patients from a medical student at Oxford University – Vann

Photo of Luiza Farache Trajano from Vann/Linkedin

Jul 1, 2023, 14:13

A letter to cancer patients from a medical student at Oxford University – Vann

A letter to cancer patients from Luiza Farache Trajano – a medical student at Oxford University who worked with Vann last week.
As a medical student, I am often a fly on the wall to life-changing moments in a patient’s life- whether that is watching new life come into the world in obstetric theatres, being on stand-by as a multi-vehicle car accident comes into A&E or when a doctor tells a patient that they have cancer.

I have learnt is that no patient is the same: everyone reacts to the news in a different way and similarly, each individual will have their own unique cancer journey. That is why, when I sat down to write a letter addressed to patients affected by cancer- I found it challenging to think of key messages which would speak to such a diverse and individual population. After much deliberation, discussion with colleagues and friends, I have centered around three key words: information, support, and hope.

Information– I believe that patients should be fully informed about their treatment options, their diagnosis and their prognosis. Medicine has moved away from the paternalistic, ‘doctor knows best’ approach. There are fantastic, jargon-free resources available to patients. This includes VANN, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. As a patient, you have to be comfortable with the correct treatment for you- this means being aware of potential risks, side-effects and complications.

Support– This applies to patients and their loved ones. It is an emotionally challenging time for everyone involved. Knowing that you are not alone and that you have a team behind you is key. If you feel able to, reach out to friends and relatives, tell them what you are going through. The VANN app allows members of the public to dedicate an activity to someone affected by cancer. This may include a walk, baking, writing a poem and many other activities.

Hope– cancer care is rapidly evolving- the word cancer is not synonymous with death. It is important to remain hopeful in the face of adversity. Therefore, I would like to conclude with the words of Erika Evans- a leukaemia survivor: “It is possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again.’

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