In Alan Pottie’s life, there was surviving cancer and learning about what came after – ‘the new normal’.
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“I was shaving one evening and found a lump that I thought shouldn’t be there,” he said.
“I had a series of scans done and tests came back that it was a tonsil cancer.
“It’s relatively rare, and there was no logic to why I had it – there was no lifestyle link, it just turned up.
“You always look for a reason, but it doesn’t always work that way.”
The Wagga man found he still had questions when he was cleared of the disease in 2010.
“When anything happens to your body, you are worried it’s happening to you again,” he said.
“It’s always in the back of your mind, as it is for your partner and family.”
When he heard about Cancer Council NSW’s Living Well After Cancer program, Mr Pottie decided it was what he needed to help ease that anxiety.
Seven years down the track, he has facilitated the session himself a number of times and says it’s a must for anyone who has been through a similar journey.
“When you’re going through treatment, your focus is solely on that – you’re not looking much further ahead,” he said.
“The session is about how you adapt to the financial future, your well-being, how your family is handling it, and it’s for people to come together and discuss the emotional effects of recurrence risk.”
Approximately two in three people diagnosed with cancer in NSW are alive five years later, with many becoming long-term survivors.
Cancer Council NSW Western programs manager Mel Nixon said it was important these people continue to seek support.
“There is often an expectation for cancer survivors to ‘get back to normal’ after treatment, but we know that for many this is far from reality,” she said.
“Living Well After Cancer gives participants the opportunity to connect with others on a similar journey, all within a supportive space.
“They can share tips, ideas and advice on managing life moving forward, with the aim to thrive, not just survive after cancer.”
Mr Pottie said the sessions were also open to carers, a key aspect as there were not many groups available covering both.
“We break people up into carer and survivor groups to chat amongst themselves,” he said. “Often, some people talk easily, and others don’t want to talk at all, and neither is wrong or right, but it’s giving people a safe haven.
“The biggest message we get back is they now know they’re not alone.”
The Cancer Council’s Wagga branch can be reached on 6937 2600.
