Last week we wrote about Action Meso Day, a day marked every year on the first Friday of July to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos and to remember those who have lost their life to the disease.
This year, we attended the Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group (CAVSG) event which was held at Walton Hall Golf Club in Warrington. The day began with a warm welcome from Les Hodgkinson, Chair of the group, who advised that the theme of the day was ‘wellbeing’, with all the speakers focusing on this.
The Centre – Halton Cancer Support
First to speak was Maureen Isherwood from The Centre, Halton Cancer Support. Maureen shared her story about how she came to work at The Centre and the services available to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. This includes counselling, holistic and beauty therapies, respite breaks, workshops, peer support groups and tai chi. It was great to hear so many things on offer to help people through their cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond. The Centre helps people with any kind of cancer, not just mesothelioma, and extends its services to all those affected by a diagnosis, not just the patient.
Nutritional Therapy
Next, we heard from Natalia Kerkham, a nutritional therapist and herbalist. She told us all about the importance of balancing blood sugar, which is vital for everyone, not just cancer patients.
Balancing blood sugar is crucial for healthy living as it helps maintain energy levels, supports brain function, and prevents chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. For cancer patients, managing blood sugar is particularly important because cancer treatments can disrupt glucose metabolism, leading to fluctuations that exacerbate fatigue and impact overall health. Stabilising blood sugar can enhance treatment efficacy, reduce complications, and improve quality of life by ensuring the body has a consistent energy supply and reducing the risk of inflammation and insulin resistance, which are linked to cancer progression.
It was a very interesting talk and had the whole room questioning what they should be having for lunch and when the best time to eat a banana is! It turns out, there is no right answer as it depends on the ripeness of the banana and the person eating it.
Exercise for mesothelioma patients
The final talk of the day was from Helen Nixon who works in the Halton Health Improvement Team. She spoke about their exercise on prescription service and how cancer treatments are to help extend a patient’s years, and eating well and exercise can help to improve those years.
Exercise for mesothelioma patients is safe and recommended, as it can help to improve symptoms, reduce hospital admissions and help a patient to cope with their treatment and side effects. When we exercise, the body utilises its oxygen and expels CO2 more efficiently, this is vital in pleural mesothelioma patients who have damaged lungs. In addition to the physical benefits, there are mental health benefits too, exercise can improve mood and quality of life and there can be a good social aspect to exercise as well.
Remembrance
We then took a few minutes to remember those who had sadly lost their fight with mesothelioma. It was a poignant moment as messages of remembrance came up on the screen whilst everyone took time to think of their loved ones.
Qigong Practice
The event finished with a fantastic session of Qigong from Paul Houghton. Qigong is an ancient Chinese discipline that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention to enhance overall health and well-being. By cultivating and balancing qi, the vital life energy, practitioners aim to improve physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional tranquility. Regular qigong practice is believed to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, making it a valuable holistic approach to health maintenance. This gentle yet powerful practice is accessible to individuals of all ages and fitness levels, offering a path to harmonious living and inner peace.
It was a wonderful conclusion to a morning filled with learning and connecting with individuals impacted by mesothelioma, whether they were patients, caregivers, friends, or solicitors.
How we can help
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to pursue a claim for compensation, contact our dedicated, expert team today by completing our contact form or calling us on 0800 038 6767. All of our claims are dealt with on a no win, no fee basis.