Living Well: With and beyond cancer

Written by: Paul Thomas

08/05/2025

Cancer patients and carers came together for a networking session packed with tips, advice and support for people living with cancer on 30 April 2025. The event, hosted by North East London Cancer Alliance, took place at the Osmani Centre in Tower Hamlets and was open to cancer patients and carers across north east London.

Sarah Koya, Patient Engagement and Experience lead for the cancer alliance, said: “It was wonderful to see patients and carers come together to share experiences, learn from each other and benefit from a series of presentations and workshops.

“There was a really positive vibe in the room, and we can really build on this with more events and support in the future. We hope this will improve the quality of life for cancer patients in north east London.”

To get things off to a flying start, the amazing Steph Davies talked through a range of practical tips and exercises designed to help people living with cancer. Steph really got the collective minds in the room engaged in a fun and productive way, along with introducing simple steps for everyone to take that will make a difference to their lives.

Steph is founder of Life after Cancer, which brings people together who have finished cancer treatment to form support groups, with an aim to increase their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. The support they receive reduces the risk of serious mental distress and helps them to build a positive life after their cancer experience. For more information visit https://www.life-aftercancer.co.uk/

Patient experience

Next up was a brilliant insight into living with and beyond cancer by Kevin Kibble, one of the patient partners of the cancer alliance. Kevin provided an amazing talk about his prostate cancer story and what has helped him since his diagnosis in 2023. This included his incredibly positive thinking and proactive approach to keep fit in both body and mind.

Kevin took steps to make a difference for himself, doing a lot of research to see what could help, creating a prostate cancer community group to share experiences, and getting on with things that help him to live with cancer – including walks, travel, and golf.

Sharing his experience was very well received by the audience and had a really positive impact.

Psychosocial support

People affected by cancer may face a range of psychological, mental health and social challenges. These may include things like emotional distress and changes to how people think about themselves, impact on relationships and social functioning, worries about work, and financial difficulties.

Caroline Dancyger from Barts Health and Psychosocial Clinical Lead for North East London Cancer Alliance provided a powerful presentation to the packed room of patients at the event.

She spoke about the mental health and wellbeing services available for cancer patients across north east London and the importance of accessing these services as a cancer patient to help treatment and recovery.

To find out more about the Psychosocial Support available for cancer patients, visit https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support

A lady is standing holding a microphone next to a presentation screen. She is talking to an audience who are sat round tables in a large room facing her.

Supporting Black and marginalised cancer communities and their carers

To finish the event, Judith Neptial, founder of From Me To You ... The Art Of Survival, inspired the room with her bravery, passion and insight into her experience as a cancer patient.

From Me To You is a UK-based organisation focused on educating, empowering, and supporting Black and marginalised cancer communities and their carers.

They are helping to reduce healthcare inequalities for people of colour and challenge the taboos surrounding cancer, ensuring equal access to care and information, and they are working with the North East London Cancer Alliance to help reduce inequalities in cancer care.

More information is available on their website: https://frommetoyou-uk.org/

A lady is standing in front of a presentation screen holding a microphone. A large audience are sat around tables facing her.

Feedback on the event

The event was very well received, with one patient who attended saying:

"This was a great event It was useful to hear about the service and support available, many of which I wasn’t aware of. Kevin and Judith’s patient stories were so inspirational and it was very helpful that we were given opportunity to ask the speakers questions. I was very satisfied with the event, would recommend to others and I would attend again”.