SAMO, Slovenia
I'd like to share with you my experience with colon cancer and the role of Svit programme ambassador. But without the Svit programme I would not be in position to do these things at work today.
I want my story to be an inspiration for everybody who turns 50 and consequently must face the lucky lottery ticket of getting screened for colorectal cancer. ‘A lucky lottery ticket?’ you might be asking. Yes, after my experience I see getting screened for colorectal cancer as being a lucky lottery ticket. This is because it either shows you that you do not have it, which is great news, or that you do have it and if you do, you can get treated for it because it has been found in time - more great news.
I also consider myself as one of the lucky ones because I am a person in Europe who lives in Slovenia, one of the few countries or regions in Europe that has a very good population-based CRC screening programme, the programme that saves lives (mine being one of them). As a result of this programme my cancer was found in time, and I have moved beyond metastatic CRC since my diagnosis in 2013.
About my Screening Experience and Diagnosis and the Importance of Staying Physically Fit
When I turned 50, I received the first invitation to take part in the CRC screening programme. I used the FIT test they sent me via the post and my results were negative. When I was 52 I received and took the same test again but this time the response letter I received in the mail was thicker than my previous one, which was a first worrying sign. Indeed, the test came back positive, which was one of the biggest shocks for me in my personal journey, particularly as I felt fine.
After that I went for a colonoscopy and they removed some polyps from the colon. These showed up to be cancerous and following further tests it was shown that the cancer had metastasized into my liver and it was confirmed that I had stage IV CRC.
From here, I had to prepare myself for surgery to remove the tumors. In the time I had to wait for the surgery I concentrated on keeping very physically fit. Now I know this was key to my good attitude and physical recovery.
During the surgery at the University clinics in Ljubljana, they removed half of my colon and the second and third part of my liver and with this they hoped they had removed the cancer.
Following surgery, I had at Oncology institute in Ljubljana eight sessions of chemotherapy in three weeks cycles and additional nine maintenance sessions altogether in one full year. Luckily my body took this well and I had no problems. I maintained a very strict diet and exercised as much as I could – running and swimming.
Going Back to Work Afresh
With time, I was able to go back to work, which I really enjoyed. At first gradually and then I was back to full-time. This has meant, however, going back and having more balance in my days. I no longer work ten hours a day with few breaks, I work normal hours and enjoy my family and leisure time outside of work.
My role as a Patient Ambassador
Beside my work at the Ministry of Defence in Slovenia, I also work as a patient ambassador for Slovenian CRC screening programme SVIT as well as for EuropaColon Slovenia Assotiation and other cancer related non-government organisations. I spread the word on the importance of screening and how everyone over 50 must get screened and follow the instructions of their screening programme when they get them in the mail. I know that not everyone has this chance, as not all countries offer such programmes and I have to say I will be very happy when everyone across Europe has the chance to go and get screened like I did.
I am very proud to be and I really enjoy my work as a patient ambassador since 2015. I have the opportunity to talk to people facing cancer. When people say they are afraid to participate in the programme, I speak with them about my experiences and perspectives. They listen and are able to gain another way of looking at life, their diagnosis and their treatment. After speaking with them, they see a path forward and that is very gratifying.
But firstly, ambassadorship encouraged me to start motivating my colleagues at work and friends to participate as well. Since I work in an organization with a large number of employees, mostly men, I took advantage of this and began to raise awareness, both through an internal newsletter and by organizing numerous presentations together with Svit Centre in different units of our organization across Slovenia. But my work is not limited to my organization only because I participate also at the events on regional and local level.
I will retire soon and I’m looking forward to having more time to be an Ambassador for cancer prevention – especially as I am a living proof of how well it can work.
We are around 30 Svit Programme ambassadors and come from different parts of the country. We each have our own backgrounds and life experiences. What we all have in common is the desire to help people participate in the Svit Programme, to encourage and motivate them with our stories and experiences. We are all friends helping each other raising the awareness.
If you are in a position to establish a similar ambassador programme in your countries you are welcome to contact the Svit centre for more information.