Lifestyle coach plea in battle to fightcancer
VOLUNTEERS are being sought in Glasgow to train as lifestyle coaches in a bid to reduce the risk of women developing breast cancer.
The £1million scheme is funded by the Scottish Government and supported by the charity Breast Cancer Now. The ActWELL research trial seeks to reduce women’s risk of developing breast cancer by helping them make sustainable lifestyle changes, focusing on physical activity, diet and body weight.
Women aged over 50 attending their routine breast screening appointments are being invited to take part in the trial, which is being delivered across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.
Volunteer lifestyle coaches will work with participants over 12 months to provide support and advice on diet and exercise, through both face-to-face sessions and follow-up phone calls.
Kirsty Dean, 45, from Carmunnock is a lifestyle coach for the trial.
She explains why she decided to apply for the position: “I gave up work a few years ago to spend more time with my daughter but I felt that the time was right to take on a new challenge. I enjoy coaching others and I like to eat well and live well so the ActWELL trial was a great fit.
“The application process was really simple. I filled out an online form and then I was invited to attend a selection day, where I met l ots of other lovely, like-minded people. I was delighted to be selected.”
She added: “Becoming a lifestyle coach has been very rewarding. So far, I have been paired with three participants from my local area. It’s been great to meet new people and support them to work towards achieving their goals through tailoring the program to suit personal circumstances.”
Lawrence Cowan, Scotland manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This is one of the most important public health trials currently under way in Scotland. This is another fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in a trial that has the potential to have a significant impact on reducing the risk of breast cancer.”
Volunteers will receive full training and successful applicants must be available for training sessions on February 27 and 28.