16 minute read
GLITTERING HOPE
Author and charity founder Kris Hallenga has attracted the attention of many famous faces during her 12-year battle with incurable breast cancer. With an unmatched drive to survive, her new book shows the world what it is to live life to the full
Kris Hallenga, founder of Coppafeel is also an ambassador for EthicaCBD, a Cornwall based CBD well-being company
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At the tender age of 22, Kris Hallenga was living a normal life, travelling the world and making plans for her future, but when she found a lump in her breast and was told that it was not only cancer but also incurable, life took on a whole new meaning; one with purpose and passion. The remarkable resilience and extraordinary strength that she mustered in a moment of great uncertainty has gone on to inspire a generation to be their own best advocates and “health bosses”.
Kris founded breast cancer awareness charity, Coppafeel!, while undergoing radiotherapy and embarking on chemo in 2009. She was struck by the sheer lack of information available to young people about educating themselves about their bodies. The charity has three missions: to get all young people to check their boobs and pecs regularly, to familiarise them with the symptoms of breast cancer, and to empower them when they’re seeking medical help. As of this year, Coppafeel! is the third most recognised cancer charity in the UK.
Now, at the age of 35, Kris has survived far longer than anyone could have expected in 2009. She credits her longevity to her powerful thirst for life. This year, Kris published her memoir, Glittering a Turd, which covers her journey through surviving the unsurvivable. After her appearance at the Penny Brohn UK Hub on Queens Road this summer, we caught up with Kris to talk about her latest campaign, her famous fans, her unshakeable hope and the “pure bliss” of Bristol’s Penny Brohn hub.
TBM: Tell us about the new book in your own words; was it a cathartic experience to write it? Difficult? Or a mix?
KH: In Glittering a Turd, I look back at everything I’ve learned and what survival really means to me. It was really hard to write and in fact I put it off for about six years. I never truly knew if I could dissect and write about my life in any kind of decent way. So, when I eventually did, I surprised myself a lot. It was super hard, very cathartic but ultimately a wonderful experience and one I am glad I stuck with and committed to.
Who should read this, and why?
I would say (and I hope the people who have already read it would agree) that my book is for absolutely everyone. It’s certainly not just for people with breast cancer. Turds happen to us all, and they are not always cancer-shaped, so I think there are lessons that span all possible variants of life. I hope they can be of use to anyone who reads it. Of course my main aim is to educate people about the importance of being your own health boss but, more than that, I want it to be a source of light and encouragement for anyone glittering their own turds.
It seems to have acquired some famous fans! Whose words have you been most touched by?
Anyone and everyone who reads my book is my best friend, truly. I am lucky to have met some incredible people since my diagnosis, who have helped spread my story way further than I ever thought possible. I feel very lucky to have Annie Mac, Fearne Cotton and Dawn O'Porter’s names and words on my book.
How was the signing and what did you think of Bristol’s Penny Brohn hub on Queens Road?
I love Bristol so jumped at the chance to come to an event. Penny Brohn has been a huge help for me over the years and their residential centre is a place of pure bliss and tranquillity. The hub is a great place for cancer patients to find out more about what Penny Brohn can offer AND it’s a shop selling all kinds of wonderful things – I LOVE a good charity shop. Penny Brohn exists to support people with cancer with super holistic and nourishing treatments and workshops. You can now go get free treatments, like massages, in their hub and I am pretty sad not to live in Bristol and be able to take advantage of that.
Tell us about how you founded CoppaFeel! and what’s coming up?
I started CoppaFeel! in 2009 out of a need to fill a huge knowledge gap for young people. No one was ensuring that young people were getting to know their boobs/chests or empowering them to speak up if they ever discovered something not normal for them. It’s because of this lack of education that I didn’t know I should check myself, or feel like I could speak to someone –or even that breast cancer could affect young people. Truth is, breast cancer can affect anybody and now the charity ensures this is a message that reaches everyone. We are always developing new and innovative ways of instilling our message and most recently we created the #KnowYourself campaign. We are working hard to ensure we start closing the gap in health education inequalities and reaching groups previously overlooked by any kinds of cancer awareness.
Of course, the very sad news about Sarah Harding is fresh in people's minds; what would you take this opportunity to say to those worrying about the risks?
It's important for anyone who is worried about any kinds of signs and symptoms to speak to a GP. It’s vital that we learn from Sarah’s experience and speak up when something is wrong and to be our own best advocates. I also want to ensure people understand that breast cancer is a very treatable illness when it’s found at an early stage, and that life can be lived long and happily and healthily long after a diagnosis.
What advice do you have for those newly diagnosed? How might they channel their emotions?
My simplest advice is to not give advice. This disease impacts everyone differently and all I can say is how they are feeling is absolutely how they should be feeling, and what they are doing is absolutely what they should be doing.
In your view, what is the best thing that families and friends of those diagnosed can do to support?
Take care of the chores, make them laugh, spend time doing normal things because believe it or not, they are still the same people just with some very rogue cancer cells. “Being there” can never be underestimated. Don’t feel a need to fix every negative emotion or feeling, just listen. It’s enough!
What has been your experience of complementary therapies and products?
I have been very careful about what I take, and where I get it. My most recent discovery is a CBD oil by EthicaCBD that helps me with any mild anxieties that life and cancer throws up and also helps me sleep better. Not only that, but they have a super nice night cream that ensures my tired out skin (from cancer meds and clinically induced menopause) stays moisturised and glowing. Ultimately it’s important that everyone does their own research and finds their own route to wellness.
What’s been the highlight of your career/journey post-diagnosis so far?
Seeing the impact of my work and CoppaFeel!’s work on people’s lives and cancer outcomes. When someone gets in touch to say they were diagnosed early because they got to know their boobs and got help when they needed it because of something they read or saw from CoppaFeel!, well, that’s a pretty epic feeling.
It’s hard to believe you have any spare time, but what do you do when you get it?! We hear you’re a baker?
I bake for my little coffee and cake truck, Kern, with my twin Maren. Throughout summer we have parked our vintage Citroen H van in Newquay harbour serving coffees, ice creams and home baked treats. It’s a far cry from my cancer life so I love it! I also love to dip my body in the cold water and make the most of living in Cornwall.
What would you say, now, to the Kris from 2009?
That life will be more than OK. That you will find happiness like you’ve never felt before.
• Glittering a Turd: How Surviving the Unsurvivable Taught Me to Live published by Unbound (£12.99). Penny Brohn UK Hub; shop.pennybrohn.org.uk
Natasha Draycott, CNM Nutritional Therapy Graduate
Juggling study with full-time work was a challenge but it taught me how much I can achieve if I put my mind to something. CNM is a wonderful place to study. The lecturers are truly amazing and fountains of knowledge!
My health struggles led me to studying at
CNM. Before studying nutrition, I always felt like there was something missing and that my job lacked passion. I wanted to help people but didn't know how. I quit my job and went travelling in India for six months to find my feet and discover what I truly desired in life. Upon my return, I had a eureka moment and the answer came to me.
My own health struggles led me on a journey. After healing myself naturally, I became fascinated by the impact that food has on the body and the science behind nutrition.
I wanted to manage my PCOS naturally, not
rely on medication. From aged sixteen onwards, I suffered from painful stomach cramps and amenorrhoea. I was referred to a specialist who diagnosed me with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and prescribed me Metformin (a type 2 diabetes drug) and birth control pills. I was also offered surgery to remove the cysts and a series of laser hair removal sessions. Living on medication and birth control wasn’t the long-term solution I wanted. So, after lots of research and with the help of my mum (who is a nurse), I looked into alternative remedies. However, as I was very young, nothing changed until after I came back to the UK from living abroad.
Changing my diet and lifestyle transformed
my health. Whilst living abroad I developed an unhealthy lifestyle of binge drinking and poor eating habits; both of which made me put on weight. This led to me developing more painful cysts. Medical professionals were hesitant to do further surgery so I had to figure out a way of coping with PCOS without needing constant medical assistance. After returning to the UK at 23, I decided to enrol at CNM. During my studies I gradually began to sort out my diet, supplement with specific nutrients and exercise regularly. Within a few years, my periods came back which was amazing.
My cycle is now regular and I have clear skin!
I loved learning about biomedicine in the first year before getting stuck into nutrition as it helped me understand what is happening in the body and why. The emphasis on science and evidence-based nutrition was fascinating. My whole outlook on food and illness has changed completely, and without CNM, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge and experience I do now to support my own health condition. Implementing what I’ve learnt at CNM has transformed my health. After suffering with irregular periods for 10 years, I now have a regular cycle and my skin has completely cleared up.
Studying at CNM has been a life-changing
journey. Since graduating, I’ve set up my own clinical practice from a private medical centre; however, I also offer virtual consultation from home so I can help clients around the world. What I enjoy most is getting to the root cause of a client’s health issue. The moment my clients start to see a change is so rewarding, especially if their health issues have been ongoing for years.
Studying at CNM has been such an incredible life-changing journey, and it’s not only impacted my health, but others too. I truly believe the more nutritionists there are with the knowledge taught by CNM, the more it could change the way our world sees health, food and medicine. I’m now in peak health and feel amazing. The most incredible thing is that I’m at my ideal weight and I have a healthy menstrual cycle.
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Geoff Don
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS
November is Men’s Health Awareness Month, so here, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital breaks down the five key health issues and their symptoms which you simply can’t afford to ignore.
Men have a poor reputation when it comes to looking after their own health. On average, they see a GP half as often as women do, but British men are paying the price for neglecting their health, as more than 100,000 die prematurely every year. It’s important to be aware of changes to your health, and see your GP immediately if you notice something that’s not right.
Here are the top 5 things men need to look out for:
A lump on your testicle
Testicular cancer is unusual in the fact that it most commonly affects younger people, aged 15 to 44. Over 2,000 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, and regular self-examination is recommended. If you notice a lump or swelling in your testicles, or feel a heaviness or dull ache in your scrotum, see your GP. Most testicular lumps are not cancer, but it is essential to have any abnormalities checked. Early detection gives you a much higher chance of a positive outcome.
Moles
Check your moles regularly and be aware of any change in colour or shape, or if they start bleeding. Most changes are harmless and are due to a non-cancerous increase in pigment cells in the skin. See your GP if a mole looks unusual or becomes itchy. It can then be checked and removed if necessary. To minimise your risk of skin cancer, during the summer months, avoid exposure to the sun between 11am and 3pm. Cover up, and when you're in the sun, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
Feeling depressed
If you’re depressed, you may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Depression is a real illness with real effects on your work, social and family life. Treatment usually involves a combination of self-help, talking therapies and drugs. Depression is more common in women, but men are far more likely to commit suicide. This may be because they are more reluctant to seek help. Financial stress, job insecurity and debt – not to mention the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 18 months – can all affect your mental wellbeing, but the simple act of talking to someone face-to-face about how you feel can be an enormous help.
Trouble urinating
When the prostate is enlarged, it can press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This can make it hard to pass urine, which can be a sign of prostate disease, including cancer. In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 30,000 diagnosed with it every year. Other symptoms include pain or burning when you pass urine and frequently waking up in the night to visit the bathroom. If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP. The prostate gland is crucial to your sex life, so get to know your prostate and what can go wrong with it.
Impotence
Most men encounter problems getting or keeping an erection (impotence) at some point, but you should see your GP if your erection problems last for several weeks. It’s not just your sexual health that could be at risk. Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. Generally, lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercise, can correct the problem, although some men may need medication such as Sidenafil (more commonly known as Viagra).
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, the Consultant team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital includes Urologists, Dermatologists and Clinical Psychologists, who can help. If you would like to book an appointment, call 0117 911 5339, or visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.
1 in 4 people are carriers of a genetic disease, and 5-10% of cancers are inheriтd genetic mutations - Imaginatal is available to sofтn your concerns.
Imaginatal are a private centre for ultrasound scanning with clinics in Bristol and Gloucester. In addition to their popular pregnancy scanning services, they now can offer a wide range of health screening services,
Cancer Screening
Cancer occurs when cells divide uncontrollably, destroying healthy tissue and often entire organs. Responsible for the death of one in six people globally, it is a huge issue that affects families everywhere.
Cancers can be sporadic and hereditary. Sporadic includes mutations that accumulate due to environmental factors, and are not inherited. This could include tobacco intake and certain viruses. Hereditary cancer is inherited, running in families. This means it can be passed down through generations.
Luckily, new technologies allow us to explore the chances of hereditary cancer, and whether an individual has inherited any genetic changes. Named ‘preSentia’ the screening discovers how cancer may develop in the future. Knowing a person carries certain genetic mutations can help the individual and their healthcare provider in taking preventative measures and manage a plan for the future. This increases the chances of successful treatment and even prevention.
Infertility Screening
Another test similar to this is the Radinia, which tests for genetic changes associated with infertility. This also means your healthcare provider can provide an informed map of decisions that help your chances of conceiving based on the genetic cause of infertility you have.
Radinia screening is available for both male and females, where there are many options for increasing the chances of conceiving. These include changes to lifestyle, medication, any necessary surgical procedures, cryopreservation and assisted reproductive technologies.
Genetic Disease Screening
The last screening available, which should be considered, is checking for any genetic diseases, is Adventia.
This allows any individual involved in conceiving a child to check for any genetic diseases they may be carrying. This minimises the risk of transmitting the disease to children, giving you insight into available reproductive choices. Being told what is being carried with the chance and severity of the condition allows parents to make informed decisions and next steps.
