Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer

Steve Clark was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2013. He aims to give hope to others with advanced cancer. Campaigns Ambassador with CRUK.

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

As my content doesn’t get many (if any) views on this platform I won’t be posting here in the future.

You can follow Strive for Five on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

I hope to see you there.

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

The whole cancer community desperately needs the government's cancer plan to drive change and deliver improvements in care for all of us. We now need to hold the government to account to deliver the plan FOR cancer patients.
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[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

This was one of those "pinch me moments"

I never thought I'd be invited to 10 Downing Street & I was honoured to be asked to speak on behalf of cancer patients to introduce The Secretary of State, @wesstreeting

I hope that I represented @CR_UK and my fellow patients well
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[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I highlighted that the UK is falling further behind the rest of the world in actual results FOR cancer patients

I used this platform, on World Cancer Day to celebrate the successes that have been achieved in cancer and to call for improved care for cancer patients
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[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

Now we have to hold the government accountable to deliver the plan FOR cancer patients. @DHSCgovuk

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

On #WorldCancerDay the biggest news for cancer in the UK landed today - the 10-year Cancer Plan
We desperately needs the service to improve and I hope that this plan can truly be a turning point for cancer.
@CR_UK has summarised the plan:
https://t.co/zCnesYUfHF

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

@GenEdwards And you too :)

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

Not my usual Monday night!
Watch this space for more information over the coming days!

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

Busy week #RepresentingPatients

It started in Manchester on the faculty for Junior Investigator Network Group for new researchers

Friday I was in London for an energetic and far reaching round table on trust in healthcare.

Now for cuddling up with my scruffy mutt Tommy!

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

The fact that some scientific journals are now receptive to patients as lead authors reflects the growing recognition of the value of people with lived experience of their disease 2/2

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I'm proud to share my first paper as lead author, on the vital topic of INTEGRATING PATIENTS INTO PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH.

This is an example of how I'm trying to improve cancer care. #RepresentingPatients

You can read the full paper here:

https://t.co/JnhqRO4b1J

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

Please join me in signing this petition asking the NHS to fund free dental care for people who have head & neck cancer.

Surely this is a no-brainer for the government?

https://t.co/shGly3qAra

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I was honoured to be invited to write this piece for Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation, sharing how lived experience can positively shape research - a topic I'm passionate about!

#RepresentingPatients
#PatientEngagement

https://t.co/q645U52ui4

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

How long does it take to achieve change - it took 11 years to get Avastin approved for NHS prescription for bowel cancer! We eventually got it over the line just before Christmas.

The key factors are determination, resilience and teamwork

This was my entry to campaigning

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I’m excited to be #RepresentingPatients at the 8th Patient Centricity & Collaboration Congress 2026 Europe in London on 25 and 26 February.

My topic is one I’m passionate about: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE NEEDS A COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION

Who’ll be there?

#PCCWC26

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

12 years ago I had a fab party go say thank you to all the friends and family who helped me get through my stage 4 diagnosis, surgery and intensive chemo.

I couldn’t have done it without their amazing help and support.

A great time was had by all!

[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I’m trying to make the most of my bonus years - enjoying every day, sharing hope, and campaigning for improved care in cancer. 
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[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

WHY ME? I ask this about survival, why am I still here?
I’ve lost so many fab people to cancer yet I’m still here, over 12 years after a stage 4 diagnosis.

My theory is that it’s a combination of mindset and medical advances
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[Strive for Five - Living Life with Stage 4 Cancer @StriveforfiveBC]

I’ve actually been labelled an “outlier” and an “anomaly” many times because of my longevity with stage 4. But combining all of us “outliers” gives a trend of increasing survival - there are more and more of us living longer and fuller lives with stage 4 cancer. 
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