{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"In At The Deep End","title":"When swimming becomes a breast cancer lifeline - with Dr Mei-Ling Lancashire","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2102,"description":"In Episode 2 of In At The Deep End, Salim is joined by Dr Mei-Ling Lancashire - GP, cancer survivor, single mum and swimmer. At the peak of her fitness, Mei-Ling discovered a breast lump and, as a GP with a background in breast cancer research, knew instantly what it meant. What followed was an aggressive diagnosis, gruelling chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and the challenge of holding everything together for her two young daughters.Swimming became her lifeline. From a childhood passion, cut short by societal misconceptions, to a primal fear of deep water and, eventually, open-water sessions at Shepperton Lake, her relationship with the water has been anything but simple. And that's exactly what makes her story so powerful.Key themes in this episode:Childhood swimming talent ended by 1980s attitudes towards women athletesBreast cancer diagnosis at peak fitness, and the shock of knowing immediately what it wasStaying active through chemotherapy and surgery as a single parentFundraising for Cancer Research UK and becoming the face of a national campaignOvercoming a deep-rooted fear of open waterNerve damage from surgery and chemo, and learning to reconnect with key swimming musclesThe role of Pilates in unlocking a better swim strokeSwimming as the last sport standing when injury takes everything else awayWhat it truly means to thrive, not just surviveUseful LinksSwimming & Open WaterShepperton Lake — open-water venue mentioned in the episodeHampton Pool — where Mei-Ling rediscovered swimming during the pandemicSwim Serpentine — open-water event completed during her recoverySwim with SalimSwimLab — Learn to swim with SalimCancer AwarenessCancer Research UK — the charity Mei-Ling has fundraised for throughout her recoveryBreast Cancer Now — helpline: 0808 800 6000Dr Mei-Ling LancashireFollow Mei-Ling on InstagramDonate to Dr Mei Ling's Cancer Research UK fundraising page here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/mei-lings-giving-pageBe a part of the show:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/FpnWipFnX7j-_6lV_aI5Q9A6Au1CU8O6osUzKr79alA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYzU5/ZjY1N2QxNGQxZjZk/MTcwZTRiYmIyZDhk/NWVkYi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}