{"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.\nSwimming 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.\nKey themes in this episode:\nChildhood swimming talent ended by 1980s attitudes towards women athletes\nBreast cancer diagnosis at peak fitness, and the shock of knowing immediately what it was\nStaying active through chemotherapy and surgery as a single parent\nFundraising for Cancer Research UK and becoming the face of a national campaign\nOvercoming a deep-rooted fear of open water\nNerve damage from surgery and chemo, and learning to reconnect with key swimming muscles\nThe role of Pilates in unlocking a better swim stroke\nSwimming as the last sport standing when injury takes everything else away\nWhat it truly means to thrive, not just survive\nUseful Links\n\nSwimming & Open Water\nShepperton Open Water Swim: sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk\nHampton Pool — where Mei-Ling rediscovered swimming during the pandemic\nSwim Serpentine — open-water event completed during her recovery\nSwim with Salim\nSwimLab — Learn to swim with Salim\nCancer Awareness\nCancer Research UK — the charity Mei-Ling has fundraised for throughout her recovery\nBreast Cancer Now — helpline: 0808 800 6000\nDr Mei-Ling Lancashire\nFollow Mei-Ling on Instagram\nDonate to Dr Mei Ling's Cancer Research UK fundraising page here:...","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}