So, you’re a pharmacist. You’ve spent years in school and countless hours at work helping people get well. But what if there was a way to help people not just get well, but stay well? To prevent disease before it starts?

This is a question that I grappled with as an Oncology Pharmacist. I worked with many cancer patients, counseling them on their chemotherapy regimens and how to manage their side effects.

While counseling patients, I would get a lot of questions on what I could recommend to help them respond better to their treatment, what would help them recover faster, and how they could avoid a recurrence.

At the time, I didn’t know the answers to these questions, but I decided to look into what information was out there on this topic. What I found out shocked me. I realized that there was so much someone with cancer could do to heal from cancer.

Treating cancer is about treating the whole person and not just the tumor itself. This meant looking at lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, environment, and social support. I realized that if I could help people make these changes to their lives and improve the quality of their health, then they may be able to reduce their risk of recurrent cancer or even prevent themselves from developing cancer in the first place.

This realization led me to make the decision to transition from an Oncology Pharmacist to a Certified Cancer Coach. I wanted to be able to empower people with cancer and help foster lifestyle changes that could improve their health outcomes.

Cancer coaching is a burgeoning field that is expected to grow exponentially in the next decade. As a cancer coach, I work with clients one-on-one to help them make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing cancer. I also provide support and guidance to those who have already been diagnosed with cancer, helping them navigate their treatment options and make decisions that are right for them.

If you are currently a practicing pharmacist, you may be wondering how you can make the leap into this new and exciting field, then read on. In this blog, I’ll provide you with the tools and information necessary to help make your transition from pharmacist to cancer coach a successful one.

Step 1: Get educated

The role of a cancer coach is multifaceted, but ultimately, your goal is to empower your clients to take control of their health. In order to do this, you must first educate yourself on the latest research surrounding cancer prevention and treatment. This means staying up-to-date on the latest scientific findings, as well as staying abreast of new developments in the world of integrative medicine. Once you have a solid understanding of the latest research, you can begin to share this information with your clients.

Before I made the leap from pharmacist to cancer coach, I spent several months going through articles and books on integrative cancer management. I took the time to read up on the latest research and topics related to cancer coaching. I also subscribed to newsletters, attended webinars, and enrolled in continuing education courses related to cancer. I wanted to know as much about cancer, its causes, and its treatments as I possibly could.

Additionally, I enrolled in several different cancer coaching certification programs to learn the basics of nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer. 

As a pharmacist looking to coach or guide those with cancer, you might also choose to take courses that focus on topics such as grief counseling, coping with chronic illness, and dealing with stress. These certifications will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively coach your clients through their cancer journey.

Step 2: Network with professionals.

Once you have the knowledge, start reaching out to people who are already working in cancer coaching – either as practitioners or clients. Reach out to other cancer coaches, join online communities, and attend conferences to develop relationships in the cancer coaching industry.

Networking will help you gain valuable insight into the industry and make key connections that can open up job opportunities. Additionally, attending conferences can help you stay up to date on advancements in cancer coaching. Make sure to participate in conversations and ask questions to build relationships within the community.

Finally, be active on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook to connect with both clients and other cancer coaches. By networking, you will be able to share information about your services as well as benefit from the experiences of others in the industry. This will help you establish yourself as an expert in cancer coaching.

Step 3: Take the plunge.

Once you have gained some knowledge and built your network, it’s time to take the plunge and become a cancer coach yourself. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re available for coaching services. Start by offering free consultations or working with local cancer charities that are looking for volunteers to help out with research and client support.

You can also look for opportunities to join cancer-focused groups and organizations. There are many online resources such as websites, blogs, and social media pages that offer helpful advice and case studies from experienced cancer coaches. By networking with other professionals in the field, you can create a strong support system of experts who can help guide you as you take on this new role.

Another great way to kickstart your career as a cancer coach is to attend conferences and workshops related to cancer care and coaching. Not only will you learn about the latest advancements in the field, but you’ll also be able to meet other professionals who can help mentor you as you begin your journey.

Step 4: Market yourself.

After you have built up your confidence and established your practice, start marketing yourself as a cancer coach. Reach out to potential clients directly or through referrals from your network. Focus on building relationships with them and developing a rapport before trying to sell them services.

Create marketing materials, build a website and social media profiles, join online directories, and make sure that you stay active on relevant forums and discussion boards. You can reach out to other health professionals and pitch them to offer your services to their clients dealing with cancer. Many Naturopaths, Massage therapists, Integrative Oncologists, or Cancer Wellness Centers may have clients that would be interested in working with a cancer coach.

You can partner with other health and wellness coaches or life coaches in a collaborative practice. If they have clients with a cancer diagnosis, you can offer to create a coaching program or a few coaching sessions to provide information regarding cancer recovery and recurrence prevention.  

You can also advertise your services online or in local publications. This includes social media advertising on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, or YouTube, whatever works best for you. You can also create Google or Pinterest ads to bring in new clients.

One thing that I did was to start a Facebook Group for women with breast cancer who would like to use diet and lifestyle strategies to help with recovery and prevention. I now have over 1000 women in my Facebook group and growing! I offer free coaching to many of the women in my group and a number of them have gone on to become clients.

Step 5: Stay informed.

The field of cancer coaching is constantly evolving, so it’s important that you stay informed about any new research or treatments. Make sure to read up on the latest developments and attend seminars and conferences relevant to your practice.

You want to stay up-to-date on information that will help you support cancer patients with evidence-based treatments. The goal is to help cancer patients and survivors improve their quality of life by helping them meet their health needs and wellness goals. As a holistic healer, you will also provide the guidance and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.

It’s also essential that you continue to refine your coaching skills. Enroll in a coaching certification course or training program to stay up-to-date with the latest coaching techniques. This will also help you build credibility and trust with your clients, as it shows them that you’re constantly striving to become a better coach.

Conclusion

A cancer coach can help patients and their families navigate the healthcare system, provide emotional support, and guide them through lifestyle changes that may prevent or help manage their cancer. In addition, they can give advice on diets, nutrition, stress management, and complementary treatments. If you have been affected by cancer, holistic coaches can play an important role in your recovery and help you feel better with practical tips and tools. 

Becoming a cancer coach is an incredible opportunity for pharmacists to use their knowledge and experience to help people prevent and manage cancer. As healthcare professionals, we already have the skills to help others.

There are many ways to start, and while it may take some time and effort to get certified, do your research, and develop your business, the rewards of helping people beat cancer are immeasurable. You can go at your own pace and with dedication and hard work, you can be a successful cancer coach in no time, not to mention positively impacting millions of people at the same time. 

If you are currently a practicing pharmacist and are interested in making a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families, becoming a cancer coach may be the perfect career choice for you. 

Cancer coaching is a gratifying profession that allows you to work closely with clients to help them make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing cancer. If you are passionate about health and well-being and want to make a difference by improving the lives of others, then becoming a cancer coach could be your calling. 

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