Scott Lyons
Scott Lyons is a young man with a noble aspiration – to change the state of health in his community and see his people live longer, healthier lives. He is an active member of the Redfern community in which he was born and raised, a personal trainer, as well as a student at the University of Technology Sydney, where he is undertaking a bachelor of sport and exercise science.
As a trainer, he understands the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, but it was his grandmother’s breast cancer diagnosis that inspired him to set a positive example for his friends and family and start a conversation about how to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer:
I believe setting a healthy example is important because I don’t want my kids looking after me when I get older. I just want to enjoy myself; I don’t want my kids or my family to be upset while I’m sick in hospital.
Scott’s grandmother, Melva Kennedy, survived breast cancer because it was detected in the early stages. He says he would like for all families to have a similar story, to be able to say that their loved ones caught it early and survived. He learnt first-hand that cancer is not a death sentence, that it is treatable if caught early, and that healthy living and regular screening are the best ways to increase your chances of survival.
Cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, but if you do have it, the earlier you find out, the better. So just go get checked.
If you’re confused about what to get screened for and how, or what lifestyle changes you should make, speak to your doctor or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for information and support.
My name is Scott Lyons. I’m 22 years old. I was born and raised in Redfern.
I’m currently studying at university, doing a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise science. I’m also a personal trainer.
I’m really passionate about healthy living because I want to see change in my community.
I do believe my generation is changing. We’re changing through sport. We’re making changes in lifestyle. We’re doing like rugby league.
We’re training regularly and everyone’s like, committed to not drinking, not smoking.
Everyone’s trying to change and, but there is room for improvement. We have to set a standard first, and then I believe through that, we can then reach out and try and attract the older population into it so we can get our aunties and uncles, grandparents, etc.
Setting a healthy example is important because I don’t want my kids looking after me when I get older.
I just want to enjoy myself.
I don’t want my kids or my family to be upset while I’m in hospital, waiting times. All those kind of things. I’d rather just be out having fun and enjoying myself.
If you’re not feeling well, you just need to take action. You really just need to go to the doctor. You need to get screened, get sorted, Just get it done. That’s my advice.
My personal experience with cancer is pretty head on.
My grandmother had it. They detected it in the early stages, though. She had breast cancer. She survived.
So it’s really good to see her around more now. She did radiotherapy. She got through it all. 100%. She’s better.
And I just really wish that other families in our situation get to have a great outcome like this because it’s overall, we just feel amazing.
I’m really happy to have Nan around. Spend more time with her. She’s real funny, so it’s good to see her out and about.
Cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, but if you do have it, the earlier you find out, the better. So just go get checked.