Sea swimming helps patients 'forget about cancer'

Patients being treated for cancer in Devon are using cold water swimming as therapy.

Chill Coach Ellie Ricketts has encouraged 150 patients at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth to complete an eight-week course called Into the Blue.

Ms Ricketts said: "Cold water can really help with anxiety, depression, pain and isolation."

Paddy McMonagle, 56, who has has stage four prostate cancer said: "This gives you a release away from thinking about cancer all the time. It's always in the back of your mind but as soon as the cold hits you, you forget about it."

Ms Ricketts works at the Mustard Tree Macmillan cancer support centre at Derriford Hospital but runs the swimming course in her own time.

She said patients who graduated from the eight-week initial course could join The Whole Shoal - a group which continued to swim together.

Ms Ricketts said: "People don't necessarily want to go and see a therapist or go to a group which is about sitting down and talking, but they might come and do something fun.

"Cold water gives you an amazing uplift. We get all those neurotransmitters that fire off when we are in cold water. One of them is dopamine so when we get out, we feel great."

She said around half of those who took part in the course were going through treatment and were supported by their clinical team.

Lucy Bennett, 59 was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023.

"My cancer can come back so I'm on medication every day which can make me feel unwell," she said.

Ms Bennett said she experienced anxiety when she completed her surgery but the swimming had made her "feel like living again".

"Our little group get each other. And when we go in the sea, it's amazing. I'm going to continue it as it's a massive help," she said.

Nicki Farris, 58, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in June 2024.

She has had a mastectomy and some lymph nodes removed and is currently on hormone therapy.

"To be with all these people who get it, is amazing. I will be carrying on doing it afterwards," she said.

Naomi Davenport, 41, is recovering from early stage breast cancer.

She was referred to the course by a physiotherapist at The Mustard Tree.

"I feel like it's building my confidence, I can see an improvement in my fitness and my strength," she said.

Ms Ricketts said a lifeguard was on the water with the patients throughout the sessions.

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