Over Sixty Spring 2022 Digital

8 OPINION ISSUE 2 | 2022 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU B E N E F I T S O F L I V I N G W I T H O U T C R A M P S Uninterrupted sleep Enjoy activities without distraction Pain free workouts Minimise discomfort Always read the label and follow the directions for use. MAGNESIUM ANTISPASMODIC (Cramp Bark) It is unlikely that magnesium supplementation provides clinically meaningful cramp prophylaxis to older adults experiencing skeletal muscle cramps Cochrane review on Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps (Garrison et al, Sept 2020) EFFECTIVE MULTI-COMBINATION TREATMENT VS. MAGNESIUM ALONE FOR CRAMP RELIEF Being able to do things you love OPINION Alex Broom is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies at the University of Sydney. Photo: Getty Images One such important contribution was how she drew our attention to the experience of living with cancer. Fromdeveloping wellness retreats and cancer centres, to mobilising philanthropic activities, she invested heavily in concrete and enduring services and facili- ties to support people living with cancer. But perhaps the most vital contribution has been her outspoken positivity around the possibilities of living with cancer rather than battling it. Increasing availability and successes of modern cancer treatment have seen the rise of a large group of long-term survivors successfully living with the disease, for those where cure is not an option. Long- term survivors need very different supports from those in the midst of intense, potential- ly curative treatment, benefiting very often from wellness and wellbeing activities, such as those promoted by Olivia Newton-John. This includes the somewhat controversial, but widely employed, medicinal cannabis for symptom and pain management. Olivia Newton-John’s elevation of a life with cancer, and its wide ranging cultural impacts, has parallels with the well docu- mented Jade Goody and Angelina Jolie ‘ef- fects’, which, through drawing attention to one person’s journey, resulted in significant shifts in public willingness to screen, take preventative action, and greater openness in sharing the struggles of cancer survivorship and living through cancer treatment. The ‘Olivia Effect’, in the Australian con- text, has in turn been influential in going some way to normalise the experience of liv- ing with cancer, as well as providing, through philanthropy and additional government and non-government investment, addition- al access to cancer treatment, via the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre. But probably the greatest impact has been ONJ’s influence on cancer survivorship in the public mind. We live in a world where so-called ‘influ- encers’ dominate, and distraction, including via social media, is now a serious and profit- able business. Amidst this competition for our collective attention, celebrities play an increasingly important role in framing and mobilising action around key social issues. Getting the community mobilised around PROFESSOR ALEX BROOM OPINION O livia Newton-John’s death in August prompted an outpouring of reflections, sadness and celebrations of her life. For those of us who grew up with Grease and continued enthusiastic but horrible renditions of “You’re the One that I Want” throughout our lives, few compared to Olivia Newton-John. She is, undoubtedly, part of the cultural soundtrack of Australia. But what transpired over the years was much more than a com- ing-of-age classic – rather, a significant con- tribution to cancer care and survivorship. difficult topics like cancer can be tough – and celebrity efforts to create action aroundhard- to-discuss issues are increasingly important. This willingness to platform a key issue is even more potent when they hold signifi- cant public trust, as was the case with New- ton-John. This gave her the capacity to mobi- lise community awareness, promote interest in cancer screening, treatment and survivor- ship, and promote wellness activities and re- search that pushed the boundaries of tradi- tional medical care. The ‘Olivia Effect’ reflects both the rise in importance of celebrity disclosure, but in turn, the character and authenticity of her re- lationship with the community more broadly. This potent combination of having a cultural platform, and being trusted, has created an important legacy, whereby the ‘Olivia Effect’ continues to inspire hope andmotivate earlier screening and treatment for Australians. The ‘Olivia effect’ – her life-changing legacy Olivia Newton-John’s legacy helped shift attitudes towards cancer Olivia Newton-John is part of the cultural soundtrack of Australia Olivia Newton-John has changed how we live with cancer