A diagnosis is often stressful, and the person may experience a series of changes and losses, such as the loss of good health, temporary or permanent changes to appearance, not being able to work or do normal activities, changed financial plans, a loss of independence, changed relationships, and perhaps a shift in how the person sees themselves.

It can take time to adjust to these changes.

Cancer Council's Cancer Information and Support Services offer a range of support options and practical suggestions, including podcasts, to help people deal with the shock of cancer.

With World Meditation Day taking place on Friday 21 May, I would like to share our new podcast series Finding Calm During Cancer.

The meditation and relaxation podcast series, narrated by psychologist Dr Lisbeth Lane, highlights the role of mindfulness in reducing stress and anxiety during cancer treatment.

Recent research from Cancer Council and the University of Newcastle shows that many people diagnosed with cancer experience a high level of distress. It is important for everyone to explore ways to manage emotional distress and seek professional support if it is ongoing.

To listen to our Finding Calm During Cancer podcast, visit: cancercouncil.com.au/calmpodcast or download it to your smartphone or iPad via Apple Podcasts or another podcast app so you can listen anywhere, anytime.

If you are affected by a cancer diagnosis and would like to talk to someone, call Cancer Council 13 11 20. Our experienced health professionals can offer information and support and can link you to services near you.

Rugby in the Pacific 2022 could be bigger than the latest book I picked up at my local library today.

A book about a young girl's path from obscurity to turning the hopes of a six-year-old into a global star. A girl with enough grit and curiosity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. She was worldly enough to knock-out the trolls, look past the glare of the bright lights of life and give many young girls a new direction in their life.

She was lucky, she had strong parents and a gift to look out for others and by chance, very astute management of her sporting career. Her spirit was built on the simple desire, to kick a footy through the goal posts, rather than watch her seven-year-old brother, do his training runs.

She was five-years-old and a fighter, at that time girls didn't play footy, not even AFW - the W was about to be born. Fifteen years later, Queenland had the highest number of girls playing AFL, outside of Melbourne, in the world.

Now she can tell her children, of the day she added a W to Australia's greatest logo. The AFL (W)...thanks Tayla. Very early on, her family realised, this girl was ...a fighter too ... much, much ... "More than a kick" Tayla Harris is a fighter.

I am a 71-year-old pensioner, from NSW. I have two daughters with their own children. I saw the spirit of Tayla in their young eyes. Your greatest luck was a loving dad. Tell him you grew up to live the part he missed.

You made his teenage dream come true - making the Carlton AFL... you even added W... just for him. I love sport too but I found, the journey of my life in rugby, both union and league. Thanks for the read Tayla, you are right - equality and inclusion are so important in the world right now, alongside burgeoning poverty - 60 per cent of the world's population live on our doorstep... 25 per cent are drop dead poor.

Make Canberra your next goal.