Taking Control of Cancer
North East London Cancer Alliance 67 episodes Nov 12, 2026
Taking Control of Cancer is a podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance that serves as a practical guide to addressing cancer myths, fears, and barriers. It aims to improve prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and care, with episodes designed for both patients and healthcare professionals. The series emphasizes early diagnosis and reducing health inequalities. Hosted by Steve Bland, an award-winning podcaster known for co-presenting the BBC's You, Me and the Big C, it features regular guests such as Dr Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer of the alliance.
Episodes
Episode 74: Exploring the role of the FDS Nurse
Every step in the cancer diagnostic pathway matters, and from the moment a patient is referred with suspected cancer, the speed and quality of communication, coordination and support can make a significant difference to both their experience and the time it takes to reach a diagnosis.In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Abbie, a Faster Diagnosis Stand
Episode 73: Breaking cancer news - October 2026
It's another busy month for cancer news and Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are back to break it down for you. In this episode we cover Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Pope's lung cancer surgery plus the new 'Lung cancer is the same in every language' campaign. And we've got the worrying news that experts looking at UK, US and Dutch data found ‘significant inc
Episode 72: Discovering breast cancer breakthroughs for tomorrow
In the third and final special episode from the new Breast Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, host Steve Bland delves into the world of research to find out what's happening in north east London right now that could change breast cancer care over the next decade. Steve chats to Cleo Bishop who explains the 'one-two punch' theory that's been ten years in the making, and talks thro
Episode 71: Helping women with breast cancer live well today
In our second episode from the new Breast Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, host Steve Bland speaks to Amie Murphy, the centre's lead nurse for breast cancer, and patient Helen Nicholson, who was on the Patient Advisory Group, which informed the design of the centre.Together they explore how the centre will transform breast cancer care in this part of London, the role of patient
Episode 70: Transforming breast cancer care
In the first of three episodes recorded at the brand new breast cancer centre of excellence at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, host Steve Bland finds out how the idea for the groundbreaking centre came about, how it's going to transform the way breast cancer is treated in this part of London and how Barts Charity has helped fund the centre. To do that, Steve is joined by Laura Johnson, the sur
Episode 69: Breaking cancer news - September 2026
In September's wrap-up of breaking cancer news Steve Bland and Femi Odewale chat about the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and look back on a hotter than normal summer and the skin cancer risks that came with it. They also highlight the importance of research after a mum in Cambridge hailed the importance of a clinical trial in saving her life after a womb cancer diagnosis.They als
Episode 68: Telling breast cancer to 'Go and Do One'
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Deborah Fox, whose life changed after attending what she thought would be a routine breast screening appointment. She had no symptoms and felt completely well when she received her invitation for a mammogram. However, further tests following her screening led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.Deborah shares her exper
Episode 67: Breaking cancer news - August 2026
In this month's cancer news round-up, Steve Bland is joined by the Alliance's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Angela Wong, to chew over August 2026. Steve and Angela talk about news that The Office star Lucy Davis's cancer is incurable and how 12 pharmacies across the East Midlands and London are now offering the EndoSign capsule sponge test to patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux
Episode 66: Making cancer movies - sharing a powerful cancer story through film
What happens when someone living with cancer decides to pick up a camera and tell their story? In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Anne Isaksson, a cancer patient whose powerful film, This Is Everything, documents her diagnosis, treatment and recovery at Barts Health.With treatment underway and the outcome uncertain, her film follows clinics, corrido
Episode 65: Moving forward together - using exercise to transform life with and beyond cancer
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by the charity MOVE Against Cancer, and some of the people at the heart of the inspiring 5k Your Way movement. Together, they explore how physical activity can play a powerful role in cancer prevention, treatment, recovery, and quality of life.The conversation features Caroline Frith, a 5k Your Way ambassador from Nor
Episode 64: Breaking cancer news - July 2026
In this month's news round-up, Steve and Femi cover everything going on in July 2026 including cervical cancer news, an AI alert that could help spot breast cancer early and a warning from a former England footballer about skin cancer.1. Cervical Cancer Deaths Fall to Zero in Women Given Vaccine: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/l0058gzn2. Addenbrooke’s innovation grows access to advanced
Episode 63: Taking control through prehabilitation
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but what if there were ways to help patients feel stronger, more prepared and more confident before treatment even begins?In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland explores the growing role of prehabilitation – often known as “prehab” – and how it can support people before, during and after cancer treatment. Prehabilitation foc
Episode 62: Breaking cancer news - June 2026
In June's news episode Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are joined by Nellie Gbadebo, CEO & Founder of Touchy-Feely, the UK's leading creative and cultural cancer organisation, to talk about the month's cancer news AND a very special event on July 18th in Shoreditch!The North East London Cancer Alliance and Touchy-Feely are taking over Shoreditch and turning it into The Girls' Bathroom. T
Episode 60: Starting the cancer conversation
Early detection saves lives, and your GP is your first line of defence. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, recorded live at a men’s health event on World Prostate Cancer Day, host Steve Bland speaks with Dr Toby Lambeth, GP and Health Inequalities Lead (Tower Hamlets and Hackney) at Operose Health, who is passionate about improving early cancer diagnosis and tackling health ineq
Episode 61: Checking your prostate cancer risk
Recorded on World Prostate Cancer Day, this episode Taking Control of Cancer explores one of the most important ways to improve outcomes for men with prostate cancer: understanding your risk and getting checked early. In this special episode, host Steve Bland is joined by Dr Bunmi Olajide, a GP in north east London and a passionate advocate for raising awareness of prostate cancer, partic
Episode 59: Busting myths about skin cancer
Following last year’s episode on protecting your skin and staying safe in the sun, Taking Control of Cancer returns to tackle one of the biggest challenges in skin health: misinformation. In this episode, host Steve Bland is joined once again by Dr Tom McLeod, Clinical Lead for the Skin Expert Reference Group at North East London Cancer Alliance, and Rosie O’Dea, Project Manager in Diagno
Episode 58: Nutrition and eating well for a healthier life
What we eat plays a powerful role in our health. In this episode, host Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale, Managing Director of North East London Cancer Alliance; Nitu Pasricha, Public Health Associate Nutritionist; and Amanda Henry, who has had blood cancer, to explore how healthy eating can help reduce the risk of cancer and support people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. F
Episode 57: Breaking cancer news - May 2026
It's May 2026 and we are back with another news episode where we dissect the ways in which cancer is making the news. In this episode Steve and Femi look into a new quantitative ultrasound which enables accurate prediction of three-year survival in locally advanced breast cancer; a new AI-driven way of identifying how patients with advanced bowel cancer will respond to a drug that was rec
Episode 54: Launching our Workforce Strategy
In the first of three episodes recorded at a special event at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, host Steve Bland explores the North East London Cancer Alliance's new Workforce Strategy with guests including Yvonne Beadle, Workforce Programme Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and Alison Hill, the Director of Cancer and Palliative Care Nursing at Barts Health NHS Trust.With cancer se
Episode 56: Launching our Health Inequalities Strategy
In the third and final episode of three special episodes recorded at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, host Steve Bland hears all about the new Health Inequalities Strategy, launched by the Alliance with support from the team at Claremont. Steve is joined by guests including Claremont managing director Ian Fannon; Caroline Cook, Early Diagnosis Programme Lead at the North East London Cancer Allian
Episode 55: Launching our Artificial Intelligence Strategy
In the second of our three special episodes recorded at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, host Steve Bland delves into the brand new AI and Digital Strategy launched by the North East London Cancer Alliance, with support from Pathfinder Intelligence. Steve chats to Wayne Douglas, formerly of the Alliance, George Hawkins and Sofija Venckute from Pathfinder and Dip Mukherjee, Consultant Upper GI &am
Episode 53: Breaking cancer news - April 2026
In this April 2026 news roundup episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale explore Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the story of Joel, whose cancer was discovered after returning a bowel screening kit. Joel's encouraging others to do the same, as is Olympian Iwan Thomas. Former 400m runner Iwan says "please don't die of ignorance" after being diagnosed with cancerous cells in his bowel after i
Episode 52: Returning to work after cancer
Returning to work after cancer can be both a hopeful milestone and a daunting challenge. For many people living with and beyond cancer, work represents normality, purpose and financial security — but it can also bring anxiety, fatigue and difficult emotions. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Mark Guymer, CEO of the charity Cancer Support UK, and Sa
Episode 51: Developing a world-class workforce strategy
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Dr Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer, Sarita Yaganti, Programme Lead for Personalised Cancer Care, and Yvonne Beadle, Workforce Programme Manager, all from North East London Cancer Alliance.Together, they explore the development of the Alliance’s new Workforce Strategy and the extensive collaboration, insight, and
Episode 50: Harnessing AI to improve cancer outcomes in North East London
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Wayne Douglas, Diagnosis and Treatment Programme Lead, and Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer, both from the North East London Cancer Alliance; and George Hawkins from Pathfinder Intelligence, to explore how the alliance is developing a comprehensive AI strategy aimed at improving cancer outcomes across the region.
Episode 49: Breaking cancer news - March 2026
It's that time of the month again when Steve Bland and Femi Odewale dissect the month's cancer news - and this time it's March 2026. Steve and Femi cover National CNS Day, how the alliance is reducing cancer inequalities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities; research from the European Code Against Cancer which says tackling air pollution should be part of government work to cut cance
Episode 48: Caring across borders - sharing the journeys of international cancer nurses
In this episode, host Steve Bland is joined by three international nurses currently working in cancer services across north east London - Angie Pol and Robbie Castro, Clinical Nurse Specialists at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Kristine Mangaliag, a Clinical Nurse Specialist Lung Cancer at Whipps Cross Hospital.Together, they explore what it truly means to be an international nurse in the
Episode 47: Strengthening cancer nursing across London
In this episode, host Steve Bland chats to Kate Williams, the Macmillan Cancer CNS Development Lead (CDL) for North East London Cancer Alliance, and Rani Petros, a Clinical Nurse Specialist Uro Oncology at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, to delve into an exciting new pilot project that aims to transform the future of cancer nursing across London. The CDL pilot project is a three-year initiativ
Episode 46: Listening to our communities
The North East London Cancer Alliance has been working closely with local communities to develop a cancer inequalities strategy that aims to close the gap in cancer outcomes across the region.In this episode, host Steve Bland is joined by Caroline Cook, Early Diagnosis Programme Lead at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and Tiago Moutela, Associate Director at Claremont. Together, th
Episode 45: Following up on bowel screening - the colonoscopy
Getting a bowel screening result is just the first step. For some, follow-up tests are needed to make sure everything is okay. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland talks through what happens after bowel screening, what further tests might be recommended, and what you can expect from the process. We also highlight why attending these appointments is so essential an
Episode 44: Breaking cancer news - February 2026
In February's cancer news round-up, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale talk oesophageal cancer month, they explore a new pilot to use complex HIPEC surgery to treat ovarian cancer and discover how AI might help detect more early stage breast cancer.Plus Steve and Femi look at a new plan from NHS England to change bowel cancer screening to help detect more cancers earlier and potentially save li
Episode 43: Launching a virtual hospital tour
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, Steve Bland is joined by Jay Scott-Nicholls, the Creative Director at Circus, and Dr Adam P Januszewski PhD MRCP, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Quality and Safety Lead at Barts Cancer Centre to explore how digital innovation is transforming the experience of cancer care across north east London, focusing on the launch of a new virtual hospital
Episode 42: Celebrating World Cancer Day
For this World Cancer Day special episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, Managing Director of North East London Cancer Alliance, are joined by Dr Jagan John — a GP at Aurora Medcare, GPwSI in Cardiology at BDCHS, Personalised Care Clinical Director for NHS England (London), and Primary Care Board Representative for NEL ICB. Together, they explore the significance of World Cancer Day, the
Episode 41: Understanding bowel screening
Bowel screening saves lives, but many people are unsure of what it involves or why it’s so important. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we go back to basics to explain what bowel screening is, who can get it, and how it works. Steve is joined by Caroline Cook, Programme Lead for Early Diagnosis at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and Leena Khagram from the NHS Bowel Scree
Episode 40: Breaking cancer news - January 2026
Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are back with another look at the ways in which cancer is making the news. This time we're looking back on a January that's featured an update on King Charles's treatment, a new screening checker to see if YOU qualify for any screening programmes (click here), a cancer diagnosis for a football legend and a call from a Yorkshire woman diagnosed with early stage
Episode 39: Improving the mental health of cancer patients
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Caroline Dancyger, Psychosocial Clinical Lead for the North East London Cancer Alliance, to discuss the importance of addressing not just the physical impact of cancer, but also the emotional, psychological, and social challenges that come with it. Caroline explains what the term ‘psychosocial support’ means, how p
Episode 38: Breaking cancer news - December 2025
In this episode Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale and Paul Thomas, from the North East London Cancer Alliance, to dissect the big cancer stories making the news in December 2025.In this episode:1. The UK's National Screening Committee has recommended that only a very small group of men at high risk of prostate cancer should be screened for the disease. Read more here, check out our po
Episode 37: Getting men to talk about their prostate
In this powerful episode of Taking Control of Cancer, the North East London Cancer Alliance shines a spotlight on prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers affecting men, yet one surrounded by silence, stigma, and late diagnosis.Host Steve Bland welcomes two remarkable guests, Yinka and Mike, both prostate cancer survivors whose journeys have transformed them into advocates
Episode 36: Amplifying Voices - Improving the cancer patient experience
In this episode, Steve Bland is joined by Sarah Koya, Patient Experience and Engagement Lead, at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and patients Samina Hussain and Dawn Williams to discuss the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) — an important national initiative that gives people living with and beyond cancer the opportunity to share their views on the care they receive
Episode 35: Breaking Cancer News - November 2025
In our latest round up of all the ways in which cancer is making the news, host Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, the managing director the North East London Cancer Alliance, talk Movember, find out why ultra-processed foods are being linked with bowel cancer and discuss a survey carried out by Cancer Research UK which found that more than half of Britons who have a possible cancer symptom do
Episode 34: Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
In this episode Steve Bland and guests talk pancreatic cancer - a cancer often called the “silent cancer” because its symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss. But awareness can make a life-saving difference. Steve is joined by Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, Head of Influencing and Health Improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, and Rishi Athwal, Early Diagnosis Project Manager, North East London Can
Episode 33: Breaking Cancer News in October 2025
In the third of our special episodes looking at how cancer is making the news, Steve Bland and North East London Cancer Alliance Managing Director Femi Odewale sift through the stories that made the news in October 2025.Steve and Femi talk Strictly, hip-shaking, Movember moustaches, breast screening and why there are calls for menopause support to be included in cancer treatment plans.Plu
Episode 32: Sharing Lynda’s Story: Love, loss and lessons in breast cancer care
This episode of Taking Control of Cancer 'Sharing Lynda’s Story: Love, loss and lessons in breast cancer care', is dedicated to Lynda Soltysiak.In this deeply moving episode, host Steve Bland speaks to Chris Soltysiak, a patient and carer representative from the North East London Cancer Alliance, as he shares the story of his late wife, Lynda. Lynda dedicated over 30 years of her life to
Episode 31: Uncovering neuroendocrine cancer
In this episode host Steve Bland and guests explore a lesser known cancer that impacts thousands of people each year in England. Around 6,000 people each year in England are diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, but because symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions, diagnosis is often delayed, making awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals vital.Steve is jo
Episode 30: Breaking Cancer News - September 2025
In the second of our special episodes looking at how cancer is making the news, Steve Bland and North East London Cancer Alliance Managing Director Femi Odewale sift through the stories making the news in September 2025.From two of sport's biggest names inspiring through talking about their own cancer stories, to a chart topper rerturning to the stage after breast cancer surgery, this epi
Episode 29: Leading from experience - a hospital CEO’s cancer story
In this episode host Steve Bland headed to Whipps Cross University Hospital to speak to hospital CEO Dr Amanjit Jhund, whose unique experience, from hospital leader to cancer patient and back, offers rare and invaluable insights. We explore how his personal experience with a stage 2, grade 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour shaped his leadership, deepened his commitment to equity and inte
Episode 28 (part two): Breast screening
In this special two-part episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we’re diving into a topic that could save lives - breast screening. Every year, breast screening helps detect cancer early, when it's most treatable. Yet many people still feel unsure, anxious, or even avoid making the appointment. So in these episodes Steve Bland is joined by Mansi Tara, Health Promotion Lead, and Claire Maben
Episode 28 (part one): Breast screening
In this special two-part episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we’re diving into a topic that could save lives - breast screening. Every year, breast screening helps detect cancer early, when it's most treatable. Yet many people still feel unsure, anxious, or even avoid making the appointment. So in this episode Steve Bland is joined by Mansi Tara, Health Promotion Lead, and Claire Mabena,
Episode 27: Improving life after cancer
For many patients, completing their cancer treatment is only just the start of difficult times ahead. Life After Cancer, a specialist charity led by founder Steph Davies, is aiming to change that. That's because 92% of their cancer community told them they find life after cancer harder than cancer treatment.In this episode host Steve Bland is joined by Steph and Sarita Yaganti, the Progra
Episode 26: Breaking Cancer News – August 2025
In the first of a new mini-series of monthly episodes looking at cancer in the news, host Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale, Managing Director, and Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Lead, from North East London Cancer Alliance.Together, they unpack the latest cancer headlines from across England, exploring what they mean for patients, cancer services, and the work of the Alli
Episode 25 (part two): Checking your balls
This part two of our episode from Highgate School, which is all about checking your balls: A life-saving guide for boys and young men to help them look out for signs of testicular cancer at an early age.Host Steve Bland headed to Highgate School to speak to James Green, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Barts Health, and Vicky Stubbs, National Education Expert, about all things testicular
Episode 25 (part one): Checking Your Balls
Did you know that testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in boys and young men, but when found early, it's over 99% curable? This episode - in two parts because it was THAT good we didn't want to cut it short - is all about checking your balls: A life-saving guide for boys and young men to help them look out for signs of testicular cancer at an early age.Host Steve Bland head
Episode 24: Protecting your skin
The weather is changing and the summer holidays are almost here so we're talking skin cancer on this episode of Taking Control of Cancer. Host Steve Bland is joined by Dr Tom McLeod, the Clinical Lead for the Skin Expert Reference Group, and Rosie O’Dea, who is a Project Manager in the Diagnosis & Treatment at the NHS North East London Cancer Alliance, for a life-saving conversation a
Episode 23: Using Artificial Intelligence to boost cancer diagnostics
In this episode host Steve Bland explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cancer diagnosis with Oliver Hawkins, Senior Project Manager, at the North East London Cancer Alliance; Angela Wong, the Chief Medical Officer at the North East London Cancer Alliance; and Basab Bhattacharya, who is a Consultant radiologist with an interest in body imaging, clinical informatics and artifi
Episode 22: Live at the UK Oncology Forum pt2
In part two of our special from the UK Oncology Forum in Harrogate, Steve Bland is once again joined by Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead for Diagnosis and Treatment at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to talk about a potentially life-saving pilot project between the alliance and Natera, who are a world-leader in cell-free DNA testing with a focus on women’s health, oncology and organ h
Episode 21: Live at the UK Oncology Forum pt1
This special episode (in two parts) comes from day one of the UK Oncology Forum in Harrogate.In part one, Steve Bland is joined by Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead for Diagnosis and Treatment; and Project Manager Rosie O'Dea, both from the North East London Cancer Alliance; and Molly Pipping, Senior Programme Lead for Workforce & Education at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, to ta
Episode 20: Performing life-saving cancer surgery
In this episode host Steve Bland gets an exclusive insight into a 12-hour operation which saved - and transformed - a cancer patient's life. Steve is joined by Anna Minicozzi, Colorectal & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Barts Health NHS Trust, and Dr Angela Wong, the Chief Medical Officer at the North East London Cancer Alliance to talk about Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Episode 19: Talking about the C word
In this episode we're talking about the C Word and breaking the silence around cancer as host Steve Bland is joined by Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to explore the role of communications in cancer and how conversations can save lives. It’s good to talk. Yet despite incredible advances in cancer diagnosis, treatment and care, “
Episode 18: Breaking barriers to breast screening
In this episode host Steve Bland takes a look at how fear within communities is stopping people getting free life-saving checks. Steve is joined by Riyad Karim, Co-Chair of the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership Board, and Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Vaccine/Screening Equity, Covid-19 and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS England - London Region, and Caroline Cook,
Episode 17: Bringing in the experts for a cancer diagnosis
In this episode, host Steve Bland takes a look behind the scenes at the vital work going on when it comes to diagnosing cancer, and the stringent safety checks in place. Steve is joined by Ben Lamb, MDT Clinical Lead for the North East London Cancer Alliance and Ellen Quinney, Programme Manager, Diagnosis and Treatment, North East London Cancer Alliance, as they talk about bringing in the
Episode 16: Teaching cancer awareness early - CATTS in the classroom
In this episode we're exploring how to teach cancer awareness early with the team from CATTS - Cancer Awareness in Teens and Twenties (CATTS). Host Steve Bland is joined by Jack Broadley, Managing Director of CATTS, Natasha Francis, School Engagement Officer at CATTS and Nikki Poland, Project Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance. Jack and Natasha from Cancer Awareness in Teens
Episode 15: Knowing your body
In this episode Steve Bland is joined once again by Toby Freeman, the founder and CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust and also Obi Onyiah, Prevention, Awareness and Screening Programme Manager for North East London Cancer Alliance, as we dive into the importance of knowing your body — from regular breast and testicular checks to recognising symptoms of common cancers such as womb, ovarian, pros
Episode 14: Losing a family member to cancer
This is the first of two episodes with Toby Freeman, CEO & Founder of The Robin Cancer Trust (www.therobincancertrust.org). In this episode Toby talks to host Steve Bland about raising awareness of cancer in young people and the impact of losing his brother, Robin.At the age of 22, after Robin died from a late-stage germ cell cancer diagnosis, Toby founded The Robin Cancer Trust with
Episode 13: Coping with menopause and cancer
In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, Steve Bland is joined by Dani Binnington, the founder of the charity Menopause and Cancer, to talk about coping with, you guessed it...menopause and cancer. Navigating menopause after a cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling unsupported, isolated and not knowing what your options are. Support is out there, and we explore this with help from Dan
Episode 12: National CNS Day - explaining the role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist
In this special episode to mark National CNS Day 2025, Steve Bland is joined by five guests to explore the role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). In part one, Steve is joined by Kate Williams, the Macmillan Cancer CNS Development Lead, and Yvonne Beadle, from the North East London Cancer Alliance, and in part two, it's the turn of Kim Grove and Chelo Bou, Clinical Nurse Special
Episode 11: Standing up to prostate cancer
In this episode we're Standing up to prostate cancer, busting some common myths and giving men the facts they need to help them survive prostate cancer. Steve Bland speaks to Susan Piper, a Specialist Nurse at Prostate Cancer UK and Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance. Susan helps sort through the facts from the fiction about prostat
Episode 10: Taking action together - a view from the managing director of the Alliance
In this episode, it's all about collaboration as Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale, the Managing Director of North East London Cancer Alliance, to chat about his role, his background and why he's so passionate about what he does.This episode takes a unique dive into the day-to-day activities of a cancer alliance MD and a closer look at some of the demands of the role. It focuses on ho
Episode 9: Dealing with death: how to open up conversations about end of life
Death is something that happens to us all...but we shy away from talking about it. The result is that we are not prepared for it and the process becomes more difficult for family, friends and loved-ones.Dr Kaythyn Mannix is leading the way in this subject area, and in this emotional episode she talks to Steve about what she has experienced both as a palliative care doctor, and as a best-s
Episode 8: Spotting symptoms of womb, cervical, ovarian, vulval and vaginal cancers
In this episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale talk to stand-up comedian Karen Hobbs, who works with the leading gynae cancer charity, the Eve Appeal. In her own brutally honest but hilarious way, Karen shares her personal experience of cervical cancer and also talks about her work with The Eve Appeal and the cancer alliance on the ‘You Need To Know’ womb cancer campaign. This campaign rai
Episode 7: Speaking to your GP about cancer
In this episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale speak to 'local GP of the year in 2019' Dr Farzana Hussain about how to help encourage people to come forward for life-saving screening and to get checked for symptoms by their GP. Farzana is a passionate, charismatic GP from the London Borough of Newham, with a vast experience of supporting local people in north east London. She cares deeply
Episode 6: Understanding your risk of prostate cancer
In this episode, Steve Bland talks to British athlete Joe Appiah, who shares his experience of prostate cancer and talks about prostate cancer risks, urging men with a higher risk to take action. Joe is a British athlete with an impressive array of championship titles across hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Joe’s friend and hurdling rival was diagnosed with prostate cancer himself and
Episode 5: Looking after your lungs
In this episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are exploring the Targeted Lung Health Check programme and finding out how it is saving lives through early diagnosis of lung cancer, as well as the support available to help people stop smoking. Our guest is Stephanie Uys, Clinical Director for Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in north east London. Stephanie leads the Targeted Lung Health
Episode 4: Improving your health for cancer treatment and recovery
In this episode, host Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, the MD of the North East London Cancer Alliance, take the pod on the road as they visit Maggie's Barts and explore the fantastic free support that is available for cancer patients to help them both prepare for, and recover from, their cancer treatment. Guest speaker: Victoria Curran, Centre Head, Maggie's BartsVictoria leads the team at
Episode 3: Becoming cancer free
This episode of Taking Control of Cancer features an inspirational breast cancer story from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. Host Steve Bland and North East London Cancer Alliance Managing Director Femi Odewale speak to Pamela Okyere, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2021. When Pamela was diagnosed, her immediate thought was that she was going to die. However, after surger
Episode 2: Staying positive after a cancer diagnosis
Welcome to episode two of Taking Control of Cancer, the podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance. In this episode, award-winning former BBC podcast presenter Steve Bland (You, Me and the Big C) chats to prostate cancer patient Kevin Kibble, who provides some great advice on how to keep fit and healthy after finding out you have cancer.Kevin has recently joined North East London
Episode 1: Getting to know the Chair of the Cancer Alliance Board
Welcome to episode one of Taking Control of Cancer, the podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance. In this episode, award-winning former BBC podcast presenter Steve Bland (You, Me and the Big C) is joined by Professor Charles Knight MD FRCP, who is a consultant cardiologist and chief executive of St Bartholomew's Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust AND the chair of the Cance
Intro to Taking Control of Cancer
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