Taking Control of Cancer

Host Steve Bland, award-winning podcaster and producer of the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, chats to special guests on this podcast about common cancer myths, fears and barriers. 

It is packed full of top tips and advice to keep you healthy!

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Podcast episodes

A scientist is looking through a microscope.

29/10/2026

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.

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A nurse and patient are walking along side by side looking at each other

26/10/2026

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.

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A graphic of a building representing Barts breast cancer centre

15/10/2026

Episode 70: Transforming breast cancer care

Steve Bland finds out how the idea for the groundbreaking breast cancer centre of excellence at St Bartholomew’s Hospital 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.

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07/10/2026

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.

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An icon of a book which says Cancer Can Go and Do One!!

28/09/2026

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.

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17/09/2026

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.

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An icon of a camera and camera film.

10/09/2026

Episode 66: Making cancer films

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.

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A graphic of a group of people going on a run or walk.

09/08/2026

Episode 65: Moving forward together

In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by North East London Cancer Alliance, the charity MOVE Against Cancer, and people at the heart of the inspiring 5k Your Way movement.

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03/08/2026

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.

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Hands are underneath three icons showing diet, exercise and mental health.

16/07/2026

Episode 63: Taking control through prehabilitation

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

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A hand underneath an image of a PSA test tube along with icons which show warning signs of prostate cancer.

02/07/2026

Episode 61: Checking your prostate cancer risk

On World Prostate Cancer Day, 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.

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A graphic of a hand holding up a microphone.

02/07/2026

Episode 62: Breaking cancer news - June 2026

In June's news episode Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are joined by Nellie Gbadebo, CEO and 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!

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