Taking Control of Cancer

Taking Control of Cancer

Taking Control of Cancer is a podcast series from the North East London Cancer Alliance to help overcome common cancer myths, fears and barriers.

The series aims to provide both patients and healthcare professionals with tangible things they can do to help when it comes to cancer. Whilst we know not all cancers are preventable, there are things we can all do that could make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and colleagues.

Our host is Steve Bland. Steve is an award-winning podcaster and producer and one of the three presenters of the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which was set up by his first wife - BBC presenter Rachael Bland - before her death from triple negative breast cancer in 2018.

Podcast Channels

Don't miss an episode! Follow our podcast channel now on your preferred choice of platform. Click on the links below.

Episode 12: Explaining the role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Shining a spotlight on the amazing support they provide to cancer patients, with Kim Grove and Chelo Bou, Clinical Nurse Specialists from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Kate Williams, Macmillan Cancer CNS Development Lead and Yvonne Beadle, North East London Cancer Alliance.

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Two nurses are standing next to each other and a hand is reaching out to them. The North East London Cancer Alliance logo is in the top right hand corner.r

Episode 11: Standing up to prostate cancer

Busting some common myths and giving men the facts they need to help them survive prostate cancer, with Susan Piper, Specialist Nurse from Prostate Cancer UK.

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A magnifying glass is hovering over a purple icon of a male in the area of his prostate. The North East London Cancer Alliance logo is in the top right hand corner.

Episode 10: Taking action together

A look at how collaboration is the key and how this is making a positive impact on local cancer services, with Femi Odewale, Managing Director of North East London Cancer Alliance.

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Episode 9: Dealing with death

How to open up conversations sooner about end of life. Don’t miss this heartfelt, powerful episode which explores how talking about dying can actually support cancer patients and loved ones through difficult times.

Guest speaker: Dr Kathryn Mannix, palliative care doctor and best-selling author

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Episode 8: Spotting symptoms of gynae cancers

Inspirational insight, top tips, and awesome advice on early diagnosis of cancer – as well as a large dose of humour and passion - from Karen Hobbs, stand-up comic and ambassador for The Eve Appeal. Download and have a listen to the episode now:

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Episode 7: Speaking to your GP about cancer

A unique view from Dr Farzana Hussain - local GP of the year in 2019 - to help encourage people to come forward for life-saving screening and to get checked for symptoms by their GP.

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Episode 6: Understanding your risk of prostate cancer

British Athlete Joe Appiah shares his experience of prostate cancer and talks about prostate cancer risks, urging men with a higher risk to take action.

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A hand is holding a magnifying glass. The North East London Cancer Alliance Logo is in the top right hand corner.

Episode 5: Looking after your lungs

Stephanie Uys from Barts Health NHS Trust talks about the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, being delivered in partnership with InHealth, and how it is saving lives through early diagnosis of lung cancer, as well as the support available to help people stop smoking.

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The image features a pair of hands holding some lungs. The North East London Cancer Alliance logo is in the top right hand corner

Episode 4: Improving your health for cancer treatment & recovery

Host Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, MD of the North East London Cancer Alliance, take the pod on the road as they visit Maggie's at Barts Health. Here, they chat to Victoria Curran, Centre Head at Maggie's, about the fantastic free support available for cancer patients to help them both prepare for, and recover from, their cancer treatment.

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A hand is reaching across pointing to the left and above it are an apple, a smiling mouth and a hand lifting some weights. The North East London Cancer Alliance logo is on the top right hand corner.

Episode 3: Becoming cancer free

Guest speaker is the fantastic Pamela Okyere from Black Women Rising, who shares her inspirational breast cancer story from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. 

She talks about some of the challenges along the way and how we can help our diverse communities to come forward and get the support they need when it comes to cancer.

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Two hands are raised up and in between them is an alarm clock, a light bulb and three white hearts. The North East London Cancer Alliance logo is in the top right hand corner

Episode 2: Staying positive after a prostate cancer diagnosis

Join prostate cancer patient Kevin Kibble in our podcast with Steve Bland, where he opens up about his experience of prostate cancer —from diagnosis to treatment—and the power of staying fit to boost recovery.

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Episode 1: Overcoming local challenges in cancer care

A view from guest speaker Professor Charles Knight OBE, Chief Executive of St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Chair of the Cancer Alliance Board, who gives a personal insight into the challenges in north east London, some of the recent successes and a look ahead to the future.

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An introduction to Taking Control of Cancer

A few teaser clips to introduce you to our podcast series, Taking Control of Cancer.