Episode 56: Launching our Health Inequalities Strategy

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 Diagnosis & Treatment at NHS North East London Cancer Alliance. They are also joined by Claire Milne from Full Fact [https://fullfact.org/health/?page=1], bringing expertise in tackling health misinformation and helping people separate evidence from myth. Last year in north east London alone there were 1,721 case of skin cancer diagnosed, making it the most common cancer. Therefore, it is more important than ever to understand what you can do to help prevent it. We hear advice about sunshine, tanning and sun cream everywhere, from social media and celebrities to family tips passed down through generations. But how much of it is actually true? How do you sort fact from fiction? The episode also comes at a timely moment. A Guardian feature [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/aug/05/burn-notice-gen-z-and-the-terrifying-rise-of-extreme-tanning?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other] highlighted growing concerns around the rise of “extreme tanning” among younger people, fuelled by social media trends, influencers and misinformation online.  The article explored how some young adults are actively tracking UV levels to maximise sun exposure, using sunbeds and even experimenting with unregulated tanning products despite well-established links to skin cancer.  Against this backdrop, the podcast asks an important question: how do we cut through myths and misinformation to help people make informed choices about protecting their skin? Let us know what you think! Please complete our short feedback form [https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO45CBntc4uLFNoSF0DlnQYBRUQUM3R0RIUDhQVTNYSVhBVjlSR0VTQkVCSC4u]to let us know what you think of our podcasts (it will only take five minutes to complete).

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 [https://holistichealthnutrition.uk/], 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.  From everyday food choices to practical nutrition tips during treatment, this episode offers clear, evidence-based advice to help improve health, wellbeing and quality of life. Healthy eating is about supporting our bodies at every stage of life. In this episode, North East London Cancer Alliance brings together leadership and nutritional expertise to discuss how diet can play a key role in cancer prevention, treatment and recovery. Let us know what you think! Please complete our short feedback form [https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO45CBntc4uLFNoSF0DlnQYBRUQUM3R0RIUDhQVTNYSVhBVjlSR0VTQkVCSC4u]to let us know what you think of our podcasts (it will only take five minutes to complete).

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 [https://www.emjreviews.com/oncology/news/ai-driven-ultrasound-predicts-breast-cancer-prognosis/] which enables accurate prediction of three-year survival in locally advanced breast cancer; a new AI-driven way [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/13/ai-bowel-cancer-patients-nhs-drug]of identifying how patients with advanced bowel cancer will respond to a drug that was recently introduced by the NHS [https://www.theguardian.com/society/nhs]; a new injectable form [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx214vld41ko] of a key cancer drug which could see thousands of NHS patients across the UK spending far less time in hospital; and they look at how Eastenders [https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2026/eastenders-denise-blood-cancer-storyline] is covering a blood cancer story with the help of Blood Cancer UK. Let us know what you think! Please complete our short feedback form [https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO45CBntc4uLFNoSF0DlnQYBRUQUM3R0RIUDhQVTNYSVhBVjlSR0VTQkVCSC4u]to let us know what you think of our podcasts (it will only take five minutes to complete).

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 Alliance and Mansi Tara, the Health Promotion Lead for Breast Screening for North, Central and East London. Read more about the Health Inequalities Strategy here: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/health-inequalities-strategy  Let us know what you think! Please complete our short feedback form [https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO45CBntc4uLFNoSF0DlnQYBRUQUM3R0RIUDhQVTNYSVhBVjlSR0VTQkVCSC4u]to let us know what you think of our podcasts (it will only take five minutes to complete).

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 & Laparoscopic Surgeon from BHRUT, about a strategy that lays out how AI can impact cancer care in North East London. We also hear from George's mum! Read more about the AI Strategy here: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/artificial-intelligence-strategy  Let us know what you think! Please complete our short feedback form [https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO45CBntc4uLFNoSF0DlnQYBRUQUM3R0RIUDhQVTNYSVhBVjlSR0VTQkVCSC4u]to let us know what you think of our podcasts (it will only take five minutes to complete).