Episode 63: Taking control through prehabilitation

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 focuses on helping patients improve their physical and emotional wellbeing in the period between diagnosis and treatment, helping them to feel better prepared for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other interventions. Steve is joined by members of the prehabilitation team from North East London Cancer Alliance - Andriana Petrova, Highly Specialist Prehabilitation Dietitian; Duncan Grant, Senior Exercise Physiologist; and Emily Dore-Smith, Highly Specialist Prehabilitation Physiotherapist,  to discuss the different professional roles involved in supporting patients, from physiotherapists and exercise specialists to dietitians and wider wellbeing services. Together, they explain what prehab looks like in practice and why taking small, achievable steps can make a meaningful difference to treatment outcomes, recovery and quality of life. The episode also explores national guidance, including the role of Macmillan Cancer Support in shaping approaches to prehabilitation, alongside practical advice around nutrition, movement and emotional wellbeing. Listeners will hear why staying active where possible, eating well and preparing mentally for treatment can all play an important role in helping people cope better with the challenges ahead. Whether you are living with cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand more about how healthcare teams are helping people prepare for treatment, this conversation offers practical insights and reassurance that support starts long before treatment begins. For more information about prehabilitation, visit https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/prehab [https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/prehab] or watch our video: https://youtu.be/sQEISRtfAiY [https://youtu.be/sQEISRtfAiY]  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 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. Think amapiano summer, real conversations, good vibes, community, and advice every woman deserves but doesn't always get access to. Hosted as part of Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month, The Girls' Bathroom is a free immersive experience designed to make conversations about breast health, wellbeing and cancer feel less intimidating and a lot more human. Find out more and book YOUR tickets here [https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/girls-bathroom]! Steve, Femi and Nellie also cover Jeremy Clarkson's diagnosis, and a commitment from the leaders of the G7 countries to accelerate global alignment in cancer research, prevention, and screening, explicitly aiming to bring the global elimination of cervical cancer within reach. 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 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, particularly among communities at higher risk, and Rishi Athwal, Early Diagnosis Project Manager at North East London Cancer Alliance, who shares how North East London Cancer Alliance is working to improve awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis across north east London.   Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but many people are unaware that some men are significantly more at risk than others. During the episode, the team discusses why black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer, why having a family history of prostate cancer increases your own risk, and why understanding these risk factors could save lives through earlier diagnosis.   Dr Olajide explains what men need to know about the PSA blood test, when to consider asking for one, and how to have conversations with your GP about prostate cancer concerns. The discussion also tackles common questions and misconceptions around symptoms, screening and whether men should get checked even if they feel well. 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 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 inequalities.   The event, held at Goodman's Fields Health Centre in Whitechapel, brings together local people and healthcare professionals to raise awareness of men’s health and the importance of early diagnosis. At this special men’s health event, they explore why men in particular may be reluctant to come forward and speak to their GP.   Dr Lambeth shares practical advice on when and how to speak to your GP if you’re worried about symptoms, what to expect from an appointment, and why screening matters.    He also discusses pioneering local work to reach all communities — including the use of multilingual animated videos to raise awareness and improve screening uptake across north east London. 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 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).