Taking Control of Cancer

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).

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).