Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community Podcast

Amy shares her experience of being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her mid-30s, following a miscarriage and months of uncertainty around unexplained symptoms. Amy speaks openly about the shock of diagnosis, navigating stage three cancer, chemotherapy, fertility preservation, early menopause, and the emotional toll cancer takes on both the person diagnosed and their loved ones. This conversati...

Summary In this heartfelt episode, Trevor Glynn shares the heartbreaking journey of losing his son Eavan to bowel cancer at age 22, highlighting the importance of early detection and awareness. Trevor discusses Eavan's vibrant personality, the medical challenges faced, and his inspiring efforts to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Keywords bowel cancer, young adults, cancer aware...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dan, a husband and father of two young boys, who was diagnosed at just 36 years of age with an extremely rare Stage 4 sarcoma. Sarcomas account for just 1% of all cancers, and Dan’s particular diagnosis is one of the rarest forms seen worldwide.  Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour (DSRCT) . What began as a small pain in his abdomen led to a life changing...

Summary This conversation shares Gillian’s heartfelt journey of living with lung cancer. She speaks gently and honestly about the moment she knew something was not right, the shock of diagnosis, and the difference between who she was before cancer and who she is now. Gillian reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts, seeking second opinions, and learning to live alongside cancer. She a...

Just me in this episode. A short, honest conversation about grief, missing my sister Veronica, life lately, and where I’m at now personally and with Someone Like Me Your Cancer Community Podcast and Mobile App. https://www.instagram.com/someonelikeme_cancerapp/

Michaela and Dean met as teenagers and spent fourteen years growing up together, building a life full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Together, they created a beautiful family with their little girl, Sloan. Everything changed when Dean began experiencing unusual twitching in his face and neck. At first, it seemed minor. But the episodes quickly escalated into moments of panic and fe...

In this December mini-episode, Vanessa talks about why this month can feel heavier, especially for those living with cancer, survivors, and anyone grieving someone they love. She reflects on her own Christmas Eve diagnosis, childhood memories, the ache of missing her mam, and that strange feeling when the world is buzzing with festive energy but you don’t feel any of it. Vanessa speaks honestly ab...

In this episode, Vanessa speaks with Ziva Cussen, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at just twenty one years of age. Ziva gives an honest and deeply moving insight into her life and the reality of what she continues to face every single day. Ziva is currently undergoing treatment for cancer that has spread to her brain, and she continues to face everything with incredible honesty and...

In this final episode of Season 1, I sit down with Karen Kruger, Avril Tierney, and Niamh Noonan to talk openly about life with breast cancer. We share the shock of diagnosis, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and what it feels like to face life afterwards. We talk about fear of recurrence, body image, relationships, and the personal choices involved in treatment and surgery. We also e...

Demelza shares her incredible journey, having brain surgery in 2017 and facing three cancer diagnoses — thyroid, salivary, and lymph node cancer of the neck. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s now helping others through her own business. Such an inspiring woman, full of strength, courage, and hope. 💚 Takeaways Demelza was diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia, leading to severe pain...

I had a great chat with Breandán Ó Maoldúin , who opens up about his personal journey with bowel cancer ( also known as colon cancer ) and Lynch syndrome , a hereditary genetic condition that increases cancer risk. Diagnosed at the age of 35 , Breandán shares the emotional and physical challenges he’s faced - from treatment and recovery to managing long-term side effects. He speaks openly about th...

In this heartfelt episode of 'Someone Like Me', Caroline Corcoran shares her profound journey of loss, having lost both her parents to cancer. She recounts the struggles, the emotional toll, and the lessons learned through her experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of cancer on families, the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of seeking support. Caroline also disc...

Summary In this conversation, Martin Sweeney shares his personal journey with prostate cancer, detailing the initial signs, diagnosis, and the emotional impact it had on him. He emphasizes the importance of early detection, understanding treatment options, and the mental health challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Martin also discusses the significance of support systems, both for patient...

Summary In this episode of Someone Like Me , host Vanessa speaks with Olivia Carpenter, a breast cancer survivor who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and hope. Olivia opens up about being diagnosed at a young age while her dad was going through cancer at the same time. She reflects on the emotional challenges of supporting him while facing her own treatment, the grief of losing him, and...

Dr. Liz O’Riordan, a breast surgeon who faced breast cancer not once but three times, joins me for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Liz shares her own journey through diagnosis, treatment, and multiple recurrences, offering a unique perspective as both doctor and patient. We talk about the emotional and mental challenges that come with cancer, the importance of education and support, a...

In this solo episode, Vanessa shares a deeply personal experience that shook her to the core. What started as a frightening health scare quickly turned into hours of fear, uncertainty and loneliness, made worse by a lack of compassion and clear communication from the medical team. Vanessa opens up about the emotions that ran through her mind, the what ifs, and the importance of compassion in healt...

Summary What started as suspected appendicitis turned into a shocking diagnosis of Stage 4 bowel cancer. At just 33, Claire was preparing for her wedding when her world was turned upside down. In this powerful episode, Claire shares her journey from the misdiagnosis and emergency surgery, to the moment she heard the words “you have cancer,” and the emotional impact it had on her and her family. He...

In this episode, Gill Costelloe opens up about her melanoma journey — from an early diagnosis in 2016 to the shocking moment it spread to six parts of her body. She shares the emotional toll of treatment, the impact on her mental health, and why support groups and sun safety are now central to her life. Gill’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community in facing cancer. Takeaways...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Pamela Deasy to talk about the fight of her life and how persistence and self-advocacy saved her. Pam trusted her instincts, pushed for answers, and got the treatment that made all the difference. She shares the heartbreak of losing her mum to lung cancer, the pain of losing friends, and how her own diagnosis has opened doors to raise awareness. We discuss...

In this episode of Someone Like Me , I sit down with my big brother Paddy for a chat that means a lot to both of us. We talk about how cancer hit our family, our mum, our sister, and myself, and how it left its mark on all of us in different ways. It’s raw, honest, and full of the kind of stuff people don’t always say out loud. We talk memories, what it’s like being on the sidelines watching someo...

I sat down with Francesca, who was diagnosed with breast cancer just nine weeks after giving birth to her beautiful baby girl. This is a real, raw, honest conversation. Fran shares how she found the lump, going through chemo, having both her breasts removed, the fear, the anger, the ups and downs of it all—while navigating life as a brand new mam. It’s powerful stuff. Please follow and share this...

Vanessa opens up about scanxiety - the fear that creeps in before scan results. Five years cancer free, but the panic still hits. From chemo flashbacks to late-night overthinking, this honest mini-episode is for anyone who’s been stuck in the waiting. https://www.instagram.com/someonelikeme_cancerapp/

Summary In this episode of Someone Like Me, host Vanessa  speaks with Natasha O’Byrne, a young mother who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 26. Natasha bravely shares her roller-coaster journey, from her first symptoms through diagnosis and treatment, and the profound impact cancer had on her and her family. She speaks openly about the importance of early detection, the value of strong suppo...

Vanessa sits down with Samantha to talk about her powerful lung cancer journey. Samantha was diagnosed in her 40s, and her story is a reminder of the importance of listening to your body and pushing for answers when something feels off. She opens up about the first symptoms she noticed, what it was like hearing the words “you have cancer,” and how she found the strength to keep going. Samantha als...

In this mini-podcast, Vanessa talks about what really happens after you hear those words — you have cancer . She chats about all the appointments, surgeries, oncology visits, chemo, and the mental side of it all… the fear, the confusion, and trying to figure everything out. Vanessa also shares a few little tips on how to not let the fear of recurrence take over your life — things she’s learned her...