Taking Control of Cancer

In this powerful episode of Taking Control of Cancer , the North East London Cancer Alliance shines a spotlight on prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers affecting men, yet one surrounded by silence, stigma, and late diagnosis. Host Steve Bland welcomes two remarkable guests, Yinka and Mike, both prostate cancer survivors whose journeys have transformed them into advocates and co...

In this episode, Steve Bland is joined by Sarah Koya, Patient Experience and Engagement Lead, at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and patients Samina Hussain and Dawn Williams to discuss the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) — an important national initiative that gives people living with and beyond cancer the opportunity to share their views on the care they receive. The sur...

In our latest round up of all the ways in which cancer is making the news, host Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, the managing director the North East London Cancer Alliance, talk Movember, find out why ultra-processed foods are being linked with bowel cancer and discuss a survey carried out by Cancer Research UK which found that more than half of Britons who have a possible cancer symptom do not cont...

In this episode Steve Bland and guests talk pancreatic cancer - a cancer often called the “silent cancer” because its symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss. But awareness can make a life-saving difference.  Steve is joined by Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, Head of Influencing and Health Improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, and Rishi Athwal, Early Diagnosis Project Manager, North East London Cancer Alli...

In the third of our special episodes looking at how cancer is making the news, Steve Bland and North East London Cancer Alliance Managing Director Femi Odewale sift through the stories that made the news in October 2025. Steve and Femi talk Strictly, hip-shaking, Movember moustaches, breast screening and why there are calls for menopause support to be included in cancer treatment plans. Plus Femi...

This episode of Taking Control of Cancer 'Sharing Lynda’s Story: Love, loss and lessons in breast cancer care', is dedicated to Lynda Soltysiak. In this deeply moving episode, host Steve Bland speaks to Chris Soltysiak, a patient and carer representative from the North East London Cancer Alliance, as he shares the story of his late wife, Lynda.  Lynda dedicated over 30 years of her life to the NHS...

In this episode host Steve Bland and guests explore a lesser known cancer that impacts thousands of people each year in England. Around 6,000 people each year in England are diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, but because symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions, diagnosis is often delayed, making awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals vital. Steve is joined by...

In the second of our special episodes looking at how cancer is making the news, Steve Bland and North East London Cancer Alliance Managing Director Femi Odewale sift through the stories making the news in September 2025. From two of sport's biggest names inspiring through talking about their own cancer stories, to a chart topper rerturning to the stage after breast cancer surgery, this episode has...

In this episode host Steve Bland headed to Whipps Cross University Hospital to speak to hospital CEO Dr Amanjit Jhund, whose unique experience, from hospital leader to cancer patient and back, offers rare and invaluable insights.  We explore how his personal experience with a stage 2, grade 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour shaped his leadership, deepened his commitment to equity and integration,...

In this special two-part episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we’re diving into a topic that could save lives - breast screening . Every year, breast screening helps detect cancer early, when it's most treatable. Yet many people still feel unsure, anxious, or even avoid making the appointment.  So in these episodes Steve Bland is joined by Mansi Tara, Health Promotion Lead, and Claire Mabena, Lead...

In this special two-part episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we’re diving into a topic that could save lives - breast screening . Every year, breast screening helps detect cancer early, when it's most treatable. Yet many people still feel unsure, anxious, or even avoid making the appointment.  So in this episode Steve Bland is joined by Mansi Tara, Health Promotion Lead, and Claire Mabena, Lead N...

For many patients, completing their cancer treatment is only just the start of difficult times ahead. Life After Cancer, a specialist charity led by founder Steph Davies, is aiming to change that. That's because 92% of their cancer community told them they find life after cancer harder than cancer treatment. In this episode host Steve Bland is joined by Steph and Sarita Yaganti, the Programme Lead...

In the first of a new mini-series of monthly episodes looking at cancer in the news, host Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale, Managing Director, and Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Lead, from North East London Cancer Alliance. Together, they unpack the latest cancer headlines from across England, exploring what they mean for patients, cancer services, and the work of the Alliance. Fr...

This part two of our episode from Highgate School, which is all about checking your balls: A life-saving guide for boys and young men to help them look out for signs of testicular cancer at an early age. Host Steve Bland headed to Highgate School to speak to James Green, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Barts Health, and Vicky Stubbs, National Education Expert, about all things testicular cancer:...

Did you know that testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in boys and young men, but when found early, it's over 99% curable? This episode - in two parts because it was THAT good we didn't want to cut it short - is all about checking your balls: A life-saving guide for boys and young men to help them look out for signs of testicular cancer at an early age. Host Steve Bland headed to Hi...

The weather is changing and the summer holidays are almost here so we're talking skin cancer on this episode of Taking Control of Cancer. Host Steve Bland is joined by Dr Tom McLeod, the Clinical Lead for the Skin Expert Reference Group, and Rosie O’Dea, who is a Project Manager in the Diagnosis & Treatment at the NHS North East London Cancer Alliance, for a life-saving conversation about bett...

In this episode host Steve Bland explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cancer diagnosis with Oliver Hawkins , Senior Project Manager, at the North East London Cancer Alliance; Angela Wong, the Chief Medical Officer at the North East London Cancer Alliance; and Basab Bhattacharya, who is a Consultant radiologist with an interest in body imaging, clinical informatics and artificial int...

In part two of our special from the UK Oncology Forum in Harrogate, Steve Bland is once again joined by Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead for Diagnosis and Treatment at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to talk about a potentially life-saving pilot project between the alliance and Natera , who are a world-leader in cell-free DNA testing with a focus on women’s health, oncology and organ health. S...

This special episode (in two parts) comes from day one of the UK Oncology Forum in Harrogate. In part one, Steve Bland is joined by Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead for Diagnosis and Treatment; and Project Manager Rosie O'Dea, both from the North East London Cancer Alliance; and Molly Pipping, Senior Programme Lead for Workforce & Education at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, to talk about...

In this episode host Steve Bland gets an exclusive insight into a 12-hour operation which saved - and transformed - a cancer patient's life. Steve is joined by Anna Minicozzi, Colorectal & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Barts Health NHS Trust, and Dr Angela Wong, the Chief Medical Officer at the North East London Cancer Alliance to talk about Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy - or HIPE...

In this episode we're talking about the C Word and breaking the silence around cancer as host Steve Bland is joined by Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to explore the role of communications in cancer and how conversations can save lives.   It’s good to talk. Yet despite incredible advances in cancer diagnosis, treatment and care, “the C w...

In this episode host Steve Bland takes a look at how fear within communities is stopping people getting free life-saving checks. Steve is joined by Riyad Karim, Co-Chair of the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership Board, and Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Vaccine/Screening Equity, Covid-19 and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS England - London Region, and Caroline Cook, Programm...

In this episode, host Steve Bland takes a look behind the scenes at the vital work going on when it comes to diagnosing cancer, and the stringent safety checks in place.   Steve is joined by Ben Lamb, MDT Clinical Lead for the North East London Cancer Alliance and Ellen Quinney, Programme Manager, Diagnosis and Treatment, North East London Cancer Alliance, as they talk about bringing in the expert...

In this episode we're exploring how to teach cancer awareness early with the team from CATTS - Cancer Awareness in Teens and Twenties (CATTS) . Host Steve Bland is joined by Jack Broadley, Managing Director of CATTS, Natasha Francis, School Engagement Officer at CATTS and Nikki Poland, Project Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance.  Jack and Natasha from Cancer Awareness in Teens and Tw...

In this episode Steve Bland is joined once again by Toby Freeman, the founder and CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust and also Obi Onyiah, Prevention, Awareness and Screening Programme Manager for North East London Cancer Alliance , as we dive into the importance of knowing your body — from regular breast and testicular checks to recognising symptoms of common cancers such as womb, ovarian, prostate, an...