In this episode Steve Bland is joined by Femi Odewale and Paul Thomas, from the North East London Cancer Alliance, to dissect the big cancer stories making the news in December 2025.

In this episode:

1. The UK's National Screening Committee has recommended that only a very small group of men at high risk of prostate cancer should be screened for the disease. Read more here, check out our podcast episode with prostate cancer patients Mike and Yinka and read about the alliance's 'It's Not a Game' campaign here.
2. Adrian Chiles has revealed he’s undergone an operation to remove a cancerous patch of skin from his shoulder. The TV presenter’s diagnosis arrived after he spotted a suspicious skin patch, which a biopsy later confirmed to be cancerous. Read more here.
3. The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) is now live. NCPES gives people who have received cancer treatment the opportunity to share their experiences directly with the NHS. Every response plays a vital role in shaping how cancer services are designed, delivered, and improved. For more information on NCPES, click here.
4. Stand Up To Cancer returned on Friday with new campaign by Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK to drive awareness of NHS cancer screening programmes and raise funds for groundbreaking cancer research. Read more here.

And finally....we'd love to hear what you think of this podcast. We've got big plans for 2026 but this is your chance to shape what we cover! Click here to fill out our (very short) survey.

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 community voices.

Through honesty and humour, they share how their diagnoses changed their lives, how they navigated treatment, and why they now dedicate their time to helping other men, especially those in diverse and underserved communities across north east London, recognise the importance of knowing their risk and getting checked early.

For more prostate cancer advice, check out the resources available at Prostate Cancer UK.

Please let us know what you think of our podcasts and complete this short feedback form (it will only take five minutes).

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 survey, commissioned by NHS England and conducted annually, is sent to patients who have received cancer treatment as an inpatient or outpatient during a specific period (April, May & June). It asks about every stage of the cancer journey, from diagnosis, tests, and treatment, through to support after care, giving patients the chance to share what went well and what could be improved.

The feedback from tens of thousands of patients across England helps the NHS understand what matters most to those affected by cancer. It plays a vital role in shaping how services are designed and delivered, from improving communication between healthcare teams, to ensuring timely diagnosis, better emotional support, and equitable access to care.

However, in North East London, as in other parts of the country, some communities are underrepresented in the survey responses, particularly patients from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds. This means that their voices and experiences may not be fully reflected in how services are improved, which is why encouraging greater participation from all communities is so important.

Please let us know what you think of our podcasts and complete this short feedback form (it will only take five minutes).