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.

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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.

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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 contact their GP over fears they won't be able to get an appointment.

Steve and Femi also celebrate the news that Taking Control of Cancer has been downloaded in 50 countries around the world AND introduce the Alliance's new WhatsApp channel, launched to share all the latest news from the Alliance. You can access the channel using this link https://bit.ly/4oSF8Ku.

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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 Alliance, to shine a light on one of the toughest cancers to detect.

Together, they discuss the key signs and symptoms everyone should know, along with the latest facts and statistics about pancreatic cancer in the UK. Alfie also shares exciting developments in research, including a new breath test that could transform early detection, and explains why spotting pancreatic cancer early is so critical.

The conversation also covers the work of EUROPAC, which looks at the role of genetics and family history in pancreatic cancer, and introduces Pancreatic Cancer UK’s Family History Checker, a tool designed to help people understand their own risk.

This is an essential listen for anyone who wants to understand more about pancreatic cancer, the importance of early diagnosis, and how we can all play a part in raising awareness.

For more information, visit the Pancreatic Cancer UK website: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/

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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 explains why he's excited about an article in the British Journal of Urology International on prostate cancer which was co-authored by a leading North East London surgeon. Read that right here.

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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, supporting others with compassion and commitment, yet when her own symptoms of breast cancer emerged, her journey through the healthcare system was marked by delays, missed opportunities, and heartbreaking loss.

Chris opens up about Lynda’s courage, her love for her family, and her enduring dedication to others, even in the final weeks of her life. He also reflects on the challenges faced by carers, the impact of missed diagnoses, and the changes that are needed in cancer awareness and support.

Through this story, Chris offers powerful lessons for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals alike — reminding us of the importance of persistence, advocacy, and compassion in the face of cancer.

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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 Cathy Bouvier-Ellis, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, along with Jane Aylott, a patient sharing her lived experience, and Sarita Yaganti, Programme Lead for Personalised Cancer Care at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to discuss the challenges of diagnosing neuroendocrine cancer, the signs and symptoms to look out for, treatment options available, and the importance of connecting patients with specialist support networks.

Whether you are a patient, carer, or healthcare professional, this conversation sheds light on why early recognition matters and how support can make a huge difference for patients with neuroendocrine cancer.

Key facts and stats

· Around 6,000 people are diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) each year in the UK.

· NETs account for about 1–2% of all cancers, but incidence has been increasing over the past two decades.

· Many patients experience delays of 5–7 years on average before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

· Common sites include the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs.

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