Taking Control of Cancer

About Taking Control of Cancer

Welcome to Taking Control of Cancer, the podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance. Think of us as your ‘how to’ guide when it comes to busting common cancer myths, overcoming fears and barriers, and improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. This series aims to provide both patients and healthcare professionals with tangible things they can do to help when it comes to cancer. Whilst we know not all cancers are preventable, there are things we can all do that could make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and colleagues. There are two underlying themes across all episodes – the importance of early diagnosis, and reducing health inequalities. Host: Steve Bland is an award-winning podcaster and producer and one of the three presenters of the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which was set up by his first wife - BBC presenter Rachael Bland - before her death from triple negative breast cancer in 2018. Regular guests: Dr Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer, North East London Cancer Alliance: Angela is a driving force behind improving cancer diagnostics for residents across north east London. As Chief Medical Officer for the North East London Cancer Alliance, Angela works tirelessly on delivering innovation and service improvements for cancer patients. Femi Odewale, Managing Director, North East London Cancer Alliance: Femi leads the programme teams from the North East London Cancer Alliance across three core areas of work: Early Diagnosis, Diagnosis and Treatment, and Personalised Care.

Publisher

North East London Cancer Alliance

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 May 2024

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

72 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Episode 69: Breaking cancer news - September 2026

   In September's wrap-up of breaking cancer news Steve Bland and Femi Odewale chat about the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and look back on a hotter than normal summer and the skin cancer risks that came with it. They also highlight the importance of research after a mum in Cambridge hailed the importance of a clinical trial in saving her life after a womb cancer diagnosis. (https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/news/mum-married-bowel-research-study-saved-from-womb-cancer/) They also ask could the new cervical cancer screening kits be a ‘game changer’?...and talk through a new programme that means every GP practice in north east London is now offering women a simple self-swab test for cervical screening. Plus we highlight a new video launched by the Alliance to explain how its Health Inequalities Strategy will help tackle unfair and avoidable differences in cancer outcomes across north east London, and pay tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen, who died this week.

2. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Episode 68: Telling breast cancer to 'Go and Do One'

   In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Deborah Fox, whose life changed after attending what she thought would be a routine breast screening appointment. She had no symptoms and felt completely well when she received her invitation for a mammogram. However, further tests following her screening led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. Deborah shares her experience of receiving the news, the treatment that followed, and the emotional impact of living with cancer. She reflects on how a routine appointment may have saved her life and explains why she decided to document her journey by writing a book, Cancer Can Go and Do One. Through her writing, Deborah hopes to offer reassurance, practical advice and hope to others who may be facing a similar diagnosis. Joining the conversation is Mansi Tara and Yvonne Tapper from the North East London breast screening service, who explain how the NHS Breast Screening Programme works, who is eligible, what happens during a mammogram, and why screening remains one of the most effective ways of finding breast cancer early. You can buy Deborah's book here! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cancer-Can-Go-Do-One-ebook/dp/B0HJ67H2LG/ (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cancer-Can-Go-Do-One-ebook/dp/B0HJ67H2LG/)

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   Episode 67: Breaking cancer news - August 2026

   In this month's cancer news round-up, Steve Bland is joined by the Alliance's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Angela Wong, to chew over August 2026. Steve and Angela talk about news that The Office star Lucy Davis's cancer is incurable and how 12 pharmacies across the East Midlands and London are now offering the EndoSign capsule sponge test to patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux in order to screen for oesophageal cancer. They also talk about research that shows how regularly checking in with patients with metastatic breast cancer by way of an app to enquire about their well-being – and responding promptly – can alleviate their debilitating fatigue and make their daily lives easier. And finally, they chat through the Macmillan Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Development Lead Pilot scheme, which has been shortlisted for a 2026 HSJ Award.

Who has been a guest on Taking Control of Cancer

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Francesca Jackson-Spence
• Dr Angel A Rodriguez
• Wayne Douglas
• Rosie O'Dea
• Molly Pipping

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

167,155

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

32

Contact Taking Control of Cancer

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Taking Control of Cancer