Bowel screening saves lives, but many people are unsure of what it involves or why it’s so important. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we go back to basics to explain what bowel screening is, who can get it, and how it works.

Steve is joined by Caroline Cook, Programme Lead for Early Diagnosis at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and Leena Khagram from the NHS Bowel Screening Service to explore the efforts being made across North East London to increase uptake, and share how you, your family, and your community can all play a part in helping more people benefit from this simple, but life-saving test.

Plus they cover how a sample of poo really can save your life and most importantly, the techniques you need to collect your samples!

Work still needs to be done to encourage more people to complete and return the bowel screening test kit. This episode explores some of the specific barriers and challenges in north east London, where the population is amongst the most diverse in England, and is also in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are back with another look at the ways in which cancer is making the news. This time we're looking back on a January that's featured an update on King Charles's treatment, a new screening checker to see if YOU qualify for any screening programmes (click here), a cancer diagnosis for a football legend and a call from a Yorkshire woman diagnosed with early stage breast cancer to make sure women who qualify for a mammogram actually attend their appointment.

Plus, it's Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (Jan 19-25) and Steve and Femi are myth-busting! For example, did you know that cervical screening doesn't actually look for cancer?! Cervical screening usually looks for high-risk HPV, not cancer itself. If HPV is found, the sample is then checked for cell changes that could develop into cancer if untreated. Find out more here.

For more info, visit the Eve Appeal or for info on the alliance Health Hubs, head to the North East London Cancer Alliance website.

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In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Caroline Dancyger, Psychosocial Clinical Lead for the North East London Cancer Alliance, to discuss the importance of addressing not just the physical impact of cancer, but also the emotional, psychological, and social challenges that come with it.

Caroline explains what the term ‘psychosocial support’ means, how patients and families can access these services in north east London, and why this kind of care is a vital part of improving outcomes and quality of life.

For more information about the support services in north east London, visit https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support.

We also have a directory of training resources for healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of psychosocial services, which can be accessed via this webpage: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/personalised-care-and-psychosocial-care

Let us know what you think

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