Talking Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support presents a bumper podcast episode following a first-of-its-kind panel discussion hosted by presenter, broadcast and campaigner Lauren Mahon. A candid conversation led by real people with fascinating, unique experiences of cancer, who are ready to share their stories. Cancer, dating, relationships, fertility – no topic is off the table.

In the final episode of the series, Angie chats with Nick who was diagnosed with bowel cancer during the pandemic. Nick describes his experience of being diagnosed as a young person living in London, and getting to grips with his stoma bag which he now calls ‘Zippy’. Angie also chats with Macmillan’s Strategic Advisor for Treatment, Dany Bell, who provides some tips and tricks for living with a stoma bag. For more information and support about stomas, visit Macmillan’s webpage (bit.ly/34DaMHw).

Angie has a cuppa with Dee, who talks about her breast cancer diagnosis while she was juggling life as a single mum. Dee explains the emotional impact that her diagnosis had on her young son. Later in the episode, Angie speaks to Macmillan professional Azmina Rose, who offers some guidance and support for single parents living with cancer.For more information and support visit Macmillan’s website (bit.ly/34oVnLa), or call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

*This episode contains content which may be upsetting for some listeners*Angie meets with Chris, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer twice between 2007 and 2017. In this episode, Chris tells Angie about his initial diagnosis, during which time his dad, John, was a huge source of support to him. However, six years later, John received his own diagnosis, and sadly died in 2015. Chris explains how he coped with grief and a second diagnosis without his dad by his side. Later in the episode, Angie talks to Boots’ Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan, about his own experience and the practical support available when dealing with loss.For more information and support, visit Macmillan’s page on coping with bereavement (bit.ly/3ogiheB).

Angie catches up with Iyna, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Iyna explains that, in her community, cancer is often not spoken about and she found herself on the receiving end of hurtful comments from some individuals. Angie also speaks to Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacist, Bina Mehta, about the support that’s out there for people facing similar challenges after their diagnosis.

*This episode contains content which may be upsetting for some listeners*In this episode, Angie meets Krista, who was diagnosed with myeloma in May 2020. Still coming to terms with her diagnosis and facing treatment at home, Krista explains how she had to make a life-changing decision between fertility treatment and cancer treatment. Later on, Macmillan professional Azmina Rose joins Angie to offer guidance about the support available when thinking about fertility and cancer. For more information and support, visit Macmillan’s webpages on fertility in women (bit.ly/3rrJkUL) and fertility in men (bit.ly/3fAWgSS).

Angie Greaves meets with Toria, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the UK’s first coronavirus lockdown. She shares her experience of telling her five-year-old twin boys about her cancer and, later, Macmillan professional Azmina Rose joins Angie to provide guidance and support for people who need to talk to children about a cancer diagnosis.For more information and support with talking to children about cancer, visit Macmillan’s website . You can also call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, for more information

*This episode contains content which may be upsetting for some listeners*.Join Emma B and Macmillan’s Strategic Advisor for End of Life Care, Adrienne Betteley, as they discuss some of the most common questions asked around the options for end of life care during the pandemic. From what the guidance means for seeing loved ones outside your household, to the benefits you might be entitled to. Plus, Dany Bell provides some practical advice for those receiving end of life care.For information support on the issues raised in this episode, you can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. You may also find the end of life care page (https://bit.ly/3384Vqc) on Macmillan’s coronavirus hub helpful.

This episode Emma B is joined by a new guest, Macmillan’s Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs, Eve Byrne, to discuss the money worries people with cancer may have during the pandemic and what financial support is available. Ruth, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, also shares her words of advice when it comes to finances and cancer, during coronavirus. For more information and support about financial issues, visit the financial support and coronavirus page (https://bit.ly/2GMJG5h) of our coronavirus hub. You can also call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, for more information.

In this episode, Emma B is joined again by Macmillan’s chief medical officer Dr Rosie Loftus and Boots’ Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan, to discuss all the practical support available to people with cancer during the pandemic and how to access it. The professionals also talk about the latest government guidance and what this means in practice for those clinically vulnerable. Mandy, who lives with treatable but not curable breast cancer, also shares her words of wisdom for handling cancer treatment and shielding during the ongoing pandemic. For further information and support about practical issues, visit our coronavirus hub (https://bit.ly/34Ce3Vf). You can also call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm for more information.

In this episode, Emma B is joined by Macmillan’s Work & Cancer expert, Liz Egan. Tune in to hear more about your rights at work during the pandemic, which ‘reasonable adjustments’ you can ask your employer to make to allow you to continue working, the options available as the furlough scheme comes to an end, and guidance for anybody out there who might have been made redundant. Richard, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2018, also shares his advice on the steps you can take if you’re working in the pandemic while living with cancer.For more information about work and cancer more generally, why not listen back to Episode 5 from Series 1? Alternatively, you can visit the Macmillan website to find more information on your rights at work if you have been diagnosed with cancer (https://bit.ly/3iVDepi), or call our Work Support Service free on 0808 808 00 00 to speak to Macmillan’s specially trained advisors, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.

In the strange times we find ourselves living in, Emma B catches up with a familiar face from Series 1 – Macmillan’s Strategic Advisor for Treatment, Dany Bell. Emma and Dany discuss the impact of the pandemic on our mental health, including how to spot the signs if you or a loved one are struggling and what support is out there. We also hear from Carole, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last December and found out earlier this year that the cancer had spread to her bones. She offers some advice for managing anxieties around potential delays to treatment.For more information and support, visit Macmillan’s webpage on getting help with your emotions: https://bit.ly/349xIdn. You can also call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, for more information.

Emma B catches up with Macmillan’s Chief Medical Officer, Rosie Loftus, and Boots’ Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan, to talk about the services available and practical advice you’ll need to navigate this ‘new normal’ of Covid 19 with cancer. Plus, we hear from Ruth, who was diagnosed with breast cancer during the Coronavirus lockdown, as she shares her tips for attending appointments on your own.

Just after turning 40, nurse Ben was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. He talks openly to Emma about losing his beloved quiff and the other side effects that come with cancer treatment, as well as how he keeps a positive outlook and continues to enjoy food. Emma also welcomes back Macmillan professional Dany, who sheds some light on treatment options and how best to cope.We know that Ben’s experience isn’t the same for everyone, so if you’ve been left unsure or waiting for more information about your cancer diagnosis or treatment, Macmillan is right there with you to answer questions or offer support via our website (https://bit.ly/2Uwrgsi), Macmillan’s free Support Line Service (0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or Online Chat on the Macmillan website (https://bit.ly/2J7KAqq).

Having had six cancer diagnoses across 30 years due to a hereditary gene, Helen has a lot of stories of her personal experience to share, especially on the topics of work, career and finances. For expert advice on these issues, Emma and Dany are joined by special guest and Macmillan Work & Cancer expert, Liz. Liz shares guidance on approaching tricky conversations with employers and how to navigate the world of work after a cancer diagnosis.For further information about the topics discussed in this episode, head to www.macmillan.org.uk/talkingcancer.