Taking Control of Cancer

In this episode, Steve Bland talks to British athlete Joe Appiah, who shares his experience of prostate cancer and talks about prostate cancer risks, urging men with a higher risk to take action.
 
Joe is a British athlete with an impressive array of championship titles across hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Joe’s friend and hurdling rival was diagnosed with prostate cancer himself and encouraged Joe to speak to his GP. Now Joe wants to pass on the favour as he campaigns to raise awareness of the risk of prostate cancer, particular in the black community where the risk is higher. 
 
This episode also covers key facts and stats about prostate cancer, especially for the black community where the risk is higher. Joe talks about his personal experience of prostate cancer combined with his athletics career, along with the community work he is doing to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
 
The episode includes a look at the key facts about prostate cancer and what to do if you are at a higher risk, with the key thing being to get a PSA test.

Joe’s story can be seen here: https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2022/03/joe-appiah-says-his-friend-saved-his-life.

Joe produced an awareness raising video with the cancer alliance, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/bp-KG7OWdX0

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What is 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.