Taking Control of Cancer

In this episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale speak to 'local GP of the year in 2019' Dr Farzana Hussain about how to help encourage people to come forward for life-saving screening and to get checked for symptoms by their GP.
 
Farzana is a passionate, charismatic GP from the London Borough of Newham, with a vast experience of supporting local people in north east London. She cares deeply about her patients and has built up close relationships throughout her dedicated support over the years. She is determined to make a difference in cancer, helping people get diagnosed more quickly and getting their treatment at the right time.

This episode provides advice for patients from a GP's perspective, as well as a look at how we can encourage different communities to come forward. It explores specific barriers and ways of overcoming these, for example starting conversations at home about cancer and supporting friends, family and colleagues.

Follow Farzana on X: @fhussain73
 

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.