Episode 8: Spotting symptoms of womb, cervical, ovarian, vulval and vaginal cancers

In this episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale talk to stand-up comedian Karen Hobbs, who works with the leading gynae cancer charity, the Eve Appeal.

 

In her own brutally honest but hilarious way, Karen shares her personal experience of cervical cancer and also talks about her work with The Eve Appeal and the cancer alliance on the ‘You Need To Know’ womb cancer campaign. This campaign raises awareness of the main symptom of womb cancer, which is bleeding after the menopause. Karen brings her humour and vast knowledge to bring about more open conversations about signs and symptoms in private parts of the body, covering all five gynae cancers (womb, cervical, ovarian, vulval and vaginal).

More information about the You Need To Know campaign is here: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/about-you-need-know-campaign

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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.