Rad Chat

• E166: Sharon and Chris Curtis - Head and Neck Cancer, Carers and the Swallow’s Charity

  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer, suicide, side effects and recurrence.Episode 166: Part of the living with and beyond cancer series (Part52).Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Sharon and Chris Curtis from the Swallow’s Charity. Chris is the founder of the charity and former chairman for 7 years, in 2020 he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Chris was diagnosed with Cancer at the base of his tongue on Friday, 13th May 2011 and went through Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, two neck dissections and fed through a feeding peg for several years. During his treatment he found times he wanted to speak to someone who was going through what he was to ask questions or just for someone to listen, in his words “not just 9am to 5pm or a night a month but when I needed it!”.As Chris started to recover, he decided to start a local group of likeminded people to solve his problems of someone to talk to. Within 8 months he took the group to full charity status on the 16th November 2012 and started to build his vision of getting help and support to patients & caregivers 24/7 and at the point they required to support. Chris has now taken the charity to an international support and awareness group supporting over 7000 people over the years and working out of hospitals across the globe.When Sharon’s husband was diagnosed with throat cancer, she never realised how much her life was going to change and how this would affect her role within their relationship. Sharon said, “No longer could I continue as just a wife and a mother, but I became the bread winner, the person who put the bins out, the odd job person but more importantly I became a nurse, unfortunately a role I have never wanted to play. You are on the same cancer journey as the patient but somehow, I started to feel that I was on a different path, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”Sharon’s background is in Travel, Local Council and for the past 10 years a PA at Director level, along with this has have for some time now been very involved in the carers side of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group. She realised that other carers have been going through similar changes in their lives with little or no support. As such Sharon uses her work & life skills to take on the challenge of by becoming a Carer Advocate and to get the Carers Voice heard to ensure that they get what they need to help them on their journey.Sharon joined the Swallows Team as Charity Administrative Manager and now holds all the logistics and management of the charity.This episode is a deep dive into Chris’ journey from diagnosis to living with and beyond cancer, the Swallow’s charity and Sharon’s role as carer for Chris.CPD Reflection Points:Read about the symptoms of head and neck cancer: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/head-and-neck-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-head-and-neck-cancerLook at the Swallows Charity website: https://theswallows.org.uk/Reflect on Chris’ diagnosis and treatment for cancer.Consider how you could improve the support for carers within your professional practice.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:The Swallow’s Charity: https://theswallows.org.uk/The Swallow’s Charity restaurant card: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/services/restaurant-card/The Swallow’s Charity carers: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/caregivers/Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/Maggie’s Charity Support for Friends and Family: https://www.maggies.org/cancer-support/our-support/friends-and-family/ESMO 2022 | The aims of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Charity: https://www.vjoncology.com/video/moyqkwnegku-the-aims-of-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-support-charity/Leo Cancer Care and the Swallow’s Charity: https://leocancercare.com/news-and-events/press-release/leo-cancer-care-and-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-charity-team-up-to-improve-future-radiotherapy-experience/Samaritans Charity: https://www.samaritans.org/Mind Charity: https://www.mind.org.uk/Head and Neck Cancer Neck Dissection: https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/23/neck_dissection/Research links from the Episode:Experiences and Needs of Carers of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic ReviewFamily Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Metasynthesis of Qualitative StudiesRad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

  --------  

  52:05
• E165: Dr. Gemma Eminowicz - Treating Gynaecological Cancers with MR-Linac and Brachytherapy

  Trigger Warning: cancer, gynaecological cancer, death and dying, gender based violence, mental health and brachytherapy.Episode 165: Part of the education and workforce development (series 57).Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Gemma Eminowicz to hear about her work in utilising MR-Linac for gynaecological cancer. Dr. Gemma Eminowicz MBChB, MRCP, FRCR, MD(Res) is a consultant clinical oncologist and brachytherapy lead treating gynaecological cancers at University College London Hospital (UCLH). She is also an honorary clinical associate professor at University College London (UCL), chair of the GEC-ESTRO gynae working group, member of ESTRO gynae focus group, organiser of gyn-SMART webinars and principle investigator on many systemic therapy clinical trials including at a UK level (eg Keynote B21). She has published 26 oncology papers, 8 as first author and multiple book chapters. She has been heavily involved in the practice changing INTERLACE trial from radiotherapy quality assurance to analysis of final results and dissemination of primary and secondary outcome data. She remains active within ESTRO, ESGO, BGCS and GTG-UK and strives to improve patient care through multidisciplinary treatments focusing on systemic therapy and high quality radiotherapy. CPD Reflection Points:Read about the types of gynaecological cancers, along with signs and symptoms of each: https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/gynaecological-cancers/.Consider how you could support people who have to have brachytherapy treatment.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:Dr. Gemma Eminowicz https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-consultant/dr-gemma-eminowiczGEC-ESTRO gynaecology committee: https://www.estro.org/About/ESTRO-Organisation-Structure/Committees/GEC-ESTRO-CommitteeESTRO Gynaecology focus group: https://www.estro.org/About/ESTRO-Organisation-Structure/Focus-Groups/GynaecologyGYN-Smart webinars: https://sites.google.com/view/gyn-smartKeynote B21: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(24)03822-5/fulltextINTERLACe trial: https://www.ctc.ucl.ac.uk/TrialDetails.aspx?Trial=89MR-Linac treatment Genesis Care: https://www.genesiscare.com/uk/treatment/radiotherapy/mr-linacResearch links from the Episode:Creutzberg C, Kim JW, Eminowicz G et al. The Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup(GCIG) consensus recommendations for clinical research in Endometrial Cancer. Lancet oncology September 2024.Sarwar A, Eminowicz G. Radiotherapy induced ureteric stenosis in locally advanced cervical cancer: A review of current evidence. Brachytherapy, 2024,ISSN 1538-4721, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brachy.2024.03.002.Mirza MR, RUBY investigators. Dostarlimab for Primary Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2023 Jun 8;388(23):2145-2158.Gaze MN, Smeulders N, Ackwerh R, Allen C, Bal N, Boutros M, Cho A, Eminowicz G, Gill E, Fittall MW, Humphries PD, Lim P, Mushtaq I, Nguyen T, Peet C, Pendse D, Polhill S, Rees H, Sands G, Shankar A, Slater O, Sullivan T, Hoskin PJA National Referral Service for Paediatric Brachytherapy: An Evolving Practice and Outcomes Over 13 Years. Clin Oncol(R Coll Radiol). 2022 Dec 30:S0936-6555(22)00609-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.12.008. Online ahead of print.Sarwar A, Lalli N, Eminowicz G. Ureter dose optimization during image guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Brachytherapy. 2022 Apr 11:S1538-4721(22)00035-6.Rad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

  --------  

  37:01
• E164: Dr. James Lam - novel machine learning algorithm to identify new cancer drug targets

  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer.​​​​Episode 164: Part of the education and workforce development series (part 56).Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. James Lam talking about his career as a medical oncologist and work around developing a novel machine learning algorithm to identify new cancer drug targets.​​​​James studied Medicine at Cambridge and completed his MBBS at UCL, qualifying in 2017 with Distinction. He holds an MA(Cantab) for research in retinal neuroscience and was ranked first among all UK Medical Oncology ST3 applicants in 2021.​​Awarded an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, he has contributed to practice-changing oncology trials and cancer cachexia research with the TRACERx Consortium. Now at BioCorteX, he applies computational metagenomics and AI to shaping future cancer care.​​James remains dedicated to oncology research, with a strong interest in nutrition, fitness, and health optimisation.​​​​CPD Reflection Points:​​Read through the three publications attached to show notes and reflect upon how this research may impact on clinical practice. ​​​​Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.​​​​Links from the Episode:​​https://biocortex.com/​​Research links from the Episode:​​ASCO Conquer Cancer Award - Differential Clinical Trial Outcomes in Japan and the US​​Nature Medicine Publication - Cancer Cachexia in TRACERx ​​Google Cloud Press Release - Bacterial Interactions in ADC Cancer Treatment​​Rad Chat Links:​​Rad Chat Website​​Link Tree​​Facebook​​Instagram​​LinkedIn​​TikTok​​BlueSky​​YouTube​​Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

  --------  

  49:05
• E163: Paul Schneider - Living with Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer & Hear the Roar Podcast

  Title: Living with Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer & Hear the Roar PodcastTrigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer, cancer diagnostics, cancer treatments, metastatic disease, death and dying.Episode163: Part of the Living with and  Beyond Series(Part53)Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Paul Schneider, who shares his experience with cancer and the support he received from charities like Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity and how he used his experiences to set up Hear the Roar podcast.CPD Reflection Points:How can you integrate the insights from the podcast into your practice to improve patient care?Understand the psychosocial impact of HNC on patients, including the emotional and psychological challenges, and how to provide supportive care.Evaluate the quality of life(QoL) factors for patients diagnosed with HNC and strategies to improve QoL during and after treatment.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:To see Paul using the PBM equipment and his experience at the time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdci65n-LjcTo download the Hear the Roar podcast interviews, visit https://heartheroar.buzzsprout.comSwallows cancer charity. https://theswallows.org.ukResearch links from the Episode:Quality Assessment of PBM Protocols for Oral Complications in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Part 1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9300948/Serious Long-Term Effects of Head and Neck Cancer from the Survivors’ Point of View. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048748/Rad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

  --------  

  46:18
• E162: Priyanka Pandya - When Mummy Had Cancer

  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer and talking to children about a cancer diagnosis. Episode162, which is part of the living with and beyond cancer series. Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with guest Priyanka Pandya. When Priyanka Pandya was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, her world shifted overnight. A devoted teacher, children’s life coach, and mother of two young daughters, Priyanka faced an unimaginable challenge, navigating her illness while raising her girls, who were just 4 and 2 at the time. But instead of shielding them from the harsh reality, she chose to open up through gentle, honest conversations. She answered their questions, addressed their fears, and created a space where they could express their emotions freely.This experience inspired Priyanka to write ‘When Mummy Had Cancer’, a heartfelt picture book that helps families talk about illness in an age-appropriate way. Told through the innocent eyes of a young girl, the book captures the emotional rollercoaster that children experience when a parent is unwell. It’s more than just a story, it’s a tool that empowers families to have honest, supportive conversations about difficult topics.CPD Reflection Points:What support mechanisms are in place for parents undergoing radiotherapy while caring for young children, and how do these mechanisms address both the emotional and practical challenges they face?Reflect upon the quality of the literature available to patients who may be having to have difficult conversations with their children. Are there further resources you could make available?Read the associated literature and reflect upon how your practice may develop to further support patients with young children. Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:As a certified children’s life coach, Priyanka now dedicates her time to supporting families through 1:1 coaching sessions and school workshops. Through her practice, Priyanka Pandya Life Coach(https://priyankapandyalifecoach.com).When Mummy Had Cancer is a touching story about a family’s journey through a challenging time, told from a child's perspective. It explores fear, sadness, and bravery as the family faces Mummy's illness together. Beautiful illustrations gently help kids understand emotions, offering hope and comfort. https://amzn.eu/d/0yV9hAnThe Psychosocial Effect of Parental Cancer: Qualitative Interviews with Patients’ Dependent Children. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9857104/Cancer parents’ experiences of parenting concerns about minor children: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24000377Supporting families when a significant adult has cancer with caring responsibilities for dependent children (<18 years old). https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/nursing-and-health/caring-for-people-with-complex-needs/cancer/family-centred-cancer-careRad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

  --------  

  33:52

Fler podcasts i Hälsa och motion

Trendiga poddar i Hälsa och motion

Om Rad Chat