You, Me and the Big C: Putting the can in cancer

Leyla Hussein OBE, a psychotherapist and social activist joins Lauren, Deborah and Steve to talk about the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on cancer patients’ mental health and shares some helpful advice.Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Michelle Mitchell the CEO of Cancer Research UK and Lucy Gossage, a consultant oncologist working in Nottingham University Hospitals join Lauren, Deborah and Steve to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK during lockdown.We'd like to dedicate this podcast to Kelly Smith, Alex Jackson and those who have lost their lives during this global pandemic.

Deborah, Lauren and Steve do a #youmebigc takeover of Sarah Brett’s late night 5 Live radio show on World Cancer Day. They catch up with the person in charge of Deborah’s cancer treatment, Professor Cunningham. Hear some great news from the 5 Live Breakfast sports reader Chris Latcham on his leukemia, plus a catch up with Errol McKellar on his prostate campaigning and speak to a few people who called into the show.

Lauren, Steve and Deborah speak one to one with their best friends, Lereese, David and Sarah, about how they approach supporting them through the impact of cancer.Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Deborah, Lauren and Steve take a look back at 2019 and catch up with some good friends of the podcast.

Jess Mills, daughter of Baroness Tessa Jowell and Grant, father of #YouMeBigC friend Jack Morgan, join Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland. We discuss the things they’ve all done in memory of their love ones.

The #YouMeBigC team visit the Christie in Manchester to find about the UK’s first ever NHS Proton Beam centre. John Archer, the centre’s clinical manager, takes us on an all access tour of the facility. Deborah, Lauren and Steve speak to Dr Ed Smith, the proton beam clinical lead, to find out how the treatment works.They also chat to Angela Mulholland whose 5-year-old son, Aidan, has Ewing’s Sarcoma and is currently undergoing proton treatment for a tumour in his spine.Produced by Mike Holt and Alex Entwistle.

Newcastle Falcons' Johnny Williams, who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, and specialist prostate nurse Meg Burgess from Prostate Cancer UK, join Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon to talk about two of the biggest male specific cancers.You can get in touch by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.

Matthew Gould the Chief Executive Officer for NHSX, a new body set up to ensure that staff and patients have the technology they need, and Paul Landau, founder and CEO of Careology, who saw a need for a better use of app-based technology when he was supporting his wife through cancer, both join Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland to discuss the use of technology in cancer care.You can get in touch by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.

CEO of The Eve Appeal Athena Lamnisos, author of The Gynae Geek Dr Anita Mitra, cancer information officer and comedian Karen Hobbs discuss all things gynae cancer with the team.Please get in touch with us by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.Deborah, Lauren and Steve x

The #youmebigc team look at the way cancer storylines are told in soaps and take a trip to television's most famous cobbles – Coronation Street.Debs, Lauren and Steve speak to the two actors involved in one of the biggest soap stories of the year – Katie McGlynn and Rob Mallard, who play Sinead and Daniel Osbourne. We speak to Corrie legend Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, formerly Webster and Seddon and tells us how she was diagnosed with breast cancer in real-life, just days after her character was diagnosed in the soap.Plus, we're joined by Corrie story producer Lindsay Williams and Pete Wallroth from Mummy's Star, a charity dedicated to women and their families affected by cancer during pregnancy, who worked as an adviser on Sinead and Daniel's storyline.

Alex Jackson, who was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, shares her experience and frustrations of looking for more treatment options. Richard Johnson, a oncoplastic breast surgeon, who Rachael went to see for a second opinion, gives us his views. And Dr Rebecca Leon is back to provide a GP's perspective on the subject.They all join Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland as they discuss the process and fears around asking for a second medical opinion.Please get in touch with us by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.

Rebecca Leon, a cancer education lead, works with the Christie in Manchester and is a practicing GP in the North West of England. Dr Rebecca joins Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland to discuss primary care. Everyone’s cancer journey is different but we all start in same place... at the primary care stage.Please get in touch with us by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.

Deborah, Lauren and Steve are back for a new series. They start by talking about dating with cancer and the impact it can have on relationships.They speak to listeners of #youmebigc to find out what their experiences of dating with cancer have been - good, bad and life-changing.This episode is dedicated to our special friends (and previous guests on the pod) Jack Morgan and Tierney Kinsella.

To mark a year on from Rachael Bland’s death her husband Steve Bland introduces a collection of moments from the pod, some previously unheard clips and one of her final ever appearances on BBC 5 live with Deborah James and Lauren Mahon.Please get in touch with us by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media.

BBC newsreader Kate Williams and Jack Morgan join Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland to talk about the challenges they’ve both faced after being diagnosed with rare cancers.Plus Dr Paul Huang, a team leader in molecular and systems oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research, answers their questions and explains some of the difficulties when researching into uncommon cancers.You can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media.

Lauren, Deborah and Steve answer more of your questions on cancer (and anything else you wanted to ask them) in the second of this special two part podcast. Thank you to everyone who posted a question using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media.

Lauren, Deborah and Steve answer your questions on cancer (and anything else you wanted to ask them) in this special two part podcast. Thank you to everyone who posted a question using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media.

Head of features for ITV’s Lorraine, Helen Addis, talks about taking a break from work after finding out she had breast cancer and launched a campaign as a result. She also reveals how important a role Deborah played in her finding out she had cancer. Lorraine Kelly joins us to discuss the impact it's had on the production team.Former England Cricket captain Andrew Strauss, who stepped down as the ECB's director of cricket after his wife Ruth was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer, has an in depth conversation about how the illness and death of his wife affected the family.

Actor Larry Lamb, TV's Bill Turnbull and many others at the Marsden March speak to Deborah, Steve and (eventually) Lauren about the cancer charities and reasons they're walking.The team also catch up with Vicki and Woody Woodhall, their two sons, Alex and George, to get the latest update on their million pound target.

Author (with ‘ongoing cancer sizzle’) Emma Campbell and Anne Crook, counsellor and cognitive behavioural therapist at The Christie, join #YouMeBigC to talk about recurrent cancer.

Following a recent campaign that provoked a strong reaction Debs, Lauren and Steve are joined by Delyth Morgan the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now to talk about what wrong. Laura Bailey, AKA That Mum With Cancer, joins us to shed light on why the cancer community reacted the way it did.

Eastenders' Jake Wood, Great British Bake Off’s Candice Brown, TV presenter Helen Skelton and Charlie Webster join the #YouMeBigC team for a London Marathon behind the scenes special.We track Steve, who ran in memory of his wife and our podcast founder Rachael Bland.Plus, hear the stories of other competitors, whilst Deborah and Lauren face their own challenge to keep up with #TeamRachael in the London crowds.

Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland join Deborah James at the Royal Marsden Hospital as Debs goes in for an operation for the ablation of her liver tumours. We hear from Consultant Interventional Radiologist, Dr Nicos Fotiadis and Consultant Anaesthetist and Dr Torsten Beutlhauser who will be in charge of her procedure.Also Steve and Lozza go meet Mr Declan Cahill, a Consultant Urological Surgeon and his team. Declan takes them into his operating theatre as he oversees and performs an actual real life prostatectomy by robotic surgery. They then go and see Debs after her operation and catch up again with Dr Nicos Fotiadis.The whole #youmebigc team would like to thank the Royal Marsden Hospital for providing us with this incredible opportunity.

No guests, but a quick update on the #YouMeBigC team from Lauren Mahon, Deborah James and Steve Bland.

Vicki Woodall, whose son George was diagnosed at the age of five, shares her experiences with Lauren Mahon, Deborah James and Steve Bland.Tierney Kinsella, who was diagnosed with cancer at 14 and has been in treatment for the past four years, tells her story. Plus Dr Julia Chisholm, Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist at the Royal Marsden, joins the team to answer their questions and talk about the intricacies of treating children with cancer.Radio 1’s Chris Stark, who played a big role in getting You, Me and the Big C to the top of the podcast charts, calls in for a quick chat.

Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland talk all about food and diet when you have cancer. They do some myth busting with Toral Shah, a nutritional scientist and founder of the Urban Kitchen. The food stylist and founder of Life Kitchen, Ryan Riley, discusses maximizing flavour from food after a loss or change of taste due to treatments.

Marking the release of Rachael Bland's book to her son Fred, Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Rachael's husband Steve talk about the challenges she went through writing it in the final months of her life.They also discuss the positives and negatives of sharing their cancer stories so publicly. Deborah's son Hugo gives his thoughts on how he feels about it..

CoppaFeel’s Kris Hallenga joins Deborah, Lauren and Steve alongside Kathryn Mannix, who’s worked in palliative care since 1986, and Adrienne Betteley, specialist advisor for end of life care at Macmillan Cancer Support.

Deborah James and Lauren Mahon visit the Francis Crick Institute to explore the hope in cancer research. They talk to Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s CEO and Dr Sam Godfrey. Given a guided tour around one of the labs by PhD student, Edurne Mugarza. Professor Julian Downward, Associate Research Director at the Crick, discusses how his work led to the development of drugs such as Herceptin and panitumumab and we find out his hopes for the future.

Deborah James and Lauren Mahon are joined by Saima Thompson, a restauranteur who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, to explore how different cultures view cancer.They talk to Cary Adams the Chief Executive Officer at the Union for International Cancer Control. Plus, Errol McKellar, a former car mechanic who now dedicates his life to encouraging men to get tested for prostate cancer, shares his incredible story. You can suggest future topics and join in the conversation on social media by using #youmebigc

The benefits of exercise pre and post cancer are discussed by Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland. Project leader Zoe Merchant and personal trainer Kirsty Rowlinson talk about ‘Prehab4Cancer’ - a programme in Greater Manchester aimed to prepare cancer patients going into treatment. Cancer rehabilitation specialist and founder of MOVE charity Gemma Hillier-Moses talks about her use of exercise in the recovery process. Oncologist and tri-athlete Lucy Gossage, who has 12 Ironman wins, shares her experiences and gives her much needed triathlon tips to the team.

Deborah James and Lauren Mahon are joined by Steve Bland to talk about cancer at Christmas. The first part was recorded a month before Christmas. In the second part the three come back together 10 days before the big day. Debs shares an important update and they all reveal how their feelings have changed.

Steve Bland joins Deborah and Lauren to talk publicly for the first time about the loss of Rachael.A year after the sudden tragic death of his wife Gemma, Simon Thomas shares some of his experiences and the impact on his family.Specialist bereavement counsellor and founder of Grief Encounter, Shelley Gilbert, also joins Deborah, Lauren and Steve to share some advice about processing grief.

In Rachael’s final podcast with Deborah and Lauren they discuss the 'new normal'. This term is commonly used by doctors and cancer communities when people are finding a sense of normality in their lives after diagnosis and treatment. Dr Liz O'Riordan, who has recurrent breast cancer, joins the #YouMeBigC girls to talk about her experiences. This podcast was released at the request of Rachael and her husband Steve.

Deborah James AKA Bowelbabe, Lauren Mahon AKA Girl vs Cancer, producers Mike Holt AKA 'The Bear' and Al Entwistle AKA 'Vid Skills' talk about Rachael’s final days, the podcast and what our very special friend meant to us. This podcast also includes clips of tributes on BBC 5 Live after Rachael’s death on Tuesday 5th September 2018.

Rachael, Deborah and Lauren talk about dealing with the pain caused by cancer. Plus Dr Matthew Brown, a consultant in pain medicine and anaesthetics from the Royal Marsden Hospital, joins the girls to share his experiences of treating the discomfort cancer patients can suffer.

The girls discuss how cancer has had an impact on dating and intimacy with their partners. They speak to author Annie Belasco who wrote a book on her experiences of dating. Then Gynae Cancer Nurse Specialist Tracie Miles from the Eve Appeal answers some of your questions about the impact of cancer on a sex life.

Why do some people have such a problem talking about death? Rachael, Deborah and Lauren are joined by the actor Greg Wise, who took care of his dying sister, to discuss some of the hang ups people have around the subject.They also give us an update on their current health situations after taking a short break from podcasting.

The girls look into the future of cancer care. They talk to Dr Fiona Thistlethwaite from The Christie who is looking after Rachael’s current drug trial. They also speak to Professor David Cunningham from the Royal Marsden who over sees Deborah’s medical team about his thoughts on where cancer treatment is heading.

Rachael talks about receiving some bad news. The #YouMeBigC team discuss the different reactions they've had from friends and the public about going public with their cancer. Plus, Kelly Smith, a 29 year old online friend with bowel cancer, meets the girls for the first time.

Jules Peters, the wife of The Alarm frontman Mike Peters, and Jean Slocombe, a Cancer Research UK specialist information nurse, join #YouMeBigC to talk about alternative and complimentary therapies.

Former Arsenal and Celtic footballer John Hartson and Rachael’s surgeon Richard joins #YouMeBigC as we look at the relationships between cancer patients and their medical teams.

Emma & Jonathan Agnew join #youmebigc The girls leave Rachael’s husband, Lauren's brother, Deborah’s father and Aggers to talk openly about the impact of their loved ones cancer.

A Macmillan expert shares tips on dealing with the financial pressures of cancer, plus Hollyoaks and The Bill star Ben Richards talks about acting while fighting bowel cancer.

Rachael, Deborah and Lauren talk about the effects of cancer on the body. Claire Paxman joins the girls to talk about scalp cooling during chemo and gives her expert tips.

Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry joins Rachael, Deborah and Lauren as they talk about fertility issues around cancer. They also discuss the effects on their children and speak to Sarah Pickles who successfully had a second child after going through treatment.

Linda Nolan joins Rachael, Deborah and Lauren to discuss a few of the positives they've found with cancer, including; friendship, dating, presents and playing their cancer cards.

The #youmebigc team, Rachael, Deborah and Lauren give you their personal guide to all things chemo. They are joined by chemotherapy nurse Kate Lewis from The Royal Marsden who shares her advice and expertise.

The #youmebigc team, Rachael, Deborah and Lauren discuss how battling cancer can impact mental health. Event rider Ben Hobday shares how he maintained a positive attitude.