In the first of three episodes recorded at the brand new breast cancer centre of excellence at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, host Steve Bland finds out how the idea for the groundbreaking centre came about, how it's going to transform the way breast cancer is treated in this part of London and how Barts Charity has helped fund the centre.

To do that, Steve is joined by Laura Johnson, the surgical lead at the Breast Cancer Centre, and Fiona Miller Smith, the Chief Executive of Barts Charity, who tells Steve all about the 'Here For It' campaign being run by gthe charity to raise money to further support the centre.

About the Breast Cancer Centre:

With support from Barts Charity, the centre, which is based across the hospital's Smithfield and Giltspur wings, brings together surgery, reconstruction, diagnostics and outpatient care under one roof — making it easier to access the right care, at the right time.

Designed to reduce delays and improve outcomes, it offers women faster diagnosis, safer surgery and fairer access to leading treatments and clinical trials. As part of the wider cancer services, it reflects the hospital's commitment to improving survival and quality of life for everyone affected by cancer.

In September's wrap-up of breaking cancer news Steve Bland and Femi Odewale chat about the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and look back on a hotter than normal summer and the skin cancer risks that came with it. They also highlight the importance of research after a mum in Cambridge hailed the importance of a clinical trial in saving her life after a womb cancer diagnosis.

They also ask could the new cervical cancer screening kits be a ‘game changer’?...and talk through a new programme that means every GP practice in north east London is now offering women a simple self-swab test for cervical screening.

Plus we highlight a new video launched by the Alliance to explain how its Health Inequalities Strategy will help tackle unfair and avoidable differences in cancer outcomes across north east London, and pay tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen, who died this week.

In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Deborah Fox, whose life changed after attending what she thought would be a routine breast screening appointment. She had no symptoms and felt completely well when she received her invitation for a mammogram. However, further tests following her screening led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Deborah shares her experience of receiving the news, the treatment that followed, and the emotional impact of living with cancer. She reflects on how a routine appointment may have saved her life and explains why she decided to document her journey by writing a book, Cancer Can Go and Do One. Through her writing, Deborah hopes to offer reassurance, practical advice and hope to others who may be facing a similar diagnosis.

Joining the conversation is Mansi Tara and Yvonne Tapper from the North East London breast screening service, who explain how the NHS Breast Screening Programme works, who is eligible, what happens during a mammogram, and why screening remains one of the most effective ways of finding breast cancer early.

You can buy Deborah's book here!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cancer-Can-Go-Do-One-ebook/dp/B0HJ67H2LG/