For this World Cancer Day special episode, Steve Bland and Femi Odewale, Managing Director of North East London Cancer Alliance, are joined by Dr Jagan John — a GP at Aurora Medcare, GPwSI in Cardiology at BDCHS, Personalised Care Clinical Director for NHS England (London), and Primary Care Board Representative for NEL ICB.

Together, they explore the significance of World Cancer Day, the launch of the National Cancer Plan for England, and what these national ambitions mean on the ground for patients and communities in north east London.

Following the launch of the National Cancer Plan for England, Femi talks through the key priorities of the plan and what they mean specifically for North East London Cancer Alliance.

As one of the top-performing cancer alliances in the country, consistently meeting and exceeding the three national cancer standards, the Alliance is well placed to build on strong foundations. Femi reflects on what has driven this performance to date, where there is still more to do, and how the new national plan provides both opportunities and challenges for cancer alliances and the communities they serve.

Drawing on his frontline experience as a GP, Dr John reflects on how cancer policy translates into day-to-day primary care — from prevention and early diagnosis to personalised, compassionate support for people living with and beyond cancer.

Bowel screening saves lives, but many people are unsure of what it involves or why it’s so important. In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, we go back to basics to explain what bowel screening is, who can get it, and how it works.

Steve is joined by Caroline Cook, Programme Lead for Early Diagnosis at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and Leena Khagram from the NHS Bowel Screening Service to explore the efforts being made across North East London to increase uptake, and share how you, your family, and your community can all play a part in helping more people benefit from this simple, but life-saving test.

Plus they cover how a sample of poo really can save your life and most importantly, the techniques you need to collect your samples!

Work still needs to be done to encourage more people to complete and return the bowel screening test kit. This episode explores some of the specific barriers and challenges in north east London, where the population is amongst the most diverse in England, and is also in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

Steve Bland and Femi Odewale are back with another look at the ways in which cancer is making the news. This time we're looking back on a January that's featured an update on King Charles's treatment, a new screening checker to see if YOU qualify for any screening programmes (click here), a cancer diagnosis for a football legend and a call from a Yorkshire woman diagnosed with early stage breast cancer to make sure women who qualify for a mammogram actually attend their appointment.

Plus, it's Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (Jan 19-25) and Steve and Femi are myth-busting! For example, did you know that cervical screening doesn't actually look for cancer?! Cervical screening usually looks for high-risk HPV, not cancer itself. If HPV is found, the sample is then checked for cell changes that could develop into cancer if untreated. Find out more here.

For more info, visit the Eve Appeal or for info on the alliance Health Hubs, head to the North East London Cancer Alliance website.

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