Naked Health Dr Penny Ward

In this episode we meet Heather, diagnosed with Stage 4 ALK +ve lung cancer at the age of 34.  She has never smoked, she challenges the bias and stigma associated between lung cancer and smoking, the implicit association between the two. Is this why funding into lung cancer research is lower than other cancers, the idea it is somehow self-inflicted, preventable.  Is this why people aren't speaking up about their stories and raised awareness, they feel guilt, shame, as if the finger is being pointed at them?  Is this why lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide?

Heather speaks about living with cancer, how she will never hear the words "remission" or "no evidence of disease".  How to live alongside this, ensuring she is living her best life and inspiring others to do the same. Creating a community of "Thrivers" to support and encourage each other to flourish in the face of adversity.

References:

To read more about symptoms of lung cancer:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/

For more information including numbers for emotional and financial support for those diagnosed/ affected by lung cancer, British Lung Foundation: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/lung-cancer

Heather can be found on instagram @foxxnsoxx  - she also has a blog www.livingliveswithlungcancer.com and a Facebook group which is a place where the community talks about life and what makes life worth living - http://www.facebook.com/groups/livingliveswithlungcancer

Did you know the majority of cervical cancer is due to a virus and nearly all cases are preventable?

Cervical cancer, once the 4th most common cancer Worldwide, is now the 8th and the 19th most common in the U.K. Figures should be decreasing due to the increasingly sophisticated smear programme and the advent of the HPV vaccination, in fact 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are preventable. But here's the thing, we need to talk about it, increase awareness, go for our smear tests, no matter what, and know what the worrying signs are.

Dr Penny Ward speaks to Sophie about her diagnosis as a new mum and how she is trying to increase awareness of cervical cancer.  She also speaks with gynaecologist Dr Alison Torrens about HPV, the part this plays in cervical cancer and the vaccination programme.

Personal experience, a little cell biology and even some medical history in this episode.

References:

Follow Sophie and her journey on Instagram, links to her article in the Huffington Post in her biography @sevvy_d

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, a wealth of information covering all aspects of cervical cancer https://jostrust.org.uk/

For more information from the NHS on cervical cancer and the screening programme https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/

Thank you to Josh Woodward for the song I'll Be Right Behind You Josephine https://joshwoodward.com/

Is life a series of definitive points, events? Our journeys predestined? What then happens when we come across an unexpected fork, or twist, in the journey.  Is this possible? Never, rarely, sometimes, always.....just like in the film we have to open to the possibility, to chance.  As health professionals, whilst common conditions are common, uncommon conditions, unusual presentations are out there too. We need to be open to the possibility, to the chance.  Patients come to see us with these too. Life journeys may, or may not be predestined, but we should not be the ones to alter life's course because we haven't considered the rarely, the sometimes.
It is less common for younger people to have bowel cancer, than those over 50 years old. But it happens, 2500 times in the UK, each year. And that number is going up.
Olivia speaks to Dr Penny Ward about the struggles she faced to be diagnosed with bowel cancer in her 20s.  How the implications of treatment affected her fertility, she talks about her stoma, and the excitement which the Summer of 2020 brings having found a surrogate.


References:

Olivia's blog can be found here - https://oliviasgotguts.wordpress.com
and to follow her on social media @oliviasgotguts

How to describe what your stool looks like - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg99/resources/cg99-constipation-in-children-and-young-people-bristol-stool-chart-2

A food diary template from Hillingdon Hospital - https://www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/dietetics/Food_and_Symptom_Diary.pdfInformation 

Bowel cancer and trying to increase awareness in young people, 'Never Too Young' campaign - https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/campaigning/never-too-young/

Music by Josh Woodward, 'Little Tomcat' - http://joshwoodward.com

Bowel cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.  Awareness seems lacking in comparison to some other cancers, despite this being 'a big one'.  Why is that? Do we bury our heads in the sand when it comes to talking about poo? Or is the information not out there as much as other cancers, are the campaigns not bold enough, loud enough, frequent enough?
Dr Penny Ward speaks to special guest Ian who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019. She discusses symptoms with him, those that are in the textbooks and national campaigns, and those that are not. She gives a brief anatomy lesson on the large bowel, discussing why cancers presenting in different places in the bowel can present differently.

References:

For more information about the bowel and how it works: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/the-bowel/

Information about the new bowel screening test we use as GPs if you present with symptoms (more details in subsequent podcasts): https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/screening/bowel-screening-evidence-and-resources/faecal-immunochemical-test-fit

Textbook symptoms and signs to be aware of: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/symptoms/

Keeping It In The Family is an exploration of the genetic basis behind breast cancer.  Dr Penny Ward speaks to two guests about their family histories, and what happened to them following genetic testing. Is is harder or easier if the altered gene is found?  What choices are available, and what happens when these are taken away?

References:

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment tool from The Cancer Institute:
https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/calculator.html

What is genetic testing, pros and cons of this:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/predictive-genetic-tests-cancer/

An example of areola tattoo, several clinics offer this free or at discounted rates for those who have had breast cancer. This is a local clinic to me:
https://permanentmakeupbyclairelouise.co.uk/treatment/areola/

Naked Health is a podcast brought to you by Dr Penny Ward, a UK based GP. She aims to strip medicine back to basics, eliminating the need for you to turn to Google following your consultation. Speaking to people about their individual health journeys, she aims to answer questions you may not have known to ask.
In this first episode she speaks to Sara Liyanage, author of 'Ticking Off Breast Cancer': what shouldn't you say to someone diagnosed with cancer, what should you pack to take to chemotherapy, what is the cold cap? And what is that sitting on your shoulder?

References:
Sara Liyanage's website - no stats in site, simple, practical advise and guest blogs  http://www.tickingoffbreastcancer.com/
https://coppafeel.org/ Excellent resource, how to check your breasts, changes to look for and sign up for monthly text reminder service. This charity is the brain-child of Kris Hallenga.
https://knowyourlemons.com/
https://www.nhs.uk/be-clear-on-cancer/symptoms/breast-cancer