Cornwall Cancer Cafe Podcast

Lesley discusses some challenges to being in treatment while living alone and having family the other end of the country. She has benefitted from supportive friends in the Quaker community as well as dipping into writing poetry. More podcasts on www.cancercafepodcast.org In females in the UK, breast cancer is the most common cancer, with around 57,900 new cases every year. That's 30% of all new female cancer cases in the UK (2018-2019,2021). In males in the UK, breast cancer is not among the 20 most common cancers, with around 400 new cases every year. (Cancer Research UK)DIAGNOSIS:1. About 90% of breast lumps are not cancerous. They are benign but may require some medical attention.2. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women but men are not exempt.3. Breast cancer is on the increase fortunately all women between 50 and 71 in the UK registered with a GP will be invited for breast screening every 3 years with a mammogram which x-rays breast tissue. My advice is to take it. Most women around the world are denied this test. We are lucky in the UK If caught in the early stages, almost 9/10 women survive their cancer for 5 years or more.4. Causes of breast cancer - lifestyle? HRT? Alcohol? Hereditary? They are various with no single definitive answer but the chances of developing breast cancer increase within the above age range..5. If below 50 and above 71 and you find a lump or changes in breast tissue appearance get it checked out with your GP. You will be referred on if anything is questionable.6. Beyond 71 years of age you won’t be recalled for screening but you can request ongoing screening by mammogram. See your GP with any suspicious change or ring the Mermaid Centre in Truro on 01872 252880 Monday to Friday from 8.30 am weekdays for information on screening near you.7. If you identify as transgender or non-binary and suspect breast changes, make an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns.LC April 2026 (drawing extensively on information from Cancer Research UK)

Anyone with a cancer diagnosis has a difficult time during and after treatment. Teens and young adults have a dedicated team looking after them at The Cove at The Royal Cornwall Hospital. We talk to them to find out what challenges youngsters face. Find out more about cancer support in Cornwall and further afield from our website www.cancercafepodcast.org

Father Peter is very open about how a cancer diagnosis hit him and how it became known to his flock. He is also open about how he deals with issues and challenges day to day and where he finds his hope. Find out more about our podcasts on www.cancercafepodcast.org

Nicky Lampshire is one of the managers at The Cove - a unit at The Royal Cornwall Hospital operated by MacMillan Cancer Support. It is a welcoming place with a cafe and many supportive programmes to help patients through every stage of cancer. We ask Nicky about her work there.Please visit our website and find out about more help and support in Cornwall and nationally.

Matthi and Emma meet Claire and Emma who run music therapy sessions at The Cove centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. We find out how they came to take up the role and what benefits are available to those with a diagnosis of cancer. We even have a mock-up music therapy session in the studio.Emma's music therapy website: Www.midcornwallmusictherapy.co.ukClare's music therapy website:https://www.keskarmusictherapy.co.uk/Visit our website for more information www.cancercafe.org and follow us on Facebook.

'Cornwall, My Home' has become Cornwall's new anthem. It is sung everywhere and at Cornwall's most important events. How many realise, however, that the composer has a cancer story of his own? We meet Harry Glasson and find out about how he had built so much of his life around singing and music, to only then be given a diagnosis which would change so much. ind more information about our podcasts on www.cancercafepodcast.orgPlease SHARE our episodes on social media so that other people can benefit too.

This week, we are introducing co-host Emma Coombe who is in treatment currently for melanoma. We recorded most of this podcast in a quiet room at The Cove centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. I know how important it is to our listeners that the team has lived experience to be able to share support. Emma talks about her experience thus far and what she has learned from it. ind more information about our podcasts on www.cancercafepodcast.orgPlease SHARE our episodes on social media so that other people can benefit too.

This podcast series, sponsored by The National Lottery Community Fund, aims to bring a wide range of thoughts and people to talk about supporting people through cancer. Some of these are those with lived experience, others are those providing support. This episode talks with the chief executive of Cancer Support UK - Mark Guymer.He explains what the charity does and how he came to running the organisation.We will also preview another up-coming episode.ind more information about our podcasts on www.cancercafepodcast.orgPlease SHARE our episodes on social media so that other people can benefit too.