Now What?

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you or someone you love has recently received some unwelcome news: you’ve got cancer. Those are three words that nobody wants to hear. There are 375,000 cancer diagnoses in the UK every year and if you’re one of them, no doubt you’ll have a lot of questions. The first of which is likely, “now what?” Now What? Your Cancer Support Podcast is hosted by Julia Bradbury and features personal testimony from over a dozen patients from Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, all of whom have been through the cancer journey. Across a variety of topics, such as coping with a diagnosis and building a support network, they’ll offer advice and first-hand experience with a disease that will at some point, either directly or indirectly, affect us all. Think of them as your cancer support group…just in audio form.

Every year, 375,000 people across the UK receive news from their doctor that completely turns their lives upside down: “you’ve got cancer”. The moment of diagnosis is such a destabilising experience that most people will hear nothing else beyond those three words. But you’re not alone. We’re here to help.  In our first episode we’ll introduce you to your peer support group. They come from a wide range of backgrounds. One thing they all have in common? First-hand experience with cancer in its many shapes and forms. They’ll tell you how they processed their diagnosis as well as offer advice, like what questions to ask your doctor and how having someone with you when you first hear the news can be enormously beneficial.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  Resources:Help to deal with a diagnosisWhat to expect from an urgent cancer referral Tools for personalised cancer care For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

Following your diagnosis, there’s further difficult conversations to be had. How do you let the people in your life know that you have cancer? There are many reasons why you might hold off on sharing your diagnosis with loved ones: a fear of burdening them with such heavy news, a desire to retain your independence, or a worry that others may make a big fuss. Telling your loved ones about a potentially fatal disease is no small task but it’s critical to getting the support you need. In this episode, you’ll hear from your peers on how they navigated sharing this difficult news and how it helped them to draw support from their loved ones. This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

Not long after your diagnosis, you’ll sit down with your doctor and discuss your treatmentplan. There are many forms of cancer treatment, and no two patients’ experiences will be exactly alike. However, most patients will have one major question to consider: whether to have surgery. This is rarely a straightforward decision. You’ll need to weigh up your surgeon’s advice, the various risks and potential side effects and a seemingly infinite number of personal considerations. In this episode you'll hear from peers who will talk about the questions they asked, the research they did and the people they consulted to help lead them to their chosen course of action.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective. Resources:BRAN tool to help make decisions about surgery Macmillan support with energy bills Using an advocate to support your careCitizens Advice offering free financial advice For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

Whether you opt for surgery or a different treatment like radiotherapy, all cancer patients will find themselves spending time in hospital. For some people, that’s an environment that can stir up a lot of fear and anxiety. In episode four, your peers will offer their candid advice for making your hospital visit or stay as comfortable as possible. This includes practical considerations like what to pack in your overnight bag to how to communicate your needs to your hospital care team.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

For many patients, the process of recovery from cancer surgery won’t be a straight line from A to Z. It can be long and difficult and pose its own set of challenges. There’ll be medication to take, side effects to deal with, and a need to come to grips with permanent changes to your body. In this episode, you’ll hear from your peers on how they managed the difficult transition from life post-surgery to life full stop. They’ll talk about the importance of giving yourself a pat on the back for small wins and treating recovery as a marathon not a sprint to help set yourself up for success.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate and it affects people of all shapes and sizes. But your experience of cancer may be different depending on your beliefs, origins and orientation, or those of the people around you. In this episode, you’ll hear from peers about the impact culture had on their cancer journeys and how barriers still exist that can make it difficult to talk openly and honestly about a cancer diagnosis or treatment. This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

One thing about cancer that we can all understand on a fundamental level…is that it takes things from us. It can rob us of our health, our time and worst of all, our independence. In this episode, your peers discuss the messy side of cancer, the parts that can be embarrassing for patients to bring up with even their closest confidants. Colostomy bags, catheters and penis pumps will all be up for discussion, as we speak to patients who’ve had their physiological function significantly impacted by cancer, and that’s just the stuff that's under the hood. You’ll also hear from peers on how they dealt with – and ultimately found peace – with changes to their physical appearance.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  Resources:Physical wellbeing Bra fitting after breast surgeryBeauty, grooming, health and wellbeing (women)Beauty, grooming, health and wellbeing (men) Sexual issues relating to cancerhttps://www.cosrt.org.ukhttp://fertilitynetworkuk.org For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

Content warning: This episode discusses palliative care and end of life planning, which can be difficult topics for many listeners. Please take care, and reach out the services in our show notes who can offer you advice and support.Thanks to decades of medical advancement, cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was. Effective treatments mean patients can live much longer with cancer and some even completely overcome the disease. But it wouldn't be right for us to devote an entire podcast series to cancer, without acknowledging the fact that it kills people. Sometimes a patient and their physician can do everything in their power, and it still might not be enough. In episode eight, we're going to tackle the concept of death head on. We'll speak to Joey, a palliative care nurse who works exclusively with patients with life limiting illnesses. We’ll also hear from peers who’ve supported friends through end-of-life cancer care or even experienced a terminal diagnosis themselves.  This podcast was developed in collaboration with the Cancer Psychology Collective.  Resources:Advice on making a willTalking about advanced care planningAdvice on power of attorneyPractical support on all aspects of terminal illness, dying and bereavementSupport for patients during end-of-life careBereavement support For more information and resources relating to the content of today’s episode, visit our website at https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.