Patient Cancer Series

Breast cancer is often thought of as something that only affects women, but men can get it in rare cases. It grows in the small amount of breast tissue men have behind their nipples. It usually happens in men over 60, but can very occasionally affect younger men. There are about 350 men diagnosed each year in the UK.

This compares to around 55,000 cases in women. About 1 in 100 (about 1%) of breast cancer cases in the UK are in males. 

Ross and Emily , talk to Caroline Tweedie about the risk factors associated with male breast cancer, symptoms of male breast cancer, diagnosing the cancer, treatment and follow up.

Lymphoedema practitioners Rachel Lockerbie and Nealy Tate discuss the causes, symptoms and treatments of lymphoedema.  They explain what to expect in clinic and what the latest research says about how best to manage lymphoedema.

The South of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre manages the screening service across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland in collaboration with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and South Tyneside & Sunderland Foundation Trust. The manager of the screening hub Phillip Kelly and Mary Ritchie Lead Bowel Screening Practitioner discuss Bowel Cancer Screening.

We also talk about what is Bowel Cancer and the signs and symptoms, who is eligible for screening and what to do when you receive your NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Kit. The team will talk you through the process if you are recalled after screening and what happens if this should happen.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Abby Wright and Sue Pemberton Macmillan Colorectal Specialist Nurse discuss Bowel cancer and the support and processes involved when dealing with a new diagnosis. They discuss surgery and recovery and the many treatments on offer for patients.

Dr Martin discusses the benefits genetics to improve cancer outcomes, can we reduce a person's risk of cancer somehow? He discusses BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes specific for contributing to female breast cancer and female ovarian cancer and to a degree male prostate cancer with BRCA2. He discusses referral to genetics, screening and risk reduction options.

Northern Cancer Voices are a group of volunteers, patients, carers, and health professionals with an interest in ensuring the best possible quality of care and support for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. We have established a structure for collaboration across the whole of the North East and North Cumbria and run surveys, set up focus groups and invite feedback from people with an interest in cancer services. Tune in to hear about NCV, what we do, how we do it and why, but more importantly how to get involved and make a difference.

Miss Gwen Bromley Oncoplastic Breast surgeon at QE Gateshead discussing breast pain with Clinical Nurse Specialist in breast Caroline Tweedie at the Proto in Gateshead.

Caroline Tweedie Breast CNS/personalised care project lead Interviews Michelle Hughes Sister/Manager Chemotherapy Department QE Gateshead and Yvonne Anderson Macmillan Gynae Oncology specialist Nurse about some of the issues of sex during cancer treatments

Meditation can be extremely important when dealing with uncertainty. Dr Blackburn, NHS consultant and clinical psychologist, has worked in oncology and palliative care services for the last 10 years and has experience of working in chronic pain and chronic fatigue trauma. In this podcast, he shares his knowledge and techniques to help cope with uncertainty.

This podcast features Dr. Peter Blackburn, NHS consultant to discus ways to cope with worry more effectively and how normal it is to worry about cancer returning after treatment.

This podcast features Dr. Peter Blackburn, NHS consultant to discuss uncertainty during cancer and how to deal with it more effectively.

Joanne Smith Founder and Chief Executive of the charity FACT (Fighting all cancers together) Joanne explains her own journey with breast cancer diagnosed at 34 and how this inspired her to make it a positive experience.   She made it her mission to set up a charity to help those suffering from cancer and their friends and families the opportunity to access services more easily and more quickly. The podcast outlines the services available and the struggles it's faced during the pandemic.

We have our gynae oncology research nurses Lorraine Pierce and Lucy Blackwell to tell us About the latest Gynaecology and breast cancer trials.

Emma Atkinson has worked as a registered dietitian for the last 17 years, having worked at the QE since 2009 as a Macmillan Dietitian. She is passionate about her role and has a strong interest in oncology and works with a range of tumour sites and at varying stages across the cancer journey.   The podcast discusses nutrition and tips and advice about getting the right nutrients throughout your cancer journey.

This patient cancer podcast discusses endocrine therapy which is medication also known as Tamoxifen or Letrozole. This podcast features breast cancer nurse Pauline Connelly and explains why you might be offered this medication.

This podcast features breast care nurses, Michelle Derbyshire and Rachael Lockerby to discuss breast reconstruction surgery and break down what may be best suited for different patients.

Specialist Oncology Dietician talks about nutrition during your breast cancer treatment.  We talk about preparing for treatment and the best foods to help with fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite during chemotherapy. There's also food to avoid during treatment and Emma spends time explaining the reasons for this and foods that can help recovery and side effects of the treatment.

Emma Golightly works as a health improvement practitioner working across breast, bowel, and AAA screening programmes at QE hospital. Her main role is improving uptake across the screening programme, removing barriers and facilitate awareness about the importance of screening.  Today's podcast is about the importance of breast screening and what is involved when you receive your letter for screening.

Nicola George talks honestly and openly about her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 40. She's a wife, mother of four and runs her own childcare business and talks about the impact of cancer on her everyday life and how she dealt with chemo, hair loss, genetics, and surgery.

Nicola wood, founder of the Wonderful Wig Company, discusses hair loss during chemo and how her own cancer journey inspired her to develop the company. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding hair loss and the physical and emotional impact it can have on the patient cancer.

This podcast is an introduction to the Chemotherapy service we provide at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. This episode features Michelle Hughes and Claire Pounder.

This episode focuses on dying matters awareness week with community palliative care nurse, Carol Moor and district nurse specialist practitioner, Faye Cook.

This podcast is from Karen Verrill Centre Head of Maggie's Newcastle. Previously a secondary Breast Cancer Specialist Nurse in the Northern Cancer Care in Freeman Hospital.

This is an outpatient clinic specifically for patients with any breast related symptoms whether this be a lump, breast asymmetry, nipple retraction, nipple discharge, breast pain or skin changes.

Sister Pauline Connolly Breast cancer Specialist Nurse discusses Breast cancer chemotherapy. She explains why you might need this treatment, how you will receive it and the most common side effects.

This podcast is dedicated to National Clinical Nurse Specialist Day which is taking place on Tuesday 15th March 2022.

This patient cancer podcasts features breast cancer nurse Pauline Connelly to discuss neoadjuvant chemotherapy and why some patients benefit from having this chemotherapy before their surgery.

This podcast discusses nutrition and chemotherapy with resident dietitian Emma Atkinson. This episode looks into weight loss associated when patients are diagnosed and going through the cancer journey.

This patient podcast features breast cancer nurse Pauline Connelly to talk about Oncotype DX which is a new resource the Trust has started to use. This is a type of gene test which helps predict how likely it is that your breast cancer will return.

Meditation is a simple practice available to all, which can reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness. Learning how to meditate is straightforward, and the benefits can come quickly.

Meditation is a simple practice available to all, which can reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness. Learning how to meditate is straightforward, and the benefits can come quickly.

Specialist Palliative care nurse and Consultant Dr Kerry Waterford discuss palliative care and services available within the region.

This podcast features clinical nurse specialists, Michelle Derbyshire and Rachael Lockerby to talk about post-operative recovery after breast cancer surgery.

This patient podcast features Dr. Peter Blackburn to discuss ways to stay motivated, particularly during chemotherapy, which for some can be quite challenging. We also discuss what motivation is and what some of the factors are to become and staying motivated.

This podcast features Debra Spraggan, manager of South Tyneside and Sunderland Macmillan office to tell us a bit about the services that are available in your local office and what patients can expect.

Debra Spraggon Macmillan office manager at Sunderland/South Tyneside explains what is on offer in your local Macmillan office. Macmillan has been creating healing cancer environments with the NHS and other partners since 1976, and are experts at what they do.

This podcast features Dr. Peter Blackburn, NHS consultant to discuss why a good night's sleep is so important for your health.

This podcast features Nicola Wood, CEO and founder of the Wonderful Wigs company. This is Nicola's personal story and how the Wonderful Wigs company was created.

Meditation can be extremely important when dealing with uncertainty. Dr Blackburn, NHS consultant and clinical psychologist, has worked in oncology and palliative care services for the last 10 years and has experience of working in chronic pain and chronic fatigue trauma. In this podcast, he shares his knowledge and techniques to help cope with uncertainty.

This podcast contains practical advice regarding breast cancer surgery. Breast Care Nurse Caroline Tweedie will guide you through the process of waiting for your surgery. It includes advice about managing anxiety, diet, sleep and how improving your fitness prior to surgery can help with your overall recovery.