Explore every episode of the podcast Cancer Conversations with CMCA
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6: Ep.6 Breast Cancer - Living Beyond the Disease | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:45:18 | |
In this episode, special guest Mrs Gina Barnett, who has experienced breast cancer (and is Managing Director of SWAGGA PCN in Liverpool) joins Dr Hong Tseung (GP Clinical Lead at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) and Miss Sonia Bathla (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at the Burney Breast Unit, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) to discuss the after-effects of breast cancer treatment and life beyond cancer. Gina shares her breast cancer journey and reflects on how it has shaped her life. The episode explores the “void” that can follow treatment, and the anxiety it may create, as well as the psychosocial challenges, surgical and menopausal side effects, and recurrence concerns that can affect patients. It also discusses symptom management and support available in primary and secondary care, including Cancer Care Reviews and Holistic Needs Assessments. Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode: | |||
| 5: Ep.5 Metastatic Breast Cancer | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:34:47 | |
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung (GP Clinical Lead at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) and Professor Carlo Palmieri (Professor of Translational Oncology at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Medical Oncologist with a specialist interest in breast cancer at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre) discuss breast cancer recurrence. They explore the risks, assessment, management and referral of metastatic breast disease across primary and secondary care, as well as the support available for affected patients. Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode:
https://www.abcdiagnosis.co.uk/resources/infographics/ 3. Breast Cancer Now: Secondary Breast Cancer (useful patient information website) 4. Predict breast cancer online tool | |||
| 4: Ep.4 HRT, Menopause and Breast Cancer | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:36:16 | |
In this episode, Dr Jennifer McBride (GP with a specialist interest in Sexual Medicine and Reproductive Health and Sefton GP Clinical Lead for Gynaecology at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) joins Miss Sonia Bathla (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at the Burney Breast Unit, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) to discuss how patients with menopausal symptoms commonly present in primary care, which symptoms matter most to them, and what clinical assessment is required. They clarify the relationship between HRT and breast cancer risk, including management options and when referral is appropriate. They also explore the challenges of managing treatment-related menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer, including patient concerns, available treatment options, and contraceptive choices, including hormonal methods. Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode: 5. NICE CG164, Familial Breast Cancer: classification, care and managing breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer: Section 1.7.10 Hormone Replacement Therapy) | |||
| 3: Ep.3 Breast Pain, Breast Infection and Male Breast Cancer | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:36:34 | |
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung (GP Clinical Lead at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) and Miss Sonia Bathla (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at the Burney Breast Unit, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) discuss the assessment of breast pain and when it may indicate breast cancer. They also explore other common causes of breast pain, including breast infection, and consider when referral to breast services is appropriate. The episode also covers the assessment and management of gynaecomastia and suspected male breast cancer. Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode: 2. Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance: Referral Form for Adult Female Patients Requiring Symptomatic Breast Clinic. 3. Breast Pain – Cyclical, NICE CKS (April 2026). 4. Scenario: Management “how should I manage cyclical breast pain?”, NICE CKS. 5. GatewayC: Cancer Keys: Is breast pain a symptom of breast cancer? 6. Mastitis and breast abscess: NICE CKS, 2025 7. Rajiv V Dave et al, British Journal of General Practice 2022: No association between breast pain and breast cancer: a prospective cohort study of 10,830 symptomatic women presenting to a breast cancer diagnostic clinic. Gynaecomastia: 2. BMJ Best Practice: Gynaecomastia April 2025 3. Association of Breast Surgeons Guidance on Investigation & Management of Gynaecomastia in Primary & Secondary Care, version 3, 2021 4. CMCA Urgent Suspected Cancer and Symptomatic Referral form for Adult Male Patients with Suspected Breast Cancer Referral form. 5. Red Whale Article: Gynaecomastia (needs a login account) | |||
| 2: Ep.2 Genetics, Family History & Breast Cancer | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:18:23 | |
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung (GP Clinical Lead at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) and Ms Tanya Davis (Senior Genetic Counsellor and Breast Care Lead at the Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine) discuss family history risk assessment for breast cancer. They talk about how assessments are carried out in primary and secondary care, when genomic testing may be appropriate, and how to make appropriate referrals to the Family History Clinic or Genomics services. They also outline the differences between “Mainstream” and “Diagnostic” genetic testing. Practical resources are included to support listeners’ clinical practice and deepen their understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode: 2. Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance: Referral from Primary Care to the Family History Clinic in Secondary Care 3. NICE Clinical Guideline (CG164) on Familial Breast Cancer 4. RCGP E-Learning Genomics Toolkit 5. Royal Marsden Beginner’s Guide to BRCA1 and BRCA2 (patient friendly resource) 8. GatewayC E-Learning Course– The Role of Genomics in Primary Care | |||
| 1: Ep.1 Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:34:42 | |
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung (GP Clinical Lead at the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance) and Miss Sonia Bathla (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at the Burney Breast Unit, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) explore the NHS Breast Screening Programme, including current national screening criteria and the implications for patients outside these criteria, such as transgender people and women over 70. They also discuss breast cancer prevention, focusing on lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference. Practical resources are included to support listeners’ clinical practice and deepen their understanding. Here are the links to the resources mentioned in the episode: 2. NHSE Guidance on Breast Screening: reducing Health Inequalities 3. Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) PRACTICE Dashboard CMCA PRACTICE Dashboard Access.pdf 4. NHS Exercise Guidelines 5. Parkrun 6. Exercise and Cancer – CRUK | |||