Explore every episode of the podcast Simply Oncology
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 75: Discussing Cancer Care in the Transgender Community with Dr Alison Berner | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:21:25 | |
As we approach transgender awareness week we discuss cancer care in the transgender community with the exceptional Dr Alison Berner. 1 in 40 people aged under 30 identify as transgender in recent census. How we give support needed and signpost patients can have a huge influence on their experience of care. Alison has done so much work in this area. We learned a lot in this episode and we hope you enjoy! https://outpatients.org.uk/ https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/uk-cancer-and-transition-service/ | |||
| Episode 74 - In the Clinic: Discussing SABR for Oligoprogression in metastatic prostate cancer with Dr Alison Tree. | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:30:39 | |
We return to discuss stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR) in prostate cancer with the superb Dr Alison Tree from The Royal Marsden Hospital. We discuss the findings of the TRAP study which extended time to next treatment by 6 months when SABR was used for sites of growing disease. Do we always need to change systemic therapy when only one or two sites of metastatic disease is growing?? | |||
| Episode 65: Post-operative radiotherapy after prostatectomy with Prof Chris Parker | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:31:35 | |
| Episode 64: Discussing Early Phase Clinical Trials with Dr Natalie Cook | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:31:19 | |
We discuss Early Phase Clinical Trials with Dr Natalie Cook from the Christie Early Trials Unit. | |||
| Episode 63: Fundamentals - Discussing the importance of Clinical Trials in Oncology With Dr Mohini Varughese | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:32:26 | |
Clinical Trials are the Stepping Stones for the progress we have made over the years in the treatment of cancer. We talk to Dr Mohini Varughese who is heavily involved in clinical trials in urology and passionate about the delivery of clinical trials across oncology. We discuss: | |||
| Episode 62: Demystifying the Language of Oncology with Dr Anthony Cunliffe | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:24:27 | |
Join us as we return for Part 2 of our conversation with lead medical advisor to MacMillan - Dr Anthony Cunliffe. Anthony is also a practising GP with ideas on how we can work better together - starting with how we keep our patients and GP teams up to date with our oncology letters. We talk about Performance status and why it so important to us in oncology and also how we can make life easier for people to understand our letters without extra work. The oncology letters from clinics are the lifeblood of information for many patients care so we should try and make them as useful as possible.
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| Episode 61: Fundamentals - Demystifying the Language of Oncology Letters with Dr Anthony Cunliffe | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:24:31 | |
How we communicate is so important in all aspects of medicine. In this special 2 part episode we look at demystifying the Language of Oncology. Our letters go to GPs and patients and we speak to Dr Anthony Cunliffe who is the medical lead for Macmillan Cancer Support and a practising GP. If you are GP or acute medic who treats cancer patients or a patient with access to your letters this is a MUST LISTEN. Also those of us oncologists wanting to make our letters useful for GP teams there is a a LOT to learn! We try and explain the meaning behind the letters. He takes us to task about parts of our oncology letters that would be more useful for GPs and patients. | |||
| Episode 60: Patient fundamentals - Discussing the principles of radiotherapy with Dr Grant Stewart | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:32:06 | |
Join us for an episode looking at the role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. We discuss the principles of radiotherapy with Dr Grant Stewart who has 20 years experience with radiotherapy treatments. This is a great episode for anyone wanting to understand the principles of radiotherapy. IF you are a patient wanting to understand your treatment or a doctor or nurse wanting to know more about radiotherapy please check this out! | |||
| Episode 59: In the Clinic - Discussing the evidence for Renal SABR and its role in renal carcinoma with Dr Harshani Green (part 2) | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:23:58 | |
We are back again discussing stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) with Dr Harshani Green from the Royal Marsden Hospital. Join us if : - You want to hear about the evidence from the FASTRACK II trial using renal SABR - You are a centre thinking about setting up renal SABR - You want to hear about the challenges of comparing renal SABR with surgery Will radiotherapy be able to replace cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal carcinoma? We discuss this and more (plus Mike produces a Magic Lamp!) Enjoy | |||
| Episode 58: In the Clinic - Exploring Renal SABR (Part 1) with Dr Harshani Green | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:24:17 | |
Join us for Part 1 of our 2 part Simply Oncology podcast with Dr Harshani Green on Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) in Renal Cell Carcinoma. We discuss the role of high precision radiotherapy treating renal cell carcinoma in those patients where an operation may not be possible. - We discuss the excellent control rates - What size of tumour can we treat? - Will we ever be able to compare Surgery versus SABR for primary renal cell carcinoma cancers? | |||
| Episode 57: In the Clinic -Discussing bladder surgery and the GUSTO trial in Bladder Cancer with Professor Jim Catto | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:37:27 | |
Surgery in Bladder Cancer Bumper episode! | |||
| Episode 56: In the Clinic: Dealing with advanced Oesophageal cancer with Professor Tom Crosby (part 2) | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:23:07 | |
We welcome back Professor Tom Crosby for another episode on oesophageal cancer. In the previous episode we focus on the diagnostic pathway. In this episode we look at option in the metastatic and advanced setting. | |||
| Episode 73: Influencing the Gut Microbiome in immunotherapy - the CBM 588 story (& beyond) with Professor Monty Pal | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:19:42 | |
We are back for part 2 to finish our journey through the Gut Microbiome with the excellent Professor Monty Pal !! Few areas of cancer treatment have generated as much interest as the Gut Microbiome in recent years. We discuss work done by Monty's team on CBM588 on immunotherapy in kidney cancer. CBM 588 is a live bacterial product that is available in health shops in Japan where it is used to promote a healthy gut. Monty's team found incredible results where it improved response rates for immunotherapy containing treatment and significantly improved time to tumour progression. Plans are now afoot to trial this in a much larger phase 3 trial which could readout some exciting results! We discuss; - Should we run patient poo through an AI algorithm to see what gut microbiome changes are needed - Can we engineer gut bacteria to make more of useful proteins in our gut - Can we get more biotech companies to engage in this space to help move it forward at more pace Of course Monty knocks it out of the park so he gets a Simply Oncology wish!! Amazing to hear Professor Monty Pal share his thoughts on this exciting area of medicine. | |||
| Episode 55: Overview of the landscape of Oesophageal Cancer with Professor Tom Crosby | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:23:25 | |
Join us this week as we hear Professor Tom Crosby share his insights into Oesophageal Cancer. Few people have been so highly regarded or associated with a cancer type like Tom Crosby and Oesophago-Gastric cancer. He has set up and run crucial trials, championed equity | |||
| Episode 54: In the Clinic -Discussing PSMA PET scanning in prostate cancer with Dr Amar Challapalli | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:36:11 | |
Join us for this weeks episode where we discuss the role of PSMA PET scanning in prostate cancer with Dr Amar Challapalli. PSMA PET scanning in prostate cancer has been a game changer in both diagnosis and treatment. We explore its role in the post-prostatectomy space. We look at how PSMA Lutetium offers a new treatment option in prostate cancer. | |||
| Episode 53: Discussing Upper tract urothelial cancer (The non-identical twin) with Professor Alison Birtle | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:22:32 | |
Join us as we return with another special episode with Professor Alison Birtle. This time we discuss Upper Tract Urothelial (or ureteric) Cancer. Alison is an internationally recognised expert in this area and was lead on the POUT adjuvant chemotherapy in ureteric cancer trial. She describes it as the non-identical twin to bladder urothelial cancer and we discuss the different approaches to this rare cancer. Described as 'The Queen of Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer' she shares her views on management and areas for development. Enjoy | |||
| Episode 52: Discussing Peri-operative trials in Bladder Cancer with Professor Alison Birtle | 29 May 2025 | 00:35:04 | |
🚨May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 🎙️What is our position on post operative radiotherapy in bladder cancer?? | |||
| Episode 51: Learning about Cancer of Unknown Primary with Dr Natalie Cook | 20 May 2025 | 00:34:18 | |
🤔Do you know your Cancer of Unknown Primary from your Malignancy of Unknown Origin. | |||
| Episode 49: In the Clinic - Erdafitinib & Enfortumab Vedotin in metastatic urothelial cancer with Professor Rob Jones | 09 May 2025 | 00:21:36 | |
Part 2 of our discussion on bladder cancer with Professor Rob Jones. We have new drug classes in Bladder cancer !! We look at Erdafitinib which is coming in the post Immunotherapy space to NHS England. We also look ahead to Antibody Drug Conjugates - in particular Enfortumab Vedotin - with EV 302 trial results and what access to this means for the UK bladder community. These are exciting times and we discuss potential side effects of these classes of drugs and how we intend to use them. Enjoy | |||
| Episode 50: In the Clinic - 50 years of Royal Charter for the Royal College of Radiologists with Dr Katharine Halliday and Dr Tom Roques | 08 May 2025 | 00:32:42 | |
The Royal College of Radiologists celebrates 50 years of Royal Charter this year!!! Join us as we explore 50 years of the RCR Royal Charter with the President - Dr Katharine Halliday and Vice President - Dr Tom Roques. We look at the achievements of the Royal College of Radiologists have made over the years and look to the future of cancer care at the RCR. We hear how the RCR is our voice as a community of Radiologists and Oncologists. It guides our learning and sets the standards for our training and profession. We even justify the membership fees for any sceptics. In this our 50th episode of the Simply Oncology Podcast we celebrate the Royal College of Radiologists 50th anniversary of Royal Charter Status!! | |||
| Episode 48: In the clinic- discussing Advanced Bladder Cancer with Professor Rob Jones | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:27:07 | |
Join us for this Simply Oncology is Back in Bladder Cancer with the amazing Prof Rob Jones. Cisplatin vs Carboplatin Role of IO 2nd line chemo? | |||
| Episode 47: Patient Fundamentals - Understanding Head and Neck Cancer with Dr Claire Paterson | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:30:45 | |
Join us for this episode where we explore Head and Neck cancers and their treatment. This is a group of cancers from the mouth to the vocal cords and make up the 8th most common group of cancers in the UK. Almost 13000 cases happen each year in the UK. We discuss the major role that radiotherapy plays and the process and side effects. Teamwork is a major component of Head and Neck cancer therapy. We also discuss how immunotherapy has a role in advanced Head & Neck cancer. A must listen for anyone supporting or being treated for Head & Neck cancer. | |||
| Episode 46: Fundamentals - Discussing breast radiotherapy with Professor Mark Beresford (part 2) | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:18:58 | |
Welcome back for our 2nd part of our radiotherapy update on breast cancer. We finish our discussion with Professor Mark Beresford who is Chair of the UK Breast Group. We discuss the timing of radiotherapy around breast reconstruction. We look at situations where we treat other areas such and above the collar bone (supraclavicular) or central area (internal mammary) areas. We examine when radiotherapy may be offered after mastectomy. We also look at when we may be able to avoid using radiotherapy after breast surgery in low risk cases. Another must listen. | |||
| Episode 72: The gut microbiome influencing kidney cancer with Professor Monty Pal | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:23:25 | |
Did you know that we have more bacterial DNA than human DNA in our bodies. This is because our guts contain trillions of bacteria and are now being thought of as another organ of the body. Join us this week as we discuss the Gut Microbiome (part 1 of 2) and its importance on drugs like immunotherapy response in cancer. We talk to none other than the excellent Professor Monty Pal from The City of Hope Hospital in California. Monty is an internationally respected kidney cancer expert and has been researching the impact of the gut microbiome on cancer outcomes in recent years. We discuss; The potential impact of fibre in our diet - any how much that looks like in Wheetabix. The need for balanced good versus bad bacteria in our guts. That probiotics are not recommended. The challenges of a faecal microbiome transplant. What a great episode!! | |||
| Episode 45: Fundamentals - Discussing breast radiotherapy with Professor Mark Beresford (part1) | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:23:14 | |
Join us for the first part of this 2 part masterclass in breast radiotherapy. Breast radiotherapy is a major component of breast cancer treatment. It forms a large part of all radiotherapy delivered across cancer centres. After removal of a breast tumour radiotherapy is offered to reduce the chance of local relapse of the cancer. We talk to Professor Mark Beresford who is chair of the UK Breast Group about how breast radiotherapy has gone from 5 weeks of treatment to 1 week. We talk about side effects and when we offer an extra radiotherapy boost to the area the tumour was. We also discuss radiotherapy for reducing the risk of disease in the axilla (armpit) and the current surgery versus radiotherapy debate for that area. This is a must listen for anyone wanting to learn more about breast radiotherapy. | |||
| Episode 44: In the Clinic - Discussing how we bridge cancer Health Inequities with Dr Olubukola Ayodele | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:17:23 | |
Join us for the 2nd part of our discussion with Dr Olubukola (Bookie) Ayodele on health inequities in cancer care. We look at potential steps to promote health equity. Bookie introduces the concept of 'Cultural Competency' in helping health professionals discuss the very challenging topic that is cancer. We hear how biological difference in blood results can play role in excluding black patients from certain chemotherapy trials. We think about the stepwise change and education needed to make healthcare more accessible to all. Enjoy | |||
| Episode 43; In the Clinic - Health inequities in cancer care - Dr Olubukola Ayodele part 1 | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:24:04 | |
Join us for this Simply Oncology podcast episode on Health Inequites in the UK with Dr Olubukola Ayodele. We need to Mind the Gap and Bridge the Gap. | |||
| Episode 42: In the Clinic - Part 2 of Bladder preservation in bladder cancer with Ananya Choudhury | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:20:32 | |
Join us for our second part of our discussions with the excellent Professor Ananya Choudhury where we discuss the option of bladder preserving treatment in muscle invasive bladder cancer. In this episode we hear Ananya's views on new Antibody Drug Conjugate trials being used as an alternative to radiotherapy in a bladder 'preservation' strategy. She is clear that this is experimental only at this stage and does not meet any true definition of bladder preservation in her view. A fascinating and enjoyable discussion around all aspects of muscle invasive bladder cancer. Enjoy Role that ADCs may have on bladder preservation. | |||
| Episode 41: In the Clinic - Discussing bladder radiotherapy and preservation in Bladder cancer with Professor Ananya Choudhury | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:24:32 | |
Join us for this episode focusing on the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer. We talk to leading bladder radiotherapy expert Professor Ananya Choudhury. Ananya is passionate about all things bladder cancer related and discusses her views on bladder preservation and radiotherapy. She makes a strong case for bladder radiotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer versus surgery and we review the evidence. We also talk about the use of 'plan of the day' and on set imaging in radiotherapy. This is a fascinating insight from a world expert in bladder cancer. We hope you enjoy. | |||
| Episode 40: In the Clinic - Discussing Burnout & individual Resilience with Professor Susana Banerjee (part 2) | 07 Mar 2025 | 00:15:34 | |
Join us in this second part of discussing resilience and burnout and oncology with Professor Susana Banerjee. In our last episode we looked at the ESMO Resilience Taskforce and what institutions should do to improve resilience. In this episode we discuss what can help us on an individual level. A lot of it comes down to a feeling of job satisfaction. That can be having some variety to maintain interest and keeping the parts of the job that we value at our core. Susie shares some personal views that echo this view in this episode. We hope you enjoy. | |||
| Episode 39: In the Clinic - ESMO Resilience Task Force & Oncology Burnout with Professor Susana Banerjee | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:28:19 | |
Burnout in oncology and throughout healthcare is a major issue. An ESMO survey conducted in young Oncologists in 2013-2014 revealed 70% of young oncologists in Europe were impacted by burnout. 25% of oncologists surveyed were thinking of a change of career and 38% of leaving the profession. All this at a time of needing more oncologists! Join us in this 2 part episode where we join the superb Professor Susana Banerjee. She discusses the issue of burnout and the excellent work done by the ESMO Resilience Task Force on this critical issue. Professor Banerjee is an internationally renowned medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital treating and researching gynaecological cancers. She has been heavily involved in the ESMO Resilience project and looking for strategies for dealing with the huge problem that is burnout in oncology. We hope you find this as useful as we have! https://www.esmoopen.com/article/S2059-7029(24)01403-0/fulltext | |||
| Episode 38: In the Clinic - The Shape of oncology with Dr Tom Roques, Vice-President of the RCR | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:35:25 | |
Join us for this special episode of the Simply Oncology Podcast. We have special guest Dr Tom Roques who is the Vice-President of the Royal College of Radiologists and lead for Clinical Oncology. Tom speaks candidly and clearly on ; - the challenges facing oncology - the opportunities AI may bring in oncology - the clinical oncology model - the role of the RCR in shaping UK oncology Enjoy | |||
| Episode 37: In the Clinic - How to become an oncologist with Dr Louise Hanna- RCR lead for medical training | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:29:12 | |
Join us for this episode of Simply Oncology where we discuss how to become an oncologist. Oncology is always a forward thinking and progressive speciality and this involves training and developing training people to meet that challenge. We talk to Dr Louise Hanna who is an oncologist who treats gynaecological cancers at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. She is also the Medical Director, Education and Training (MDET) for the Royal College of Radiologist (RCR). We discuss the appeal of becoming an oncologist. The skills needed to deliver and co-ordinate cancer care. How you can find out more if you are interested in becoming an oncologist. An unmissable episode if you are interested in a career in oncology. Enjoy! | |||
| Episode 36: In the Clinic - Discussing anal cancer with Dr Rebecca Muirhead | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:34:51 | |
Join us in this week as we discuss anal cancer with Dr Rebecca Muirhead. Based at Oxford University Hospital, Dr Muirhead has played a key role in the adoption of IMRT in anal cancer. She is part of the ACT and PLATO trial group and shares her insights from these trials with us. We discuss the principles of escalation and de-escalation in the PLATO trial to match the risk of the disease. Rebecca also very elegantly discusses the pros and cons of re-irradiation in anal cancer to try to regain control of anal caner symptoms in patients where cancer returns. Enjoy! | |||
| Episode 71: Prostate cancer in Black and Ethnic groups with Professor Frank Chinegwundoh | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:35:21 | |
Did you know that the lifetime risk of prostate cancer in a black man is 1 in 4 ? That’s twice the risk of prostate cancer in a white man. Did you know that men in Scotland are twice as likely to have advanced prostate cancer compared to those in the South of England? Professor Frank Chinewungdoh is a man on a mission. He is trying to make prostate cancer testing as possible to men across all groups. He makes an argument for prostate cancer screening and measures to make PSA testing more accessible. | |||
| Episode 35: In the Clinic - Overview of prostate radiotherapy with Dr Alison Tree, 37 to 5 treatments | 31 Jan 2025 | 00:38:25 | |
Join us as we discuss all things prostate radiotherapy with Dr Alison Tree. | |||
| Episode 34: In the Clinic - Part 2 of discussing high grade brain tumours with Professor Anthony Chalmers | 24 Jan 2025 | 00:24:13 | |
Join us for part 2 of our excellent review of high grade brain tumours with Professor Anthony Chalmers. | |||
| Episode 33: In the Clinic - Discussing high grade brain tumours with Professor Anthony Chalmers | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:26:26 | |
Join us today as we discuss high grade brain tumours with internationally recognised expert Professor Anthony Chalmers. | |||
| Episode 32: In the Clinic - Discussing Global Oncology with Dr Susannah Stanway | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:31:55 | |
This week the Simply Oncology podcast goes global! | |||
| Episode 31: In the Clinic - Discussing mCRPC with Professor Alison Birtle | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:25:00 | |
Join us for our second discussion with Professor Alison Birtle on metastatic prostate cancer. | |||
| Episode 30: In the Clinic - Discussing metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer with Professor Alison Birtle | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:23:44 | |
Join us as we discuss the frontline therapy of metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer with Professor Alison Birtle. | |||
| Episode 29: In the Clinic - Ovarian cancer with Dr Shibani Nicum & Dr Rebecca Bowen | 13 Dec 2024 | 00:34:31 | |
Join us in this episode where we look at the treatment landscape in ovarian cancer. | |||
| Episode 28: In the Clinic -Discussing Health inequalities in UK cancer care with Benson Fayehun | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:33:27 | |
Join us as we talk with Benson Fayehun, a passionate advocate for addressing health inequalities. Benson is the Founder and President of the Relief for Human Suffering Foundation, a U.S.-based public charity, and the UK Head of Oncology Business Unit at MSD*. | |||
| Episode 27: In the Clinic - Discussing Endometrial cancer conference updates from ESMO and IGCS with Dr Gemma Eminowicz | 29 Nov 2024 | 00:23:06 | |
After a great overview of cervical cancer highlights we now go back to gynae cancer specialist Dr Gemma Emminowicz for insight on endometrial cancer highlights. | |||
| Episode 26: In the Clinic - Discussing Cervical cancer conference updates from ESMO and IGCS with Dr Gemma Eminowicz | 22 Nov 2024 | 00:17:44 | |
We talk again to Gynae-oncology specialist - the excellent -Dr Gemma Eminowicz from UCL hospital. Gemma also played a key role supporting Dr Mary McCormack in delivering the INTERLACE trial. | |||
| Episode 70: Cancer Vaccines - Challenges & Future Directions with Dr Lennard Lee | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:21:09 | |
We are back to finish our journey through cancer vaccines with Dr Lennard Lee. We celebrate some of the heroes of UK cancer vaccine trials from centres Big & Small. Lennard gives us all some hope for the future. We now are officially Watching This Space for more Cancer Vaccine Trial results. | |||
| Episode 25: Patient Fundamentals - Understanding non-smoking lung cancer with Dr Tom Newsom-Davis | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:13:35 | |
This episode is hoping to show patients and the public that non-smoking lung cancer is a very real and very different type of lung cancer to smoking lung cancer. | |||
| Episode 24: Patient Fundamentals - Radiotherapy explained with treatment radiographer Amy Warnock | 25 Oct 2024 | 00:25:53 | |
Radiotherapy is one of the silent workhorses of cancer treatment yet has very little coverage in the media. | |||
| Episode 23: Patient Fundamentals - Coping with chemotherapy with Rachel Bryce, chemotherapy nurse | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:30:49 | |
Chemotherapy is scary and we want to make it less scary for patients. Simple. | |||
| Episode 22: In the Clinic - Discussing molecular profiling in endometrial cancer with Dr Angela George | 11 Oct 2024 | 00:33:05 | |
In recent years we have seen a marked change in the landscape of treatment for endometrial cancer. | |||