Not Your Grandma‘s Cancer Show

Cancer can be expensive. For many of us, income goes down just as expenses go up. Our SHINE survey revealed we miss out on benefits—not because we're not eligible, but because we don't know what's available or feel overwhelmed to start the process. Chartered Accountant Matthew Bourne joins Tatum to share top tips on where to begin with benefits.

Sam and Professor Jonathan Koffman join Tatum to give an inside look at what palliative care offers.  There are so many misconceptions so it can be reassuring to know what it's actually all about. Jonathan lends his expertise as a Professor of Palliative Care and 29 year old Sam's shares his experience of movie nights in hospice. 

What do I put on my CV to explain the gap? What if I go back to back to my job but I can't do the role like ? Julie Denning joins Tatum to share her expertise as a Health Psychologist and returning to work specialist coach.   

Sam and Lana join Tatum to share how they instantly bonded at a Shine meetup event with humour about living with stomas.  They share tips of what they wish they had known sooner and why it makes such a difference meeting others who understand.

Joss and Gemma join Tatum to dive into the surprising trickiness of words when communicating with others after a diagnosis. They share their PR campaigns, humour and come up with new cancer words! 

Dani joins Tatum to talk about all things hormonal, why we deserve more options and why its ok to be a bit more of a difficult patient!  She also shares what inspired her to start the organisation, Menopause and Cancer.     https://menopauseandcancer.org/  

Clare, Ceinwen and Tatum are back on the cancer scamming case.  They delve into the seedy world of dodgy detection machines, TikTok bots creating fake arrests and a whole wild west of deworming.          

In this podcast we're looking at faith and cancer. It's not a topic that gets spoken about a lot, so we thought we'd examine the different ways members of the Shine community have found their different faiths helpful (and challenging) in navigating their experiences with cancer. Tatum talks to Hannah, Suki, Anoushe, Rachel and Sarah about how they navigated their treatments and diagnoses and the role that faith and community have played in their lives. 

Having cancer in your 20s is just different.  It can feel especially isolating because friends are busy dating, travelling and diving into careers when you  you are in waiting rooms with other cancer patients five decades older.  Hex, Aimee and Neil share what it's like having cancer when adult life only just started.

Tatum talks with Jakub, Andrew and Pete about coping with grief, especially when the emotions that come with it are sometimes surprising.  

In this special live episode, Tatum hosts the podcast with Shine Co-CEO, Ceinwen, and speaks to guests Rena, Matt, Becca and Adam about how they've coped with their diagnoses and what resilience means to them (and whether it's useful).  Rena was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and underwent 15 months of surgery. Matt was diagnosed with two brain tumours at the age of 17. Becca is living with stage 4 bladder cancer. Adam is the partner of Laragh (who has also been on the podcast) who is living with thyroid cancer. 

Jesse, Farman and Meera join Tatum to share how their sense of time has been impacted by their cancer diagnoses. All three of our guests are living with an incurable cancer diagnosis and they discuss with Tatum how they live now, including how they cope with the pressure to make the most of their time - whether that means keeping busy or chilling out with their cat and watching Eastenders.

Benisha and Poornima chat with Tatum about their cancer diagnoses, feminist fathers, younger brothers' weddings and being single.  They share what it's like to have doctors who understand, as well as as situations which could have been better.  Benisha and Poornima met in a Shine Break Out Programme and they share what it's like to be able to talk to other people who 'get it'.

What do you do when your BFF disappears? Or your other friends ghost you? If you've found that some of your friendships haven't lived up to the hype, you're not alone. In this episode, we look how and why this can happen, as well as ways of coping. Tatum talks to Becca and Will about how their friendships changed after they were diagnosed with cancer, from people who disappeared to those who really stepped up. She also talks to Jenny, a therapist, about why friends might behave in different ways and how we can cope with the situations that can come up within friendship groups. 

In this bonus episode, Tatum talks to Christopher, Maddie and Amber who are all living with cancer long-term. Christopher was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia at 40. He watched and waited over a decade to start treatment. Maddie has had cancer for 8 years, after being diagnosed with a rare sarcoma at 18, while Amber, 21, is living with chronic myeloid leukaemia and recently came off treatment.  In this podcast, all of them reflect on the mental and physical stamina they've needed to live with a diagnosis few people understand. 

In this episode, we dive into the feelings that numbers and stats can bring up when you're diagnosed with cancer, and talk about how we can put them into context. Tatum speaks to Laragh, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 24 after being told that the chance of having cancer was 'negligible'. She also speaks to Ceinwen, Shine's Co-CEO, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and thought that the universe owed her some good luck after her diagnosis. Tatum's final guest is Krishnan Bhaskaran, a statistical epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Krishnan talks about working with numbers and stats, and how he managed when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. He also gives tips on how to understand scientific studies and what to look for if you're trying to find good data on your diagnosis and treatment. 

This month we're looking at gender identity and cancer. Whether you're non-binary, trans or questioning, Tatum and our guests are here for you, and they're looking at what it feels like when cancer care is set up to affirm a gender that isn't yours. Matt and Angie tell their stories of cancer and treatment, how they coped with assumptions about what surgeries and drugs they should take, and how they've recovered a sense of self along the way. 

This episode looks at the mental health impact of cancer. Not feeling like yourself? Unable to "get back to normal"? You're not alone - and you're not losing it. Cancer is particularly tough for younger adults and in this episode Tatum speaks to three great guests: - David talks about how he coped after his diagnosis, including scheduling in "crying time". - Dr. Harriet Forbes talks about her research on the long-term impact mental health impact of cancer. - Clare, Shine's Programme Delivery Manager, talks about her diagnosis, Shine's programmes, and how people within the Shine community have managed their mental health through cancer. 

Many people find that they feel different in their bodies after cancer - you might have lost trust in your body, or feel like your body has turned against you. In this podcast, Tatum talks to Claudia Knowles, a Research Assistant in the Heathcote Lab / working with Dr Lauren Heathcote looking at the mind-body connection in people who have had cancer. They talk about interoception - they way that we understand our internal bodily signals - and how bodily signals can affect emotions. Claudia talks about how to foster a more helpful mindset after a cancer diagnosis. The podcast ends with a short relaxation and breathwork session.  Claudia is currently carrying out some research on 'interoception'. If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you can participate here:bit.ly/MyBodySurvey X: @ClaudRKnowles Instagram: @claudiaroseknowles  Lauren's X: @LCHeathcote    

Most of us are used to talking to healthcare professionals about our cancer but we don't usually talk to them about *their* cancer.  In this podcast, we hear about what it's like to go from being the person giving a diagnosis to being the one who receives it.  Hannah, a GP, shares how she received the news of her brain tumour while at work with a waiting room full of people. Simon, a pediatrician, explains how he navigates how much of his own experience to share while at work. Mari, gynaecologist, was shocked at how other doctors often failed to acknowledge the impact of their words. And Mari's husband, Babur, a surgeon, talks about how he goes to work to fix others but the person he really wants to be able to fix is his wife.  

When your initial cancer treatment is over, your friends and family might think you're fine - but we know you can be left with many lasting effects and emotions. In this episode, Tatum talks to Matt who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 17, and Roisin who was treated for osteosarcoma of the jaw after a diagnosis at 28. They talk how they managed treatment and the aftermath over the long term. Roisin has also shared more details of her treatment and recovery on our website here.

If you're newly diagnosed with cancer, welcome, you're in the right place.   In this episode, members of the Shine community share their top tips and what they wish they knew when they were in your position. We have two great guests, Matt, diagnosed just last year with bowel cancer, shares his whirlwind entry into the world of cancer and how important humour is, and Ceinwen, co-founder of Shine Cancer Support, shares the breadth of her knowledge. Having met hundreds of newly diagnosed younger adults she reminds us that however we are feeling we aren't alone and we're not doing it wrong.  

Tatum explores what it's like to carry a 'cancer gene' and speaks to Helen, who carries the BRCA gene, and Cara who has Lynch syndrome.  Cara developed bowel cancer at 32 for which she was successfully treated. She later developed early stage womb cancer and had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy during the pandemic. Her father had also had bowel cancer.  Three generations of Helen's family have been affected by cancer, including her mother who died of breast cancer in the 1990s. Helen tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation as a child and later developed ovarian cancer.  Both Cara and Helen discuss what it's like to live with the constant awareness of cancer and how they continue to process their experiences.

Tatum speaks to Dr. Char Goodwin and Neil MacVicar, both of whom are neurodivergent and have been diagnosed with cancer. The quote Char references is from Dr Jac den Houting  @JacdenHouting  TED talk https://www.ted.com/talks/jac_den_houting_why_everything_you_know_about_autism_is_wrong?language=en

October is breast cancer awareness month and in our latest podcast Tatum speaks to three members of Shine's community about their experiences of the UK's most common cancer.  She speaks to Kate, who was diagnosed in lockdown and Hannah who was diagnosed with breast cancer after an earlier cancer diagnosis. Tatum also speaks to Dror about what it's like to be a man living with advanced breast cancer. 

This month, we're delighted to speak to Prof Gerard Evan who is based at the UK's Francis Crick Institute and is one of the world's leading cancer researchers. Prof Evan talks to Tatum about why cancers occur, how we can treat them, and why there are many reasons to be hopeful for the future of cancer treatment. Fun fact: you have more cells in your body than there are stars in a thousand Milky Way galaxies. Like what you hear? Join us *in person* on 14 October at Shine Connect, the UK's only conference for younger adults with cancer. Find out all the details and register here. 

In this episode, Tatum chats to Sarah and Cheryl of the Cancer, Sex and Intimacy Project which is now a partner of Shine Cancer Support. Sarah and Cheryl talk about what inspired them to work on the topics of sex and intimacy after cancer and also unpick whether advice not to sleep in the same bed as your partner means you can have sex on the couch.... Cheryl and Sarah will be joining us at Shine Connect (Shine's annual conference) in October 2023.  You can check out Cancer, Sex and Intimacy on Instagram @sex_cancer_intimacy and read their booklet here.    Cheryl's story: 00:01:20 Sarah's story: 00:02:20 Differences between men and women in approaching sex after cancer: 00:17:29 Reigniting pleasure: 00:23:17  

To celebrate London Pride, our podcast this month is looking at how we can navigate the desire to go OUT OUT for Pride while also managing cancer and all the things that brings with it. Tatum is joined on the podcast by Scott, who lives with multiple myeloma, and Indigo who is living with the effects of kidney cancer treatment.  00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:54 - Scott's story  00:11:56 - Indigo's story    Topics: - LGBTQI+ - Pride - Multiple myeloma - Kidney cancer - Coping with long-term conditions

In this podcast, we explore what it's like to be left infertile after cancer. Tatum talks to Amanda, Katy and Gemma about their experiences of cancer diagnoses, treatment, fertility preservation and adjusting to the thought of a life without children. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:17 - Amanda's story 00:15:04 - Katy's story 00:31:42 - Gemma's story   Topics: - Breast, ovarian and womb cancer - Cancer diagnosis - Treatment - Fertility preservation - Life without children - Living with infertility - Coping strategies

Tatum speaks to Dr. Cheryl Fitzgerald, a consultant gynaecologist in reproductive medicine in Manchester, and Shine volunteer Hannah, about the ways in which cancer and cancer treatment can affect fertility. They discuss the emotional impact of post-cancer (in)fertility and also provide some really useful tips for shaping discussions with healthcare practitioners. 

May is Shine's Exercise after Cancer Month and on the podcast we've got two great guests: exercise specialist and breast cancer survivor Carolyn Garritt, author of Get Your Oomph Back, and size-inclusive personal trainer Gemma Saeger, who also lives with multiple myeloma. They discuss the ins and outs of exercise after cancer, including why it's important and where to get started if you're not feeling motivated.   

This month we're talking about chronic cancer. Chronic cancer often can't be cured but it also may not need treatment immediately. Sometimes, they can be treated long-term, or they might require treatment every so often.  Myeloma, some lymphomas and leukaemias and even some ovarian cancers can fall into this category, but they're often not well understood by friends and family (or people in general!). Tatum talks to David, Lucy and Kerrie about their experiences. 

Just listening in for the first time? Need a reminder of everything we've covered in the podcast? Look no further! In this special episode, we've got a run down of some of topics we've covered previously and a few highlights of our favourite bits. Living with cancer as a young adult isn't easy, but we've got you covered. 

In this episode, Tatum welcomes Clare from Shine to review some of the experiences that were shared at Shine's annual conference. They hear from Rime, who lives with bipolar disorder and experienced a severe mental health emergency after her diagnosis; Ben who has experienced anxiety and used alcohol to cope; and from Ciaran who was diagnosed with testicular cancer and then experienced suicidal thoughts.  Warning: Please be aware that this episode contains descriptions of mental illness, suicide and alcohol abuse. 

If you missed our amazing Shine Connect 2022 young adult cancer conference fear not! In a special podcast episode, we bring you some highlights from our Dating after Cancer and Sex and Intimacy sessions. You'll hear some of the best bits but if you're hankering for more, check out our YouTube playlist for the full sessions. 

In this mini-sode, Shine Cancer Support co-founder Emma Willis discusses her breast cancer diagnosis, aged 29 and how her experiences of isolation led to the creation of Shine. Tatum also chats about the upcoming Shine Connect 2022 conference for adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s with cancer. You can view the agenda and speakers (as well as register free) for the conference HERE.

Having a friend die is tough under any circumstance but when you're part of the cancer community it can hit you in a different way. Anxiety (could this happen to me?) and survivor's guilt can all be part of the complex web of feelings that we experience. In this podcast, Tatum, Hannah and Mari talk about how they've managed and why friendships with others who have cancer are so important.

In the third of our series about menopause after cancer, Tatum talks to Dr. Jane Davis, a GP and women's health specialist, about managing menopause when you can't take HRT. 

In the second of our trio of menopause episodes, Tatum talks to Dr. Juliet Balfour, a GP and menopause expert based in Somerset, England. Tatum and Dr. Balfour discuss hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the research on its uses, and how it can help those who are able to take it. 

In the first of our trio of menopause episodes, Tatum talks to three Shine community members about their experiences of menopause after a cancer diagnosis. Together our guests and host discuss the impact of menopause and what's helped them cope. Our upcoming menopause episodes will include chats with doctors who have expertise in menopause. Our second episode will cover managing menopause with HRT and our third will cover managing menopause without HRT. 

In this episode, we chat to Aff, one of Shine's fabulous volunteers, about her experience of breast cancer as a Black woman in her 30s. From wigs to prosthetics and more, Aff talks to Tatum how and why services need to change to be more inclusive.

June is Pride month and we're delighted to share our new episode on queer sex after a cancer diagnosis. Tatum was joined by Stewart O'Callaghan from Live through This and Lizzy Scott, a radiotherapy specialist who is working to make radiotherapy more queer-inclusive. 

Being a parent with cancer can be especially isolating. You may have friends with children or friends who have cancer - but you probably don't have many friends who are coping with both.  In this episode, Tatum talks to Sarah and Mark about their experiences looking after little people while navigating life with cancer. 

A huge percentage of people who have cancer and cancer treatment experience 'cancer-related cognitive impairment' - aka 'chemo brain' or 'brain fog'. In this episode, we chat to occupational therapist Tamsin Longley and research nurse Sarah Stapleton from the Royal Marsden in London, two women on a mission to help people affected by brain fog. 

Dominic Walker is a filmmaker storyteller and in this episode, he shares his story of diagnosis and treatment for Grade 4 glioblastoma, as well as how he's (re) learning to live with his diagnosis. This podcast features Dominic's storytelling project which combines spoken word with music and soundscapes, as well as an interview afterwards with podcast host Tatum. You can hear more of Dominic's work at https://www.purpleear.co.uk or contact him at dominicwalker12@outlook.com. Sound design credit to Caleb Watson.

In this episode, Tatum talks to Barbara and Rime about the long-term impact of cancer and cancer treatment - those "cancer souvenirs" that we often get left with but very often don't talk about. Barbara discusses her tongue cancer diagnosis and treatment, while Rime chats through her experience of breast cancer in her 30s. 

In this episode, Tatum talks to Neil and Elinor about friendships and cancer: how cancer impacts our friendships and how relationships might change through a diagnosis and treatment. 

In this episode members of the Shine team talk about cancer scammers and scams - those people who fake cancer and offer up fake cancer cures - and how they affect us all. And no: that "ancient herb" won't cure you....

In this episode, Tatum talks about weight (gaining it and losing it!) and how we can eat well with an eye on nourishing ourselves. Guests include Shine member Jemil, fitness coach (and cancer patient) Sarah Newman and registered dietician Victoria Deprez.

Tatum interviews Ceinwen, a founding Director of Shine, and then talks about “scanxiety” with Christopher and Meera, two young adults living with cancer.

Tatum welcomes Dr Isabel White, a Psychosexual Therapist and Oncology Nurse to discuss common issues faced by men and women during and after cancer treatment and answer your questions.