You, Me and the Big C: Putting the can in cancer

Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland get together for a long awaited catch up. They then bring in producers Mike Holt and Al Entwistle for a very exciting You, Me and the Big C announcement about something we are planning to do in January. We also hear from film director Sara Hardy, who tells us about an amazing project she's been working on - all about our dearly missed friend Dame Deborah James. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Lauren Mahon, Steve Bland, producers Mike Holt and Al Entwistle recount treasured stories and memories of Deborah James: friend, broadcaster, campaigner, fundraiser, author, computer scientist, Dame.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Tony Livesey celebrates the life of You, Me & The Big C broadcaster Dame Deborah James.

As Deborah James stops active treatment for her cancer, she speaks with Producer Mike one last time. Join the conversation and the online community to share positive support by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media.

Lozza and Steve catch up with Deborah about her hospital recordings, how she feels now and what the immediate future looks like. We also say bon voyage to producer Al Entwistle, who has been an important member of our original You, Me and the Big C family from day one. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

After three weeks in hospital Deborah James is finally told she can go home. But nothing ever seems to run smoothly. Little did Debs know that she's about to embark on another emotional roller coaster that would taker her to absolutely rock bottom. This is the third and final part of her hospital recordings. This is a raw, powerful and honest account that some listeners my find upsetting. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah is joined by Lauren as they go through some of recordings she made in hospital. The conversation and recording range from the challenges Debs faced while in hospital to thoughts on social media, religion to night terrors, Covid rules and having a fifth operation to try and put in a stent. This is a raw, powerful and honest account that some listeners my find upsetting. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

On the day our previous podcast came out Deborah James suffered a serious medical emergency. While in hospital she started recording her experiences. This is the first part of those recordings. This is a raw, powerful and honest account that some listeners my find distressing. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

After five months away from the pod, the team are back together and Deborah updates Lauren and Steve on the latest developments with her health. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Steve and Lauren check in with Deborah from her hospital chemo chair. They all talk about life now the Covid restrictions have been lifted and what that means for cancer patients. Then end this series by reading out a few of your amazing stories of hope. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Steve Bland is flying solo this week as he asks why men sometimes find it hard to talk and to share their stories. He's joined by Danny de Brabander, who has stage four bowel cancer, and Joe Bellman, whose mum died from cancer in late 2019, to talk about the challenges and benefits of taking your story public and leaning on mates for support when the going gets tough. Steve also asks grief expert and counsellor Jenni Thomas OBE if and why men find it harder to open up – and whether actually they might just take a different approach to grief and the trauma of cancer and serious illness. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah James is joined by fellow stage four'ers Emma Campbell and Darren Roberts to talk about hitting rock bottom, what happens physically, mentally and how they get through the day. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah speaks with Lauren and Steve about the latest changes with her cancer, the complications, resulting adjustments to her treatment and what the next steps are. For the second week running, we also hear from a team mum! Debs' mum Heather puts on the headphones to share how things have been going from a parent's perspective. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

For the first time Lauren sits down with her mum, Tina, who is 31 years on from her own cancer diagnosis, to discuss the fear of cancer recurrence. Lauren is also joined by Dr Joy Mueller, a counselling psychologist and relationship therapist, who listened to their conversation and explores some of the psychological impacts a fear of recurrence can cause. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland are back together again to talk cancer headlines, geek of the week and share your 'laugh or you'd cry' stories. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Lauren is joined by relationship and sex psychotherapist Miranda Christophers to answer your questions on how to regain confidence and intimacy following cancer treatment. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

The team get together for an update on Debs' latest developments, discover what organoids are, reflect on reactions to the last two #YouMeBigC episodes. They discuss the cancer storyline in Motherland, Covid vaccines and read some of your 'laugh or you’d cry' cancer stories. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Julia Samuel, a psychotherapist who has spent over 30 years working with bereaved families and TV chef Tim Bilton who has a rare stage 4 melanoma join Steve Bland. They talk about the difficulties of finding love again and dealing with loved ones when the future looks uncertain. Steve also sits down for a frank and honest chat with Amy, who he has been in a relationship with for the past year and a half. She talks about some of the challenges of dating a widower. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah James hosts a special podcast talking about the challenges of dealing with cancer treatment and diagnosis during the Covid-19 pandemic. She's joined by Jay McLaughlin and Darren Roberts to discuss the practical and psychological difficulties they've all faced. The group share their personal coping mechanisms and approaches. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

Deborah, Steve and Lauren are back for a new series. Debs shares how her treatment is going, including an explanation of the latest cutting-edge trial treatment she's undergone - 'NanoKnife' - and the gang outline a fresh approach for future episodes. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support. Email youmebigc@bbc.co.uk

It’s been a very testing 12 months for everyone, so Deborah, Lauren and Steve finish 2020 hearing some positive stories, outlooks and reflections on the year from listeners. Dr Phillipa Kay from This Morning, Carly Moosah, Tim Brown, Rhian Horne and Wendy Peake all share what's happened to them in 2020 and how they've got through it. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Lauren and Steve are joined by Kreena Dhiman, Sophie Beresiner and Laura Boyd to discuss their experiences of surrogacy and cancer. Each share a very different story and varied approaches to surrogacy. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Sex, dating and relationships educator Lala and Sinead Collins from GM Cancer, also previously an oncology advanced practitioner, join Debs Lauren and Steve to share their knowledge and experience about the emotional and sexual impact of cancer. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Medical Advisor for Melanoma UK and Clinical Lead for Skin Cancer at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, Wayne Jaffe, joins #YouMeBigC. Kate Cochrane also joins Debs, Lauren and Steve to talk about her experiences of having melanoma. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Dr Naureen Starling, a Consultant Medical Oncologist specialising in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers and Cariad Lloyd, presenter of the Griefcast podcast, whose father died of pancreatic cancer when she was young, join Debs, Lauren and Steve. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Steph Blackwell, finalist from The Great British Bake Off and her dad, Roger, who has prostate and bowel cancer, join Debs, Lauren and Steve. They discuss the challenges of living apart whilst undergoing cancer treatment during the coronavirus lockdowns. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Professor Charlie Swanton, Cancer Research UK's Chief Clinician, who is leading ground-breaking studies into lung cancer and Joanna Heard, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic version of the disease, join Deborah, Lauren and Steve. They discuss stigmas around a cancer so closely linked to smoking, the future of treatments and how important it is to go to your doctor as early as possible if you develop symptoms. Don’t forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media – spread the word and share positive support.

Internationally acclaimed audio storyteller Sophie Townsend joins Deborah, Lauren and Steve to discuss the story and experiences behind her new podcast ‘Goodbye To All This’. It’s a love story about life, loss and grief and coming back out the other side and we include episode one alongside our interview with Sophie. Don’t forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media – spread the word and share the positive support.

Dr David Crosby, Head of Prevention and Early Detection Research at Cancer Research UK, joins Deborah, Lauren and Steve to talk about what the future of cancer may look like. He sets out a roadmap of how we can try and get to a point where nobody gets a late stage cancer diagnosis. Don’t forget, you can get in touch by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media – spread the word and share the positive support.

Lauren, Debs and Steve mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month with a jam packed episode! Dr Zoe Williams joins the team to talk about early diagnosis, Laura Middleton-Hughes discusses secondary breast cancer, plus David Aggett and Dave Talbot reveal how they're raising awareness about male breast cancer. Don't forget you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Karol Sikora, an oncologist for 50 years and former Director of the World Health Organisation's cancer programme and Katharina Hauck, a Reader in Health Economics at the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the Imperial College London both join Lauren, Deborah and Steve to look at where we are now in terms of cancer treatment and the Covid-19 pandemic. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Emma Dutton co-founder of Untangle Grief and the artist behind Grief Kid join Lauren, Debs and Steve to discuss how they are helping people come to terms with grief. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Tina Seymour, chief executive of Hope For Tomorrow, joins Debs, Lauren and Steve to talk about how the charity provides mobile cancer care units to NHS Trusts and the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The #YouMeBigC team are also joined by Madelaine McLaughlin who uses the service and Pat Dyminski, who is a lead clinical nurse and MSCC Coordinator at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the impact mobile units can make to rural communities.

After the death of her son, aged just 23 months, Leanne Fisher and her husband co-founded Fletcher's Fund - a small charity with the aim of providing fun things to children going through cancer treatment. Leanne talks to Lauren, Deborah and Steve about her story, why she set up the charity and what they aim do to help children facing cancer. She also highlights the challenges facing small charities in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. You can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media.

Executive producer Lucie Kon and director Chris Alcock of Panorama’s 'Britain’s Cancer Crisis' join Deborah, Lauren and Steve to give a fascinating insight into how the film was made. Plus Neil Bayman, Associate Medical Director at the Christie, shares his response to the Panorama. He discusses the challenges of giving cancer care during the pandemic and talks about the impact Kelly Smith had at the hospital. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Kelly Smith, known on social media as Kickass Kell, talks to Deborah, Lauren and Steve about her cancer treatment during the coronavirus pandemic. We also hear from Kelly's mum Mandy who was caring for her. Ten days after recording, Kelly sadly died. Parts of this podcast were filmed for a special Panorama documentary called 'Britain's Cancer Crisis', where Deborah investigates fears that the coronavirus pandemic could cause a crisis in cancer care in the UK, how the NHS has managed cancer care during lockdown and she meets more fellow patients to discover what the pandemic has meant for them.

Before lockdown, we'd started to record a new series speaking to gamechangers in the cancer community. Our first recording was with Leanne Pero and Charlotte Crowl, but due to Covid-19 everything was put on hold. In this episode we catch up with Leanne. You'll hear the original recording from back in early March, alongside her thoughts of what's happened and changed since. Leanne and Charlotte do a new podcast called 'Black Women Rising: The Untold Cancer Stories' where you can find out more about their amazing work - it's available in all the usual podcast places. We aim to return to the cancer gamechangers series in the next few episodes, so if there's someone making a difference in your cancer community please tell us all about them by using #youmebigc across all forms of social media. This episode is dedicated to our dear friend (and previous guest on the pod) Saima Thompson.

Leyla Hussein OBE, a psychotherapist and social activist joins Lauren, Deborah and Steve to talk about the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on cancer patients’ mental health and shares some helpful advice. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Michelle Mitchell the CEO of Cancer Research UK and Lucy Gossage, a consultant oncologist working in Nottingham University Hospitals join Lauren, Deborah and Steve to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK during lockdown. We'd like to dedicate this podcast to Kelly Smith, Alex Jackson and those who have lost their lives during this global pandemic.

Deborah, Lauren and Steve do a #youmebigc takeover of Sarah Brett’s late night 5 Live radio show on World Cancer Day. They catch up with the person in charge of Deborah’s cancer treatment, Professor Cunningham. Hear some great news from the 5 Live Breakfast sports reader Chris Latcham on his leukemia, plus a catch up with Errol McKellar on his prostate campaigning and speak to a few people who called into the show.

Lauren, Steve and Deborah speak one to one with their best friends, Lereese, David and Sarah, about how they approach supporting them through the impact of cancer. Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #youmebigc across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Deborah, Lauren and Steve take a look back at 2019 and catch up with some good friends of the podcast.