Breathe Strong

Rachel Thomas returns with a summer update on Breathe Strong and shares what is being planned for Season Two.

After the positive response to Season One, including the Ask the Expert episode with Professor Sanjay Popat, the next season will focus on practical support for people living with lung cancer or mesothelioma who are preparing to start treatment.

Rachel explains the idea behind a new prehabilitation and rehabilitation programme for people with advanced lung cancer or mesothelioma, especially those who may not be suitable for surgery but still need support with strength, symptoms, confidence and day-to-day wellbeing.

Season Two will bring together expert advice and real patient experience, with guidance on nutrition, oral health, exercise, physiotherapy, breathlessness, fatigue and emotional wellbeing. The aim is to create a practical programme that people can use at home, wherever they are in the UK.

Rachel also gives an update on funding for the next season, explains why the podcast may be quiet over the summer, and highlights Action Mesothelioma Day, HASAG’s 20th anniversary activity, and the ongoing need to raise awareness of asbestos and mesothelioma.

Breathe Strong plans to return around September with new episodes, expert conversations and downloadable resources to help patients prepare, cope and recover as well as possible.

Links referenced in this episode:

• hashtag.co.uk
• mesouk.co.uk

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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Chemotherapy accumulates in the body, and understanding its effects can shape the treatment journey for cancer patients.

In this episode, Rachel and her new guests dive into the side effects of lung cancer treatments, focusing specifically on chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). They emphasise that the first chemotherapy experience can often indicate how future treatments will go.

Listeners hear firsthand accounts from guests Sarah, Maria, and Natasha, who share their personal stories about battling lung cancer and managing side effects.

This conversation aims to provide insights and reassurance for those currently undergoing treatment or about to start, highlighting the importance of communication with healthcare teams about any side effects experienced.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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Leslie Harrison and Doug Read are people living with mesothelioma whose experience of treatment was marked by severe immunotherapy side effects, from hepatitis and inflammatory arthritis to rash, weight loss, weakness and sudden loss of independence.

In this episode of Breathe Strong, they speak with Rachel Thomas about how quickly treatment complications escalated, the fear of being taken off therapy, the reality of recovery, and the importance of reporting side effects early and asking for specialist help.

Leslie and Doug leave you with a clear sense that survival is not just about treatment itself, but about persistence, support, adapting to a changed body, and learning to keep going even when life no longer feels familiar.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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Professor Sanjay Popat is a medical oncologist and thoracic oncology professor whose life was shaped by a career spent advancing lung cancer and mesothelioma treatment through research, clinical trials, and patient-centred care.

In this episode of Breathe Strong, Professor Popat answers patient-led questions on early-stage and stage four EGFR lung cancer, treatment decisions around Osimertinib, trials, vaccines, menopause and HRT, mesothelioma immunotherapy, genetic testing, and the promising therapies now emerging on the horizon.

Sanjay leaves listeners with a sense that while these diseases remain complex and difficult, real progress is happening through science, better understanding, and the willingness of patients and clinicians to keep pushing treatment forward together.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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The podcast dives into the essential theme of communication in relationships, particularly when facing a cancer diagnosis.

Host Rachel and her guests, Doug, Barbara, Max, and Charlie, share their experiences and insights about how cancer impacts partnerships.

They emphasise that strong relationships can remain resilient despite the challenges posed by illness.

Open dialogue is highlighted as crucial, with couples discussing their strategies for supporting one another and navigating difficult conversations.

Listeners are encouraged to reach out for support and not to bottle up their feelings, reinforcing the idea that relationships are tested, but can also grow stronger through adversity.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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Relationships can change significantly when facing a cancer diagnosis.

The guests discuss how they prefer to view their partners as "co-pilots" instead of "carers," emphasising a more positive dynamic, and they share personal experiences about how their roles have shifted but the core of their relationships remains strong.

The conversation highlights the emotional impact of cancer on friendships, family ties, and even dating, with some expressing the struggle of feeling distant from friends after their diagnosis.

Ultimately, they encourage listeners to recognise the importance of self-love and connection, especially on Valentine’s Day, reminding them that they are more than just their diagnosis.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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This podcast highlights the significant impact that lung cancer diagnoses have not only on patients but also on their family members and caregivers. T

he discussion emphasises that these caregivers often feel secondary to the patient, yet their experiences and feelings are just as crucial.

The host, Rachel, and her guests, share personal stories that reflect on the emotional turmoil and challenges faced during diagnosis and treatment. They stress the importance of recognizing the caregiver's role in the journey, noting that healthcare support must include both patients and their loved ones.

Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to seek support and highlights the necessity of teamwork in navigating the cancer experience together.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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A lung cancer diagnosis affects more than the body. It reaches into your thoughts, your emotions, and the way you see your future.

In this episode of Breathe Strong, the panel talk openly about mental health. They share what it feels like to face surgery alone, wait for scan results, live with uncertainty, and carry the emotional load that often goes unseen. You’ll hear honest reflections on scanxiety, stigma, counselling, community support, and the quiet strength found in connection, routine, and being understood by others who truly get it.

There is no single right way to cope. This conversation reminds you that mental health support can take many forms, and that you don’t have to face this journey on your own.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Watch on YouTube.

Just search for Breathe Strong on your preferred platform.

Breathe Strong is supported by two patient-led charities working every day to improve support, understanding, and care for people affected by lung cancer.

You can help them continue this work by donating directly:

• Support HASAG at hasag.co.uk
• Support EGFR Positive UK at egfrpositive.org.uk

Your support helps fund counselling, community groups, practical advice, and peer support for patients and families who need it most.

You’re not alone. And neither are they.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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How a daughter’s grief led to one of the UK’s leading mesothelioma support charities.

In this moving episode of Breathe Strong, host Rachel Thomas sits down with Lynne Squibb, CEO of HASAG, a charity dedicated to supporting patients and families affected by mesothelioma.

Lynne shares the personal story behind the founding of HASAG, following her father’s mesothelioma diagnosis and the family’s struggle to access care, support, and benefits.

From humble beginnings as a coffee morning, HASAG has grown into a multi-faceted charity offering home visits, benefits advice, counselling, legal support, and funding for research and specialist nurses.

This episode is a testament to what compassionate, patient-led support can achieve, and why it’s so vital.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Support must go beyond medical care: Patients need holistic, accessible help—from benefits advice and home visits to emotional support and legal guidance. HASAG’s work fills critical gaps left by the healthcare system.
• Lived experience drives impact: Every member of the HASAG team has been personally affected by mesothelioma, bringing empathy and real-world understanding to their support.
• Collaborative care changes lives: By working closely with NHS nurses, solicitors, and other professionals, HASAG helps patients access essential resources like mobility aids, home adaptations, and even treatments not funded by the NHS.

Follow & Subscribe

If you’re finding these patient-led conversations helpful, make sure to follow and subscribe to Breathe Strong on your favourite platform.

We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Leave a review or share this episode to help raise awareness for mesothelioma and the vital support families need.

N.B. AstraZeneca has provided a grant towards this independent project and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation.

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Real advice from patients who’ve taken flights, cruises, and road trips after diagnosis.

In this episode of Breathe Strong, host Rachel Thomas reconnects with guests Charlie, Lesley, and Doug to explore what it’s like to travel after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer or mesothelioma.

The discussion highlights personal travel stories, both local and international, and offers a wealth of practical advice. From navigating insurance challenges and securing airport assistance to packing smart and staying sun-safe, the episode is full of empowering tips and honest reflections.

Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long-haul trip, this episode reminds us all that, with the right preparation, travel is still possible and deeply meaningful.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Plan ahead and protect yourself: Always carry a doctor’s letter listing your medications, research travel insurance early, and book flexible travel and accommodation to reduce stress in case plans change.
• Small adaptations make a big difference: Use tools like flight socks, aisle seats, sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities, and airport assistance to make the journey more comfortable and manageable.
• Sun safety and medication awareness are essential: Cancer treatment can increase sun sensitivity, so pack SPF 50, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and check medication legality in your destination country, especially for opioids or controlled substances.

Follow & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow and subscribe to Breathe Strong wherever you get your podcasts. We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Don’t miss our upcoming episodes filled with real stories, helpful advice, and support for people living with lung cancer or mesothelioma.