How often do we need a smear test? It’s become controversial now as a new test means women and people with a cervix need checking less often. But in the future the answer might be only once a lifetime!   We hunt for the special blood that's in high demand, yet in short supply, for people with sickle cell disease. And could the disruption from the Covid pandemic be setting the stage for a large outbreak of measles? PRESENTER: James Gallagher
PRODUCER: Beth Eastwood Credit Image: NHS Blood & Transplant

Cervical screening, blood donation & measles

Series that demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.

Health & Fitness

Last month, Catherine, Princess of Wales shared she’d been diagnosed with cancer. Describing this news as ‘a huge shock’ and at age just 42, the Princess’ disease falls into a category known as “early-onset cancer” – when the disease affects those under 50. While cases in this age group are still rare, diagnosis rates over the past few years have been growing. And scientists are now on a mission to figure out why.  Receiving a cancer diagnosis at any age is devastating, but younger people living with the disease face additional challenges. James Gallagher talks to Emma Campbell, a mum of three young children who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 36. Emma shares not just how her treatment affected her life, but the difficulties in advocating for herself as a younger person trying to get diagnosed. Professor Helen Coleman, cancer epidemiologist for Queens University Belfast, has been studying these diagnostic rates in younger people and explains possible reasons why more people like Emma are finding themselves living with the disease.  A series of videos recently went viral on social media from women claiming their weight loss drugs got them pregnant. These drugs – like Ozempic and Wegovy – help people lose weight by suppressing appetite, but could they impact fertility? James speaks to Dr Charlotte Moffett, lecturer in Pharmacology and Molecular Pathology at the University of Ulster, who is studying if these drugs might alter someone's ability to conceive. James is also joined in the studio by GP, Dr Margaret McCartney, who helps him answer some of your questions.  Presenter: James Gallagher 
Producer: Julia Ravey 
Content Editor: Holly Squire 
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy  TikTok credits: @Dkalsolive | @anastasiamalhotra | @coachkatierogers

Are more young people getting cancer?

How did you sleep last night?  Perhaps you couldn't drift off, or maybe you woke in the middle of the night and then couldn't nod off again. In this special edition of Inside Health we're talking all about insomnia. It’s an issue that may affect many of us at some point in our lives – but for some it goes beyond a short period of not being able to sleep and becomes something more serious. You’ve been getting in touch with your questions, and James is joined by a trio of experts ready to answer to them: Dr Allie Hare, president of the British Sleep Society and consultant physician in sleep medicine at the Royal Brompton Hospital, Colin Espie, a professor of sleep medicine at Oxford University and Dr Faith Orchard, a lecturer in psychology at Sussex University. We’re going to find out why we get insomnia, when to seek help and how much factors like ageing, menopause, needing the loo or shift work matter. And we'll look at the latest advice and treatments. Can insomnia be fixed?  You can keep in touch with the team by emailing insidehealth@bbc.co.uk Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Gerry Holt 
Researcher: Katie Tomsett
Production coordinator: Liz Tuohy
Studio managers: Jackie Margerum & Andrew Garratt

Can insomnia be fixed?

Scientists are worried about ticks.  They say they’re starting to pose more of a health risk here in the UK, as our climate warms and urban areas spill into green spaces.  But what are ticks, what kind of disease can they cause – and how much of a problem are they? We go on a tick hunt in Richmond Park and then head back to the lab to meet the ticks we’ve collected. We find out why new species of ticks and new diseases could be coming our way - and what you can do to keep safe. Also this week, we answer your questions on the impact of noise on our health following our recent programme.  And we delve into the fascinating world of measles. It’s the most contagious virus in the world – by a long way. What is it about this virus that makes it so spectacularly good at infecting us? Keep in touch with the Inside Health team at insidehealth@bbc.co.uk Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production coordinator: Liz Tuohy

We go on a tick hunt

Have you ever tried intermittent fasting? As the month of Ramadan comes to an end, many Muslims are concluding several weeks of time-restricted eating. But outside of religion, many of us are now choosing to eat this way for health reasons – even UK PM Rishi Sunak does a weekly fast. Claimed benefits of intermittent fasting range from weight loss to improved immune function to maybe even living longer, but do these stack up?   James Gallagher gives one of these popular diets a go whilst trying to answer if restricting when we eat our food is good for us. He chats to Colin Selman from the University of Glasgow about the animal studies which inspired these claims, Claudia Langenberg from Queen Mary University on what happens in our bodies when fasting, and Lucy Serpell from UCL on the potential dangers these types of diets can pose. Plus, we visit AFC Wimbledon for an Iftar event to hear if people fasting during Ramadan experience any changes to their health.   Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Julia Ravey
Editor: Holly Squire
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen

Is intermittent fasting good for you?

From ear-splitting aircraft noise and the drone of traffic to the hum of an open-plan office, the world around us can feel loud.  But is it getting louder? And is this having any effect on our health - and even on how long we live?  We find out when living close to a road, railway or airport might go from nuisance to health hazard, with potential effects on our sleep, heart health, mood and concentration.  It’ll get loud as we do some tests in a lab to explore how unwanted sound might affect the rest of the body beyond our ears, and we sift through the growing research on the impact of noise. Who might be most at risk and why?  We also find out why our reaction to noise might be about more than just volume - and we go in search of some simple tips to help. Keep in touch with the Inside Health team at insidehealth@bbc.co.uk Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Gerry Holt
Researcher: Amy Ringrose
Editor: Martin Smith
Production coordinator: Connor Morgans

Cervical screening, blood donation & measles

Download our free app to listen on your phone