Let's Talk About Lung Cancer

This episode aims to talk openly about smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer is shroud in stigma because of its links to smoking. Smoking is seen as a ‘dirty habit’ and people who do or have smoked are often made to feel guilty and ashamed. We are also seeing a division because caused within lung cancer – people who have smoked and people who have not. This could potentially cause late diagnosis because people feel too ashamed to come forward with symptoms.

Nick Whitehead started smoking when he was very young and was still smoking when he was diagnosed. As soon as he received his diagnosis, he quit for good. 

Nick had surgery and chemotherapy and remains cancer free many years on. He has been able to return to scuba diving and is enjoying life with his wife, Paula.

This episode aims to challenge the misconception that only a certain type of person gets lung cancer. 

Spike Elliott was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and a secondary brain tumour on Christmas Eve 2018. He was 49 and a non-smoker. He enjoyed daily gym workouts and ran 5ks for fun! So, when Spike started to experience fatigue and shoulder pain, lung cancer was not even a consideration. As a result, he saw his GP on three occasions before finally being referred for a brain scan on 19th December.

Spike then endured further 3-month delay whilst he waited for genetic testing. He was told he had 6-12 months to live – although the data did not take into account ethnicity. However, when Spike finally received the results from his biopsy, he had the ALK+ mutation and a whole new line of treatments opened up.

This episode aims to contradict the nihilistic perceptions of lung cancer and demonstrate that it is not an instant death sentence. 

Mandee will chat to Jeff Smith who was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer through the targeted lung health check programme. She will also be joined by Ruthra Coventry who was diagnosed early through the symptomatic pathway and remains cancer free many years on.

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This podcast highlights the many different symptoms of lung cancer and demonstrate that people don’t always have a cough when they have lung cancer. Mandee chats to Brian Gemmell about the lead up to his diagnosis and the different symptoms he experienced.

In this episode, Lorraine and Mandee recall their favourite moments and discussions from the series.

Thank you for joining Lorraine and Mandee for series 2 of the Let's Talk About Lung Cancer Podcast. Series 3 will be coming soon, but in the meantime, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you about any topics you'd like us to cover or questions you'd like us to answer

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Mandee is joined by Branwen Hywel who was diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer in 2018. Prior to her diagnosis, Branwen was a primary school head teacher. It was a job that she loved but sadly, was forced to leave.

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

There are now many different types of treatments for lung cancer. In this latest episode, Lorraine chats to Andy McKay and Karen Michael about the types of treatment they have had – from undergoing surgery to having chemo and their different experiences of targeted therapy.

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

It is not just the person diagnosed who is affected by lung cancer. It is the whole family. Lorraine chats to Natasha Loveridge about how she told her family, including her two daughters, about her incurable diagnosis.

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

As we approach peak summer holiday season, Mandee chats with Jules Fielder along with Nick and Paula Whitehead about some of their travels post-diagnosis.

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

It can be a scary place when you have lung cancer and are not having regular treatment. Mandee chats to Kerrie Mitchell about how she has embraced life whilst on a watch and wait regime.

For more information and support visit roycastle.org.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our social media channels:

Twitter - Roy_Castle_Lung

Instagram - RoyCastleLungCancer

Facebook - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation