Rad Chat

Trigger Warning: climate change.

Bonus Episode: Rad Chat Live at UKIO Conference 2025 - Prof. Mike Berners-Lee.

Stay ahead in radiotherapy and oncology by liking, following, and subscribing to Rad Chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our supportive community of professionals who truly get it. Follow us @Rad__Chat and visit our website at www.radchat.co.uk. Together, we’re pushing boundaries in cancer care.

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger warning: diagnostic scans and benign tumour diagnosis.

Bonus Episode: Rad Chat Live at UKIO Conference 2025 - Francesca Dixon.

Council of Deans 150 Leaders Programme

Stay ahead in radiotherapy and oncology by liking, following, and subscribing to Rad Chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our supportive community of professionals who truly get it. Follow us @Rad__Chat and visit our website at www.radchat.co.uk. Together, we’re pushing boundaries in cancer care.

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger warning: cancer, cancer screening and missed appointments.

Bonus Episode: Rad Chat Live at UKIO Conference 2025 - Nicky Hutton and Steph Jones talking about Cancer Screening Initiatives.

Stay ahead in radiotherapy and oncology by liking, following, and subscribing to Rad Chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our supportive community of professionals who truly get it. Follow us @Rad__Chat and visit our website at www.radchat.co.uk. Together, we’re pushing boundaries in cancer care.

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Bonus Episode: Rad Chat Live at UKIO Conference 2025 Introduction with Jo McNamara and Naman Julka-Anderson

Stay ahead in radiotherapy and oncology by liking, following, and subscribing to Rad Chat wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our supportive community of professionals who truly get it. Follow us @Rad__Chat and visit our website at www.radchat.co.uk. Together, we’re pushing boundaries in cancer care.

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses breast screening, mammograms and breaking bad news.

Episode 169: Part of the workforce and education series Series(Part 59).

Description: In this inspiring episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Rachel Bissell, a Clinical Service Manager for a Breast Imaging Service within the NHS. She talks about her career as a therapeutic radiographer, training as a Mammographer and progressing into management. Rachael talks openly and honestly about challenges she faced working in radiotherapy and leadership. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Where do you see yourself in 1, 3, & 5 years? What skills, qualifications, or mentorship could support that path?What barriers might exist, and how could you overcome them?
2. What leadership style do you naturally adopt? What leadership traits do you admire and want to cultivate?
3. Reflecting on this podcast episode how could you better support colleagues who have logistical challenges in attending the workplace? 

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• https://www.stgbec.org.uk/courses/post-graduate-course-mammography
• https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/mammographer
• https://nationalbreastimagingacademy.org/radiography/mammography-associate-apprenticeship/
• https://www.salford.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/pgcert-mammography-principles-and-practice
• https://www.sgul.ac.uk/study/courses/professional-practice-in-mammography
• https://www.sor.org/learning-advice/professional-practice/diagnostic-imaging-pathways/mammography

Research links from the Episode:

• Radiographers filling the mammography screening gap, but where's the evidence?
• Breast density effect on the sensitivity of digital screening mammography in a UK cohort
• Non-invasive screening of breast cancer from fingertip smears—a proof of concept study

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: pregnancy and mental health.

Episode 168: Part of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion series (part 15).

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Iona Mumby.

Iona is a former primary school teacher & school leader, endurance runner who turned her passion for sport and fitness into a career in 2022. She is on a mission to change the narrative around physical activity during pregnancy & beyond by empowering women to feel confident and safe to train and push their bodies. Iona has since worked with many women with the sole goal of empowering and motivating them to feel great through implementing exercise and movement into their lives. Since becoming a mum herself, Iona has made it her mission to change the narrative around exercising during pregnancy and postpartum and using her expertise to educate women in training safely during these periods. Iona's passions are endurance running and strength training and she works on breaking down the barriers often faced by females in these spaces and supporting them on their fitness journeys. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on your own beliefs or assumptions about exercising during pregnancy. Then read this paper; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430821/ and consider have your views changed? 
2. ​​Reflect upon how this might this influence the way you discuss exercise with pregnant patients or colleagues and the support you offer. 
3. ​​Reflect upon what you could do differently to help pregnant patients safely remain active, and what support/training would you need to feel more confident in doing so?

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Active Pregnancy Foundation
• MOMentum Lost: Unpicking Maternal Physical Activity Patterns in 2022 
• Natalie Kate Moss Trust
• British Association of Urological Surgeons female pelvic floor exercises
• British Association of Urological Surgeons male pelvic floor exercises 
• Tommy’s Charity strength training in pregnancy 
• Exercises to help pelvic girdle pain

Research links from the Episode:

• British Journal of Sports Medicine - April 2025 - Postpartum Physical Activity 
• National Library of Medicine - Pregnancy & Exercise 
• Physical exercise in pregnancy: benefits, risks and prescription
• Exercise in pregnancy 
• Benefits of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Umbrella Review
• Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses bereavement.

​​

​​Episode 167: Part of the workforce and education series (part 58).

​​

​​Description: In this episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Alaine Berry and Kerry Mills to talk about the Society of Radiographer’s Benevolent fund.

​​

​​CPD Reflection Points:

• ​​Look up the Society of Radiographer’s Benevolent fund: https://www.sor.org/about/society-of-radiographers/benevolent-
• ​​How do I identify signs that a colleague may be struggling emotionally, financially, or mentally?
• ​​What are appropriate steps to offer support while respecting professional boundaries?
• ​​What organisational, or external resources are available for colleagues in distress, and how can I signpost them effectively?

​​Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from episode:

• ​​Food banks: https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank
• ​​Citizens advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

​​Rad Chat Links:

• ​​Rad Chat Website
• ​​Link Tree
• ​​Facebook
• ​​Instagram
• ​​LinkedIn
• ​​TikTok
• ​​BlueSky
• ​​YouTube

​​Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer, suicide, side effects and recurrence.

Episode 166: Part of the living with and beyond cancer series (Part52).

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Sharon and Chris Curtis from the Swallow’s Charity. 

Chris is the founder of the charity and former chairman for 7 years, in 2020 he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Chris was diagnosed with Cancer at the base of his tongue on Friday, 13th May 2011 and went through Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, two neck dissections and fed through a feeding peg for several years. During his treatment he found times he wanted to speak to someone who was going through what he was to ask questions or just for someone to listen, in his words “not just 9am to 5pm or a night a month but when I needed it!”.

As Chris started to recover, he decided to start a local group of likeminded people to solve his problems of someone to talk to. Within 8 months he took the group to full charity status on the 16th November 2012 and started to build his vision of getting help and support to patients & caregivers 24/7 and at the point they required to support. Chris has now taken the charity to an international support and awareness group supporting over 7000 people over the years and working out of hospitals across the globe.

When Sharon’s husband was diagnosed with throat cancer, she never realised how much her life was going to change and how this would affect her role within their relationship. Sharon said, “No longer could I continue as just a wife and a mother, but I became the bread winner, the person who put the bins out, the odd job person but more importantly I became a nurse, unfortunately a role I have never wanted to play. You are on the same cancer journey as the patient but somehow, I started to feel that I was on a different path, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

Sharon’s background is in Travel, Local Council and for the past 10 years a PA at Director level, along with this has have for some time now been very involved in the carers side of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group. She realised that other carers have been going through similar changes in their lives with little or no support. As such Sharon uses her work & life skills to take on the challenge of by becoming a Carer Advocate and to get the Carers Voice heard to ensure that they get what they need to help them on their journey.

Sharon joined the Swallows Team as Charity Administrative Manager and now holds all the logistics and management of the charity.

This episode is a deep dive into Chris’ journey from diagnosis to living with and beyond cancer, the Swallow’s charity and Sharon’s role as carer for Chris.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Read about the symptoms of head and neck cancer: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/head-and-neck-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-head-and-neck-cancer
2. Look at the Swallows Charity website: https://theswallows.org.uk/
3. Reflect on Chris’ diagnosis and treatment for cancer.
4. Consider how you could improve the support for carers within your professional practice.

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• The Swallow’s Charity: https://theswallows.org.uk/
• The Swallow’s Charity restaurant card: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/services/restaurant-card/
• The Swallow’s Charity carers: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/caregivers/
• Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/
• Maggie’s Charity Support for Friends and Family: https://www.maggies.org/cancer-support/our-support/friends-and-family/
• ESMO 2022 | The aims of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Charity: https://www.vjoncology.com/video/moyqkwnegku-the-aims-of-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-support-charity/
• Leo Cancer Care and the Swallow’s Charity: https://leocancercare.com/news-and-events/press-release/leo-cancer-care-and-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-charity-team-up-to-improve-future-radiotherapy-experience/
• Samaritans Charity: https://www.samaritans.org/
• Mind Charity: https://www.mind.org.uk/
• Head and Neck Cancer Neck Dissection: https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/23/neck_dissection/

Research links from the Episode:

• Experiences and Needs of Carers of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review
• Family Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: cancer, gynaecological cancer, death and dying, gender based violence, mental health and brachytherapy.

Episode 165: Part of the education and workforce development (series 57).

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Gemma Eminowicz to hear about her work in utilising MR-Linac for gynaecological cancer. 

Dr. Gemma Eminowicz MBChB, MRCP, FRCR, MD(Res) is a consultant clinical oncologist and brachytherapy lead treating gynaecological cancers at University College London Hospital (UCLH). She is also an honorary clinical associate professor at University College London (UCL), chair of the GEC-ESTRO gynae working group, member of ESTRO gynae focus group, organiser of gyn-SMART webinars and principle investigator on many systemic therapy clinical trials including at a UK level (eg Keynote B21). She has published 26 oncology papers, 8 as first author and multiple book chapters. She has been heavily involved in the practice changing INTERLACE trial from radiotherapy quality assurance to analysis of final results and dissemination of primary and secondary outcome data. She remains active within ESTRO, ESGO, BGCS and GTG-UK and strives to improve patient care through multidisciplinary treatments focusing on systemic therapy and high quality radiotherapy. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Read about the types of gynaecological cancers, along with signs and symptoms of each: https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/gynaecological-cancers/.
2. Consider how you could support people who have to have brachytherapy treatment.

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Dr. Gemma Eminowicz https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-consultant/dr-gemma-eminowicz
• GEC-ESTRO gynaecology committee: https://www.estro.org/About/ESTRO-Organisation-Structure/Committees/GEC-ESTRO-Committee
• ESTRO Gynaecology focus group: https://www.estro.org/About/ESTRO-Organisation-Structure/Focus-Groups/Gynaecology
• GYN-Smart webinars: https://sites.google.com/view/gyn-smart
• Keynote B21: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(24)03822-5/fulltext
• INTERLACe trial: https://www.ctc.ucl.ac.uk/TrialDetails.aspx?Trial=89
• MR-Linac treatment Genesis Care: https://www.genesiscare.com/uk/treatment/radiotherapy/mr-linac

Research links from the Episode:

• Creutzberg C, Kim JW, Eminowicz G et al. The Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup(GCIG) consensus recommendations for clinical research in Endometrial Cancer. Lancet oncology September 2024.
• Sarwar A, Eminowicz G. Radiotherapy induced ureteric stenosis in locally advanced cervical cancer: A review of current evidence. Brachytherapy, 2024,ISSN 1538-4721, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brachy.2024.03.002.
• Mirza MR, RUBY investigators. Dostarlimab for Primary Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2023 Jun 8;388(23):2145-2158.
• Gaze MN, Smeulders N, Ackwerh R, Allen C, Bal N, Boutros M, Cho A, Eminowicz G, Gill E, Fittall MW, Humphries PD, Lim P, Mushtaq I, Nguyen T, Peet C, Pendse D, Polhill S, Rees H, Sands G, Shankar A, Slater O, Sullivan T, Hoskin PJA National Referral Service for Paediatric Brachytherapy: An Evolving Practice and Outcomes Over 13 Years. Clin Oncol(R Coll Radiol). 2022 Dec 30:S0936-6555(22)00609-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.12.008. Online ahead of print.
• Sarwar A, Lalli N, Eminowicz G. Ureter dose optimization during image guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Brachytherapy. 2022 Apr 11:S1538-4721(22)00035-6.

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• BlueSky
• YouTube

Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer.

​​

​​Episode 164: Part of the education and workforce development series (part 56).

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. James Lam talking about his career as a medical oncologist and work around developing a novel machine learning algorithm to identify new cancer drug targets.

​​

​​James studied Medicine at Cambridge and completed his MBBS at UCL, qualifying in 2017 with Distinction. He holds an MA(Cantab) for research in retinal neuroscience and was ranked first among all UK Medical Oncology ST3 applicants in 2021.

​​Awarded an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, he has contributed to practice-changing oncology trials and cancer cachexia research with the TRACERx Consortium. Now at BioCorteX, he applies computational metagenomics and AI to shaping future cancer care.

​​James remains dedicated to oncology research, with a strong interest in nutrition, fitness, and health optimisation.

​​

​​CPD Reflection Points:

1. ​​Read through the three publications attached to show notes and reflect upon how this research may impact on clinical practice. ​​

​​Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

​​

​​Links from the Episode:

• ​​https://biocortex.com/

​​Research links from the Episode:

• ​​ASCO Conquer Cancer Award - Differential Clinical Trial Outcomes in Japan and the US
• ​​Nature Medicine Publication - Cancer Cachexia in TRACERx 
• ​​Google Cloud Press Release - Bacterial Interactions in ADC Cancer Treatment

​​Rad Chat Links:

• ​​Rad Chat Website
• ​​Link Tree
• ​​Facebook
• ​​Instagram
• ​​LinkedIn
• ​​TikTok
• ​​BlueSky
• ​​YouTube

​​Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  

We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  

You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  

You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  

Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.