Rad Chat

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, internal radiotherapy and side effects.

Episode 205: Part of the Education and Workforce Series (Part 68)

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara Annie Prescott, a Therapeutic Radiographer at Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston part-time, whilst she studies towards an MSc in Clinical Research, at Lancaster University with the support of the NIHR INSIGHT programme.

Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara talk to Annie about her work focusing on gynaecological brachytherapy, including various topics such as the use of non-pharmacological interventions and workforce education in radiotherapy. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. After reading this paper and this paper, write a structured reflection (approx. 500–700 words) using a reflective model (e.g., Gibbs or Rolfe).

Key Areas to Consider:

• Emotional impact on patients
  • Anxiety, embarrassment, vulnerability, and fear described in both studies
• Communication and information gaps
  • How well patients understood procedures
  • Timing, clarity, and consistency of information provided
• Physical vs psychological care
  • Were emotional needs addressed as much as physical ones?
• Dignity and privacy
  • Particularly in intimate procedures like brachytherapy

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

Links from the Episode:

• Mummy’s Star Charity
• Bright Spot Network
• Cancer and pregnancy register
• Brachytherapy
• NIHR INSIGHTS programme

Research links from the Episode:

• Humphrey, P., Bennett, C. and Cramp, F.(2018)‘The experiences of women receiving brachytherapy for cervical cancer: A systematic literature review’, Radiography, 24(4), pp. 396-403. 10.1016/j.radi.2018.06.002 
• Powlesland, C., MacGregor, F. and Swainston, K.(2023)‘Women’s experiences of information, education and support when undergoing pelvis radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer: An exploratory qualitative study’, Radiography, 29,pp. 70-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.10.004

Rad Chat Links:

• Rad Chat Website
• Link Tree
• Facebook
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• 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 talks about cancer, HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment, side effects, sec and intimacy, clinical trials and stigma.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Description:In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Michael Anderson. This episode is a deep dive into Michael’s diagnosis, treatment, side effects, clinical trials and Bottomline charity he founded.

Michael worked in policy and research for many years and was was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2020. He set up the Bottom Line support group for people living with anal cancer in 2021 which became a charity in 2024. He worked as a patient expert on the National Cancer Plan in 2025 and speaks regularly at conferences, seminars and training events. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Consider how this episode has influenced your understanding of the role that sexual orientation and identity can play in a patient’s cancer journey, and how might this shape the way you deliver more inclusive, person-centred care in the future?
2. Reflect on your confidence in discussing sex and intimacy with men who have sex with men.
3. What insights have you gained on the importance of support networks  and how could you incorporate signposting to such services into your clinical practice?

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

Links from the Episode:

• Bottomline Charity
• Symptoms of Anal Cancer
• Sex and Cancer
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice 
• Breakthrough in anal cancer treatment
• PLATO Act 3, 4 and 5
• Nigro Protocol

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 talks about cancer, HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment, clinical trials and stigma.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Prof. David Sebag-Montefiore. This episode is a deep dive into the role radiotherapy plays in the treatment of anal cancer along with clinical trials. 

David is the Audrey and Stanley Burton Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of Leeds. He is the Director of the Leeds Cancer Research UK Radiotherapy Research Centre of Excellence, Clinical Director (Radiotherapy) at Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, and previous Director of the Leeds Cancer Research Centre. David received the Royal College of Radiologists Rohan Williams medal in 1989, and its Gold Medal in 2019 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of clinical oncology.

His research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with rectal and anal cancer through radiotherapy and clinical trials. He has led several landmark studies, including MRC CR07, CRUK ACT2, ARISTOTLE, STAR-TREC, and PLATO ACT3, ACT4 and ACT5 trials, and has authored two Research Excellence Framework Impact Case Studies in anal and rectal cancer. He recently presented the practice-changing ACT4 trial results that show shorter lower-dose radiotherapy achieves high cure rates with fewer side-effects - the first anal cancer trial to change practice in nearly 30 years. His work continues to define clinical practice and improve patient outcomes on a national and international scale.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. How might the evidence from the PLATO (ACT4) trial influence the current approach to prescribing radiotherapy dose and duration for patients with early-stage anal cancer?
2. What strategies can you implement in your practice to better assess and address treatment-related toxicities and quality-of-life outcomes in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer?
3. How can increased awareness and participation in clinical trials improve treatment outcomes and shape future standards of care in anal cancer?

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

Links from the Episode:

• Symptoms of Anal Cancer
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice 
• Breakthrough in anal cancer treatment
• PLATO Act 3, 4 and 5
• Cancer Research UK RadNet Leeds

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.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Trigger Warning: this episode talks about cancer, HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment and stigma.

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Ms. Tazmin Cumming. This episode is a deep dive into the role surgery plays in the treatment of anal cancer. 

Ms Tamzin Cuming trained at the University of Cambridge and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals and went on to do her initial surgical training in Brighton and then completed her specialist colorectal training via the North East Thames National Training Programme. She first came across high resolution anoscopy (HRA) during this training while working at the unit at Homerton Hospital in East London. She undertook a laparoscopic colorectal fellowship at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. 

Having completed her Certificate of Completion of Training and gaining a Distinction in a Masters in Surgical Education from Imperial College, Ms Cuming became a Consultant Surgeon at Homerton Hospital in 2013 at which time she also began training and practising in HRA.

She now runs the UK's largest AIN service with a national reach, the Homerton Anogenital Neoplasia Service (HANS). She was the President Elect of the International anal Neoplasia Society (iansociety.org) and was the Chair of the Women in Surgery Forum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 2021-2024.

CPD Reflection Points:

Please read the ANCHOR study paper.

1. How might the evidence that treating anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions reduces progression to anal cancer (by ~57%) influence my current approach to screening, referral, and management of patients living with HIV?
2. What practical barriers (e.g., access to high-resolution anoscopy, patient acceptability, or service availability) could affect implementation of routine screening and treatment for anal HSIL in my clinical setting, and how could these be addressed?

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

Links from the Episode:

• Symptoms of Anal Cancer
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice 
• Types of Surgery for Anal Cancer 

Research links from the Episode:

• ANCHOR 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: this episode discusses cancer, cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment and mastectomy.

Bonus Episode

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara features the incredible Professor Joanna Callaghan is a filmmaker and Professor of Filmmaking at the University of Sussex. Known for her boundary-pushing storytelling and distinctive approach to personal subjects, her work explores themes of resilience, transformation and the creative human spirit. Goodbye Breasts! marks an important new chapter in her artistic practice.

In this personal episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara hear about Joanna’s career, cancer treatment, body confidence and Goodbye Breasts! documentary. 

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on your perceptions around body confidence and the impact that cancer can have.
2. Consider the impact of having a genetic mutation.
3. Consider the psychosocial and psychosexual impact of having a mastectomy.

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

Links from the Episode:

• Goodbye Breasts!
• Surgery for primary breast cancer
• PALB2 Gene: Understanding the Mutation & Cancer Risks
• National Genomics Education Programme - PALB2
• CoppaFeel! Check Your Chest

Research links from the Episode:

• Examination of body image perception and quality of life of women with segmental or total mastectomy: a cross-sectional study
• Body image and psychosocial effects in women after treatment of breast cancer: A prospective study
• Breast-Cancer Risk in Families with Mutations in PALB2

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, cancer treatment, medical intervention and failure. 

Bonus Episode: which features the incredible Dr. Shah Islam. Shah graduated in 2010 from Barts and The London School of Medicine with Distinction.  He immediately entered combined clinical academic training, followed by being awarded an NIHR clinical academic fellowship in Radiology between St. Georges Hospital, London and The Institute of Cancer Research.  Following completion of his FRCR in 2016, he undertook formal research in advanced brain tumour imaging under Prof. Adam Waldman and Prof. Eric Aboagye at Imperial College London.  He led a number of clinical trials including the multicentre ‘Diffusion in Glioma’ study’ and the first in brain tumour studies using a novel PET tracer (18F- FPIA).

His interventional neuroradiology training in adult and paediatric neurointervention was exclusively between London, UK (Queen Square and Great Ormond Street for Children) and Toronto, Canada (Toronto Western Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children, 'SickKids'). In Toronto he was trained by Prof. Pascal Mosimann, and Dr Prakash Muthusami with a focus on endovascular cerebral AVM treatments using both trans-arterial and trans-venous approaches.  He has also trained extensively in image guided spine interventions e.g. Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty and Radiofrequency nerve ablations under the mentorship of Prof Kieran Murphy (Toronto Western Hospital).

He has a strong commitment to delivering high quality teaching through innovation having worked closely with engineers to fabricate 3D printed models of neurovascular lesions, enabling trainees to practise skills in a simulated environment.  In addition, he is the co-founder of the Queen Square Interventional Neuroradiology Symposium, a non-profit educational platform delivered by an international faculty of key opinion leaders with a goal to improve patient outcomes through knowledge dissemination. Furthermore he has recently been elected as President of the UK largest radiology and oncology multidisciplinary congress and exhibition, UKIO.

Description:In this insightful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Shah Islam to talk about his career, leadership and his role as the president of UKIO for 2026 and 2027.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. How effectively am I aligning my current skills, experiences, and professional relationships with my long-term career goals, and what gaps or opportunities have I identified through self-reflection?
2. In what ways am I actively building and maintaining a professional network that supports my growth, and how can I improve my approach to create more meaningful and mutually beneficial connections?

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

Links from the Episode:

• UKIO Conference
• Dr. Shah Islam

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 HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment, sex and intimacy, late effects and survivorship.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Clare Laverty. Claire is a mum, wife & dental practice manager, with lived experience of anal cancer. After undergoing chemo-radiotherapy in 2024, she now advocates for awareness, support, and honest conversations around side effects and survivorship.

This episode is a deep dive into Claire’s anal cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. read about the signs and symptoms of anal cancer.
2. consider how you could improve your ability to recognise potential symptoms of anal cancer in female patients, and avoid misattributing these to more common benign conditions.
3. consider how you could adapt your communication and clinical approach to better support patients experiencing stigma, emotional distress, or concerns about body image and intimacy related to anal cancer.
4. what steps could you take take to ensure patients receive holistic, multidisciplinary care, including appropriate referrals and support for both physical and psychological needs.

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

Links from the Episode:

• Practical considerations for anal intimacy during and after cancer treatment
• The impact of anal cancer treatment on female sexuality and intimacy: a systematic review
• Sexual Toxicity After Chemoradiation for Anal Cancer Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Mixed-Methods Analysis
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice
• Vaginal and sexual health after radiotherapy for anal cancer: A Danish prospective cohort 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: this episode discusses HPV, HIV, anal cancer, cancer and cancer treatment.

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Alex Sparrowhawk and Emma Davy to discuss HPV and HIV, their link to anal cancer and the George House Charity.

This series has been supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on the latest insights from the podcast regarding the relationship between HIV, HPV, and anal cancer. Identify one or two clinical scenarios in your own practice where this knowledge could influence patient assessment, screening, or education. Plan a small change to incorporate this learning into your practice.
2. The podcast introduced multidisciplinary care approaches. Reflect on any gaps in your current knowledge, or skills regarding anal cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment in people living with HIV. Identify one learning resource (from the links attached) to review and plan how you will apply this knowledge in your clinical work.

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

Links from the Episode:

• Liverpool HIV Interactions
• George House Trust
• People First Charter - HIV Language, Person First Language
• EACS: Cancer
• Campaign raises awareness of anal cancer in men living with HIV :: Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance
• Our Health Matters: A Conversation About Anal Cancer - BHA for Equality
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP)
• HPV Vaccination

Research links from the Episode:

• European AIDS treatment group
• Human Papillomavirus Vaccines: An Updated Review
• Preexposure Prophylaxis(PrEP) for HIV

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, cancer treatment, blood cancer, breast cancer, childhood cancer and late effects.

Episode 204: Part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer Series (Part 70)

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Jess Synge. Jess is a Radiation Therapist turned industry professional, brining over 20 years of Oncology experience shaped by both her work and her own life story. Her path began at age 15, when a cancer diagnosis sparked her commitment to supporting others through theirs. After many years in clinical practice, she joined Elekta to help improve patient care on a wider scale. Based in Tauranga, New Zealand, Jess lives with her husband and two young boys. In late 2024, she faced a second cancer diagnosis, deepening her empathy and adding a profound layer of insight to her work. She continues to find joy in life’s simple comforts - family, staying active, baking, gardening and home DIY.

This episode is a deep dive into Jess’ childhood cancer, training to become a radiation therapist, role at Elekta and more recently breast cancer.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on your own decisions to become a healthcare professional.
2. Consider how you could support a colleague or friend who has had a childhood cancer diagnosis.
3. Consider the long term effects of mantle radiotherapy and understand how you could support someone who experiences these effects.

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

Links from the Episode:

• Camp Quality Charity
• Adolescents and Young Adults - Australian Cancer Plan
• Hodgkins Lymphoma
• Elekta

Research links from the Episode:

• High incidence of late effects found in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors, following recall for breast cancer screening
• A Case Report on Breast Cancer Following Mantle Radiation for Hodgkin Lymphoma: Screening and Management

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.

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, surgical complications and side effects.

Episode 203: Part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer Series (Part 69).

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Saahil Mehta. 

Saahil is a consultant Plastic Surgeon and founder of Plexaa, is revolutionising surgical outcomes. His research on preconditioning & prehabilitation led to Bloom43, a wearable device & prehabilitation app for breast cancer patients, to help patients empower their preparation for their surgery. Plexaa was recognised as a top innovator in the Medtech Innovator Accelerator program, demonstrating Saahil's commitment to improving patient care.

In this insightful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara hear about Saahil’s journey, innovation, Plexaa and Bloom43.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. How could digital tools (wearables, remote monitoring, AI risk prediction) enhance prehabilitation before breast cancer surgery? Consider how med-tech could track fitness, nutrition, and psychological readiness to improve surgical outcomes.
2. Patients vary in fitness, comorbidities, and treatment pathways. What data or technologies would you use to design personalised prehabilitation programmes before breast cancer surgery?
3. If you identified a gap in prehabilitation for breast cancer patients, what steps would you take to translate that clinical problem into a medical technology solution or startup?

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

Links from the Episode:

• Plexaa Bloom43
• Breast Cancer Symptoms Breast Cancer Now
• PRosPer module

Research links from the Episode:

• Supraphysiological preconditioning
• Local Heat Preconditioning in Skin Sparing Mastectomy: A Pilot Study, Mehta S, Rolph R, Cornelius V et al., 2013 
• A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial to Evaluate Local Heat Preconditioning on Wound Healing After Reconstructive Breast Surgery: The preHEAT Trial. Mehta S, Cro SC, Coomber B et al., 2019
• Thermal Preconditioning for Surgery: A Systematic Review

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.