Talking With Cancer

This week's bonus episode is in memory of Paola Marra, who made a moving and thought provoking film with world famous photographer Rankin, about her decision to go to Dignitas in Switzerland to die. Katie was privileged enough to speak to Rankin, about why he made the film for the Dignity in Dying Campaign, which was launched in March 2024 to coincide with Paola’s death. 

He talked about his bond with Paola and how struck he was by her decision to end her life having lived with cancer for seven years.

Rankin himself has done a lot of work around Death and Dying, including his exhibition Alive in the Face of Death in 2013, and more recently he published the book: How to Die Well in 2021.

Katie also speaks to her friend Cordelia Taylor, who has been living with a brain tumour for five and a half years, and was recently told by her medical team that they are out of options and that she has 2-3 months to live. In response to this Cordelia hosted a Celebration of Life party, which Katie attended. They discuss this as an idea, and they talk about all the feelings Cordelia has surrounding death & dying. 

Lastly, Katie shares her own news, about the next chapter she is about to embark on in her cancer treatment, having had some progression on a recent scan.

https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/about-us/

https://www.actaboveandbeyond.co.uk/

This week is a sort of bonus episode. At last, Katie speaks with Lauren Mahon, following a few attempts. They have a very open chat about a lot of things. Of course from one podcast host to another they talk about "You, Me & the Big C", and how that legacy lives on. Lauren talks candidly about how she navigates grief and death anxiety, particularly over recent years when so many people close to her have sadly died with cancer. She reflects on the strong and open hearted woman she has become, because of her own breast cancer experience. They discuss sex and cancer, fertility and cancer and of course Lauren’s charity Girl vs Cancer. And she passionately explains why she cares so much about a number of issues and wants to try and make real change. Katie signs off with her own health update, following her second clear scan in January. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0608649/episodes/downloads

https://girlvscancer.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/iamlaurenmahon/?hl=en

Katie recently hosted a Cancer Myth Busting workshop at Soho House and in this week’s episode she shares some of that audio. Discussing topics such as a holistic approach to health, chemotherapy, cancer community, radical remission and generally what it’s like to live with cancer. 

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

This week Katie celebrates all the amazing Voices with Cancer who have featured on the podcast this series. She is thrilled to be part of a community of people who have shared their cancer story with her and her listeners. She has learnt something from each one and hopes in turn that having a platform to speak about their experience has helped them in some way too. 

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

This week Katie thought it might be useful to highlight some of the things she's learnt along the way. So she breaks down four key headings and reflects back. They are: Narratives, Self-Advocacy, Death and Hope. She really hopes this is useful for you too.

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

Katie's guest this week has over 20 years working in mycology and the ecosystem, understanding the benefits of mushrooms, and sharing that knowledge all around Europe. In her words she had to evangelise the study of mushrooms to help build her audience and in turn her business. Hearing about the benefits was fascinating, and Katie has first hand experience of their products which she believes have contributed to her wellness hugely. Add the promo code Care15 for all orders within the UK for 15% off.

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

Katie is back from her holiday and realises she has become really good at doing nothing, something she is proud to admit. She has a lot to process but isn't quite ready to do that just yet. So she'll wait. She reflects on who she used to be, and how she wants to feel like she is moving forward following everything she's experienced. 

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

Katie feels so inspired to have interviewed Dr Nina Fuller Shavel this week. So much so, that she has now become a patient of Synthesis Clinic herself. Their integrative approach to Oncology and Women's Health feels like a breath of fresh, an organisation where healthcare is collaborative, personalised, holistic and above all about feeling well. Nina always wants to look at the "why?"...why does someone feel the way they do and what can be done about it?

https://www.synthesisclinic.co.uk/home

https://www.instagram.com/synthesisclinic/

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

Katie is still processing the amazing news about her clear scan result. And is also trying to get calcium levels back to a steady pace. But she is confident that working with Synthesis Clinic, on an integrative oncology health plan will help her maintain her good level of health & wellbeing with a holistic approach, and she is very excited to get started.

This week's VWC is from Florence. Check out @enoeco_ on Instagram. And www.eno.eco

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu

Katie chats to the founder of cancer charity Hello Beautiful, Jane Hutchison all about non-toxic lifestyle, and illness prevention. She shares her own story of breast cancer diagnosis, which was in 2012, and why she thoroughly promotes and believes in a life that is toxic-free. 

https://www.hellobeautiful.org/

Talking With Cancer

For all enquiries or to get in touch: [email protected] 

To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer 

Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.

Series Audio Production by Pixiu