Best Mike Kinnaird Podcasts (2025)

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Tessa Parry-Wingfield: So who's heard of eye cancer? She hadn't. 25:24

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15d ago25:24

25:24

Tessa Parry-Wingfield is a journalist and global communications expert—skilled at finding information, building communities, creating content. Then she was diagnosed with ocular melanoma. Eye cancer. Most people have never heard of it. It affects 5 per million adults and roughly 600 cases annually in the UK - Tessa lives in London. And in her case,…

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Sanna: Has Her Career Ended Because She Mentioned "Cancer"? 20:07

22d ago20:07

20:07

When treatment ended, Sanna Tiensuu-Piirainen was told: "You're cancer-free. Good luck." Then she was lost. And of course we know that's not a unique situation. By some distance. But the real question that came out of this cancer conversation was: has discrimination ended her career because she's open about her cancer when talking to employers? San…

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Cancer treatment ends. 'Now THIS is the hard bit...' Two women talk through their breast cancer reality. 22:27

1M ago22:27

22:27

The diary is empty. No more scans. No more treatment. That's it. You're good. So why do so many cancer patients feel depressed, abandoned and lost when surely it's time to celebrate? In a first for #CancerCanDoOne, we eavesdrop on a brutally revealing conversation. This is the real and honest view of what breast cancer days are like and crucially w…

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He was 30 and a gym owner. He'll never get cancer. Will he? 21:52

2M ago21:52

21:52

"I sat in the car for half an hour and cried." His first thought; how will his new wife cope with this news? He was 30 years old with a life built on fitness and nutrition. He felt very alone. There weren’t many role models for young men facing cancer. Now, others reach out to him for advice — not about lifting weights, but about carrying the weigh…

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Five Siblings. All Before 60. Cancer Has a Dark Sense of Humour. 20:59

2M ago20:59

20:59

What happens when cancer doesn’t just hit one person, but an entire family? In this episode I speak with Anthony McLoughlin, one of five siblings who were all diagnosed with cancer before the age of 60 — a staggering and highly unusual family experience. Anthony shares how his family uses humour to cope, rarely talking about cancer unless it’s trul…

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'A Better Man': How Incurable Prostate Cancer Remade Tony. 23:24

3M ago23:24

23:24

Tony Collier had it all—or so he thought. In his 60s, he was the embodiment of drive: building a business, checking every box for success, and clocking 60–70-hour workweeks. Then came the diagnosis: incurable prostate cancer. Life as he knew it stopped—and in its wake, something unexpected emerged. In this powerful, unfiltered conversation, Tony te…

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When They Don’t Look, They Don’t Find: Beverley’s Story 22:39

4M ago22:39

22:39

Beverley is a mum to Jake, a thirty-something who still lives at home—not because of choice, but because a missed brain tumour diagnosis changed both their lives forever. For months, doctors searched for the wrong answers. Migraines. Epilepsy. Anything but the tumour that was slowly taking hold. Today, Jake lives with seizures. Beverley lives on pe…

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Cancer in Cameroon: What happens when care is out of reach? 17:33

4M ago17:33

17:33

What happens when you’re diagnosed with cancer but the nearest treatment is hundreds of miles away — and there’s no radiotherapy machine? When the cost of the most basic of treatment is way beyond what your community can afford. In this episode, I speak with a quietly remarkable oncologist working in Cameroon. Dr. Sarah Adiang Mouelle explains what…

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The Cancer System That’s Both Brilliant and Broken: A Norwegian Survivor’s Story. 24:53

5M ago24:53

24:53

What happens when cancer care is both the best—and the worst? In this honest, unfiltered conversation, Norwegian breast cancer survivor and doctor Patrycja Buxton (just not the medical kind) shares what it’s really like to go through a system that can be life-saving one day… and completely indifferent the next. We talk about: The shock of diagnosis…

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What Cancer Took—and What Sarah Built in Its Place. 22:35

6M ago22:35

22:35

She knew something wasn't right. At all. But getting her fears recognised took far longer than anticipated. Time and again this mum in her 30s who'd just had baby number three was told she should really concentrate on the baby and stop worrying about her breast. But she went back to her doctor again and again only to hear the same response. Finally…

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Cancer Tired v Fatigue. Andy knew the life saving difference. 23:25

6M ago23:25

23:25

Tired versus fatigue. Big difference. Did I know that? Absolutely not. Thankfully Andy Mullaney realised that his 'tiredness' wasn't just overdoing it, or Covid jab after effects or just getting the other side of 60 years old. It wasn't going away and he could sleep as long as you like and still feel exhausted. He documented what was happening for …

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But what if you’ve never seen breast cancer that looks like you? 24:07

7M ago24:07

24:07

Breasts are a private matter. Talking about them, touching them, exposing them to examination. Photograph them? No. Absolutely not comfortable with any of that. At all. That’s not what we do. And anyway. Breast cancer is a white woman problem - so it doesn’t affect me, does it? Cultural conversations are just one part of the serious cancer conversa…

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Explain the cancer story to children. The 'Little C' legacy of Jen and Nic. 22:25

8M ago22:25

22:25

How do you explain what cancer is to children? How to do that with facts they can understand, in an every day way they can follow and without frightening them? Jen and Nic meet by chance at a cancer convention. Jen is a teacher and designer and Nic a nurse. They hear suggestions made but they're not sure they're the answer. At all, in fact. Anyway,…

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Dale's life and family brutally changed by cancer in weeks - twice. 25:35

8M ago25:35

25:35

Dale was at the top of his game. Literally. A six foot 3, rugby playing, in-demand career-smashing, fiercely intelligent man with unlimited prospects. The hours were madness and the workload immense but it was all about the future. And that was on top of having an incredible, wonderful partner and two small children under five. A family of love in …

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Sleep, Cancer And This 'New' Science We’re Still Unpacking. 22:58

8M ago22:58

22:58

We all know sleep is important. But if you have a chronic illness—or cancer—it's not just about feeling rested. Sleep plays a direct role in treatment effectiveness, recovery, and overall health. Lack of sleep affects so many of us in the modern world and the working life culture of the West doesn't exactly help. Fancy an afternoon nap at work? Rid…

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Cancer Meets Comedy, Autism Meets Medicine: Stories That Challenge With A Blog And A Book. 23:15

9M ago23:15

23:15

What happens when cancer gets a sense of humour? And when a late autism diagnosis changes how some healthcare professionals see cancer care? In this episode, we meet two men rewriting the script—literally. One through a fabulously funny, no-holds-barred blog about his incurable cancer experience, the other through a powerful new book unpacking auti…

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Don't Make That First Cancer Decision Today. Here's Why. 20:42

10M ago20:42

20:42

'I wish I had understood the risks more clearly. My family made decisions they didn't fully understand...' This isn't a blame game, absolutely not - this is just life. Everyone is doing the very best they can in a horribly difficult moment. There is a limited time to get a message across, options need to be outlined, recommendations made. And jargo…

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Can Food Fight Cancer? Prevention, Food Culture, and Choices. 19:23

10M ago19:23

19:23

What we eat can shape our cancer risk and treatment—and for those undergoing treatment, food can be a lifeline. In this episode, we explore how diet impacts prevention, why some cancer patients lose weight, and how food traditions in some cultures are evolving. So, from cultural habits to healthier alternatives, we uncover practical steps to take c…

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What Not To Say To A Cancer Patient. And What To Say Instead. 20:47

10M ago20:47

20:47

'You're looking well. You know where I am if you need anything...' All statements with the best of intentions from a good place. But they are statements. They're not questions. We accidentally close the conversation down by never having a conversation in the first place. Didn't mean to, didn't want to upset you any more, is perhaps the thinking. Sh…

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A quick off-grid look back over 2024. Nipples, topless running, sex and cellos. 23:15

11M ago23:15

23:15

Stay with me; it’ll make sense in the end. Trust me. Now, I’ve got to be honest. I couldn't have second-guessed some of the topics we've talked about on the #CancerCanDoOne podcast, which only began earlier this year… I imagined a cancer awareness agenda because you've got to start somewhere, and quite rightly, with audio projects like this, it’s t…

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How 'Kryptonite' is 'curing' cancer. Fake news, websites and other stories. 23:36

12M ago23:36

23:36

Fake news, websites, 'kryptonite'. There's a sizable list to get through here. And since when has stress been a key factor in our cancer susceptibility? We're all stressed - a bit or a lot. Life can be a bit of a handful at times, and we know we need a bit of stress to keep us...well...aware; alert. Bystanders like me who simply don't know, for cer…

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79% increase in under 50s cancer cases. How the Rathkopfs photographs capture the real story. 23:17

12M ago23:17

23:17

Anna Rathkopf was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. She was 37. She was suddenly unable to express herself, temporarily cut off from the day-to-day. As she puts it, she felt she was 'no longer a driver in my own story.' So she turned to what she best understood. Already an accomplished photographer she began documenting that story with he…

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How Music Changes Lives On The Cancer Journey 20:12

1y ago20:12

20:12

The extraordinary power of music and how it changes lives. Music therapy has a massive, positive impact on helping cancer patients find some peace and bring back valuable memories at a very tough time. Alphonso Archer previously worked in sales in IT in the UK, but his own cancer diagnosis shifted priorities. Now with a Masters Degree in Music Psyc…

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Lingering Cancer Legacy of 9/11 Survivors 18:43

1y ago18:43

18:43

More than 24,000 cancer cases have been confirmed since the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001. And the story is as relevant today as ever. Because new cases continue to come forward, and getting those cases officially recognised is an ongoing battle. A struggle made harder for those with English as a second language.…

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Menopause, mental health...and cancer. 20:30

1y ago20:30

20:30

As if cancer isn't enough, life throws menopause into the mix. Not always, but it can trigger early onset. And while we're at it let's increase the pressure on our already fragile mental health. So...one set of figures I read suggests 'For women under 40, the risk of premature menopause (from chemotherapy) is between 30–40%. For women 40 and older,…

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Will I Lose My Job With Cancer? 18:07

1y ago18:07

18:07

Fear of losing their job, of being a burden to colleagues but needing to work for all kinds of reasons. Those worries are with someone right now, somewhere. The stark reality is too many businesses have no cancer awareness policy. Zero. And so when a staff member is diagnosed, no one has a clue how to respond. How to support them, how to talk to th…

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How A Yellow Promise Gave Dr Liz O'Riordan Back Her Identity. 32:36

1y ago32:36

32:36

Dr Liz O'Riordan, consultant breast cancer surgeon. She was highly respected in what is still largely a male-dominated arena. Now retired, not out of choice. Back in 2015, she was appointed consultant in oncoplastic surgery in Suffolk. Two years later it's Liz who hears the words, you have breast cancer. And that's happened three times. Now continu…

1
Pink cows, pink pilates, pink estate agents. 20:15

1y ago20:15

20:15

Turn Louth Pink. It just grew and grew...and grew. This was just a bit of an idea. And then the parish church goes pink. Businesses bathe in pink, shop windows go pink, and another and another and... Venues become day-long pink festivals of pink fun, friends hurriedly put together pink fundraisers in their homes. It was a last-minute 'let's see wha…

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Stories of Cancer and Hope. Celebratory new book. 17:17

1y ago17:17

17:17

Can a book of cancer stories ever be positive? Uplifting? Now maybe you're sceptical. And if you are then it's my very great pleasure to say that you are wrong, big time. Because this is a spectacularly positive book in so many ways even though the subject is not an easy one. Kevin Donaghy has cancer. And over some time he's part written and curate…

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How they're easing your family cancer bills burden. 21:16

1y ago21:16

21:16

Question! Did you know that a cancer diagnosis could mean your household bills increase by anything between £900 and £1,000 every month? That's in the UK and is likely far higher in many countries. I said 'could' because clearly not everyone is affected in the same way. But those numbers are real, not 'exaggerated-awe-headline-stuff' and have come …

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30,000+ people can't be wrong. Why they love Laura's message. 20:14

1y ago20:14

20:14

When Laura posted her first Stage 4 secondary cancer update on Facebook she couldn't have known what would happen next. It was originally intended to be a way to update her family and friends on her treatment. But very quickly she noticed something unplanned and unexpected. People from outside her circle were finding her on social media. She took h…

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More Than a Survivor: Teenage Cancer Triumphs in Journalism 18:17

1+ y ago18:17

18:17

You'd think all ambition would be finished right there. Dreams gone. Surely that's logical? If you get cancer in your teens and recover, you're still not going to achieve what you thought you could. Maybe that's what many think. And maybe that's true for some. But that's not the case for Ellie Philpotts. She gets exclusives, such as breaking a nati…

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'Stay strong, hun...' Why Imogen feels let down by social media and schools. 16:36

1+ y ago16:36

16:36

Feeling bullied. And her anxiety attacks were often not recognised at school. She felt punished for feeling the way she did. Not all teachers reacted this way; she did get some support. But looking back now, she feels it’s the education training system that doesn't give teachers the skills they need to recognise these situations. Fast forward and i…

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Imogen was 8yrs old when she was told, 'Your mum has leukaemia.' 16:12

1+ y ago16:12

16:12

How do you tell a child their parent has cancer? What words do you use...when? There's plenty of help on the internet. But what about the real world? What is it like to be a child and hear those words? Is there any advice for all of us who may have to sit a child down and tell them at some point? Imogen was just eight years old when that happened t…

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'...But I have the voice of personal experience'. How you can shape cancer care. 17:34

1+ y ago17:34

17:34

'Patients in my position finish the main hospital treatments then you are left with very little support and many patients feel uncomfortable and not certain how to pick their lives up...' It's a feeling many cancer patients experience. They know the NHS is extraordinary. The skill, compassion, and relentless work have transformed their lives and re…

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How a bra and Tulips fight crippling cancer costs 17:30

1+ y ago17:30

17:30

Imagine ignoring that bump or that pain because...you can't afford the cost of a test or the treatment. That's the stark reality for millions. Some British expats are giving up on their retirement in the sun dream and heading home because health care costs are spiralling beyond reach. That's certainly true in Northern Cyprus currently gripped by 70…

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Louth Run For Life, June 30, 2024. '18 years and nothing surprises me...' 23:31

1+ y ago23:31

23:31

1,000 + runners, huge crowds and another record-breaker from this national flagship fundraising group in a tiny town. 18 years ago £3,000 was raised - this time around £30,000 plus gift aid. It's June 30, 2024, 7 am and the team has been there for quite a while already... Music: #Uppbeat : License code: OV4JXO0USXKVGKIK…

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Why the prostate cancer test really matters. 17:10

1+ y ago17:10

17:10

If you're showing signs of prostate cancer, it's probably too late. That's a stark fact. The current test for men isn't 100% accurate as it is but it's by far the best option. I had mine a couple of months ago which is ridiculous. Stupid. Because men over 50 in the UK are entitled to the test and I'm a long way the other side of that. I just kept f…

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Louise Butcher aka The Topless Runner. Topless in Tesco and other stories. 16:01

1+ y ago16:01

16:01

Louise wasn't prepared to sit back and do nothing. After her double mastectomy, she became a well-known campaigner fighting the stigma faced by women in a similar situation. Music: #Uppbeat : License code: OV4JXO0USXKVGKIKBy LouthRunForLife

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Tattoo of a nipple for breast cancer 13:26

1+ y ago13:26

13:26

Nipples and areolas. For some women who lost nipples and the areola during reconstruction following breast cancer, it can be devastating. In some cases, they no longer feel like a woman. You can also hear an episode on this podcast from Louise Butcher, The Topless Runner, who opted not to have reconstruction and she strongly supports that choice. B…

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You must talk. Or you could be storing trouble. 15:43

1+ y ago15:43

15:43

We spoke to NHS Patient Advocate Anna Mamwell before about long-term patient health during and after treatment. It's something she knows all about. Anna also had leukaemia. In hospital for 6 months. And she was terrified. Music: #Uppbeat : License code: OV4JXO0USXKVGKIKBy LouthRunForLife

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This is 'uniquely lethal.' 14:03

1+ y ago14:03

14:03

It will take laws and social change combined to save lives. That's the view of Gower Tan, a Fundraiser and volunteer Campaigns Ambassador with Cancer Research UK, and more recently employee in the Campaigns team. He was a long-term smoker and it took many years of trying to finally quit. He says smokers can't necessarily be solely blamed for smokin…

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We Need To Do More For Patient Mental Health - And For Carers. 12:17

1+ y ago12:17

12:17

Are we doing enough for long-term patient health during and after treatment? And for carers..? NHS Patient Advocate Anna Mamwell, in remission herself, isn't so sure... Music: #Uppbeat : License code: OV4JXO0USXKVGKIKBy LouthRunForLife

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'If We Don't Do This...Nothing Gets Raised...' 13:53

1+ y ago13:53

13:53

Evenings and weekends. We join the volunteers collecting £3,500 of household items in a couple of hours. And the long haul of encouraging locals to sign up for their flagship charity summer run, on windy days in April. If they didn't do it, no funds for cancer research. Music: #Uppbeat : License code: OV4JXO0USXKVGKIK…

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Just tell us. How Long Have We Got..? 12:31

1+ y ago12:31

12:31

Laurence died from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma a few weeks ago. His partner, Victoria runs the Puddle Ducks Day Nursery with her sister at Alvingham in Lincolnshire. They have two children. Keeping busy is how she's dealing with the days. Because what else can she do..? And she just wishes someone had answered her question: How long have we got? Music: #U…

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Runs, Tractors, a Pink Town. That's £100,000. 9:17

1+ y ago9:17

9:17

It's never happened before. And no one can quite believe it. Louth Run For Life isn't just a summer run. Add on Turn Louth Pink, plus a Ball, plus a link with the Christmas Tractor Run and 2023 broke all records. That's £100,000 raised in ONE year. Relationship Manager Andrea Day from Cancer Research UK and Louth Run For Life Chairman Simon West te…