New Bristol Podcast Aims to Break the Stigma Around Early Cancer Checks

Spotting the warning signs of cancer early can save lives, but knowing when to speak up isn’t always easy. A new four-part podcast from BCfm Radio, created alongside the NHS SWAG Cancer Alliance, is helping people across Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire feel confident doing just that.

Titled The Early Cancer Diagnosis Podcast, the series brings frontline NHS doctors together with broadcasters Laura Rawlings and Patrick Hart—both of whom have walked the road of cancer treatment themselves.

Rather than dry medical lectures, the episodes offer honest, down-to-earth conversations focused on four major cancers: breast, prostate, lung, and bowel.

With cancer affecting nearly 3.5 million people in the UK—and more than 722,000 new cases projected across the South West by 2040—the statistics can feel overwhelming. People in lower-income and underserved areas often face the steepest hurdles, from delayed screenings to simple fear of what an appointment might reveal. This series aims to cut through that anxiety and take away the stigma of getting checked.

Laura Rawlings, who went through intensive treatment for stage three breast cancer, remembers how daunting that first step can be:

“When you’ve been through it, you realise just how critical it is to know what’s normal for you and act if anything feels off. Picking up the phone is terrifying, but catching things early changes everything. We wanted these chats to feel approachable and completely judgement-free—no question is too embarrassing to ask.”

Her co-host, Patrick Hart, who underwent chemotherapy for lymphoma, shares a similar view:

“Both of us know what it feels like to sit on the other side of that desk. It’s so easy to talk yourself out of going because you don’t want to waste the doctor’s time. Our message is straightforward: if something feels wrong, don’t sit on it. Check it out, and look out for the people around you.”

Dr Rachel Brown from the SWAG Cancer Alliance highlighted why this community-led approach matters:

“Getting checked early offers the best chance of successful care, but fear and practical hurdles still hold people back. Pairing real clinical insight with Laura and Patrick’s lived experience makes this advice relatable. If you notice a change in your body, please don’t wait.”

The Four Episodes

• Breast Cancer: Miss Michelle Mullan, breast surgeon at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, breaks down what changes to look for, how routine screening works, and why addressing diagnostic inequalities matters.

• Prostate Cancer: Professor Jonathan Aning, consultant urologist, tackles common myths about testing, key risk factors, and what a PSA check actually involves.

• Lung Cancer: Dr Anna Bibby, respiratory physician and lung screening lead, discusses subtle symptoms and why you don’t have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer.

• Bowel Cancer: Dr Thomas Strawson-Smith, clinical oncologist, walks through screening kits, colonoscopies, and why natural embarrassment should never get in the way of your health.

The Early Cancer Diagnosis Podcast is streaming now on BCfm Podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Audible.

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