Cancer is daunting for both patients and for clinical teams. Dr John McGrane and Dr Michael Rowe are oncologists who want to break down the complex parts of cancer care into clear and simple sessions.
We will dive deep into the world of cancer research, patient stories and the latest cancer breakthroughs. Simply Oncology will have patient focused episodes along with episodes that allow anyone with an interest in oncology to stay up to date. We hope you join us as we unpick all parts of cancer.
Weight loss, reduced appetite, nausea, pain, dysphagia, fatigue and looser clothing are warning signs during cancer treatment. The discussion challenges sugar restriction, alkaline diets, fasting and high-dose supplements while emphasising food-first support and timely dietetic review.
A high body mass index does not exclude cancer-associated malnutrition when weight and muscle are falling. Percentage weight loss, appetite, swallowing, gastrointestinal symptoms and function guide food-first support, oral nutritional supplements and early dietetic referral, while supervised weight management must preserve muscle.
Persistent hot flushes, fatigue, low libido and sexual dysfunction after androgen deprivation therapy should prompt assessment for ongoing hypogonadism. Testosterone replacement after localised prostate cancer requires shared decision-making, prostate-specific antigen surveillance and multidisciplinary input, balancing recurrence uncertainty against bone, metabolic, cardiovascular and sexual-health consequences.
Oncology, endocrinology and sexual-health teams get a survivorship update on testosterone deficiency after cancer treatment. Androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and orchidectomy are linked to fatigue, hot flushes, sexual symptoms, bone health, metabolic risk and the distinction between primary and secondary hypogonadism.
Oncology and primary-care clinicians get practical lifestyle guidance for prostate cancer, including during metastatic disease and androgen-deprivation therapy. Graded aerobic activity, resistance work, prehabilitation and peer support are linked to fatigue, weight change, sarcopenia, cardiovascular health, treatment tolerance and preservation of patient agency.
Oncology, primary-care and sexual-health clinicians get a patient-centred view of advanced prostate cancer. Long-term hormone therapy, fatigue, mood, body image, sexual function and exercise goals are connected to proactive holistic assessment, shared decisions and better continuity between specialist and community care.
Oncology, gynaecology and primary-care teams get survivorship guidance for menopause after cancer treatment. It covers active symptom screening, tumour-specific HRT risk assessment, post-treatment review, bone health, lifestyle measures and clear oncology input when ongoing prescribing moves into primary care.
Oncology, gynaecology and menopause-care clinicians get a symptom-led approach to cancer treatment-induced menopause. Ovarian surgery, chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy may cause vasomotor, sleep, mood, sexual, urogenital, fatigue and cognitive symptoms requiring individualised HRT, vaginal oestrogen or non-hormonal decisions.
Oncology and gynaecology teams get a treatment-sequencing update for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Folate receptor alpha testing, mirvetuximab soravtansine, ocular toxicity, immunotherapy combinations, glucocorticoid receptor antagonism, response need and time toxicity all shape patient-centred decisions.
Oncology clinicians and educators get a practical framework for explaining treatment benefit, recurrence and toxicity. It prioritises absolute risk, natural frequencies, common denominators, visual aids and teach-back while keeping frailty, competing mortality, quality of life and patient goals within shared decision-making.
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