Anal Cancer all you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

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This is a podcast about the world's most untalked about cancer. It is for the anal cancer community , whether you are a patient, a friend or a health worker. It is all the info you wanted to know from the chemo to the radiation to the best diet and all the tips and tricks to get you through. Welcome

Last refreshed: August 19th, 2025 at 10:13 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Surgery and Anal Cancer

This is a conversation with A/Prof Arend Merrie who is a colorectal surgeon about the role of the colorectal surgeon in the management of anal cancer. We chat about the difference between haemorrhoids and anal cancer, when surgery is needed and follow up of anal cancer.

Dec 12, 2024•22 min

Make Every Mouthful Count

In this episode Dr Mary Birdsall talks to New Zealand Registered dietician Gemma Dunkley about best advice in terms of nutrition for getting through treatment for anal cancer, how to nourish your body in the healing phase and coping with your gut into the future.

Oct 30, 2024•32 min

Anal cancer is a preventable disease, so why aren't we preventing it?

In this episode Dr Mary Birdsall talks to Professor Richard Hillman from Sydney about the strategies to eradicate anal cancer. These range from vaccination, to targeted testing of high risk populations, then referring for high resolution anoscopy and treatment. Australia is just about to roll out a programme that will encompass all of these interventions. Why are other countries not following suit?

Oct 02, 2024•35 min

Tips and Tricks to get you through

In this episode Mary Birdsall chats to John who is another anal cancer survivor about what it is really like to go through anal cancer diagnosis and treatment. We also chat about what is life like 2 to 3 years down the line.

Sep 29, 2024•19 min

Pelvic Physio is a Must Have

Dr Mary Birdsall chats to Zee Sharif who is a pelvic floor physiotherapist about the value of seeing a physio as soon as you are diagnosed with anal cancer. Zee talks about the improvements in pelvic pain, bladder and bowel incontinence and sexual dysfunction that can be achieved. So many people with anal cancer are not offered pelvic floor physio and it needs to be a must have. www.returntoform.com

Sep 05, 2024•27 min

Why you really need a psychologist

Dr Mary Birdsall talks to Miriam Wood who is a health psychologist about the usefulness of connecting with a psychologist. We discuss very practical strategies around dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the embarrassment, facing your mortality and how to tell your friends. Miriam can be contacted on www.miriamwoodpsychology.com

Aug 30, 2024•31 min

Anal Cancer and Chemotherapy

In this episode we chat to Dr Richard Isaacs who is a medical oncologist about the chemo given to treat anal cancer . We hear about the drugs, their side effects, when to call your doc and some tips to help you through. He also goes over some exciting new treatments being researched. Welcome and lets talk about anal cancer

Aug 23, 2024•22 min

Radiation and Anal Cancer

We chat to Dr Iain Ward who is a radiation oncologist about everything you wanted to know about the radiation treatment for anal cancer. He shares with us his top tips to help you through. We chat about vaginas and sex and aim to provide valuable information to the anal cancer community. Let's start talking about anal cancer

Aug 23, 2024•32 min

Anal Cancer all you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

Episode 1 In this episode, Dr Mary Birdsall dives deep into the realities of anal cancer. She covers the basics of anal cancer, the causes, symptoms and diagnostic tests and then shares her journey complete with misdiagnosis. This is for everyone who has anal cancer or who knows someone with this disease. Let's start talking about it.

Aug 23, 2024•20 min

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