"The series brings breast-specialist knowledge into practical primary care conversations — from pain and gynaecomastia to screening, HRT, genetics and modern treatment. It is designed to build confidence, reduce anxiety and unnecessary referrals, strengthen communication, support early detection and help patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."
Miss Sonia Bathla
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Burney Breast Unit, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Details of the podcasts are below. These can be accessed in a variety of ways, including YouTube, Audio Boom, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Ep.1 - Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung and Miss Sonia Bathla explore the NHS Breast Screening Programme, including current national screening criteria and the implications for patients outside these criteria, such as transgender people and women over 70.
They also discuss breast cancer prevention, focusing on lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference.
Practical resources are included to support listeners’ clinical practice and deepen their understanding.
Featuring:
Miss Sonia Bathla
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Burney Breast Unit, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
And
Dr Hong Tseung
GP Clinical Lead in Cancer Education, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance
Ep.2 - Genetics, Family History and Breast Cancer
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung and Ms Tanya Davis discuss family history risk assessment for breast cancer.
They talk about how assessments are carried out in primary and secondary care, when genomic testing may be appropriate, and how to make appropriate referrals to the Family History Clinic or Genomics services.
They also outline the differences between “Mainstream” and “Diagnostic” genetic testing.
Practical resources are included to support listeners’ clinical practice and deepen their understanding.
Featuring:
Ms Tanya Davis
Senior Genetic Counsellor and Breast Care Lead at the Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine
And
Dr Hong Tseung
GP Clinical Lead in Cancer Education, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance
Ep.3 - Breast Pain, Breast Infection & Male Breast Cancer
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung and Miss Sonia Bathla discuss the assessment of breast pain and when it may indicate breast cancer.
They also explore other common causes of breast pain, including breast infection, and consider when referral to breast services is appropriate.
The episode also covers the assessment and management of gynaecomastia and suspected male breast cancer.
Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding.
Featuring:
Miss Sonia Bathla
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Burney Breast Unit, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
And
Dr Hong Tseung
GP Clinical Lead in Cancer Education, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance
Ep.4 - HRT, Menopause & Breast Cancer
In this episode, Dr Jennifer McBride joins Miss Sonia Bathla to discuss how patients with menopausal symptoms commonly present in primary care, which symptoms matter most to them, and what clinical assessment is required.
They clarify the relationship between HRT and breast cancer risk, including management options and when referral is appropriate.
They also explore the challenges of managing treatment-related menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer, including patient concerns, available treatment options, and contraceptive choices, including hormonal methods.
Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding.
Featuring:
Dr Jennifer McBride
GP with a specialist interest in Sexual Medicine and Reproductive Health and Sefton GP Clinical Lead for Gynaecology, CMCA
And
Miss Sonia Bathla
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Burney Breast Unit, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Ep.5 - Metastatic Breast Cancer
In this episode, Dr Hong Tseung and Professor Carlo Palmieri discuss breast cancer recurrence.
They explore the risks, assessment, management and referral of metastatic breast disease across primary and secondary care, as well as the support available for affected patients.
Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding.
Featuring:
Professor Carlo Palmieri
Consultant Medical Oncologist with a specialist interest in breast cancer at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Professor of Translational Oncology at the University of Liverpool
And
Dr Hong Tseung
GP Clinical Lead in Cancer Education, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance
Ep.6 - Breast Cancer: Living Beyond the Disease
In this episode, special guest Mrs Gina Barnett, who has experienced breast cancer joins Dr Hong Tseung and Miss Sonia Bathla to discuss the after-effects of breast cancer treatment and life beyond cancer.
Gina shares her breast cancer journey and reflects on how it has shaped her life. The episode explores the “void” that can follow treatment, and the anxiety it may create, as well as the psychosocial challenges, surgical and menopausal side effects, and recurrence concerns that can affect patients.
It also discusses symptom management and support available in primary and secondary care, including Cancer Care Reviews and Holistic Needs Assessments.
Practical resources are included to support clinical practice and deepen listeners’ understanding.
Featuring:
Miss Sonia Bathla
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Burney Breast Unit, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
And
Dr Hong Tseung
GP Clinical Lead in Cancer Education, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance
And
Mrs Gina Barnett
Breast Cancer Patient and Managing Director of SWAGGA PCN, Liverpool