Special Episode

One in Two: A Manchester Cancer Research Podcast

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With one in two of us receiving a cancer diagnosis at some point during our lives, it has never been more important to improve the outcomes for people affected by cancer.   

In this special episode, we speak to Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira, a researcher and PhD student at The University of Manchester and Stewart O’Callaghan, the Founder and Chief Executive of Live Through This, the UK’s only LGBTQIA+ cancer charity. We discuss challenges that LGBTQIA+ people face when accessing cancer care in the UK, Jen’s research project in alternative cervical screening which aims to tackle some of these inequalities and Stewart’s experiences as a person living with cancer, how they came to set up their charity and how it is aligned with research.

I think there is something to be said about Jen's work and people like Jen because it's also building community understanding and trust in screening; what it is, how it works. People currently don't [even] understand what the existing format of cervical screening really does, but we need people to understand what these innovations are when they come in so they're more likely to take them out [into the community].

Stewart O'Callaghan

Founder and CEO of Live Through This

Screening access challenges with Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira and Stewart O’Callaghan: How to improve cancer screening uptake in the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalised groups

Listen to the episode now on The University of Manchester YouTube channel

One in Two a Manchester Cancer Research Podcast

I've experienced a lot of shame for my identity. And it was really interesting because actually this work has really given me so much personally in terms of connecting with my community, which I didn't think would happen. And [it feels] like a big hug from the community to me and from me to my community.

Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira

Senior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trainee

Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira

Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira is a Senior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trainee, currently undertaking a PhD in early detection cancer research. She is exploring alternative cervical screening methods to improve the uptake of screening including in marginalised groups such as the LGBTQIA+ and ethnically diverse communities.

Stewart O’Callaghan

Stewart O’Callaghan (they/them) is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Live Through This, the UK’s only LGBTIQ+ cancer charity. Building upon their personal experience of cancer and its services, the charity is proudly patient-led and working to improve the representation, information and support available to LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer.