The Dokkcast

Cancer Treatment and Heart Health: What Patients Need to Know

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:18:49 GMT

Dr Alexander Lyon is a consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for the cardio-oncology service, based at Royal Brompton Hospital.

https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/specialists/dr-alexander-lyon

Some cancer treatments can affect the heart during treatment or even years later. In this episode of The Dokkcast, Dr Nara Daubeney speaks with Dr Alexander Lyon, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, about the rapidly developing field of cardio-oncology.

They explore how chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormone treatments, radiotherapy and immunotherapy can affect cardiovascular health, and how personalised risk assessments are helping patients receive effective cancer treatment more safely. Dr Lyon also explains the warning signs, the value of monitoring and why exercise, diet and other healthy choices can make a meaningful difference.

This episode offers practical guidance for anyone undergoing cancer treatment, cancer survivors and those supporting a loved one through treatment.

00:00 - Introducing Dr Alexander Lyon and cardio-oncology

04:18 - Protecting the heart during cancer treatment

08:49 - What is heart failure?

12:30 - Balancing cancer treatment with cardiac risk

15:31 - Why cancer drugs can affect the heart

18:29 - The growing cardiovascular impact of cancer medicines

21:14 - Chemotherapy and long-term heart damage

25:06 - Targeted therapies, blood pressure and heart health

31:15 - Hormone therapies for breast and prostate cancer

35:29 - Radiotherapy and its long-term effects on the heart

39:58 - Assessing personal cardiovascular risk

41:46 - Exercise, diet and healthier cancer outcomes

45:02 - Making specialist cardio-oncology care widely available

49:58 - Guidelines, technology and the Onco Card

53:49 - The future of cancer immunotherapy

58:08 - Reverse cardio-oncology: can heart disease drive cancer?

01:01:38 - Practical advice for patients and cancer survivors

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Demystifying POTS: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Hope for Teenagers with Prof. Piers Daubeney

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:17:28 GMT

In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara sits down with Professor Piers Daubeney, a world-renowned Consultant Paediatric and Fetal Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College London. Together, they untangle the complexities of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)—a frequently misunderstood condition that primarily affects teenagers and young adults.

Prof. Daubeney breaks down the underlying physiology of POTS, explaining why the heart races when standing and how gravity affects circulation. He highlights the crucial differences between pediatric and adult POTS, details the standard diagnostic toolkit (including ECGs, Holter monitors, and tilt table tests), and outlines a structured ladder of treatment. From simple lifestyle shifts like increased salt intake and targeted hydration to advanced pharmaceutical interventions like Midodrine and Ivabradine, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for patients, parents, and healthcare providers. Prof. Daubeney also shares a powerful message of hope, reassuring families that the long-term prognosis for pediatric patients is exceptionally bright.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:44 - What is POTS?

00:01:59 - Who gets POTS?

00:02:29 - Adults vs teenagers

00:03:45 - Symptoms overview

00:05:03 - How circulation fails

00:07:55 - Why symptoms vary

00:09:09 - Diagnosing POTS

00:10:13 - Ruling out other causes

00:11:41 - Key tests: ECG, echo, Holter

00:12:58 - The tilt table test

00:13:57 - Diagnostic criteria

00:16:11 - POTS vs orthostatic intolerance

00:18:12 - Life after diagnosis

00:19:06 - Fluids and salt intake

00:20:29 - Periods, iron and teenage girls

00:21:13 - Compression and movement

00:22:46 - Staying active

00:24:19 - POTS vs anxiety

00:25:02 - Prognosis and outlook

00:25:52 - Treatment: sodium tablets

00:26:21 - Medication options

00:27:11 - Slowing a racing heart

00:28:14 - Achieving good outcomes

00:29:02 - Referral pathways

00:30:31 - Reliable resources

00:31:09 - Adult vs paediatric POTS

00:33:13 - Autonomic dysregulation

00:35:21 - COVID-19 and POTS

00:37:30 - Myths and coexisting conditions

00:38:56 - The Netflix documentary

00:41:04 - Final advice

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The Science of Song & Speech: Unlocking Vocal Health with Leading Laryngologist Declan Costello

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 06:48:46 GMT

What actually happens when we speak, sing, or lose our voice entirely? In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Mr. Declan Costello—one of the UK’s leading ENT surgeons, laryngologists, and a classical singer himself.

Declan demystifies the complex anatomy of the vocal folds, explaining how a simple "buzzing" sound is modulated into the rich timbres of speech and song. Drawing from his unique dual background as a Cambridge choral scholar and a specialist surgeon, he shares vital insights into vocal pathology, the profound impact of emotion on speech, and why the aging voice is a "use it or lose it" muscle. Whether you are a professional performer or someone who simply relies on your voice for everyday communication, this episode is an essential masterclass in vocal care, debunking common myths (like gargling salt water) and highlighting when a hoarse voice is actually a sign to see a specialist.

Chapters

00:00 Intro — meet Declan Costello, ENT voice surgeon

00:43 What is the voice and how is it produced?

02:04 Vocal folds vs "vocal cords" — the real anatomy

03:42 Harmonics, overtones and vocal timbre explained

07:23 Vibrato — what it is and how singers control it

08:44 Singing in different languages

10:23 Declan's path from music at Cambridge to ENT surgery

13:38 What shows up on a singer's vocal cords

15:34 Stroboscopy — seeing the vocal cords in slow motion

16:16 Voice frequency and how voice is assessed (GRBAS scale)

18:18 Singers vs non-singers — why pathology differs

19:53 Vocal cord polyps — the Harry Kane example

21:31 Laryngeal papillomatosis — vocal cord warts

23:04 Hoarseness — when it could be something serious

24:21 Key takeaway: persistent hoarseness needs checking out

25:09 Emotional trauma and voice loss (aphonia)

27:17 Why getting checked early matters

28:24 Speech and language therapy — "physiotherapy for the voice"

29:34 Chronic throat clearing and the persistent cough cycle

30:50 Reflux, PPIs and throat symptoms

32:26 Hydration and vocal health

33:34 Steam inhalation for voice care

34:10 The "singer's formant" explained

35:58 Tonsillectomy considerations for singers

38:01 Globus pharyngeus — that "lump in the throat" feeling

39:54 How the voice changes with age

41:38 Retirement, muscle tone and "use it or lose it"

43:41 When should you actually see someone?

45:18 Common voice myths — gargling, aspirin, voice rest

46:13 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

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Beyond the Latch: The Truth About Breastfeeding, Tongue-Ties, and Mouth-Breathing Myths with Stacey Zimmels

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:56:28 GMT

In this episode of The Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Stacey Zimmels, a highly specialized pediatric speech and language therapist and lactation consultant. Together, they dive deep into the often confusing, advice-heavy world of infant feeding. From untangling the coordination of "suck, swallow, breathe" to busting the biggest myths around breastfeeding pain, tongue-ties, and baby-led weaning, this conversation provides a grounded, evidence-based roadmap for parents. They also tackle recent social media trends around mouth breathing, explaining the real science behind nasal breathing, large adenoids, and pediatric sleep. Whether you are navigating the early days of nursing, preparing to introduce solids, or wondering if your child's tongue-tie actually needs dividing, this episode offers compassionate, expert guidance without the guilt.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Stacey's background (SLT + lactation consultant)

01:09 What speech and language therapists actually do

05:07 Becoming a lactation consultant

07:16 How breastfeeding problems present in clinic

09:47 Suck-swallow-breathe coordination & what's "normal"

14:29 What breast milk is (colostrum, foremilk/hindmilk, immunology)

19:08 When to seek help & the WHO breastfeeding guidelines

20:30 Breastfeeding myths (pain, hindmilk, "natural = easy")

27:38 Tongue ties: what they are & how they're assessed

44:09 Weaning: developmental readiness signs

46:50 Weaning myths (sleep, hunger, early starting)

51:43 Baby-led weaning vs. spoon-feeding vs. combination

55:48 Choking risk & food safety

60:00 Mouth breathing, nasal cycle & the "mouth taping" trend

69:30 Wrap-up

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From Boardroom to Chelsea Gold: Jenny Halpern-Prince on Lady Garden & Gynae Cancer Awareness

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:28:40 GMT

Jenny Halpern-Prince built a PR agency from her kitchen table into a WPP-backed business — then co-founded Lady Garden, the charity breaking the silence around gynaecological cancers.

In episode 9 of Dokkcast, Jenny joins us to talk about her career, her own health journey, and why 60 women being diagnosed and 21 dying every day in the UK from gynaecological cancers isn't talked about nearly enough.

00:00 Introduction

00:00:51 Early career: choosing Joseph over university

00:02:24 Lessons from a tough fashion retail culture

00:02:50 Setting up her own PR & comms agency at 23

00:06:59 Selling the business and growing with WPP

00:08:56 The charitable thread: Women's Aid, Great Ormond Street

00:10:12 Founding Access Aspiration (2012)

00:12:26 Lady Garden: the name and the mission

00:15:07 The origin story: Tamara Beckwith's mother

00:15:55 The numbers: 60 diagnosed, 21 deaths a day

00:17:36 Chelsea Flower Show: the gold-winning "Silent No More" garden

00:21:20 Male allyship and designer Darren Hawkes

00:23:27 Jenny's own health journey

00:25:46 The fertility journey begins

00:27:03 Twelve IVF rounds and twin daughters via surrogacy

00:27:35 A second surrogacy journey: son Marcus

00:28:02 Breaking the silence on pregnancy loss

00:30:13 The ambassador programme and the HPV vaccine gap

00:32:23 Celebrating ambassadors at the House of Commons

00:33:42 Access Aspiration's networking impact

00:37:41 How organisations can get involved

00:38:32 Emily Blaine's story and the Chelsea garden's inspiration

00:39:15 Gynae cancer symptoms to watch for

00:40:56 Lady Garden's NHS-backed chatbot

00:42:06 Launching the Lady Garden Tea Party

00:42:30 The T-shirt: names for the vulva, and losing the fear factor

00:43:41 Closing thoughts and what's next with Udokk

Jenny Halpern-Prince is the co-founder of Lady Garden, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of gynaecological cancers, and founder of Access Aspiration, an education charity supporting social mobility through work placements.

🎧 Subscribe to Dokkcast for more conversations on health, wellbeing, and the people driving change.

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The Truth About GLP-1 Weight Loss: Nutrition, Muscle Loss & Ozempic with Dietitian Marcela Fiuza

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:54:12 GMT

Losing weight can be tricky. We explore the risk of significant muscle loss during dieting and regaining fat, potentially leading to sarcopenic obesity (a condition characterized by the concurrent presence of excess body fat (obesity) and a low mass, quality, and function of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia). It creates a vicious cycle: muscle loss reduces mobility and energy expenditure, which promotes further fat gain.) Learn the hidden dangers and what to watch out for.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 and Women's Health
12:15 Nutritional Impacts of GLP-1
22:51 Protein Needs and Muscle Preservation
34:11 Long-term Considerations and Self-Image

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Marcela Fiuza: Perimenopause Nutrition. Why Weight Changes in Your 40s

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:40:42 GMT

Perimenopause Nutrition: Why Weight Changes in Your 40s (Protein, Fiber, and Metabolism)

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:25 Marcella’s Career Journey
02:30 Focus on Women in Their 40s
03:33 Menopause and Perimenopause Explained
05:54 Hormone Fluctuations and Symptoms
08:38 Weight Gain Complaints and Causes
10:56 Aging vs Menopause Metabolism
12:56 Visceral Fat and Heart Risk
16:22 Diet Patterns Protein and Fiber
19:57 Food Diaries and Evening Pitfalls
21:35 Balance Meals Early
22:01 Realistic Planning Tips
22:21 Protein Basics Explained
23:54 Plant vs Animal Protein
26:17 Vegetarian Protein Combos
27:25 Protein Needs in Menopause
28:33 Fiber 101 and Sources
30:33 Why Fiber Matters
32:09 Build Better Plates Fast
34:09 Sleep Stress and HRT
36:40 DIY Food Diary Method
38:49 Myth Bust Eat Less Move More
42:38 Reset Expectations and Wrap

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Dr Laura Wood - The Menopause Conversation Your Doctor Should Be Having With You

Thu, 28 May 2026 15:30:12 GMT

Most women expect menopause to mean hot flushes and the end of their periods. The reality is far more complex — and far more consequential — than that.

In this episode, Professor Nara Daubeney is joined by Dr Laura Wood, specialist GP at Muse Medical and menopause expert, for a comprehensive and myth-busting conversation about what menopause actually is, what it does to your body, and what you can do about it.

They cover the difference between perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep and weight gain are often missed or misattributed, why blood tests alone aren't reliable for diagnosis, and what a proper holistic workup actually looks like.

Dr Laura also explains the real risks and benefits of HRT — including why a 25-year-old study still shapes how millions of women think about it today, the truth about breast cancer risk in context, and why women are 30 times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than breast cancer. Plus: vaginal estrogen, testosterone, bone health, cardiovascular risk, and why there are no prizes for suffering in silence.

(00:00) - Dokkcast - Dr Laura Wood
(00:26) - Meet Dr Laura Wood
(01:26) - Menopause Defined
(04:24) - Eggs Ovulation Changes
(05:51) - Hormones And Testing
(10:18) - Symptoms And Workup
(15:04) - Vaginal Health Talk
(21:18) - HRT Options Explained
(27:11) - Vaginal Estrogen How To
(28:15) - Bone Health After Menopause
(29:00) - Estrogen and Bone Loss
(29:41) - Hip Fracture Reality Check
(30:29) - Strength Training for Bones
(31:30) - Menopause and Heart Risk
(34:15) - HRT Window for Prevention
(37:48) - Bone Scans and Screening Gaps
(38:51) - HRT Risks and WHI Study
(41:28) - Breast Cancer Risk in Context
(44:19) - Non Hormonal Options
(47:19) - Testosterone for Women
(51:35) - Best Menopause Care Spending
(54:04) - Menopause at Work Rights
(56:49) - How Long to Stay on HRT
(58:12) - Final Takeaways and Goodbye

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NHS vs Private Health Screening | Dr Sophie Ladbrooke on What's Free, What's Worth It & What Could Save Your Life

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:45:00 GMT

Dr Sophie Ladbrooke joins Dokkcast to break down everything you need to know about health screening — from the free tests you might be skipping to the private add-ons that can genuinely change outcomes.

Bowel cancer. Breast density. Prostate MRI. Ovarian cancer. The future of blood-based cancer detection. It's all here.

Find more verified health voices at udokk.com or on the Udokk app — Apple App Store and Google Play.

(00:00) - Meet Dr Sophie
(01:34) - Why Screening Matters
(03:06) - What Screening Includes
(05:23) - NHS Screening Schedule
(07:26) - Heart Health Add-Ons
(13:03) - Womens Cancer Risks
(17:20) - Prostate Screening Options
(19:33) - Why Tests Aren't Routine
(22:21) - Whole Body MRI Pros Cons
(24:37) - Future Blood Test Screening
(27:43) - Longevity Basics Supplements
(30:12) - Supplements and Basics
(31:04) - Simple Diet Template
(31:51) - Strength and Cardio Mix
(32:41) - Family History Red Flags
(34:05) - Best Paid Screening Picks
(34:49) - Ovarian Cancer Screening
(37:37) - Prostate and Lung Scans
(40:05) - Most Underused Free Tests
(41:54) - Final Takeaways and Signposting
(44:32) - How to Do FIT Test
(47:51) - Colonoscopy Next Steps
(51:08) - Young Bowel Cancer Warning Signs
(52:44) - Start Screening Earlier
(53:49) - Closing Thanks

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From Injury to Holistic Health Leadership with Brad Clifford

Thu, 21 May 2026 08:57:00 GMT

Brad went from nearly dying of sepsis as a collegiate football player to building one of the most comprehensive preventative health companies around. In this episode of the Dokk Cast, Nara sits down with Brad to trace his remarkable journey — from athlete to med-tech leader to founder of Elevation Health — and unpack his bold vision for what healthcare should have been doing for the last 30 years.

They dive deep into epigenetics, whole genome sequencing, mitochondrial health, pharmacogenomics, and why a single yearly blood test gives you almost none of the picture you actually need. Brad also shares his unfiltered take on how the US insurance system is failing patients, why strength training is non-negotiable (especially for women), and what the UK gets right about movement that America has completely forgotten.

Whether you're curious about longevity, frustrated with conventional medicine, or just want to understand your own biology better — this conversation is packed with insight.

🔗 Learn more about Elevation Health: https://www.elevetion.com/

Timecodes:
00:00 – Introduction & Brad's background
01:00 – From athlete to injury: a near-sepsis experience at college
03:00 – Emergency surgery & a nine-month recovery
05:30 – Discovering the med-tech world through orthopedic surgery
07:30 – Seven and a half years at Stryker in sports medicine
10:00 – Moving into interventional radiology at Merit Medical
13:00 – Brad's personal health crisis: panic attacks & metabolic decline
14:30 – Working in genomic-based breast cancer diagnostics
16:30 – Why the US insurance system is failing patients
18:00 – Using pharmacogenomics to resolve his own anxiety
21:00 – Building the Elevation Health model from scratch
26:00 – Why quarterly biomarker snapshots beat the annual physical
27:00 – Epigenetics explained: day trading vs. futures on your health
33:00 – The five pillars of health span: social connection, sleep, nutrition, movement & CNS
36:00 – Whole genome sequencing & building your personal "health moat"
38:00 – Mitochondrial health and its links to cancer, Alzheimer's & autism
39:30 – The expert team behind Elevation: PhDs, dieticians & clinical leads
41:00 – Using data to drive real daily habit change
42:00 – Strength training for longevity — especially for women
47:00 – Walking culture: UK vs. US and what it means for lifespan
51:00 – Finding the cardio sweet spot without overdoing it
52:30 – Wearables, HRV, and what we actually know about heart rate variability
55:00 – Sleep quality vs. quantity — and why Brad changed his mind
57:30 – Melatonin mega-dosing as a brain reset (and the caveats)
01:00:30 – Psychedelics, trauma healing & emerging brain health research
01:03:00 – Building a personalised nutrition pantry through genomics
01:08:30 – Elevation's global vision and new partnerships (Ezra, full-body MRI)
01:10:30 – Leadership through curiosity: staying adaptive in a fast-moving field
01:12:00 – Closing thoughts

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Can You Be a Surgeon and Have a Family? Orthopaedic Surgeon Cat Malik Explains

Wed, 20 May 2026 08:57:00 GMT

Cat Malik is a post-CCT trauma and orthopaedics fellow specialising in foot, ankle, and lower limb surgery. In this episode of Dokkcast, host Professor Nara Daubeney speaks with her about what it genuinely takes to build a surgical career — and how to sustain one alongside family life.

Cat traces her journey from medical school through surgical training, sharing candid insights into orthopaedic culture, the stereotypes that still surround the specialty, and the very real challenges women continue to face in surgery. A particularly compelling thread is her experience raising three children while progressing through a demanding training pathway, with practical advice for doctors navigating the same tension between career and family.

The conversation also looks outward at broader shifts in healthcare — the role of social media in spreading both useful information and misinformation, how doctors engage with these platforms professionally, and what AI means for the future of medical knowledge and patient trust.

A frank and wide-ranging episode for anyone considering a surgical career, or interested in the evolving culture of medicine.

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Innovations in Endoscopic Surgery with Professor Hesham Saleh

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:57:40 GMT

Professor Hesham Saleh is a leading London-based consultant rhinologist and facial plastic surgeon, practising at Charing Cross Hospital and the Harley ENT Practice. He specialises in rhinoplasty, sinus surgery, rhinology, skull-base surgery, and orbital/lacrimal surgery.

He holds FRCS (ENT) and FRCS (ORL-HNS) qualifications, has been named in The Times' top 140 doctors and top 50 surgeons lists, and serves as Professor of Practice in Rhinology at Imperial College. He is past president of the Laryngology and Rhinology section of the Royal Society of Medicine.

His research focuses on rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, skull-base pathology, and nasal deformities, including leading multicentre trials on olfactory damage and antibiotic-resistant sinus bacteria.

The podcast episode covers his career journey, the evolution of ENT training, the complexity of sinus and endoscopic surgery, and — as its central theme — the influence of social media on cosmetic surgery, particularly how platforms like Instagram and TikTok spread unrealistic beauty standards and misinformation among young patients, and the need for better medical education to counter this.

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Professor Mike Rigby: A Lifetime Advancing Paediatric Cardiology

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:57:29 GMT

Professor Mike Rigby is one of the most influential figures in paediatric cardiology, with a career spanning over four decades. In this conversation with Nara, he reflects on the sweeping transformation of children's heart care — from an era of limited diagnostics and high-risk surgery to today's advanced imaging, interventional techniques, and dramatically improved survival rates.

Drawing on his experience at the Royal Brompton Hospital, he discusses pioneering procedures, the rise of echocardiography, and the ongoing debate between intervention and surgery in congenital heart disease. He also speaks to the deeply human side of medicine: communicating with anxious families, the passion behind teaching, and the privilege of mentoring cardiologists from around the world.

The episode closes with reflections on legacy, the role of genetics in the field's future, and what a life in medicine ultimately means.

Aimed at clinicians, trainees, and students, it serves as both a history of paediatric cardiology and a guide to its future.

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