
The Cancer Professionals Podcast
Treatable but not curable cancer: Supporting people to live well
What does it mean to live with treatable but not curable cancer? In this episode, Alyson Thompson shares her lived experience alongside Caroline Tweedie's professional perspective, exploring the realities of living with ongoing treatment, uncertainty, and the impact cancer can have on everyday life. Together, we discuss personalised care, compassionate communication, and how healthcare professionals can help people live well beyond their diagnosis. The conversation offers practical insights and powerful reflections for anyone supporting people living with cancer, reminding us of the importance of seeing the person behind the diagnosis and focusing on what matters most to them. By listening to or watching this episode in full, you will be able to: Describe the impact that living with treatable but not curable cancer can have on a person's wellbeing, relationships, identity and daily life. Recognise the role of healthcare professionals in supporting people to navigate uncertainty while maintaining hope, autonomy and quality of life. Apply person-centred communication approaches that enable meaningful conversations about individual goals, priorities and support needs. Identify opportunities to improve care and support for people living with treatable but not curable cancer through holistic assessment, personalised care and collaborative decision making. Content warning: This episode contains conversations about lived experience of cancer which you may find upsetting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised. Links from the episode: Treatable but not curable cancer resources | Healthcare professionals | Macmillan Cancer Support Treatable But Not Curable Cancer This episode aligns with Macmillan's strategic objective(s) to offer more personal support to people affected by cancer and other health conditions. Read more about Macmillan's strategy . Please complete this short, anonymous survey to help us understand your experience as a listener- what you find most useful, how you've been able to apply insights from the podcast in your role, and where we can improve. It will only take around 15 minutes to complete: The Cancer Professionals Podcast- listener survey If you work in health or social care, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/learning or Macmillan’s Learning Hub for more information about free education and training from Macmillan Cancer Support. Disclaimer: The content and information in these episodes is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All examples discussed in episodes are UK based and reflect UK health systems at the time of recording. No material within this series is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified and registered healthcare providers.






