The Happy Pod: Kinder medicine for millions of cancer patients
6/6/202627 min
A new DNA test can distinguish between patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy and those who are not, meaning many with the most common form of breast cancer can avoid the brutal treatment. Also, scientists have found a daily pill that could double the survival time for people with advanced pancreatic cancer. Daraxonrasib appears to be a breakthrough in managing a disease that has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. Plus, we hear from Sterling Nasa, the student who ended up on stage during a concert performance of La La Land. A pianist was taken ill half way through the show, and the conductor appealed to the audience for help. A British man is hoping to become the first person with a physical disability to go to live and work in space. John McFall lost his leg when he was 19 -- but he hasn't let that stop him -- he has already become a paralympian and a surgeon. Finally, we meet Dr Shaunna Burke who has reached the summit of Mount Everest despite living with stage 4 incurable cancer. She becomes the first woman to do so Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson
(Picture: A doctor examining a mammogram to determine if a woman has breast cancer. Credit: PA)
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsOwen Bennett Jones0:00
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
Speaker 10:03
[upbeat music] Today on the pod, we're talking to Megan, trapeze artist and Scratchers enthusiast. So Megan, what do you like about playing Scratchers? Well, they're easy to play when I'm hanging around. Oh, okay, like when you're relaxing? No, like when I'm hanging on the trapeze. I swing upside down then do a quadruple summersault all while playing a Scratchers. Watch this. [drum roll] Ta-da. Unbelievable. I know, right? Scratchers from the California Lottery. A little play can make your day. Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase or claim.
Speaker 20:36
What's up, y'all? Summer's got a different tempo. Everything's a little looser, brighter. One plan turns into another. You hear something, you stay a little longer. Next thing you know, you're somewhere you didn't plan to be. It's those in-between moments, that's where the ideas hit. Conversations stretch out. Little memories sneak up on you. Sometimes it's just about what's in your hand, that color, that chill. The new Tropical Butterfly Refresher from Starbucks. Guava and passion fruit flavors with mango pineapple flavored pearls. Yeah, that feels like summer before you even taste it. Funny how one small stop becomes the best part of the day. Start your summer rhythm with Starbucks. Try the new Tropical Butterfly Refresher from Starbucks.
Holly Gibbs· Host1:22
[upbeat music] This is the Happy Pod from the BBC World Service.