The Happy Pod: Kinder medicine for millions of cancer patients

The Happy Pod: Kinder medicine for millions of cancer patients

Author: BBC World Service June 6, 2026 Duration: 26:30

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)


Staying informed means navigating a constant stream of events, and the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service provides a grounded, thorough digest of that flow. This isn't just a headline service; it's a twice-daily briefing that situates you within the day's most pressing stories, particularly focusing on complex, unfolding situations. Right now, that means dedicated coverage from across the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf states, offering clarity on regional dynamics and their global implications. Alongside that essential regional focus, the podcast consistently pulls back for a wider lens, bringing reports and context from every corner of the world. What you'll hear is the BBC's signature blend of on-the-ground reporting and measured expert analysis, all designed to build understanding rather than just summarize events. For a reliable, in-depth audio briefing that updates each weekday morning and evening, this podcast delivers a comprehensive picture of our world as it happens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global News Podcast
Podcast Episodes
King Charles praises NATO in address to US Congress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:19
President Trump has called the bond between the US and the UK a friendship "unlike any other on Earth" at a state dinner attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Earlier in a historic address speech to Congress, King…
UAE quits oil cartel Opec after six decades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:14
The United Arab Emirates says quitting the Opec and Opec+ groups of major oil producing nations will provide more flexibility. The move is being seen as a blow to the groups' de facto leader Saudi Arabia. Also, Russia ha…
King Charles visits the US to smooth frayed relations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the US to smooth over frayed relations between Washington and London. President Trump hosts afternoon tea at the White House. We'll look at whether the royal visit will make a dif…
Suspect due in court after shooting at Trump press dinner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:50
The Californian man suspected of trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington attended by President Trump and other senior administration figures is due in court to face charges of assaulting a fe…
Motives of suspected Washington gunman under scrutiny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:12
The suspected gunman at the White House correspondents' dinner, Cole Tomas Allen, is a 31-year-old Californian who reportedly worked as a tutor. Donald Trump says the suspect had a manifesto and "hatred in his heart" - b…
Donald Trump evacuated from dinner after shots fired [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:47
A person is in custody after shots fired at event with President Trump. He praised the secret service operative who'd intercepted him. The US president and the first lady were unharmed. Also with Mr Trump was the US Vice…
The Happy Pod: I invented a way for my brother to communicate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Ari wanted to help his brother Ben engage with the world after he lost the ability to walk, talk or move his hands. So he designed and built him a bespoke communication and entertainment system - allowing him to chat, go…
US and Iran travel to Pakistan for peace talks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
US and Iran delegations are travelling to Pakistan for further peace talks - but there might not be a direct meeting between the two sides. We ask our world affairs editor about the likelihood of progress in Islamabad, a…
Spain dismisses reports US wants it suspended from Nato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
Nato says there is no provision for members to be suspended - after reports the US is considering trying to suspend Spain over its stance on the Iran war. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez has dismissed the reports.…