Maths + Cancer
Exploring how maths and stats help with cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment – and the stories behind the researchers making it happen
Maths + Cancer with Dr Vicky Neale
The Maths + Cancer podcast explores the extraordinary and unexpected ways mathematics is being applied to cancer research.
Its host, Dr Vicky Neale, was a mathematician at the University of Oxford. She held the position of Whitehead Lecturer at the Mathematical Institute and Balliol College, as well as being a Supernumerary Fellow at Balliol.
This podcast series was both a personal and professional endeavour for Vicky.
In March 2021, she began receiving treatment for a rare form of cancer, prompting her to discover more about how her colleagues in the mathematical community contribute to cancer research – from prevention, through to diagnosis and treatment.
Throughout the series she talked to a range of experts to find out more about the role of mathematics and statistics in cancer research, as well as to discover more about the people behind the work.
She discussed the relevance of maths to cancer with Professor Philip Maini and explored the importance of the communication of risk with Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter.
She also spoke to Medical Physicist Dr Tom Whyntie about the role of maths in medical imaging and cancer treatment, and saw how numbers might not tell the whole story with Professor Hannah Fry.
In May 2023, with huge sadness and a profound sense of loss, it was announced that Vicky, a much loved colleague, teacher and advocate had died.
Those who knew Vicky, or were inspired by her, have been sharing memories of her on the Mathematical Institute's website.
Listen to the podcast:
Episode 1: The relevance of maths to cancer with Professor Philip Maini
In the first episode of the series, Vicky talked to Philip Maini, Director of the Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford.
Here, they discussed how mathematical modelling can help researchers and doctors to improve the quality of life for people receiving cancer treatment.
Their conversation covered how mathematical modelling can be used in calculating tumour growth and treatment scenarios. They explored the application of modelling to treatment dosages and clinical trials, as well its importance in surgical approaches to tumour and tissue removal.
They also discussed Professor Maini's own career and extensive work mentoring students. Highlighting the collaborative nature of modelling in cancer research, Professor Maini indicates that this is an area where mathematics and science meet to ‘move the knowledge forward’.
Listen to Episode 1:
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Download transcript.
- Read more about Professor Maini’s work via Oxford Sparks
- Learn more about the Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology
Episode 2: Communicating the evidence with Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter
In the second episode of the series, Vicky talked to Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge.
A leading statistician, and author, Professor Spiegelhalter discussed his work on the successful Predict tools for breast and prostate cancer, which help patients make informed decisions about their cancer treatment.
Vicky and Professor Spiegelhalter explored the role of statisticians in communicating risk to the public, and how patients can be empowered to engage with clinicians in a meaningful way when weighing up the benefits and risks of treatment.
Here, they also talked about the human side of cancer, and the care that is needed when communicating cancer risks.
Listen to Episode 2:
Listen to the podcast on Spotify.
Download transcript.
- Find Professor Spiegelhalter on Twitter
- Learn more about the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, and the Real Risk project
- Visit the Predict Breast Cancer and Predict Prostate tools
Episode 3: Medical imaging and radiotherapy with Tom Whyntie
In the third episode of the series, Vicky talked to Dr Tom Whyntie, Teaching Fellow in the Department of Oncology and Director of Studies for the MSc Radiation Biology at the University of Oxford.
Here, they explored Dr Whyntie’s career – from his work as a particle physicist on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, to using medical imaging to improve cancer treatments.
They discussed how mathematics is being used to optimise cancer care, and how to make sense of the ‘epic amounts of data’ behind the technology.
Listen to Episode 3:
Listen to the podcast on Spotify.
Download transcript.
- Find Dr Whyntie on Twitter
- Visit Dr Whyntie's website
- Watch Music on an MRI gradient system
Episode 4: Numbers don't tell the whole story with Professor Hannah Fry
In the fourth episode of the series, Vicky talked to Professor Hannah Fry – mathematician, science presenter and ‘all-round badass’.
Presenter of the 2022 BBC2 documentary Making Sense of Cancer with Hannah Fry, Professor Fry talked to Vicky about the difficulties of using probabilities in using medical statistics and the importance of asking the right questions when it comes to the risks involved with cancer treatment.
Here, they discussed how their own experiences have shaped their perspectives, and the tough choices that face those making decisions on cancer care and the different treatment options available.
Listen to Episode 4:
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Download transcript.
- Find Professor Fry on Twitter
- Watch Making Sense of Cancer with Hannah Fry on BBC iPlayer
Episode 5: Modelling cancer with Professor Helen Byrne
In the fifth episode of the series, Vicky talked to Professor Helen Byrne, Professor of Mathematical Biology at the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute, and Senior Group Leader at the Oxford Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
They discussed Professor Byrne’s research which focuses on mathematical modelling and biology, and how modelling can provide predictive tools for growth and response to treatment of solid tumours.
Here, they also covered how the fast-moving field of topological data analysis is informing cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and Professor Byrne’s role bridging the divide between mathematics and other fields.
Listen to Episode 5:
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- Read more about Professor Byrne’s work at Ludwig Cancer Research
- Professor Byrne is a Professorial Fellow in Mathematics at Keble College
Episode 6: The shape of data with Professor Heather Harrington
In the sixth episode of the series, Vicky talked to Professor Heather Harrington from the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute.
They explored how techniques from algebra and topology are being used to identify patterns in cancer data, giving a more nuanced understanding than has previously been possible.
They also looked at the creative thinking required of mathematicians, and the importance of collaboration between different fields.
Listen to Episode 6:
Listen to the podcast on Spotify.
Download transcript.
- Find Professor Harrington on Twitter
- Read more on Professor Harrington’s research at the Centre for Topological Data Analysis, including her work using breast cancer data