185: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 185185: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 185
UK Health Radio Podcast
Psychologist Dr Sam Wass explains how early childhood eye tests influence learning, emotions and classroom behaviour, while radiologist Dr David McKean outlines electrochemotherapy as a targeted option for spinal tumours. The conversation blends practical advice for parents with emerging treatment options for people facing advanced cancer.
46:38•6 Oct 2026
Why Children’s Eye Tests and Electrochemotherapy Really Matter
Episode Overview
- Early eye tests can uncover vision issues that children hide by compensating, preventing long-term effects on learning, emotion recognition and language.
- Subtle sight problems may be mislabelled as attention or behaviour issues, especially when children struggle to see classroom boards or fast facial expressions.
- Parents are advised to use play, distraction and small choices to ease children’s worries about medical tests rather than excessive reassurance.
- Electrochemotherapy uses precisely guided electrodes and controlled voltage to increase chemotherapy uptake in spinal tumours while limiting damage to surrounding tissue.
- For patients with advanced spinal cancer who have exhausted other options, electrochemotherapy aims to protect mobility, reduce pain and maintain dignity in the final months of life.
“If I’m not so good at recognizing an emotion across a room, because I can’t see the smile so clearly, then that’s another way in which an early impairment in vision can have cascading impacts on later development.”
Curious about how others manage health issues that quietly shape daily life? This Relaxback UK Show episode brings together psychology and cutting-edge cancer care in a way that’s easy to follow and surprisingly warm. Host Mike Dilk first chats with psychologist and neuroscientist Dr Sam Wass about why early sight tests for children matter far beyond reading and writing. Sam explains how kids often “just get on with it” and compensate for poor vision, which can mask serious issues.
He talks about how subtle problems can affect emotion recognition, language learning and even classroom behaviour: a child who can’t see the board may look distracted rather than short-sighted.
As he puts it, “If I’m not so good at recognizing an emotion across a room… that’s another way in which an early impairment in vision can have cascading impacts on later development.” Parents get down-to-earth advice on what to watch for – like squinting or sitting close to screens – and how to reduce kids’ fear of tests.
Sam shares practical tips such as using play, distraction and giving children small choices to help them feel more in control, instead of repeating, “Don’t be scared.” The tone shifts but stays accessible as radiologist Dr David McKean explains electrochemotherapy for spinal tumours. He breaks down how carefully placed needles deliver electricity to make tumour cells “slightly more permeable,” letting chemotherapy penetrate better.
This minimally invasive, day-case procedure is aimed at people who’ve “had everything else” and still face tumour growth near the spinal cord. David stresses its goal: not a cure, but preserving mobility, reducing pain and protecting bladder and bowel function so patients can have “another Christmas” at home with their families. If you’re interested in how small health checks and advanced hospital treatments can both change life’s trajectory, this conversation offers plenty to think about.
Which part speaks more to you – giving kids the best start, or easing the final chapters of serious illness?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.