In this candid Travel Talk episode, I sit down over coffee and a Danish with Professor Soren Laurberg, an experienced Danish cancer surgeon, at the European Colorectal Congress in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Soren brings decades of expertise in colorectal and pelvic cancer surgery, and together we explore the often-overlooked topic of life after cancer treatment—particularly how surgery affects intimacy, sexual function, and everyday confidence.

He reflects on how far cancer care has come: once focused solely on survival, modern practice now centres on long-term quality of life. Soren explains how his former hospital transformed follow-up care by replacing routine consultant appointments with highly trained specialist nurses who patients can call directly. Their system achieves an impressive 90% response rate to follow-up questionnaires, helping teams identify everything from chronic pain and bladder or bowel issues to the deeply personal topic of sexual well-being.

We also tackle taboos around faecal incontinence, urgency, and the isolation many patients experience. Soren highlights the power of patient advocates who share their stories publicly, helping others feel less alone.

This conversation shines a light on why clinicians must initiate sensitive discussions—and why personalised support matters.

Join us for an honest, compassionate talk that every healthcare professional should hear.