
Show Notes
We’re excited to share the latest episode in our Let’s Talk MCAS podcast, where Deborah sits down to chat with Dr Lawrence Afrin, the well-known pioneer in the field of MCAS.
Dr Afrin, clinical haematologist and oncologist, shares how recognising his first case of MCAS changed the direction of his career, and why he believes the condition is far more common than many clinicians realise. Together, they explore why MCAS can be so difficult to diagnose, how mast cells can produce many different mediators beyond histamine and tryptase, and why the condition can present so differently from one person to another.
They also discuss treatment approaches, identifying triggers, the genetics of MCAS, the urgent need for better medical education, and exciting developments that could help transform diagnosis and treatment in the future.
For anyone living with MCAS, supporting someone with the condition, or wanting to better understand the science behind it, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the world’s leading experts.
Listen to our conversation with Dr Lawrence Afrin now on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Dr. Lawrence Afrin - Hematology/Oncology & Mast Cell Disease Specialist
International Society for Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (ISMCAS)
More from LET'S TALK MCAS
Join Mast Cell Action Community Support Lead, Deborah, as she chats with Dietitian Chloe Hall, aka The Calm Gut Dietitian. Chloe’s husband has MCAS, and here she shares her own experience of becoming aware of MCAS and how she has learned how to support the condition through diet. She explores some of the common dietary issues that people with MCAS face, and how to use diet as part of your MCAS management strategy. They cover a whole range dietary issues that are relevant to MCAS, including low-histamine diets, unwanted weight gain as well as weight loss, food fear, and what the research says about diet and MCAS. If you are living with MCAS and struggling with your diet, this episode will give you the information you need to understand diet and MCAS better. Find out more with our free Nourishing Health and Happiness Resource here https://www.mastcellaction.org/assets/_/2025/12/31/079c5fbd-8f62-4026-8ebf-5e3689bea768/nourishing-health-and-happiness-with-mcas.pdf?v=1
Mould is something many of us think of as little more than an inconvenience, but for some people it can have a profound impact on their health. In this episode of the Let’s Talk MCAS Podcast, Deborah Bircham is joined by Lisa Malyon, founder of Indoor Air Aware and the UK Centre for Mould Safety, to explore the growing evidence around indoor mould exposure and why it matters, particularly for people living with complex chronic illnesses such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
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Mast Cell Action are launching our podcast! Join us for our first ever episode, where our Community Support Coordinator, Deborah, chats with Joy Mason, Mast Cell Action’s CEO! Find out about Joy’s own personal journey with MCAS, what keeps her going through the tough times, and also get some behind the scenes info about what’s going on at Mast Cell Action. Joy updates us on her journey from volunteer to CEO, and shares what the charity is working on and the steps we are taking to improve the lives of people living with MCAS. Listen on Apple podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join our community at Mast Cell Action, subscribe or follow for more great conversations, and why not share with someone else who might find it helpful. We’d love to know what you think of this episode – please leave us a comment below! https://www.mastcellaction.org/mast-cell-action-events https://www.mastcellaction.org/articles/resources