In this episode we speak to Nina, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. She experienced a lot of changes to her body image as well as her emotional health during her treatment. Nina speaks about how that affected her, and how she has managed to move forward and participate in our Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign.
In this episode, we speak to Edd, research communications officer here at Breast Cancer Now. He speaks about just a few recent studies focused on cancer prevention, treatment and cure, that has been funded in 2021 by Breast Cancer Now.
In this episode, in recognition of International Nurses Day, we speak to Catherine, a clinical nurse specialist here at Breast Cancer Now. She speaks about the nursing side of breast cancer, as well as her personal experience of the role. If you would like to speak to one of our Helpline team about a diagnosis of breast cancer, or any symptoms or worries you may have, you can call our Helpline free on 0808 800 6000. You can also get in touch via our website or by emailing nurse@breastcancernow.o...
In this episode we speak to personal trainer Fran, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer last year at the age of 25. She has had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and has managed to continue working as a personal trainer throughout this time. Fran speaks about what drives her to continue looking after her mental health and physical health when faced with this diagnosis. You can find Fran on Instagram @franwhitfield
In this episode we speak to Kate and Sarah, who both received breast cancer diagnoses in the summer of 2018. During treatment, they found each other, and quickly struck up a friendship. Since then, they have founded ‘Bra Sisters’, a lingerie and bra fittings outlet which caters to women who have had mastectomies. You can find the Bra Sisters at https://www.brasisters.co.uk , and keep up with Kate and Sarah on Instagram @thebrasisters
In this episode we speak to author and mum of two, Laura, who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago while pregnant with her second child. Laura speaks about her experience and reflects on how much has changed since she has finished treatment. You can find Laura’s novels by visiting https://www.laurapearsonauthor.com or find her on twitter at @laurapauthor
In a special episode of the podcast we hear from Claire, who has secondary breast cancer and has been recently involved in Breast Cancer Now's Secondary Breast Cancer Campaign. She shares the speech that she gave at the ABC5 conference in Lisbon last year. ABC is a major international conference for advance or secondary breast cancer. It brings together around 15000 healthcare professionals, clinical researchers and Secondary Breast Cancer patient advocates from around the world. Claire speaks a...
In this episode we speak to David, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. He shares his experience of his diagnosis, treatment and how it affected his family, as well as how he dealt with finding out he had secondary breast cancer.
In this podcast we discuss our Someone Like Me service, which matches you up with someone who can listen, share their own experiences and offer support. In a recording from our Facebook Live series,Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Rawson is joined by Anita and Charlotte who have volunteered as part of the service to help others like them.
In this podcast we discuss living with lymphoedema and how to reduce your risk. In a recording from our FB Live series, Clinical Nurse Specialist Addie talks to Tamsin Sargeant about her own history of breast cancer and lymphoedema and answer your questions.
In this episode we speak to Claire Collison. Claire is a writer and artist. Ever since deciding not to have a reconstruction following her mastectomy in 2014, Claire has been using her work to ask the question, ‘Why are thousands of women like me hidden?’ We discuss breaking down the stigma surrounding women who opt out of reconstruction, and the ways in which Claire is using her art to celebrate different kinds of bodies. You can find more information about Claire's work on her website, clairec...
In this podcast episode, we give you a quick insight into three of our current research projects and how they impact people affected by breast cancer. You can find out more about our research projects by visiting our website.
In this episode we speak to Emi Howe, a consultant, body therapist and speaker for Bod Equality. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she began to work on repairing the relationship that she had with her body, which led to her starting the project @thecancernude on Instagram.
In this podcast we discuss being active after a breast cancer diagnosis. In a recording from our Facebook Live series, our Clinical Nurse Specialist Addie speaks to Lizzy Davies, a cancer exercise specialist. They chat about moving back into exercise after breast cancer treatment.
During treatment, Avril struggled to find the right local support services for her. She decided to use her background in technology to collaborate with charities and organisations and help broaden choices for everyone affected by cancer. She shares the importance of finding local community support after a diagnosis and tips for reaching out for support.
Fay shares how her breast cancer diagnosis impacted her confidence and sex and intimacy with her partner. She talks about what helped her cope and gives tips for reconnecting with your sexual self again.
Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, and struggled with the difficult emotions she felt after her diagnosis, including guilt, isolation and loneliness. She now shares these experiences in her book, Beyond the Pink, and in writing for our own website.
We speak to Lauren about how she's moved forward from her breast cancer diagnosis and the need for more support after treatment finishes. She also shares her top tips for managing the festive season after a breast cancer treatment. You can hear more from Lauren on her blog, Cancer Chat.
When Sonia was diagnosed with breast cancer, she found out she had the BRCA2 gene. Through her Instagram she was able to find a community to talk to about her experiences with being a young women with breast cancer and worries about fertility. You can follow Sonia on Instagram @spicykalelover.
In the first episode of series 2 we speak to Karin Sieger, a psychotherapist and cancer counsellor based in London. Karin has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice, and she talks about dealing with her recurrence and how she supports others with their mental health after a diagnosis. You can listen to Karin’s podcast Cancer and You on cancerandyou.podbean.com and follow her on Twitter at KarinSieger and on Facebook at KarinSiegerTherapyWriting...
In our final episode of series 1 of our podcast we discuss diet, which can cause a lot of confusion and anxiety for women who are worried about their risk of breast cancer or the chance of it coming back. In a recording from our Facebook Live video, our nurse Addie speaks to Rav, a dietician at the Royal Marsden hospital. They chat about diet myths and breast cancer risk and recurrence, diet advice during and after treatment, and how to get referred to a dietician. Stay tuned and subscribe so yo...
In a recording from our Facebook Live video, our nurse Addie speaks to Sue about her experience of living with lymphoedema. Sue volunteers for Breast Cancer Care on our Moving Forward courses, sharing her experience to support other women and let them know about the symptoms of this long-term condition, as well as how she manages it. You can find more information on lymphoedema on our website, and watch the full video on our Facebook page ....
In a live Facebook recording, our Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Rawson spoke to Alice-May Purkiss, author of the book 'Life, Lemons and Melons'. We know that 1/3 of women with breast cancer experience anxiety for the first time in their lives after their diagnosis and treatment. Rachel spoke to Alice-May about mental health during and after treatment, and ways to manage feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. If you have any questions about mental health and breast cancer, give us ...
When Anita was diagnosed with breast cancer, her and her partner struggled to tell her children about her diagnosis. They have since written a book for kids whose parents have cancer. Anita shares her story and what has helped her continue to communicate with her children about her breast cancer.
When Laura was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, she was told she had two years to live. 11 years later, she is running her own successful blog, Living with Hope and Secondary Breast Cancer. We spoke to Laura about the effect that sharing her story and experience has had on her, and what led to her speaking onstage in front of an audience of hundreds last year.
'It felt really scary to be left on the outside. People didn't really understand. They expected you to be happy and excited and to move back to life how it was before.' In a live Facebook recording, our Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Rawson spoke to Zahida, who has used our Someone Like Me service, about her personal experience managing her mental health after breast cancer treatment. Listen to their conversation and find the full video on our Facebook page.
We speak to Leanne about how she built a community for herself after her breast cancer diagnosis. Once her treatment stopped, Leanne couldn't find any support that she felt related to her and struggled to understand her own emotions. Through blogging and raising awareness, Leanne has been able to find a community who understand what she went through. This has led to the her setting up Black Women Rising, a platform for black women to connect with one another about thier breast cancer experience....
We speak to Juliet, who called in from her home in Hertfordshire. Juliet had thought that having a breast reconstruction was an inevitable part of having a mastectomy, even though she felt uncomfortable about having one. In this episode she talks about the moment she made the decision to live flat-chested.
To celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March, we speak to Samia al Qadhi, CEO at Breast Cancer Care, who has worked at the charity for 25 years and Dr Emma Pennery, our Clinical Director, who has worked as a Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist and gained her PhD in Biological Sciences. Together, we discuss how things have changed for women with breast cancer over the past few decades, both in terms of care and treatment, and what women have done to help us get to where we are now. We’ll also l...
A study published by psycho-oncology revealed that nearly 80% of women with a breast cancer diagnosis experienced PTSD for at least a year after their diagnosis. We speak to Professor Naz Derakhshan from Birkbeck College about her own diagnosis, her work on how PTSD effects women with breast cancer, and what you can do to manage the symptoms.
