Helen Skelton is a psychotherapist and campaigner who lives with secondary breast cancer. In this episode, Helen talks in depth with Laura about grief. How grief isn’t just about losing someone, but about the loss of anything; your hair, your body image, your friendships, the life you hoped you’d have.

Drawing on her own experience, Helen shares the grief she’s experienced as part of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how that grief extends to losing friends in the breast cancer community she’s a part of. She also promotes acceptance of grief and anger as emotions that should be recognised and lived with, and shares some outlooks that may help others see their grief in a new light.

You can find Helen on Instagram @secondary.psych

You can read Helen's writing on Substack

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

2:08 Helen is diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020

5:51 Dealing with a cancer diagnosis during COVID

8:22 Living with secondary breast cancer

10:39 Getting a primary and secondary breast cancer diagnosis at the same time

16:35 There's more to grief than just the dictionary definition

23:19 Grief as a result of a cancer diagnosis

25:49 Processing the grief from losing someone to the same disease you have

29:17 Helen attends a grief retreat

33:09 What is grief tending?

34:05 Discussing rage and anger, and how to come to terms with them

37:29 Why it's important to talk about emotions and feelings

41:27 Helen shares tips and techniques for coping with grief

46:14 Emotional triggers can cause you to reevaluate and make different decisions

53:38 What it means to Helen to "live well"

Kelly Crump is a model and influencer who lives with secondary breast cancer. On the Breast Cancer Now podcast she talks to Laura about finding out at the age of 40 that her cancer had spread, and how she feared she wouldn’t be able to continue doing the things she loves, like hiking and running.

But Kelly also shares how exercise, positivity and talking openly and honestly all helped her to live life on her own terms, even while living with breast cancer. She speaks about her experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and how she was the first person to post with a mastectomy scar in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine.

You can follow Kelly on Instagram @itskellycrump

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

1:45 Kelly is first diagnosed with breast cancer

3:44 Kelly is diagnosed with secondary breast cancer

5:28 The impact of breast cancer treatment on fertility

9:02 Kelly's lines of treatment for secondary breast cancer

14:10 The experience of when a drug stops working

15:45 Sharing a breast cancer story on social media

17:17 Challenging the perceptions of what a person with cancer looks like

19:10 Breast cancer and body image

21:37 Kelly climbs Kilimanjaro, and other challenges

26:36 Kelly's tips for taking on physical challenges

34:09 Dealing with the physical challenges of a cancer diagnosis

38:08 Dealing with death in the secondary breast cancer community

40:42 Important to talk about experience, challenge media perceptions

40:59 Kelly has to give up her career in fashion after her diagnosis

43:47 Making plans living with secondary breast cancer

48:51 Kelly models her mastectomy scars in Sports Illustrated

52:48 Positive attitude to body image after breast cancer treatment

54:40 What it means to Kelly to "live well"

Sophie Blake, who lives with secondary breast cancer, talks to Laura about Breast Cancer Now's campaign to make sure everyone with breast cancer across the UK can get access to the drugs they need to survive.

Eleanor from Breast Cancer Now also joins the conversation to explain the issues with the drug approval system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and what work Breast Cancer Now is doing to help change things.

Help us take action now with our automatic form that contacts your MP asking them to help fix the system.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's campaign, #MoreTimeToLive

You can follow Sophie Blake on X @sophieRblake and Instagram @sophieblake72.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

2:01 Sophie explains what secondary breast cancer means to her

3:23 The importance of access to breast cancer drugs

4:54 The meaning of "More Time To Live"

6:44 Enhertu: a drug that was rejected for use on the NHS in England

10:10 Eleanor outlines the problem with drugs not being approved

13:07 The Severity Modifier, explained

18:38 The reality that people are dying of breast cancer every day

22:23 Breast Cancer Now's recommendations to MPs to help change the system

25:49 The response to the campaign so far from Wes Streeting and NICE

28:21 The timescales required for change

34:33 How listeners can get involved in the More Time To Live campaign

37:31 Sophie talks about the impact of her campaigning on her family

42:39 What it means to Eleanor to live well

44:30 What it means to Sophie to live well

Faye and Rebecca join Laura in the podcast studio to talk about The Show by Breast Cancer Now. At The Show, they joined 21 other people who live with or beyond breast cancer, as models for the day.

They speak about the nerves and excitement of taking to the catwalk in stylish outfits, the importance of support and friendship between all their fellow models, and how they feel several weeks after the big night!

Faye also talks about how her diagnosis of breast cancer affected her body image, and how it gave her a new perspective on her career. Rebecca talks about the difficulties of going through cancer treatment when her body reacted badly to the drugs, and the importance of sharing her story to help others.

You can watch The Show 2025.

Apply to be a model in The Show 2026.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

2:18 Rebecca's diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer

5:03 Faye's diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer

9:49 Looking back at The Show by Breast Cancer Now

19:26 Overcoming a breast cancer diagnosis

21:48 Taking part in The Show while going through active treatment for breast cancer

24:29 Experience of breast cancer in a West African community

27:13 Cultural taboos around breast cancer

28:04 Taking to the catwalk in The Show!

30:58 Working with a fashion stylist

33:05 The experience of having hair and make up done for The Show

35:50 Losing body confidence after breast cancer

36:40 Rebecca's bodybuilding career

39:51 Making your own choice regarding cancer drugs

42:40 Faye's body image after breast cancer

44:35 Faye changes career after her cancer diagnosis

46:45 The feeling of community as a model in The Show

51:41 What it means to Rebecca to "live well"

52:55 What it means to Faye to "live well"

Donna Fraser OBE, Team GB athlete, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, with no family history. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Donna talks to Laura about how this shock diagnosis affected her and the tough decisions she had to make about her world-class athletics career.

Donna also speaks about being an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Now, and her work to improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible for people in ethnically diverse communities.

You can follow Donna on Instagram: @donnalegz and @donnafraserobe

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

2:08 Donna is diagnosed with breast cancer

6:05 Introducing "Diane", Donna's voice of determination

7:37 Making the decision to have a mastectomy

9:20 Recovering from a mastectomy

11:21 The effects of breast cancer surgery on body image

15:18 Donna's new relationship with her body after breast cancer

18:23 Donna makes the decision to go public about her breast cancer

20:21 Black women and breast screening attendance

23:48 Donna's work raising breast awareness among younger women

24:37 The barriers to accessing breast cancer diagnosis and care

27:58 Donna becomes an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Now

31:05 Pink Ribbonwalks – a charity fundraiser

34:39 Sport and exercise after breast cancer

36:12 Tips for getting back into exercising after surgery

39:23 Staying breast aware after active treatment for breast cancer

40:07 Donna makes the decision to retire

45:05 The highlights of Donna's athletics career

46:18 What it means to Donna to "live well"

Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and found out just 2 months later that it had spread to her lungs. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Paula chats with Laura about how she dealt with the shock of a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, and how she copes with the continued impact on her and her family.

She’s joined by one of our nurses, Catherine, who talks with Paula about Breast Cancer Now’s face-to-face support services. They discuss how these and other services helped Paula come to terms with her diagnosis, and the many ways to live well with secondary breast cancer.

You can find Paula on instagram @yourflowers1

Check out our episode with Claire from Make 2nds Count talking about clinical trials.

Check out our episode with Caroline Leek from Fruitfly Collective on talking with children about breast cancer.

Watch Paula talk with Catherine about more topics, such as palliative care, on Breast Cancer Now chats.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's Living with Secondary Breast Cancer service.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

1:56 Paula is diagnosed with breast cancer

4:36 Paula's cancer spreads to her lungs

5:36 The emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis

7:27 What is secondary breast cancer?

8:14 "Treatable but not curable"

9:58 What it means for cancer to be "stable"

10:50 Paula has treatment for secondary breast cancer

12:28 The role of a clinical nurse specialist

20:39 Face-to-face support while living with secondary breast cancer

26:50 The need for support beyond family

28:34 Talking to children about secondary breast cancer

34:27 When a partner is in denial about your secondary breast cancer

36:49 Waiting for scans: scanxiety

40:20 Paula learns to deal with anxiety

40:59 Looking after your mental health

45:28 Considering clinical trials

50:28 Travel insurance with secondary breast cancer

53:09 What it means to Paula to live well

54:16 What it means to Catherine to live well

55:11 Finding support with Breast Cancer Now

Alice-May Purkiss is a wellbeing creativity coach and author who was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 26. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, she chats with Laura about the language we use to talk about cancer, and if there is better language we can use. 

Alice also talks about the impact her breast cancer diagnosis had on her mental health, and shares tips and tricks she has learnt to help her live well with depression.

 

You can find Alice on instagram @alicemaypurkiss

You can also find Alice at her website, www.alicemaypurkiss.co.uk

The Media Guidelines.

Key Topics:

02:12 Alice talks about her diagnosis

08:05 How does it feel approaching your 10 year anniversary (since diagnosis)?

09:40 Importance of raising awareness of breast cancer in younger women

11:00 The effect of a breast cancer diagnosis on mental health

13:00 Alice on writing her book, 'Life Lemons and Melons'

18:10 Alice talks about her experience of depression

22:50 The difference in having mental health illness vs a physical illness like cancer

24:40- 26:17 TW: Suicidal thoughts alongside going through cancer treatment

27:22 Any tools you can share with people to cope with depression, specifically after a breast cancer diagnosis?

35:40 The importance of community

37:08 What tools can you suggest for someone to help get on with life post-diagnosis?

39:28 The difference between coaching and therapy

41:50 Working with Coppafeel to create the Media Guidelines regarding cancer language

44:30  Using military language to talk about cancer and the potential harm that causes,

54:00 How better to talk to or about someone who has breast cancer

59:35 Making the language around breast cancer more inclusive

01:00:25 The difference between looking for signs and symptoms and being aware of change 

01:03:04 What living well means to Alice

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Richard was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and Stuart was diagnosed in 2005 and now lives with secondary breast cancer.

They are both involved with the Men’s VMU, an online group aimed at supporting men with a breast cancer diagnosis, promoting research into breast cancer in men, and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms.

Only around 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year.

Richard and Stuart talk about how their diagnoses took them by surprise, and share their work in the Men’s VMU trying to get the message to as many people as possible.

Find out more about the Men's VMU.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support service Someone Like Me.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website.

Key Topics:

2:15 Richard's breast cancer diagnosis

5:38 Stuart's breast cancer diagnosis

7:56 Campaigning to receive Herceptin as a man

13:13 Stuart's secondary breast cancer diagnosis

15:51 Looking out for the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer

16:32 Living with secondary breast cancer

20:32 The Men's VMU – support for men with breast cancer

24:22 The use of tamoxifen in men

27:58 The "pinkness" and femininity of breast cancer

31:44 The erosion of male identity after a breast cancer diagnosis

36:10 How the Men's VMU encourages talking about difficult topics

37:11 Find out more about the Men's VMU

37:49 Someone Like Me service from Breast Cancer Now

39:01 The accessibility of resources and support to men with breast cancer

43:51 The importance of family support

45:39 Richard and Stuart's tips for a man just diagnosed

46:39 Getting involved with fundraising and awareness events

47:57 What it means to Richard and Stuart to live well

51:01 How to get in touch with the Men's VMU

Anna was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer when she was 34. After having an adverse reaction to her treatment she was hospitalised, and that trauma continued to affect her long afterwards. Anna talks about the effects of her diagnosis and PTSD on her family and the ways she’s discovering to cope with them.

We’re also joined by Vic, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, who provides expert support to people with a breast cancer diagnosis through our many support services. She talks with Anna about the difficulties that can arise with a breast cancer diagnosis and PTSD, and signposts to the support that’s available.

You can follow Anna on instagram @abholistichealing.yorkshire

You can also read Anna's blog.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

1:28 Laura introduces Anna and Vic

2:01 Anna's breast cancer diagnosis

8:02 Having a negative reaction to chemotherapy

9:48 Fears around recurrence, and the trouble with googling

13:06 Reducing the risk of recurrence, and finding support after treatment

18:36 Anna's children react to her diagnosis

23:28 Dealing with breast cancer as a younger woman

29:32 How the body's memory of trauma can linger

32:27 Anna's experience of PTSD

40:57 How treatment can differ person to person

46:53 The tools Anna has used to cope with her PTSD

49:22 Anna's tips for anyone going through a breast cancer diagnosis

52:39 Where to find out more about breast cancer

53:23 How to find out more from Anna

54:04 What it means to Anna to "live well"

55:24 What it means to Vic to "live well"

Rosamund Dean is an author and journalist who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. In this episode, Rosamund talks to Laura about her mental and physical health, what she’s learned from her diagnosis, and how she deals with the fear of her breast cancer returning. 

Rosamund was diagnosed at the age of 40 and she documented her journey with a column in the Sunday Times Style magazine. Since appearing on this podcast back in 2021, Rosamund has completed her treatment and come a very long way.

 

Follow Rosamund's newsletter "Well Well Well".

Find her books, Reconstruction and Mindful Drinking.

Find her on instagram @rosamunddean

Listen to Rosamund's previous episode on our podcast.

Listen to the episode with Dr Liz O'Riordan.

Find Dani Bininngton's podcast here.

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. For information and support, visit our website breastcancernow.org or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics

02:02 A recap of Rosamund's diagnosis and breast cancer treatment

03:55 What is triple negative breast cancer?

06:14 What does the fear of recurrence mean for your mental health?

10:08 What mechanisms have you developed to cope emotionally, living beyond breast cancer?

16:30 Do you still speak to your children about cancer?

21:54 Rosamund's newsletter "Well, Well Well". What does wellness mean to you?

27:23 Is there a single biggest learning you've had?

30:34 What techniques have you learned through your research?

31:36 The impact of social media on mental health

36:25 Rosamund's book, "Mindful Drinking" and the relationship between alcohol and breast cancer

42:02 Having no room for blame in a cancer diagnosis

42:45 Hearing advice of things that can reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence 

45:40 Sexual health being affected by a breast cancer diagnosis

49:00 Rosamund's book, "Reconstruction"

52:20 If you could speak to your newly diagnosed self, what would you say?

55:10 What it means to Rosamund to live well