Breast Cancer Now

In this episode, Laura talks to Barbara about working after a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Barbara shares her experience being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and how she realised a need to support people with cancer going back to work. She also speaks about her organisation Working With Cancer, and describes the ways a person working with a diagnosis can access support, as well as some helpful practical tips.

Read more information about work and breast cancer.

Find more resources, support and information about Working With Cancer.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:24 Laura introduces Barbara

2:21 Why Barbara set up Working With Cancer

4:21 The challenges a person with a breast cancer diagnosis can face returning to work

7:27 Should you disclose your breast cancer diagnosis to a new employer?

11:58 Can new employers look at your social media?

12:51 Support and benefits available for people who can't work because of treatment for breast cancer

14:15 What's the first thing to do when going back to work after a cancer diagnosis?

19:03 Telling colleagues about a breast cancer diagnosis

22:58 Dealing with redundancy when returning to work

26:46 Making long-term adjustments at work after treatment

30:25 Dealing with the mental side effects of breast cancer

35:21 Overcoming obstacles when dealing with cancer and work

38:13 Losing confidence because of cancer

39:49 Career coaching service from Working With Cancer

40:57 Resources for employers on supporting people with a breast cancer diagnosis

42:29 Tips for speaking to a colleague who has cancer

45:13 Supporting partners and families of people with cancer

49:00 How to find out more about Working With Cancer

49:26 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Fiona, a Breast Cancer Voice and active campaigner for disability issues.

Fiona speaks about being diagnosed with breast cancer over 30 years ago, and the challenges she faced during her diagnosis and treatment. She tells Laura about her disability and wheelchair use, and how it created obstacles in treatment for breast cancer. Fiona also talks about her volunteering and fundraising for Breast Cancer Now, as well as founding the initiative Swimming After Surgery.

Find out more about Swimming After Surgery

Find out more about Flat Friends

Take a look at what support is on offer from Breast Cancer Now's support service Someone Like Me

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:24 Laura introduces Fiona

1:11 Fiona's diagnosis of breast cancer

3:43 Fiona's reaction to her shock diagnosis

5:26 Surgeries for breasts cancer, and unforeseen challenges

8:28 Flat Friends, support charity

9:43 How to talk to someone with a breast cancer diagnosis

10:54 How Flat Friends has helped Fiona

13:14 Fiona's disability diagnosis and its crossovers with breast cancer

16:52 Disability and breast cancer

21:16 Fiona's wheelchair usage

22:52 Swimming After Surgery and other initiatives

26:48 The beneficial impact of swimming

27:37 The importance of dignity

29:49 Getting involved with Breast Cancer Now

32:29 The financial impact of breast cancer

34:19 Fiona's experience with the benefits system

39:51 Macmillan's cancer and domestic abuse initiative

44:38 Tips for managing breast cancer care with a disability

45:34 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Claire, support and patient engagement manager at Make 2nds Count, a UK-wide charity giving hope to people living with secondary breast cancer.

Claire speaks about the work that Make 2nds Count does for people with secondary breast cancer, including their Patient Trials Advocate service helping patients with the exploration of clinical trials, and their many support services around the country for people navigating life with their diagnosis. Claire also talks about her own diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, how it informs her work at the charity, and how she copes with the challenges of supporting cancer patients when she is one herself.

You can find out all about Make 2nds Count on their website.

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 https://www.breastcancernow.org or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:23 Laura introduces Claire

1:11 Claire's diagnosis and experience of secondary breast cancer

2:04 What is secondary breast cancer?

5:24 Claire's treatment for secondary breast cancer

6:13 Explaining what a 'line' of treatment is

7:10 What the charity Make 2nds Count does

9:42 Claire's role at Make 2nds Count

10:15 Support services provided by Make 2nds Count

13:24 How Claire's mindset helped her cope with her diagnosis

16:52 The challenges working with secondary breast cancer patients while living with a secondary diagnosis

21:02 Patient Trial Advocate service from Make 2nds Count

25:43 Discussing clinical trials

30:54 Mental health support and clinical trials

32:38 Funding for secondary breast cancer research

34:57 Dealing with the complicated information about clinical trials

39:11 How to access Make 2nds Count's services

40:02 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Fran, a cancer exercise and rehabilitation specialist.

Fran speaks about her diagnosis of secondary breast cancer at the age of just 25 years old. She tells Laura about how she got back to exercising in incredible time after her surgery, and talks about the importance of 'prehab' before treatment. Fran also describes the work she does with other cancer patients focusing on exercise and strength-training, and lists the benefits of physical activity not only on the body, but also the mind.

You can train with Fran at One Step Training, or follow her on Instagram @franwhitfield

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:24 Laura introduces Fran

1:29 Fran's breast cancer diagnoses

5:13 How Fran dealt with an alarming prognosis

7:32 Self-advocating for your health

8:32 Dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

11:01 Side effects of treatment

13:38 Fran's background in fitness

17:39 Managing an eating disorder with breast cancer

25:01 Continuing exercise throughout chemotherapy and other treatment for breast cancer

34:43 Fran's work as a cancer exercise specialist

40:02 How Fran blamed her body for breast cancer

41:34 The mental health benefits of exercise and training

43:03 Fran explains 'one step training'

45:51 The role of exercise in reducing recurrence of breast cancer

49:08 How can anyone begin to do physical training?

55:57 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Sonia, member of the board of trustees at Breast Cancer Now.

Sonia speaks about her diagnosis of breast cancer and how it affected her personally and professionally. She tells Laura about how she believed black women don't get breast cancer, back when she was diagnosed in 2004, and how she works to improve diversity and awareness. Sonia also champions the importance of early detection of breast cancer and describes the promising research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast screening.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

Download our breast cancer support app Becca.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:24 Laura introduces Sonia

1:00 Sonia talks about being diagnosed with breast cancer

11:30 20 years on from a breast cancer diagnosis

15:49 Not realising that black women could get breast cancer

21:06 Telling an employer about a breast cancer diagnosis

24:53 How Sonia's co-workers reacted to her cancer

28:05 Becoming a trustee at Breast Cancer Now

30:28 Equality for people of colour

38:44 The potential of AI in breast cancer

41:05 Tips for discussing a cancer diagnosis with an employer

48:52 Tips for employers who have an employee with cancer

51:26 What needs to change in breast cancer?

53:17 Final thoughts

In this episode, Laura talks to Paralympic athlete Erin Kennedy, member of Team GB's Paralympic rowing squad and breast cancer awareness campaigner.

Erin speaks about how she continued competing to win a gold medal during chemotherapy, then winning again after a double mastectomy the following year. She also voices her strong support for breast awareness, and the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Finally, Erin shares some insightful thoughts about how she felt it was important to write her own narrative, and not let breast cancer define her.

You can follow Erin on Instagram @erinmwj and on X/Twitter @erinwysocki

Visit Breast Cancer Now's website for more information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Listen to the previous episode with Dr Liz O'Riordan, mentioned in this episode.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:24 Laura introduces Erin Kennedy

1:38 Erin talks about her life as a Paralympic athlete

10:11 Erin's breast cancer diagnosis

14:04 The impact of cancer on Erin's career as an athlete

19:26 Erin's treatment for breast cancer

20:26 Continuing to train through chemotherapy

23:34 Telling family, friends and colleagues about your breast cancer diagnosis

30:00 Adjusting to life after breast cancer

31:23 Erin's tips for a good mental approach to a diagnosis

33:16 Why Erin felt it important to talk about her breast cancer

36:28 The importance of early detection of breast cancer

39:36 Breast cancer and body image

42:28 The challenges Erin experienced with her diagnosis

44:35 Erin describes her 'prehab' routine before breast cancer surgery

46:03 Erin looks to the future with her rowing now breast cancer treatment is finished

49:43 Writing your own narrative in the face of adversity

52:34 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura asks Dr Liz O'Riordan questions about breast cancer ranging from diet and exercise to treatment and drugs, from signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer to how to reduce a risk of recurrence, from what cancer actually is to whether it can be cured, and many more.

Dr Liz is a breast cancer expert who worked as a breast surgeon before receiving a diagnosis herself. She's now an accredited Trusted Information Creator, podcast host and author. You can follow Liz on Instagram @oriordanliz and find all her links on her Linktree.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Listen to Liz's previous episode on the Breast Cancer Now podcast where she talks about how to find reliable information about cancer in a world of misinformation.

You can visit NHS Predict, as mentioned in this episode, to see how different treatments for early invasive breast cancer might improve survival rates after surgery.

Key Topics:

0:00 Introduction

0:32 Laura introduces the episode

1:28 Why are surgeons referred to as 'Mr/Mrs/Miss', not 'Dr'?

2:16 What is cancer?

3:46 What are grades and stages of breast cancer?

5:49 What does being ER/PR/HER2 receptor positive/negative mean?

7:28 What is triple negative breast cancer?

8:38 Can your receptor status change over time?

9:13 What is a gene mutation in breast cancer?

11:47 Why does cancer sometimes skip generations?

12:43 What are the different types of breast cancer?

13:51 Can men get breast cancer?

14:05 What causes cancer?

15:15 Does stress cause cancer?

15:20 Does a suppressed immune system cause cancer?

16:08 What about cancer medication that suppresses your immune system?

17:19 What is the best diet for breast cancer?

18:43 Does being vegan help with breast cancer?

19:02 Does sugar feed cancer?

21:13 Is dairy safe after breast cancer?

22:00 Is it better to have organic food with breast cancer?

22:38 Is soy safe after breast cancer?

23:31 Is red meat safe after breast cancer?

24:16 Does alcohol cause breast cancer?

25:11 How much alcohol can you drink after breast cancer?

25:36 Is there something you should drink if you have breast cancer?

26:05 Is tap water safe to drink?

26:26 Does burnt food cause cancer?

27:10 Should you change your gut microbiome and eat fermented foods if you have breast cancer?

28:13 Does fasting help with breast cancer?

29:08 What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?

31:32 Can exercise help prevent breast cancer?

33:05 What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

34:18 What are the symptoms of secondary breast cancer?

37:45 How can we prevent cancer?

39:35 Is metastatic cancer the same as secondary cancer?

40:29 Why is secondary breast cancer 'treatable, but not curable'?

41:35 Why does breast cancer come back?

42:31 What does 'no evidence of disease' or 'NED' mean?

43:22 What is a line of treatment?

44:04 Do cancer treatments work forever?

44:38 What does 'complete pathologicial response' mean?

45:25 What does 'remission' mean?

45:49 What does 'prognosis' mean?

46:45 Where can you find out your prognosis?

47:29 What does 'terminal' mean?

48:01 What does 'palliative' mean?

49:41 What is a Maggie's Centre?

50:12 Are people being diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages?

51:39 What is chemotherapy and what does it do?

53:15 How does cancer treatment affect fertility?

54:19 How do you preserve your fertility with breast cancer treatment?

55:24 What are aromatase inhibitors?

56:23 What is radiotherapy?

56:47 What research is being done to find a cure for breast cancer?

58:55 What mental health support is there for people with breast cancer?

59:52 A practical tip for dealing with scan anxiety (scanxiety).

1:00:13 Can you have hormone replacement therapy HRT with breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Dr Liz O'Riordan and Dan Wills about the ways to find reliable breast cancer information, as well as tips on how to spot misinformation and false facts. They also delve into the issues surrounding health claims on social media and how they can be harmful to people with cancer.

Dr Liz O'Riordan is a breast cancer expert who worked as a breast surgeon before receiving a diagnosis herself. She's now an accredited Trusted Information Creator, podcast host and author. You can follow Liz on Instagram @oriordanliz and find all her links on her Linktree.

Dan Wills works for the Patient Information Forum (PIF), an independent body for people working in health information and support. They run the quality mark for health information – the PIF TICK – which is on all of Breast Cancer Now's patient information.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Listen to Liz's previous episode on the Breast Cancer Now podcast.

You can visit NHS Predict, as mentioned in this episode, to see how different treatments for early invasive breast cancer might improve survival rates after surgery.

Key Topics:

0:00 Introduction

0:24 Laura introduces Dr Liz and Dan

1:37 Dr Liz's background and diagnosis

5:45 Dan outlines the work of the Patient Information Forum (PIF)

6:20 The trusted information accreditation, the PIF TICK

11:01 Liz highlights how she creates reliable information

12:26 Should we use the internet to get answers?

22:23 What sources of breast cancer information can we trust?

26:46 Debunking false claims

27:29 How can I find out how long I have to live?

29:45 Can you ask for a second opinion?

31:09 Red flags and ways to identify untrustworthy information

36:59 Tips on deciphering jargon-heavy scientific studies

38:03 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Hannah Gardner about the life-extending drug Enhertu, which has just been rejected for use on the NHS in England. This means thousands of women, including Hannah, will be denied access to a drug that could’ve given them the hope of more time to live.

Join Hannah and Breast Cancer Now in calling on NICE, NHS England and the drug companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, to do everything possible to make Enhertu available on the NHS.

Hannah also shares how life with secondary breast cancer is for her and her 3-year-old daughter. She discusses her previous career as a clinical trials manager, and what it was like to be on the other side of the table when she joined a clinical trial herself. Hannah also describes the devastating impact of finding out she may be denied the drugs that could give her more time.

You can follow Hannah on Instagram @realhouseofhannah

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:00 Introduction

0:24 Laura introduces Hannah

1:00 How Hannah was first diagnosed with breast cancer

3:35 Hannah's treatment

4:01 Difficulty getting the diagnosis

6:08 Hannah talks about being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer

10:36 The effect of the diagnosis on Hannah's daughter

15:33 Treatment for secondary breast cancer

16:07 Hannah's experience with clinical trials

25:01 How breast cancer affected Hannah's body image

29:59 Looking well with an invisible illness

31:40 Enhertu and HER2-low breast cancer

37:31 Breast Cancer Now's Enhertu open letter campaign

39:30 An update on Enhertu and what it means for Hannah

50:38 What you can do to help Breast Cancer Now make a difference

54:01 Differences in how primary and secondary patients are treated

57:46 What needs to change in breast cancer?

In this episode, Laura talks to Jan and Fern, a mother and daughter who were diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks apart.

Fern shares how her mum's cancer led her to check her own breasts, and Jan talks about the emotional impact of her daughter being diagnosed with the same disease. They also share how they supported each other through treatment, and how that experience can make you even stronger.

You can follow Fern on Instagram @the.little.birds.nest

Other episodes mentioned include:

Elke, on explaining cancer to children

Naz, on mental health and resilience

Visit the Breast Cancer Now website for information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

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 or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:00 Introduction

0:24 Laura introduces Fern and Jan

1:04 Jan talks about her diagnosis

5:35 Fern's reaction to her mum's diagnosis

7:58 Fern talks about her diagnosis

14:29 How Jan felt hearing her daughter had breast cancer too

16:43 Telling the children about cancer

21:17 Fern and Jan's breast cancer treatment

22:32 The impact of chemotherapy

25:19 Life after treatment

26:29 Why share your experience?

28:25 Differences when checking larger breasts

30:19 ASDA's Tickled Pink in support of Breast Cancer Now

32:04 How breast cancer can strengthen a relationship

35:00 Genetic testing and family history of breast cancer

38:25 Support from family, friends and colleagues

40:28 Fern talks about mental wellbeing

41:53 Discussing how breast cancer is often portrayed as 'pink and fluffy'

43:51 The trouble with misinformation

44:48 What needs to change in breast cancer?