Claire Rowney joined Breast Cancer Now as Chief Executive Officer in 2024. In this episode, she talks about why she chose Breast Cancer Now, and her personal connection to breast cancer that happened while she was applying.

Claire also talks about her career in charities including her time at Macmillan and Cancer Research UK, and outlines her ambitious plans for Breast Cancer Now to make sure that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer not only lives, but lives well.

You can listen to our previous episode we mention about breast cancer in South Asian communities 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.

0:09 Laura's thoughts on the episode ahead

1:46 Getting to know a bit more about who Claire is

3:59 Why Claire chose Breast Cancer Now

5:03 Claire shares how breast cancer affected her family

8:13 How Claire's personal experience of breast cancer has shaped her approach to running Breast Cancer Now

10:04 A day in the life of the CEO of Breast Cancer Now

14:09 Discussing Breast Cancer Now's 2050 vision

19:36 The challenges Breast Cancer Now faces

23:30 Claire's personal goals for Breast Cancer Now

24:28 Claire talks about the increasing rate of breast cancer diagnoses in the UK

26:36 Breast Cancer Now's work to improve diagnosis and outcomes for people from ethnic minority backgrounds

29:20 Claire outlines Breast Cancer Now's cutting-edge research

39:17 How Breast Cancer Now is raising awareness and understanding of secondary breast cancer

47:31 Claire's ambition for 5 years' time

48:20 How to get involved raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now

51:53 What "living well" means to Claire

Caroline Leek is the founder of Fruitfly Collective, which empowers people with a cancer diagnosis to navigate family life and to support their children. Caroline set up Fruitfly Collective to give the kind of support she wished she’d had when her own father died when she was 12 years old.

In this episode, Caroline gives helpful tips for explaining cancer to children of all ages, including whether it's OK to use the word "cancer", the importance of getting timing right, and how to talk to a child who refuses to talk about cancer. She also describes the resources available to help with parenting during treatment for breast cancer, such as Fruitfly Collective's parenting coaching programme and the Cancer Cloud Kits designed to help families learn about cancer.

Visit Fruitfly Collective to access the brilliant toolkits and resources discussed 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 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:

00:09 Laura's thoughts on the episode ahead

1:18 Caroline describes Fruitfly Collective and its important work

5:22 How losing her dad at a young age affected Caroline

10:30 How Caroline would like to have been supported as a child

11:34 Fruitfly Collective's kits and resources for families

15:22 What's the best way to tell a child about a cancer diagnosis?

21:43 How can you explain to a child what causes cancer?

25:26 Getting the timing right when talking to a child about cancer

26:37 Using the word "cancer" when talking with children

28:15 How to talk to a child who won't talk about cancer

35:25 Helping children cope with the idea of hair loss

39:03 Managing being a parent while going through cancer treatment

44:40 The helpful "box" method of always ensuring there's something nice

47:09 How to prepare a child in case there's an emergency

48:44 The importance of taking care of yourself as well as the child

54:25 What it means to Caroline to live well

55:20 How to access Fruitfly Collective's excellent resources and support

Lisa Riley plays the iconic character Mandy Dingle on ITV soap Emmerdale.

Mandy was involved in a breast cancer storyline last year, which explored family history and genetics, and sex and intimacy after cancer. In this episode, Lisa tells us about the research and collaboration with Breast Cancer Now behind the scenes to get the details of the storyline right.

Lisa also sadly lost her mum to breast cancer in 2012. She opens up about how that affected her mental health and why she made the choice to live her life without undergoing genetic testing. Lisa also shares how she lives her life with positivity and humour in the face of adversity, and the importance of her work with Breast Cancer Now as Ambassador of the charity.

You can follow Lisa Riley on Instagram @lisajaneriley

Sign up to wear it pink now!

Find out more about being breast aware with TLC.

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:

00:09 Laura's thoughts on the episode ahead

01:42 Introducing Lisa Riley

02:42 Lisa talks about her mum Cath's breast cancer diagnosis

06:01 Cath's hair loss experience

06:58 Dealing with a cancer diagnosis

09:50 Cath's attitude towards her illness

13:32 How losing her mum affected Lisa

18:48 Lisa turns to family and friends to cope with her loss

21:01 Remembering Cath and continuing her legacy

23:41 Lisa reflects on 30 years of Emmerdale

26:00 Outlining Emmerdale's recent breast cancer storyline

26:58 Getting the details of breast cancer right in a soap

31:02 Discussing the BAFTA nomination for the breast cancer storyline

34:20 Lisa speaks about her decision not to be tested for breast cancer gene mutations

38:13 How Emmerdale's breast cancer storyline affected Lisa

43:01 Lisa's anxiety around having scans

44:42 The importance of being breast and body aware

49:42 How Lucy and Lisa prepared for Emmerdale's breast cancer storyline

52:18 The role of a soap opera dealing with serious issues like breast cancer

56:31 Lisa discusses where she draws the line between her public and private life

58:38 Lisa's work with Breast Cancer Now and the Wear It Pink fundraising campaign

1:04:37 How to get involved with fundraising for Breast Cancer Now

1:06:06 Why Lisa supports Breast Cancer Now

1:07:40 What it means to Lisa Riley to live well

Laura is the returning presenter of the Breast Cancer Now podcast. In this short episode Laura introduces herself and discusses what to expect in this season of the podcast.

In this episode Laura also talks briefly about her experience of living with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, and living well.

You can follow Laura on social media or find out more below:

Instagram @laurapricewrites

Facebook @LauraPriceWrites

Subscribe to her podcast Life in Food with Laura Price

Read her novel Single Bald Female

Read her newsletter on Substack

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:

0:00 Introduction

0:20 What to expect from this podcast

1:39 Laura's breast cancer experience

4:00 Laura's own writing and podcast

5:20 We want to hear from you!

6:19 What it means to live well

7:17 The new season of the podcast

This season we asked all our guests the same question: if you could change one thing in terms of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond, what would it be?

Their answers ranged from providing better mental health and exercise support, to making sure people from all backgrounds have access to the same treatments and resources. From more awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, to more funding and research to be put into extending the lives of secondary breast caner patients. From allowing all patients to make informed choices about their own health with reliable information, to being respected and allowed dignity by our doctors when it comes to our own bodies.

Thank you for listening to the Breast Cancer Now Podcast and stay tuned for season 6, coming soon.

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

0:23 Laura introduces the episode

1:09 Our guests' goals for the future of breast cancer

16:23 Breast Cancer Now's goals

16:42 Laura's hopes for the future of breast cancer

In this episode, Laura talks to Toral and Kreena about breast cancer in the South Asian community, and the cultural expectations and taboos that surround a diagnosis.

Toral and Kreena share their experiences being diagnosed with breast cancer as younger women. Toral describes the challenges of getting breast cancer three times, and Kreena talks about her infertility from breast cancer treatment. They both speak about issues they've faced during their cancer diagnosis and treatment, from the health system and within their community, focusing on the importance of self-advocating and challenging cultural norms. They also tell us about an organisation they set up, the South Asian Supernovas, which aims to improve breast cancer awareness and outcomes for the South Asian community.

Follow South Asian Supernovas on:

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Find out more about The Intended Parent's podcast or listen on your usual podcast hosting platform.

You can follow Kreena on her website or on Instagram.

You can follow Toral on her website or on Instagram.

Find out more about our Younger Women Together service, and also our Someone Like Me service.

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 Toral and Kreena

1:39 Toral's story

9:48 Kreena's story

10:41 The Intended Parent

13:00 Kreena's diagnosis

22:35 Why the South Asian Supernovas organisation was set up

23:32 Cultural expectations and taboos

27:38 Challenges within breast cancer care for people of colour

29:58 The effects of breast cancer on life in the South Asian community

34:34 Tips for a South Asian person newly diagnosed with breast cancer

39:27 The South Asian Supernovas' breast awareness campaign

45:00 Now and the future for Toral and Kreena

52:45 What needs to change in breast cancer?

53:23 How to follow the South Asian Supernovas and get involved

53:51 How to follow Kreena and Toral online

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?