Nazanin Derakshan is a professor who specialises in cognitive neuroscience of anxiety and depression. She founded and works at the BRiC Centre, an organisation that helps people who've had a breast cancer diagnosis feel less anxious and improve their quality of life.

In this episode Laura talks to Naz about her research, her own breast cancer diagnosis, and how her organisation BRiC (Building Resilience in Breast Cancer) supports the mental health of people with breast cancer. She also shares insightful strategies to deal with the challenges faced by people after diagnosis and treatment.

You can find out more about The BRiC Centre or follow BRiC on:
Instagram @briccentre
Twitter/X @BC_Resilience
Facebook @resilienceinbreastcancer 

You can also follow Naz personally on:
Instagram @profnderakshan
Twitter/X @ProfNDerakshan

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).

You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
0:24 Laura introduces Naz
2:06 Naz's experience of breast cancer
6:37 The BRiC Centre and Naz's work
15:26 Explaining why 'chemo brain' happens
23:26 The pressure of others' expectations
28:55 Hormone effects on the brain
31:22 Finishing active treatment
38:11 The pressure of social media
41:45 The psychological vs physical cost of cancer
46:24 Dealing with scan anxiety/'scanxiety'
49:40 Managing spiralling thoughts
56:27 Dealing with empty thoughts and depression
59:49 The most effective tool for mental health

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

In this episode Laura also talks through her experience of 10 years living with breast cancer, and her more recent secondary breast cancer diagnosis, and how it's affected her.

You can follow Laura on social media:
Twitter/X: @laurapricewrite
Instagram: @laurapricewrites
Facebook: @LauraPriceWrites
And find out more about her novel, Single Bald Female.

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).

You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction to the new season
1:13 Laura introduces herself as host
3:33 Laura's breast cancer experience
7:42 Being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer
13:24 What to expect from this podcast

Laura was diagnosed with primary breast cancer 10 years ago at the age of 29. She talks about some of the challenges she's faced since then, as well as writing her novel, Single Bald Female, which tells a story similar to her own.

Shortly after the episode was recorded, Laura was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, aged 39.

Laura's novel Single Bald Female is available to purchase online and in bookshops. You can subscribe to Laura's newsletter, or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or visit her website. Laura also has a podcast, Life in Food with Laura Price.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

After finishing treatment for breast cancer, Miriam decided she wanted to do something to help others like her. This prompted her husband, Chris, to explore how he could also provide support. They talk about these opportunities, as well as how they experienced Miriam's diagnosis as a married couple.

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

You can also visit the Romney Marsh Community Hub.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

After being diagnosed with primary breast cancer, Dani's treatment caused her to experience an early menopause. She speaks about the ways she found herself to cope with this, and about the business she set up to help other people going through the same thing.

You can visit Dani's website at: www.healthywholeme.com and tune into Dani's podcast The Menopause and Cancer Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

Dani also offers group support at the Empowered Menopause Program.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

After receiving a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, Nic worked with her friend Jen to create The Little C Club, a resource for parents who want to talk to their children about cancer.

She speaks about the impact breast cancer has had on her, as well as her ongoing work with The Little C Club.

You can visit The Little C Club website or follow on Instagram @thelittlecclub and Facebook @The-Little-C-Club.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

Professor Valerie Speirs is co-principal investigator of the Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank. Val gives an overview of what the Tissue Bank is, as well as discussing how it's helped further breast cancer research over the last decade. 

We also hear from our research communications officer, Edd, who goes into detail on some projects linked to the Tissue Bank.

Find out more about the Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

At the end of 2021, Reuben sadly lost his mum to breast cancer. He speaks about what helped him and his family during this difficult time.

We also hear from Erin, a clinical psychologist and founder of The Loss Foundation, about how grief and bereavement affect us differently.

The Loss Foundation: thelossfoundation.org
You can also read Reuben's article here.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

Adobea sought medical attention three times for breast cancer-related symptoms, and was dismissed each time. When she insisted a fourth time, Adobea was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She speaks about how factors such as age and race can have an impact on how patients are treated when seeking help.

You can follow Adobea on Instagram @ItsDivineStyle and on Youtube as It's Divine Style.

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

Jane was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2012, four years before winning Masterchef. Jane talks about how her life changed since receiving her diagnosis, and the support she received from family and friends during and beyond breast cancer treatment.

Jane also speaks about things people can do to support a loved one with breast cancer, and the ways she supports herself.

This August, thousands of people will stick the kettle on and hold an Afternoon Tea to raise money for Breast Cancer Now. There’s one month to go – will you join them? 

We've never needed your support more. So whether it’s a cuppa in your garden or a picnic in the park, host an Afternoon Tea this August and help drive forward our world-class research and life-changing support.
Sign up to get your fundraising kit now https://breastcancernow.org/cuppa

For information about breast cancer, visit our website at breastcancernow.org or phone our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.