Welcome to episode 11 of the podcast. 

When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, I commonly get asked whether this cancer may be due to a genetic cause. In fact, only between 5-10% of breast cancer cases are due to a genetic predisposition. So, the majority of breast cancers are what we call sporadic cancers.

It was a pleasure to have Dr Munaza Ahmed on the podcast today, who works as a consultant clinic geneticist. It was an absolutely fascinating conversation where we go deep into the various aspects of genetics and breast cancer. 

Amongst many things, we talk about what the functions of the commonly known high-risk genes i.e. BRCA 1 and BRCA2, what the lifetime risk is if you have a mutation in one of these genes, and the various strategies available to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer if you are a mutation carrier. We also talk about the implications of testing positive for a mutation in these high-risk genes on other members of the family, including men.

If you want to learn more about this topic, then this is the episode you want to listen to.

Go to https:\\mybreastmyhealth.com\episode11 for the show notes.

I hope you enjoy this episode. If you'd like to connect, say hi to me on Twitter or Instagram @DrTashaG.

Happy listening!

Tasha x 

Helen Deverell was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 years old. At a young age, her life was suddenly turned upside down. When you are in your 20s, cancer is certainly not something you even think about let alone consider happening to you.

In this podcast episode, Helen talks openly about her cancer diagnosis and the story behind why she started to check and examine her breasts in the first place.

She discusses the very difficult issue of not knowing whether she could ever have children as a result of her treatment and how she coped with the mental struggles she faced during but especially after her treatment had ended.

We also talk about how she is now wanting to give back to the breast cancer community by volunteering with the charities Coppafeel and Breast Cancer Now.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode. If you want to check out the show notes, then head over to https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode10.

And, if you want to connect with me on social, I'd be delighted to say hello @DrTashaG.

Tasha x

Being told you have breast cancer is devastating. At that moment in time, your life is turned upside down and you will need all the support and guidance you can get. This is where a breast care nurse specialist can be an amazing human to have in your life. 

In today's episode, I talk to Sally Shanley, a breast care nurse with over 20 years of experience. We talk about why it is important for those affected by breast cancer to have someone advocate for them, the different strategies that can help someone come to terms with a diagnosis and she also gives some practical advice on how to move forward.

If you want the show notes then go to www.mybreastmyhealth.com/episode9.

I would also love to hear from you, tell me what you think about the podcast and you can also give me some ideas for future guests. So do connect with me on Twitter and Instagram @DrTashaG.

Hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for listening.

Tasha x

Welcome back to another episode of the podcast. Today I am talking to Helena Traill. Helena has recently published the 100 Stories book, that has curated 100 stories, from 100 people who were generous to share their cancer stories. 

The aim of the book was to open up discussions surrounding the topic of talking about cancer. We know that cancer can be a difficult and challenging topic to discuss with others; fear, embarrassment, guilt, sadness, cultural, these are just a few reasons amongst many others that prevent people from talking about their cancer diagnosis. 

In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind the creation of the book, the power of social media in creating cancer communities and how this project has helped Helena's dad talk more freely about his own cancer diagnosis.

If you want to get the show notes, please head to:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode8.

You can follow me on social on Twitter and Instagram @DrTashaG.

Hope you enjoy listening to the episode!

Tasha x

In today's episode, I will be giving an overview of the possible options for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.

In the UK, anyone who has been recommended or choose to have a mastectomy should be offered the opportunity to have breast reconstruction as part of their treatment. In this episode, I go through the commonest options and explain in detail what the operations involve.

You can check out the blog post at https://mybreastmyhealth.com/breastreconstruction/

I would also love to connect with you and hear what other topics you would like me to talk about or even guests you would like me to interview.

Connect with me on Twitter https://twitter.com/DrTashaG

and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drtashag/

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to this episode of the podcast.

In this solo episode, I talk about the common side effects that may be experienced by those who have had breast cancer surgery. I explain the reasons why these side effects can occur and what steps you need to do if you have them. 

As always, you can find all about this episode and the resources I mention, in the show notes at:

www.mybreastmyhealth.com/surgerysideeffects

If you want to suggest topics that you'd like me to talk about in future episodes, or if you want me to have a certain guest on, or if you just want to say hi, then I would love to hear from you. 

You can find me on instagram or twitter @DrTashaG.

Thanks for listening and all the very best for 2020!

xx

In today's episode, Dr Tasha has a conversation with Sara Liyanage. Sara is a blogger, author and was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40s. In this episode, the conversation revolves around Sara's breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and the amazing website she created following her diagnosis. Sara has also recently written a book that chronicles her story.

Dr Tasha and Sara had an insightful and in-depth conversation that no doubt you will enjoy listening to.

If you would the show notes, please go to:

www.mybreastmyhealth.com/episode5

You can follow Dr Tasha on Twitter and Instagram @DrTashaG. You can also carry on the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #mybreastmyhealth.

Thanks for listening!

Do you know how to do a breast examination? Many patients I see in the clinic ask me what is the best way to do a breast check for lumps and changes? A lot of people find it intimidating and confusing. They don't know where to start, what to look out and feel for and how best to do it.

In this solo podcast episode, I will guide you step by step on how to do a breast examination, which you can follow if you wish. That is the beauty of a podcast! You can pause and play at your own pace. By the end of the episode, you should be able to examine your breasts in a confident manner.

You can check out the show notes at:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/breastexamination

If you have found this podcast helpful, why don't you share the episode with your family and friends? You will share the knowledge and may help them at the same time!

Thanks for listening!

Breast Cancer Pathology Results

What does my breast cancer grade mean? What is ER positive and HER2 negative breast cancer?

If you have had a breast cancer diagnosis, it is likely that you would have received a lot of information that may seem rather confusing and difficult to understand.

In this episode, I have a conversation with a consultant breast pathologist, Dr Peter Davis. This is a fascinating episode where we discuss the various processes that occur from the moment a piece of breast tissue arrives in the pathology lab, all the way to when he looks at it underneath the microscope. We also unpick all the medical terminologies you may find in a breast cancer pathology report.

If you want to find out more, then head to the show notes at:

www.mybreastmyhealth.com/breastcancerpathology

Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

In the next episode, I will talk you through how to do a breast examination. If you don't want to miss out, then do subscribe to the show!

See you in the next episode!

What happens in a breast clinic?

Visiting a breast clinic appointment may feel a little bit daunting and stressful, but hopefully, once you listen to this episode, you will feel less intimidated.

In this episode, I will guide you through what you may expect to experience. I will explain what happens when the doctor/surgeon sees you in the clinic room, as well as the various possible scans you may get.

If you want to get the links and the transcript of this episode, please head to:

www.mybreastmyhealth.com/breastclinic

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe to the show for more useful episodes!