Self-advocacy isn’t necessarily about standing up to your medical team—it’s about speaking up so they understand what matters to you and working with them to make informed, shared decisions about your treatment and care.

That’s exactly what Kate Hardman did.

Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer while pregnant, Kate faced unimaginable challenges, complex decisions, and a treatment path filled with uncertainty.

Now, she’s facing another major decision: Should she have DIEP flap breast reconstruction, even though it means pausing life-saving medication?

In this episode, Kate shares:

• How she worked with her team to explore her options, not against them
• Why self-advocacy isn’t about fighting—it’s about finding the right people who listen
• The emotional and physical factors she considered when choosing reconstruction
• The role of trust, communication, and collaboration in making complex health decisions

Self-advocacy isn’t about going it alone—it’s about having the right support behind you. Kate’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of a metastatic diagnosis, your choices still matter.

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Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.