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.

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