Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and found out just 2 months later that it had spread to her lungs. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Paula chats with Laura about how she dealt with the shock of a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, and how she copes with the continued impact on her and her family.

She’s joined by one of our nurses, Catherine, who talks with Paula about Breast Cancer Now’s face-to-face support services. They discuss how these and other services helped Paula come to terms with her diagnosis, and the many ways to live well with secondary breast cancer.

You can find Paula on instagram @yourflowers1

Check out our episode with Claire from Make 2nds Count talking about clinical trials.

Check out our episode with Caroline Leek from Fruitfly Collective on talking with children about breast cancer.

Watch Paula talk with Catherine about more topics, such as palliative care, on Breast Cancer Now chats.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's Living with Secondary Breast Cancer service.

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:

1:56 Paula is diagnosed with breast cancer

4:36 Paula's cancer spreads to her lungs

5:36 The emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis

7:27 What is secondary breast cancer?

8:14 "Treatable but not curable"

9:58 What it means for cancer to be "stable"

10:50 Paula has treatment for secondary breast cancer

12:28 The role of a clinical nurse specialist

20:39 Face-to-face support while living with secondary breast cancer

26:50 The need for support beyond family

28:34 Talking to children about secondary breast cancer

34:27 When a partner is in denial about your secondary breast cancer

36:49 Waiting for scans: scanxiety

40:20 Paula learns to deal with anxiety

40:59 Looking after your mental health

45:28 Considering clinical trials

50:28 Travel insurance with secondary breast cancer

53:09 What it means to Paula to live well

54:16 What it means to Catherine to live well

55:11 Finding support with Breast Cancer Now