Episode 10: What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Iron Fist: Fear of Cancer Recurrence

We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don’t Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA’s helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email [email protected].

In the final episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about what fear of cancer recurrence is and why it’s normal to experience anxiety about the idea of the cancer coming back. We explore the common triggers, including medical reviews, diagnosis of a family member or friend, and physical symptoms, as well as discussing the common responses in fear of recurrence, including avoidance and reassurance-seeking. Charlotte shares her personal experience of fear of recurrence, the strategies she uses to cope, and why and how she uses her fear as a motivator. 

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Resources:

- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on what makes breast cancer return or spread.

- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.

Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA 

Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN Studios

Visit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.