Breast Cancer Now

In this episode Laura speaks to Dani Binnington about the often overlooked impact of a cancer-induced menopause. They are also joined by Breast Cancer Now nurse Louise Grimsdell. They discuss their experiences of the menopause, and many symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, low libido, fatigue, joint pain, anxiety, depression, and weight gain, and the profound impact these symptoms can have on quality of life. They talk about practical ways to manage the symptoms and the importance of seeking support from healthcare professionals rather than suffering in silence.Laura, Dani and Lou talk about how significantly the menopause, especially after cancer, can affect so many aspects of life, and where to find support.Find Dani's organisation Menopause and cancer and @menopause_and_cancerKey Topics03:35 Dani's diagnosis07:11 What is menopause?08:10 Dani's experience of menopause13:07 Laura's experience of menopause17:12 Dani on the NFP Menopause and cancer 22:45 The ultimate goal25:17 Laura on the importance of acknowledging how the menopause affects you29:15 The most asked menopause questions34:27 What are hot flushes, and what can be done about them?43:04 The effect on menopause on sex and intimacy55:55 Dating and the menopause01:02:00 Affects on fertility 01:08:55 Mental health 01:13:35 Services of menopause and cancer01:14:35 The impact of exercise on symptoms of menopause01:21:14 Nutrition and diet 01:25:15 Weight gain through menopause and cancer treatment01:28:11 Where to find support and resources

Being diagnosed with breast cancer might leave you with so many questions. Why has this happened to me? How do I tell my children? What treatment will I have? Will I lose my hair? Where can I find support?In this episode, Breast Cancer Now nurse Jane Murphy answers your questions about primary breast cancer. She explains what to expect after a diagnosis, tips for surgery, genetic testing, diet, exercise, telling people about your diagnosis, and dealing with work.Jane also discusses how Breast Cancer Now can support you through this uncertain time. She shares what it's like to work on the helpline and ask our nurses services, provide reassurance and support to people for many years.You can call the Breast Cancer Now helpline on 0808 800 6000.Or ask our nurses a question on our website.You can talk to someone like you.Support and events for younger women.Support for moving forward after treatment.Support for parenting with cancer at Fruitfly Collective.Listen to our episode with Caroline Leek about parenting with cancer.Support for working with cancer at Working With Cancer.Listen to our episode with Barbara Wilson about working with cancer.Timestamps:1:26 Why did I get breast cancer?2:52 How do I tell people I have breast cancer?4:48 How do I tell my children about my diagnosis?6:40 What treatment will I have for breast cancer?8:26 Am I going to die?9:12 What does oestrogen positive (ER+) mean?10:08 What does triple negative mean?10:52 Do I need to stop taking HRT?11:41 Can I still take supplements during chemotherapy?12:24 Will I lose my hair with chemotherapy?13:50 Will the cancer spread while I wait for surgery?15:59 I want to have my breasts removed but my surgeon says I only need a lumpectomy.17:40 How do I choose my breast reconstruction?20:11 How can I talk to someone else who's been through this?20:48 How will treatment affect my fertility?22:05 How do I request genetic testing?23:34 Should I be worried about my children getting breast cancer?24:28 What it's like for Jane working at Breast Cancer Now.27:29 Do I need to change my diet?28:03 Can I still exercise?29:00 Can I still drink alcohol?29:46 Did I cause my breast cancer?31:22 How do I deal with work?32:47 What are the side effects of hormone therapy?34:21 What support is there?

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Laura speaks to her mum Christine. She joins us to talk about being the parent of an adult child with cancer, and their family’s long history with breast cancer. They talk about Christine’s mother Hetty, who died from breast cancer age 43, and her sister Heather, who also had breast cancer.  Laura reflects on her personal experiences of breast cancer, being first diagnosed when she was 29, and then again in 2022 with metastatic breast cancer, and the emotional impact this had on the family. They discuss discovering that they carry a gene mutation PALB2, which has helped to explain the pattern of breast cancer across generations.  Despite the challenges, they talk about what cancer has taught them, how they both focus on living life now, making memories and appreciating the support and treatments available today.  You can watch this episode on Youtube.Key topics:03:05 Christine's mother's diagnosis13:30 Awareness of breast cancer growing up14:35 Laura's primary diagnosis21:20 What it was like parenting a grown up child with cancer24:10 Fear of the breast cancer returning26:51 Christine's sister, Heather's diagnosis30:50 Laura's metastatic diagnosis35:30 How Christine felt about Laura's metastatic diagnosis37:10 What it feels like, as the person who hasn't had cancer39:10 Genetic mutations and implications48:00 Risk factors and differences in lifestyles contributing to breast cancer52:20 The impact of breast cancer on living life to the fullest53:14 What Christine has learnt about breast cancer 56:36 Laura's dad57:50 Laura reflecting on making decisions about her fertility treatment01:01:08 One thing to take away from this episode

Ashley Dalton, Labour MP and former Health Minister, joins Laura on the Breast Cancer Now podcast this week.In this episode, Ashley reflects on her breast cancer diagnoses, and what working with incurable metastatic disease is like. She also talks about leading the development of the National Cancer Plan for England and why patients' experiences are essential for creating cancer policy.Ashley discusses the importance of counting people with metastatic cancers, having a single patient file in the NHS, and pushing for real change.Read the National Cancer Plan here.Key Topics:01:18 Getting to know Ashley Dalton07:45 Ashley's breast cancer diagnoses14:14 Life between primary and metastatic breast cancer16:36 The Prime Minister's reaction to Ashley's cancer diagnosis18:43 Ashley resigns from her job as Health Minister20:40 What is the National Cancer Plan?22:06 Involving organisations and patients in the Cancer Plan25:40 The great ambition of the Cancer Plan31:52 What does the National Cancer Plan mean for metastatic breast cancer?33:02 We need to count people with metastatic breast cancer37:43 Improving access to treatment44:03 Identifying people with an increased risk of breast cancer45:32 Improving access to breast screening48:44 Ashley shares her highlights from the Cancer Plan51:24 Keeping hope in the face of metastatic breast cancer

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, we speak to Tamara about her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, cancer in Black communities, and the impact of discovering she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation.Tamara opens up about the emotional weight of having to explain her cancer and her behaviour to the people around her. She also explores the stigma and mistrust that surrounds cancer in Black communities, and why culturally sensitive education is the key to improving outcomes.The conversation explores the feeling of dismissal Black women face in healthcare settings, and the incredible support Tamara experienced when she found Black Women Rising.Find support at Breast Cancer NowMore info about Younger Women Together coursesFind support at Black Women RisingFind support at UK Charity for Triple Negative Breast CancerFrom Me To You - Supporting Black Cancer Communities.You can also watch this episode on YouTube.Key Topics:2:50 Life before diagnosis5:36 Mara's breast cancer diagnosis11:08 Conversations about the BRCA gene mutation13:52 Understanding triple negative breast cancer20:37 Black women experiencing dismissal in healthcare22:48 What needs to be done to help improve healthcare for Black women?24:13 How Mara's diagnosis was received by her family and her community25:32 Mental health support at the point of cancer diagnosis28:58 Christian beliefs and breast cancer32:02 Difficulty talking with other people about your cancer diagnosis39:46 The power of the breast cancer community41:20 Body image after surgery for breast cancer44:01 Improving education in black Caribbean and black African communities51:18 Mara's work with Black Women Rising