Breathe Strong

The podcast highlights the significant impact that lung cancer diagnoses have not only on patients but also on their family members and caregivers. The discussion emphasizes that these caregivers often feel secondary to the patient, yet their experiences and feelings are just as crucial. The hosts, Rachel and her guests, share personal stories that reflect on the emotional turmoil and challenges faced during diagnosis and treatment. They stress the importance of recognizing the caregiver's role in the journey, noting that healthcare support must include both patients and their loved ones. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to seek support and highlights the necessity of teamwork in navigating the cancer experience together.

A lung cancer diagnosis affects more than the body. It reaches into your thoughts, your emotions, and the way you see your future.In this episode of Breathe Strong, the panel talk openly about mental health. They share what it feels like to face surgery alone, wait for scan results, live with uncertainty, and carry the emotional load that often goes unseen. You’ll hear honest reflections on scanxiety, stigma, counselling, community support, and the quiet strength found in connection, routine, and being understood by others who truly get it.There is no single right way to cope. This conversation reminds you that mental health support can take many forms, and that you don’t have to face this journey on your own.Listen and watchListen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Watch on YouTube.Just search for Breathe Strong on your preferred platform.Support the charities behind the showBreathe Strong is supported by two patient-led charities working every day to improve support, understanding, and care for people affected by lung cancer.You can help them continue this work by donating directly:Support HASAG at hasag.co.ukSupport EGFR Positive UK at egfrpositive.org.ukYour support helps fund counselling, community groups, practical advice, and peer support for patients and families who need it most.You’re not alone. And neither are they.

How a daughter’s grief led to one of the UK’s leading mesothelioma support charities.In this moving episode of Breathe Strong, host Rachel Thomas sits down with Lynne Squibb, CEO of HASAG, a charity dedicated to supporting patients and families affected by mesothelioma.Lynne shares the personal story behind the founding of HASAG, following her father’s mesothelioma diagnosis and the family’s struggle to access care, support, and benefits.From humble beginnings as a coffee morning, HASAG has grown into a multi-faceted charity offering home visits, benefits advice, counselling, legal support, and funding for research and specialist nurses.This episode is a testament to what compassionate, patient-led support can achieve, and why it’s so vital.Top 3 Takeaways:Support must go beyond medical care: Patients need holistic, accessible help—from benefits advice and home visits to emotional support and legal guidance. HASAG’s work fills critical gaps left by the healthcare system.Lived experience drives impact: Every member of the HASAG team has been personally affected by mesothelioma, bringing empathy and real-world understanding to their support.Collaborative care changes lives: By working closely with NHS nurses, solicitors, and other professionals, HASAG helps patients access essential resources like mobility aids, home adaptations, and even treatments not funded by the NHS.Follow & SubscribeIf you’re finding these patient-led conversations helpful, make sure to follow and subscribe to Breathe Strong on your favourite platform.We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.Leave a review or share this episode to help raise awareness for mesothelioma and the vital support families need.

Real advice from patients who’ve taken flights, cruises, and road trips after diagnosis.In this episode of Breathe Strong, host Rachel Thomas reconnects with guests Charlie, Lesley, and Doug to explore what it’s like to travel after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer or mesothelioma.The discussion highlights personal travel stories, both local and international, and offers a wealth of practical advice. From navigating insurance challenges and securing airport assistance to packing smart and staying sun-safe, the episode is full of empowering tips and honest reflections.Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long-haul trip, this episode reminds us all that, with the right preparation, travel is still possible and deeply meaningful.Top 3 Takeaways:Plan ahead and protect yourself: Always carry a doctor’s letter listing your medications, research travel insurance early, and book flexible travel and accommodation to reduce stress in case plans change.Small adaptations make a big difference: Use tools like flight socks, aisle seats, sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities, and airport assistance to make the journey more comfortable and manageable.Sun safety and medication awareness are essential: Cancer treatment can increase sun sensitivity, so pack SPF 50, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and check medication legality in your destination country, especially for opioids or controlled substances.Follow & SubscribeIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow and subscribe to Breathe Strong wherever you get your podcasts. We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Don’t miss our upcoming episodes filled with real stories, helpful advice, and support for people living with lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Three patients share their real-life experiences from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.In this powerful first episode of Breathe Strong, host and specialist nurse Rachel Thomas is joined by three inspiring guests - Charlie, Doug, and Leslie - who share their deeply personal experiences of being diagnosed with lung cancer and mesothelioma.From the shock of hearing the words “incurable” to navigating treatments like immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, they open up about the emotional and physical journey of living with cancer.This honest, moving conversation is a reminder of the strength in vulnerability, the value of early diagnosis, and the importance of being your own advocate.Key Takeaways:• Early diagnosis saves lives. Don’t ignore symptoms or delay getting checked. Knowing is better than not knowing.• You are not alone. Support networks, whether friends, family, or medical teams, are essential to coping with diagnosis and treatment.• There is hope. New treatments like targeted therapies and immunotherapy are offering better quality of life and outcomes than ever before.Follow & Subscribe:If you found this episode helpful or moving, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Breathe Strong on your favourite platform. We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.Help us raise awareness by rating the show and sharing it with someone who might need to hear these stories.

Breathe Strong is a monthly podcast launching December 2025, hosted by community mesothelioma nurse Rachel Thomas from HASAG.Each episode brings together patients, families, and experts to share real experiences of living with mesothelioma and lung cancer.From diagnosis and treatment to relationships, work, and end-of-life care, the show explores the challenges and the strength found in community.Produced by Orion Studios, Breathe Strong reminds us that together, we are stronger.