Living with Pain After Cancer: Dr. Lauren Heathcote of the Medical Research Foundation on the Mind-Body Connection, Resilience, and the Science of Chronic Pain
Description
This episode of I'm Fine is proudly sponsored by the Medical Research Foundation. The Medical Research Foundation is at the forefront of tackling often-overlooked health challenges, from chronic pain to areas of medical health that don’t receive the attention they deserve. Your support can help fund groundbreaking medical research to transform lives.
In today’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Heathcote, a senior lecturer in Health Psychology at King’s College London. Funded by the Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Heathcote and her team are leading one of the first-ever behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the impact of chronic pain in childhood cancer survivors.
Dr. Heathcote delves into the science of pain, explaining how it’s both a sensory and emotional experience shaped by our bodies and minds. She also shares insights on her cutting-edge work developing digital tools to reshape young survivors’ beliefs about their bodies, fostering resilience and empowering them to live fuller lives despite chronic pain.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:19 Sponsor Message: Medical Research Foundation
00:59 Meet Dr. Lauren Heathcote
02:03 Understanding Pain in Cancer Survivors
05:37 Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
06:32 Cancer Treatment Success Stories
08:30 Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors
10:12 Psychological Impact of Cancer
11:41 Core Beliefs About the Body
20:27 Digital Health Interventions
28:39 Influence of Medical Language
29:38 The Psychological Impact of Post-Cancer Monitoring
30:48 Research on Doctor-Patient Communication
31:36 Mindset and Cancer Recovery
32:44 Exploring Body Resilience
34:15 Positive Psychology and Flow State
35:41 Balancing Positivity and Realism
37:14 Mind-Body Connection in Pain Management
47:03 Interoception and Pain Perception
48:09 A Scientist's Journey
51:51 Supporting Cancer Pain Research
52:42 Final Thoughts and Advice
Get Involved: Join us in supporting the Medical Research Foundation to help fund research like Dr. Heathcote's. Visit https://www.medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk/ to learn more.
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Sponsored by: Medical Research Foundation
Host: Jean Campbell
Guest: Dr. Lauren Heathcote
Executive Producer: Jean Campbell
Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach
Composer: Eduoardo Vella
United States
