Breast Cancer Now

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 Now
More info about Younger Women Together courses
Find support at Black Women Rising
Find support at UK Charity for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
From Me To You - Supporting Black Cancer Communities.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
2:50 Life before diagnosis
5:36 Mara's breast cancer diagnosis
11:08 Conversations about the BRCA gene mutation
13:52 Understanding triple negative breast cancer
20:37 Black women experiencing dismissal in healthcare
22:48 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 community
25:32 Mental health support at the point of cancer diagnosis
28:58 Christian beliefs and breast cancer
32:02 Difficulty talking with other people about your cancer diagnosis
39:46 The power of the breast cancer community
41:20 Body image after surgery for breast cancer
44:01 Improving education in black Caribbean and black African communities
51:18 Mara's work with Black Women Rising

In this episode Laura speaks to Pretti who was prompted to self-check by a friend, and was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 47.
Pretti reflects on some of the misconceptions and taboos around breast cancer in the South Asian community. She speaks about the importance of encouraging open and honest conversations about breast cancer awareness and early detection.
They discuss the physical effects of treatment such as hair loss during chemotherapy and how she coped with body image changes. Pretti also talks about how exercise, acupuncture, education and self-compassion have helped her recovery. 
Pretti explains how sharing her story through social media has helped create a supportive community, encouraging women to check their breasts and attend mammograms, and providing hope to others undergoing treatment. 
Key Topics
02:05 Pretti's diagnosis, treatment and how she is now
08:11 The cultural approach to health matters in the South Asian community
13:13 Advice for speaking to parents
16:50 Barriers to diagnosis for South Asian women
17:45 Why you shouldn't be reluctant to go to a mammograms
18:05 Empowering women to take control of their breast health
18:30 Advice for someone struggling to talk to their family about their diagnosis
22:05 South Asian beauty standards and body image during treatment
26:10 Speaking to kids about breast cancer
31:50 Fighting back feelings of shame and guilt around cancer, after being brought up with misconceptions and taboos around the topic
36:35 (Surgically induced) Menopause
39:15 Managing low mood
43:14 Attitudes to food and nutrition
47:45 Being a model in The Show by Breast Cancer Now
48:57 Being a BCN voice
51:00 Something you wish you'd known before your diagnosis
53:54 What do you want people to take away from this episode?
Find Pretti on Instagram at @hellobreastcancer

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, we explore the role of genetics in cancer risk, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, specifically in Jewish populations.
Naomi shares her powerful story after discovering she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation following the loss of her mum to ovarian cancer. With an 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer, She faced life-changing decisions, and opted for risk-reducing surgery.
Naomi speaks about what it’s like to live with that knowledge, how it shaped her choices, and why taking preventative action gave her a sense of control. She also shares the impact of her gene mutation on her children, and how they've dealt with it as a family.
We’re also joined by Josh from Jnetics, a Jewish genetic disorders charity, who explains the science behind BRCA gene mutations, why they increase cancer risk, and why they are more common in people with Jewish ancestry. He also outlines how testing works, who may be eligible, and what support is available.
Breast Cancer Now
Website: https://breastcancernow.org
Free helpline: 0808 800 6000
Jewish BRCA Testing Programme (NHS England)
Register interest: https://www.jewishbrca.org
Helpline: 020 3437 6001
Jnetics
https://www.jnetics.org
Chai Cancer Care
https://www.chaicancercare.org
You can also watch this episode on YouTube.
Key topics:
1:29 Getting to know Naomi and Josh
4:00 A history of cancer in Naomi's family
7:50 Naomi is tested for the BRCA gene mutation
9:35 What is a genetic mutation or gault?
12:20 Why is the BRCA gene mutation more common in Jewish populations?
17:24 What is BRCA, how does it work, and why does it break?
20:38 Naomi's increased risk of cancer
23:32 Naomi makes the choice to have risk-reducing surgery
27:01 The psychological impact of risk-reducing surgery
28:34 Support for carriers of gene mutations
31:53 How to get tested for BRCA gene mutations
35:52 Coping with the fear of having genetic testing
37:52 Naomi decides how to deal with her daughters potentially being BRCA carriers
39:47 Dealing with feelings of guilt passing on a genetic mutation to a child
41:15 Preventing gene mutations with IVF
42:20 Research into fixing faulty genes
44:06 Cultural barriers to genetic testing within Jewish populations
46:51 Hope for the future of genetic mutations
50:08 More information for people with Jewish heritage
BRCA gene, BRCA2, breast cancer risk, genetic testing UK, hereditary cancer, ovarian cancer risk, mastectomy prevention, cancer genetics, Jewish BRCA, NHS genetic testing, breast cancer awareness UK

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Nikki Wheatley talks to Laura about her experience being diagnosed with triple negative, and later metastatic breast cancer.
Nikki shares how she both finds and spreads hope, five years on from her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. She discusses her work with the change and check campaign.
 They discuss what triple negative breast cancer means, and why it can be harder to treat. Nikki discusses how she manages living with metastatic breast cancer day-to-day, managing the side effects of her treatments and looking after her mental well-being.
Nikki also talks about how she has found parenting with cancer and where she has found support, in places like the Fruitfly collective, Ruth Strauss foundation and Maggie's. They talk about the importance of self-advocacy and early detection, and how she hopes to help others by sharing her story. 
Key Topics:
01:20 Getting to know Nikki
02:10 Explaining what triple negative breast cancer is
03:01 Nikki's diagnosis
05:55 The word "aggressive" in relation to triple negative
07:20 Finding out the cancer had spread
11:40 Nikki's signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer
16:38 Hearing "the cancer had spread to your brain"
18:50 Treatment and scanxiety
25:40 How Nikki looks after herself emotionally
27:55 Nutrition
30:20 Feeling isolated having a triple negative diagnosis
31:30 Parenting through cancer and finding support
34:32 Finding hope
40:30 What sorts of progress would you like to see in terms of treatment?
42:25 Nikki's involvement in the change and check campaign
48:20 Being an 'outlier'
50:45 Knowing your normal
52:10 What would you say to someone your has just been diagnosed with primary triple negative breast cancer?
53:10 The online breast cancer community
55:18 Looking to the future

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Jay shares her journey working in cancer research to receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer herself. 
Jay opens up about discovering a lump in 2018 at age 47, navigating a stage 3 diagnosis, and dealing with chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Drawing on her science background, she also explains how understanding the system helped her advocate for herself and regain some sense of control. 
She reflects on the emotional realities of cancer, and the role of family, culture and her community in her experience. Jay also speaks about the challenges within the South Asian community, where cancer is often a taboo subject, and highlights the urgent need for better awareness and representation. 
Jay is now a strong advocate for health literacy and inclusion, and tells Laura about her dedication to empowering women to listen to their bodies, ask questions, and speak up in healthcare settings.
Breast Cancer Now support & information: https://breastcancernow.org
Clinical trials database: https://clinicaltrials.gov
Key topics:
01:11 Let's get to know Jay
02:19 Jay's background working in clinical trials
03:52 Jay is diagnosed with breast cancer
08:59 The loneliness of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
12:12 What Jay learned from her cancer diagnosis
16:19 The importance of self advocacy and health literacy
20:43 How Jay approached telling her parents about her cancer diagnosis
26:53 Jay 8 years on from diagnosis
28:38 Troubles with tamoxifen
31:33 Ways Jay deals with life after cancer treatment
34:45 Working towards better research representation in under-represented communities
37:44 Jay's work educating people about breast cancer
40:51 Cancer in the South Asian community
42:59 Improving cancer outcomes in Black and South Asian populations