S6 Ep19: Rosamund and Alice on writing through the breast cancer experience
In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Laura speaks to fellow authors and previous podcast guests, Rosamund Dean and Alice May Purkiss.
They talk about writing, specifically how to put your own breast cancer experience into words. Laura talks to Rosamund and Alice about how they started writing and why they wanted to share their experience with others. They each discuss topics such as how writing affects their mental health, imposter syndrome and how anyone can be a writer. Both Rosamund and Alice also share their book and newsletter recommendations for people experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis.
Key Topics:
02:06 What made you decide to write about your cancer?
06:40 What affect does writing have on your mental health?
09:53 What do you find the most difficult part of writing?
10:51 Getting started
12:24 Rosamund talks about the process of writing her book, 'Reconstruction'
14:40 Advice for someone interested in writing
16:35 Book recommendations
18:30 Which authors inspire Rosamund the most
19:50 Rosamund's best tips for writing
23:06 Where to find Rosamund's work
23:35 Laura's thoughts
24:40 How writing affects Alice's mental health
26:48 Where should people start if they are interested in writing?
30:15 Advice for someone looking to get published
31:20 Long form writing, e.g. blogs
33:31 Alice's self-publishing process and advice
36:55 Tips for writing or creativity
41:27 Book recommendations
49:05 Inspiring authors books/blogs
54:10 Where to find Alice's work
Rosamund
Well well well newsletter- rosamunddean.substack.com
Rosamund’s books- Reconstruction + Mindful Drinking
@rosamunddean
Alice
Alice's book- Life Lemons and Melons
alicemaypurkiss.co.uk
@alicemaypurkiss
Laura
Laura's book- Single Bald Female
@laurapricewrites
Book recommendations:
Hattie Crissel - In Writing
Oliver Burkeman - Four Thousand Weeks
Miranda July - All Fours
Fran Littlewood - Amazing Grace Adams
Kris Hallenga - Glittering a Turd
Bessel Van Der Kolk - The Body Keeps The Score
Sophie Savage - Lifeshocks
Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross -Your Brain on Art
Rick Rubin - The Creative Act
Will Storr - The Science of Storytelling
Newletters (substack) :
Alice Vincent - Savour
Daisy Buchannan - Creative Confidence Clinic
Porna Bell - As I Was Saying
Hayley Nahman - Maybe Baby
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S6 Ep18: Dr Hajra on being newly diagnosed with breast cancer
Dr Hajra is a GP and aesthetic doctor who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, aged 37. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Hajra talks to Laura about the shock of her recent diagnosis, the effects of the chemotherapy treatment she’s undergoing, and the treatment plan coming up, including a double mastectomy.
Hajra also shares the differences in experiencing cancer as a doctor, compared with as a patient, and the surprising ways it’s affected her. She tells Laura about her BRCA gene mutation, and how that news affected her outlook on her breast cancer diagnosis.
You can find Dr Hajra on Instagram @drhajrasdiary
If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Key Topics:
1:56 Hajra's work as a GP and aesthetic doctor
6:23 Practising breast awareness as a doctor
9:02 Biopsies and scans, as a doctor
16:18 Receiving biopsy results with friends and family
18:09 Hajra is diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer
19:19 The treatment plan for Hajra's breast cancer
20:26 Being treated as a patient rather than as a doctor
21:40 Hajra is the first in her family with breast cancer
22:14 The physical effects of chemotherapy
23:42 Genetic testing for breast cancer gene mutations
29:03 Coping with the impact of a gene mutation diagnosis
33:22 Breast cancer treatment and fertility
39:22 The effect of chemotherapy on physical apperarance
44:57 Hajra's plan for aesthetic treatments after chemotherapy
47:28 Thoughts on the upcoming double mastectomy
50:15 Mental health and breast cancer treatment
53:17 Working during treatment for breast cancer
54:53 The importance of sharing your story
56:43 What it means to Hajra to "live well"
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S6 Ep17: Laura on founding Secondary Sisters
Laura was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2016, aged 28. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Laura shares how she felt when she first received that diagnosis 9 years ago, and how it impacted her life. She goes on to talk about living her life to the full, and adjusting to an uncertain future.
Later in the conversation, Laura talks about founding Secondary Sisters, an online community supporting people with secondary cancer. She also shares how it feels, after almost a decade of living with secondary breast cancer, when people look to her as an example for living well with an incurable disease.
You can find Laura on Instagram @baldbooblessandbeautiful
You can find Secondary Sisters on Instagram @secondary.sisters
If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Key Topics:
1:34 What is secondary, or metastatic, breast cancer?
2:20 Laura's life before cancer
3:24 Laura finds a lump and is diagnosed with primary breast cancer
8:11 Treatment and surgery for breast cancer
11:14 Ways of coping with hair loss and other visible effects of cancer treatment
13:39 Laura is diagnosed with secondary, or metastatic, breast cancer
20:29 Laura writes a living list
24:35 How Laura is doing now
26:25 Laura sets up Secondary Sisters
37:37 How it feels losing friends to the same disease you have
39:07 Having time and people away from cancer
41:24 Laura's thoughts on how her story has given people hope and inspiration
42:28 Not being able to have children after breast cancer
48:10 Coping with a new diagnosis of secondary breast cancer
49:46 Laura shares her vulnerability as well as her story
56:23 What it means to Laura to "live well"
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S6 Ep16: Hayley on drawing the breast cancer experience
Hayley Gullen is an illustrator who was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 37. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Hayley talks to Laura about her graphic memoir ‘This Might Surprise You’. She talks about why she decided to write a graphic memoir, and how she used her illustrations to express her identity whilst going through the “dehumanising” experience of breast cancer treatment.
The conversation also goes into how Hayley’s book covers the ups and downs of a breast cancer diagnosis, from the painful, grim experiences to some of the more absurd and hopeful moments. Hayley talks about the importance of self-expression and using this to connect with others, and how she hopes her book will act as a companion for other people facing treatment, helping them feel less alone.
You can find Hayley on Instagram @hayleygullen
If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Key Topics:
2:00 Hayley talks about her history of drawing
3:26 Hayley's book, This May Surprise You
6:50 Hayley is diagnosed with breast cancer
11:52 The impact of breast cancer on Hayley's life
13:37 Drawing the relatable parts of the breast cancer experience
24:07 Hayley's history of writing
30:30 Finding humour in the difficult times
32:32 Looking after a young child alongside a breast cancer diagnosis
37:20 Feeling guilty during breast cancer
39:43 Breast cancer and mental health
43:20 Taking the book to the public
49:52 Meeting other people in the cancer community
50:54 Reflecting on the cancer experience
52:02 Hayley's next book
53:17 What it means to Hayley to "live well"
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S6 Ep15: Sam on sex and intimacy after breast cancer
Sam Evans is an intimate health and pleasure expert who shares tips on intimacy during menopause and coping with the side effects of cancer treatment. This week on the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Sam talks candidly about the effects of breast cancer on our sex lives, and how these may be relieved to allow more enjoyment of sex and intimacy again. She also speaks about why she set up the online company Jo Divine, which sells sex products with a particular focus on safety and sexual health.
Sam is joined by Jane, one of Breast Cancer Now’s nurses, who gives insight into the sex and intimacy concerns we hear about from people with breast cancer on our helpline and ask our nurses service.
Jo Divine has kindly provided a discount to listeners: BCN10 (£5 minimum spend on full-priced products excluding P&P). This promo code expires on 30/11/25.
You can visit the Jo Divine website
You can find Sam on Instagram @samtalkssex
Listen to Liz O'Riordan's episode here
Listen to Dani Binnington's episode here
If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Key Topics:
2:01 Sam talks about her work in sex and intimacy
2:55 Jane talks about her work as one of Breast Cancer Now's nurses
3:45 The effects of breast cancer treatment on sex life
5:51 Discussing the menopause and the perimenopause
9:36 What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
13:16 Discussing low libido after breast cancer treatment
15:17 Dealing with vaginal dryness during sex
16:59 The importance of checking ingredients of lubricants
23:54 The effects on the vagina of lowered oestrogen levels
25:39 The benefits of vaginal oestrogen for sex life
28:06 The psychological effects of breast cancer treatment on sex and intimacy
30:13 The importance of communication
33:45 Approaching sex after breast cancer as a single person
38:51 The benefits of sex toys
48:02 Where to turn if you don't feel you can talk to your treatment team about sex and intimacy
55:32 Useful resources
1:03:09 What it means to Sam to "live well"
1:03:24 What is means to Jane to "live well"
If you’re looking for authentic stories about life with and beyond breast cancer, we’re here. Welcome to the Breast Cancer Now podcast.
Join host Laura for open, supportive and honest conversations with guests who have personal or professional experience of breast cancer.
Laura Price is a writer, podcaster and author of the novel Single Bald Female. She’s living with secondary, incurable breast cancer.
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. If you’ve got questions about breast cancer, go to our website breastcancernow.org.
New episodes every other Friday.
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