Breast Cancer Now

Breast Cancer Now
  • 4.7 (7)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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.  

  1. What does it mean to you to live well?

    JAN 3

    What does it mean to you to live well?

    Breast Cancer Now's mission is that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well. What does it mean to you to live well? That's the question Laura asked each of our guests this season, and the answers were diverse, enlightening, and hinted at hope for the future. You can also watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for listening to this season of the Breast Cancer Now podcast! We'll be back with more episodes soon. We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. For information and support, visit our website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

    25 min
  2. Travel insurance with breast cancer might be easier than you think – with Fiona Macrae

    12/19/2025

    Travel insurance with breast cancer might be easier than you think – with Fiona Macrae

    Planning a holiday when you’re living with or beyond breast cancer can feel daunting, especially when it comes to getting travel insurance. In this episode, Laura speaks with Fiona Macrae, founder of the travel insurance brand Insurancewith. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and living with metastatic (secondary) breast cancer since 2020, Fiona shares her personal journey and why freedom to travel is so important to her. In a conversation full of hope and practical tips from their own experiences, Fiona and Laura get stuck into: why travel insurance matters, especially when you have a cancer diagnosis, how medical screening works and what insurers are really looking for, common myths about being “uninsurable” after your treatment changes or a progression, confusing terminology when applying for travel insurance and how to make sense of it, practical tips for planning trips, timing holidays around treatment, and talking to your medical team, Fiona’s own story, taking her frustration with the system and creating a travel insurance brand with people with cancer at its heart. 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. The discount code IWCommunity gives 20%* off an Insurancewith premium.  * The discount code ‘IWCommunity’ offers you a 20% discount made up of our automatic 15% online discount price and an additional 5% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices. This is discounted from our core policy price before you add any additional cost of optional extensions or additional medical premium. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Insurancewith is a travel insurance brand. They are not an insurer or underwriter. Policies are underwritten by regulated insurers, and terms and conditions apply. Insurancewith is a trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc, a travel insurance distributor. Policies are underwritten by FCA-authorised insurers. They do not offer personal advice. Always read your policy documents and ensure the cover meets your needs. Breast Cancer Now does not endorse, or recommend Insurancewith. If you're struggling to get travel insurance, you can also try the MoneyHelper directory, which lists specialist providers who may be able to help – including Insurancewith. Key Topics: 2:24 Why is it important that we travel? 3:33 Fiona's breast cancer diagnosis 6:50 Dealing with a cancer diagnosis as a new mother 7:44 Fiona's diagnosis of metastatic (secondary) breast cancer 12:21 Fiona sets up travel insurance brand Insurancewith 14:38 Do you need travel insurance? 18:25 Declaring breast cancer on your travel insurance 20:40 Getting cover with a new diagnosis or drug 24:33 The importance of the health questionnaire when buying travel insurance 31:45 More claims can be related back to cancer than you might think 33:28 The cost of repatriation 34:57 How does neutropenia affect travel insurance? 39:29 Is flying detrimental to our health? 42:07 Do you need travel insurance if you're staying within the UK? 43:33 When should you book your travel insurance? 44:55 Should you put friends and family on the same insurance policy as you? 46:29 Does the destination country change how expensive insurance is? 47:34 How does mental health work with travel insurance? 50:38 Unhelpful terminology in travel insurance policies 55:53 What about metastatic (secondary) breast cancer in the brain? 1:00:49 High risk activities and insurance with breast cancer 1:02:00 Going on holiday while on a clinical trial 1:02:48 Business insurance and cancer 1:04:57 Practical tips for travelling 1:10:05 What it means to Fiona to "live well"

    1h 12m
  3. Lucy on being diagnosed as a younger woman

    12/05/2025

    Lucy on being diagnosed as a younger woman

    Lucy Dawson was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 25.  In this episode she talks to Laura about her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer as a younger woman, and having fertility preservation treatment as a result of her breast cancer diagnosis. They talk about the importance of sharing positive stories, pregnancy, and starting a family after breast cancer. They also talk about the importance of spreading awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and having the confidence to advocate for yourself in a medical setting. 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: 02:00 Lucy's diagnosis 08:40 How are you now? 09:05 Family history of breast cancer 10:55 Support services for younger women 12:42 Fertility preservation treatment 16:00 Starting a family 19:15 Pregnancy after breast cancer 21:20 Breastfeeding 22:40 How did pregnancy feel for you? 24:15 How are you finding motherhood 25:00 How did your partner cope throughout your cancer and pregnancy 25:49 What would you say to other younger women facing fertility challenges as a result of breast cancer treatment? 26:45 Advocating for herself as a younger woman to be diagnosed and being confident in a medical setting. 33:56 How do you look after your mental health  38:57 Posters of the signs & symptoms of breast cancer in M&S changing rooms. 42:15 Taking part in BCN's Pink Ribbon Walk 43:25 What does it mean to Lucy to 'live well'.

    45 min
  4. Caroline on talking with children about death and grief

    11/21/2025

    Caroline on talking with children about death and grief

    Caroline Leek is the founder of Fruitfly Collective, which empowers people with a cancer diagnosis to navigate family life and to support their children. Caroline set up Fruitfly Collective to give the kind of support she wished she’d had when her own father died when she was 12 years old. In this episode, Caroline focuses on talking to children and teenagers about death and grief, and how to communicate with children about being diagnosed with incurable cancer. She talks about strategies for communicating with teenagers, discusses whether it's OK to tell a white lie, and shares helpful tips and prompts to help children with death and grief. Find out more about Fruitfly Collective. Listen to Caroline's previous episode about parenting with cancer, or watch on YouTube. 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: 0:16 Laura outlines the episode and shares her thoughts 2:40 When a child visits a parent who is dying 7:06 How to have a conversation with a child about an upcoming death 9:42 How honest should you be when a child asks if you're going to die? 14:10 Ways of starting a conversation with a child about the death of their parent 25:54 Caroline reveals how her unprocessed grief came to light 27:55 The tools Caroline used to process her grief and support her mental health 31:15 "Pip" kits from Fruitfly Collective 39:39 How to access Fruitfly Collective's excellent resources and support Links: Griefcast Kids' Guide to Cancer app

    44 min
  5. Rosamund and Alice on writing through the breast cancer experience

    11/07/2025

    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

    56 min
  6. Dr Hajra on being newly diagnosed with breast cancer

    10/24/2025

    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"

    1 hr
  7. Laura on founding Secondary Sisters

    10/10/2025

    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"

    1 hr
  8. Hayley on drawing the breast cancer experience

    09/25/2025

    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"

    55 min
See All (110)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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.  

Information

  • Creator
    Breast Cancer Now
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Breast Cancer Now

You Might Also Like