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 @baldbooblessandbeautifulYou can find Secondary Sisters on Instagram @secondary.sistersIf 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 cancer3:24 Laura finds a lump and is diagnosed with primary breast cancer8:11 Treatment and surgery for breast cancer11:14 Ways of coping with hair loss and other visible effects of cancer treatment13:39 Laura is diagnosed with secondary, or metastatic, breast cancer20:29 Laura writes a living list24:35 How Laura is doing now26:25 Laura sets up Secondary Sisters37:37 How it feels losing friends to the same disease you have39:07 Having time and people away from cancer41:24 Laura's thoughts on how her story has given people hope and inspiration42:28 Not being able to have children after breast cancer48:10 Coping with a new diagnosis of secondary breast cancer49:46 Laura shares her vulnerability as well as her story56:23 What it means to Laura to "live well"