S6 Ep9: Paula on living well with secondary breast cancer

Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and found out just 2 months later that it had spread to her lungs. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Paula chats with Laura about how she dealt with the shock of a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, and how she copes with the continued impact on her and her family.She’s joined by one of our nurses, Catherine, who talks with Paula about Breast Cancer Now’s face-to-face support services. They discuss how these and other services helped Paula come to terms with her diagnosis, and the many ways to live well with secondary breast cancer.You can find Paula on instagram @yourflowers1Check out our episode with Claire from Make 2nds Count talking about clinical trials.Check out our episode with Caroline Leek from Fruitfly Collective on talking with children about breast cancer.Watch Paula talk with Catherine about more topics, such as palliative care, on Breast Cancer Now chats.Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's Living with Secondary Breast Cancer service.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 Paula is diagnosed with breast cancer4:36 Paula's cancer spreads to her lungs5:36 The emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis7:27 What is secondary breast cancer?8:14 "Treatable but not curable"9:58 What it means for cancer to be "stable"10:50 Paula has treatment for secondary breast cancer12:28 The role of a clinical nurse specialist20:39 Face-to-face support while living with secondary breast cancer26:50 The need for support beyond family28:34 Talking to children about secondary breast cancer34:27 When a partner is in denial about your secondary breast cancer36:49 Waiting for scans: scanxiety40:20 Paula learns to deal with anxiety40:59 Looking after your mental health45:28 Considering clinical trials50:28 Travel insurance with secondary breast cancer53:09 What it means to Paula to live well54:16 What it means to Catherine to live well55:11 Finding support with Breast Cancer Now