S6 Ep6: Anna on coping with PTSD

Anna was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer when she was 34. After having an adverse reaction to her treatment she was hospitalised, and that trauma continued to affect her long afterwards. Anna talks about the effects of her diagnosis and PTSD on her family and the ways she’s discovering to cope with them.

We’re also joined by Vic, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, who provides expert support to people with a breast cancer diagnosis through our many support services. She talks with Anna about the difficulties that can arise with a breast cancer diagnosis and PTSD, and signposts to the support that’s available.

You can follow Anna on instagram @abholistichealing.yorkshire
You can also read Anna's blog.

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:
1:28 Laura introduces Anna and Vic
2:01 Anna's breast cancer diagnosis
8:02 Having a negative reaction to chemotherapy
9:48 Fears around recurrence, and the trouble with googling
13:06 Reducing the risk of recurrence, and finding support after treatment
18:36 Anna's children react to her diagnosis
23:28 Dealing with breast cancer as a younger woman
29:32 How the body's memory of trauma can linger
32:27 Anna's experience of PTSD
40:57 How treatment can differ person to person
46:53 The tools Anna has used to cope with her PTSD
49:22 Anna's tips for anyone going through a breast cancer diagnosis
52:39 Where to find out more about breast cancer
53:23 How to find out more from Anna
54:04 What it means to Anna to "live well"
55:24 What it means to Vic to "live well"