E154: Lesley Stephen MBE - Living with Secondary Breast Cancer

12/02/2025 38 min Episodio 154
E154: Lesley Stephen MBE -  Living with Secondary Breast Cancer

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Episode Synopsis


Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and daily realities of living with a secondary cancer diagnosis.Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Lesley Stephen who shares her journey of living with secondary breast cancer and her inspiring work with the charity Make 2nds Count. This episode is a deep dive into Lesley’s experience, from her diagnosis to her involvement in ground-breaking research and patient advocacy.Episode 154: Part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer Series (Part 46)Lesley Stephen was a freelance communications consultant until her life changed with a 'de novo' metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis in 2014. Her participation in a phase 1B clinical trial at the Beatson in Glasgow kept her well for seven years and fueled her passion for advocacy. Lesley’s story is one of resilience and leadership as she campaigns for better research, treatments, and support for MBC patients.Lesley’s advocacy extends to her work with numerous organizations, including the NCRI, ICGC-ARGO, CRUK, Breast Cancer Now, ICPV, Met Up UK, and the newly formed Breast Cancer Clinical Studies Group. As a trustee of Make 2nds Count, she helps deliver unique research services for MBC patients, emphasizing the importance of access to clinical trials and new treatments.CPD Reflection Points:Reflect on your communication strategies with patients diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. How do you ensure they feel supported and informed about their diagnosis and treatment options?Consider how you incorporate patients' preferences and values into their care plans. What steps do you take to respect and integrate their individual needs?Reflect on the role of supportive care in managing secondary breast cancer. How do you address the comprehensive needs—physical, emotional, and psychological—of these patients?Assess the impact of your role in improving outcomes for secondary breast cancer patients. How can you contribute to advancing care practices in your clinical setting?Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:Make 2nds Count CharityInternational Cancer Genome ConsortiumIndependent Cancer Patients VoiceMet Up UKPRIMROSE Clinical TrialUK Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer SymposiumResearch links from the Episode:Scientists investigate a new therapy for breast cancer that has spread to the brain | Imperial College Healthcare NHS TrustSecondary breast cancer patients may be spared routine scans thanks to Christie trialStudy highlights increased risk of second cancers among breast cancer survivors | University of CambridgeEnhertu emergency | Breast Cancer NowSecondary breast cancer | Cancer Research UKRad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokTwitterYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.© Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.  We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.  You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.  You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.  Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

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