The C Word: Recent Episodes
Planet FM
WTF does young cancer survivorship mean? If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.
“Survivorship can be tricky for some people; it comes with a lot of baggage, I don't love using the word survivor, but I'm not sure how else to describe where I am post-treatment.” Last year, Helen went on a quest to find other younger cancer survivors to try and define what cancer survivorship means. She connected with people in Australia, the UK, America, and Aotearoa. This episode is a montage of previous C Word guests talking about what cancer survivorship means to them.
Jacqui O'Connor is on a mission to change how we deliver and receive health care. Jacqui is the founder of Heart Place Hospital, where the focus is on healing the healer. After spending close to 27 years as a nurse, she had what she describes as a “mac truck moment”, which was the catalyst for her healing journey. She learned the importance of listening to our bodies and intuition after a health scare, and now advocates for breathwork and honouring our natural cycles as a way to heal.
Micaela Gibson was finishing a degree in music therapy when she started noticing some odd symptoms, such as a lump on her chest, unintentional weight loss, and drenching night sweats. Her parents encouraged her to get checked out, and it was discovered she had Hodgkin's lymphoma. After undergoing chemotherapy Micaela was declared in remission, and experience led her to realize she was interested in music therapy anymore, and decided to pursue a career in healthcare.
"Cancer doesn't discriminate; it doesn't care how old you are." Susan Haworth was diagnosed with cancer at age 9 and again at age 17. She joins Helen to discuss the physical and emotional challenges that come with cancer treatment and how she’s learned to cope with these challenges.
Diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2018 at 26 Gaby Fanizzi quickly realized that she was in the minority of thyroid cancer patients because she was young. She started the Love Health Nachos Instagram page to connect with other young thyroid cancer patients and survivors. Gabby hosts monthly support groups for thyroid cancer patients and survivors, and has learned that her experience as a young cancer survivor differs from that of older patients.
Chanel Renee is a personal assistant and breast cancer survivor from Honolulu, Hawaii. She was diagnosed with bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma in 2019 and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She had the support of family and friends, but knew that not everyone is so lucky. “I think it's really important to advocate for yourself and to love yourself, no matter what.” Chanel's story shows strength, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity.
In her first episode after taking a break, Helen shares the insights into cancer recovery and healing she’s learned over the last few months. After hitting a brick wall, she found she needed time out from making the podcast and cancer content. When she created space, she discovered she still had a lot of healing to do to let go of the sense of loss and trauma her cancer diagnosis created.
Continuing the conversation on neurodiversity and navigating cancer diagnosis, Alissa Harris discusses her late diagnosis of ADHD. A cancer survivor, Alissa underwent treatment for thyroid cancer 15-years-ago. Drawn to high-pace, dopamine-inducing industries, she found herself in a continual cycle of burn-out, and when the pandemic hit in 2020 she found herself at home with to-do lists she never got through. After decades of being busy, the slowness of lockdown uncovered a hidden part of herself
Denise Carter-Bennett (Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei; Ngāti Hine) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was eleven. Denise is autistic and has ADHD and has faced a lot of medical issues in the past few decades! Her cancer diagnosis at such a young age had a big impact on her, now in her 30s she still grapples with side effects. Denise shares how she has learned to advocate for herself with doctors and how she has learned to appreciate her body for all it has been through.
Having watched her sister go through leukemia twice, April was determined to play an active, informed role in her own treatment, after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 . She used science-backed research in making decisions about her cancer treatment and care, and after just two months, her tumors disappeared. Then, in 2021, April’s soulmate, Chris, died suddenly of lung cancer. He was misdiagnosed, which added to the shock of his death. These experiences led April to create Remission for Life.
Dr Liz O'Riordan was working as a consultant breast surgeon in 2015 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. After decades of treating people with breast cancer, the doctor was now the patient and Liz realised how little she knew about the treatments and experience for breast cancer. Three years later cancer returned on her chest wall. She had both breasts removed which meant she couldn't move her left shoulder and was forced to retire.
Helen is joined by Amanda Wallace from deep in the US mid-west, Idaho. Amanda was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 after experiencing flu-like symptoms. At the time she was working at her local movie theatre, and once she was diagnosed treatment happened almost instantly. Amanda had a recurrence in 2020 right in the middle of the pandemic. Going through cancer treatment is one thing, but going through it during a global pandemic? No one prepares you for that situation.
Cancer, Covid, and children are three C’s you never hope to experience at the same time. In this episode, Jessica Licata shares her experience of having a beautiful baby and being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during the pandemic. Accessing healthcare as Covid ripped through Chicago was challenging, Jessica shares the lengths she went to in order to get a diagnosis. And why it’s important to learn how to advocate for yourself.
Cancer can be a traumatic experience in both mind and body. Once treatment ends many of us fear recurrence. So what if happens when you discover that your cancer has returned? Olivia Clarke was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. At the end of 2021, her cancer returned. Despite the challenges she faced, she found humour in her own little ways, and eventually formed an online community helping people undergoing cancer treatment by raising money and awareness with her blog Humor Beats Cancer.
What's the worst birthday present you've ever had? For New Yorker Jonny Puglia a shock diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer was not the gift he was expecting on his 30th birthday. Fortunately, Jonny decided not to dwell on it and decided to face it with humour. After battling stage IV colorectal cancer for years, beating cancer not once but twice, he has now used his experience to help adults who are also affected by cancer with his blog Thrivr.
The C Word revisits an interview with New South Wales based Kiwi Gautami Motupally. At 13,Gautami thought she was just bloated when doctors discovered she had ovarian cancer. She joined Helen to talk about how her experience has impacted her mental health and body image.
Jane was in her early 30s when she was diagnosed with low-grade serous ovarian cancer in 2017. A rarer form of ovarian cancer, patients are usually given a life expectancy between 5-15yrs and is more common in younger women. Jane started the charity Cure Our Ovarian Cancer when she realised how little research or funding there was for her type of ovarian cancer. experienced niggling health problems for a number of years before her diagnosis and works tirelessly to advocate and raise awareness.
It's Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and we revisit the powerful story of Alisi Jack-Kaufusi’s. At 24, Alisi’s career was flourishing, she was living in Brisbane and enjoying life. She started to notice unusual bleeding, bloating and tiredness, so saw her GP. She was on the operating table about to be put under anaesthetic when the doctor uttered the word cancer. She shares her story and she and Helen discuss toxic positivity, something commonly experienced in the cancer community after treatment
How many times have you been asked ‘you’re over it now, right?’ by a well-meaning friend or family member? It can be hard trying to explain our cancer experience doesn't leave us. Mandi Chambless shares her experience of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 28. Mandi was given a 20% chance of survival beyond five years, 13-years later she’s beaten the odds. In the first five years after her diagnosis she was terrified of recurrence, in fact, the fear of her cancer returning remains.
Can you imagine being diagnosed with stage four cancer six months after you got married? In 2016, aged 29, Vick Pellowe was in newlywed bliss when she found a lump in her neck. She was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and her life was turned upside down. In this episode she and Helen discuss young cancer survivorship, cancer treatment and infertility, mental health challenges after a cancer diagnosis and toxic positivity.
Australian author and advocate Elle Veitch was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 27 and started the Instagram page 'Breasties for Life', where she shares an honest account of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Elle noticed many people lost their voice after their diagnosis and uses her platform to encourage real conversations about cancer. Her book features letters from 40 people about their breast cancer. Elle is a National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia ambassador.
In 2020 Ada Chen, founder of Chuan Skincare, had just relocated to Colorado when her father was hospitalised after a fall. Ada took charge of coordinating his care, along with her sister. When he contracted Covid during his hospital stay, Ada and her sister were unable to be inside their father's hospital room in his final hours. Then, a few months into 2021, Ada's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. This conversation is for anyone who is impacted by Covid or facing cancer with a loved one.
The C Word looks back at the most popular episode of 2021. The episode first aired in January and featured netballer Kelly Hutton talking about her experience with ovarian cancer. Kelly started a new life in Bahrain in 2019 when she noticed something wasn't right. Seven months later she was back in New Zealand having chemotherapy for aggressive ovarian cancer. Kelly talks to Helen about facing her biggest challenge. Enjoy! Helen will be back with new episodes soon.
Bari Roberts Ross shares her incredible story of being diagnosed with cancer at the same time as her husband. In her book "Stronger with Two: The Inspiring True Story of a Husband and Wife Winning the Battle Against Cancer Together" In 2009 she and husband Charles were in the doctor’s office to find out what was causing Charles' fatigue. Her husband pointed out Bari had a lump on her neck, and what happened next was lifechanging...
Ultramarathon runner, COO, and cancer lady Julia Becker Collins joins The C Word to share her experience of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the start of the pandemic in 2020. As Covid caused the State of Massachusetts to shut down, Julia was waiting for a biopsy to be booked. After navigating an overloaded health system during cancer treatment she struggled to figure out how to rebuild her life. She and Helen talk about what happens when you're life changes overnight, how to cope when you don't have a thyroid, why it's important to find your people, and more!
Helen sits down with Josh Hickford, chief executive of the Taranaki Foundation, to talk about his diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2017 when he was 27. Josh described the diagnosis like a bomb went off. After returning home from his OE, Josh was looking for his next challenge. He wasn't expecting the challenge to be cancer. He was a few months in remission when he was accepted as a contestant on the reality series 'Survivor'. Josh shares how he approached his cancer diagnosis like Sir Ed climbed Mt Everest, what his cancer diagnosis has taught him about resilience, and more! Josh's links: https://www.instagram.com/jvhick/ / https://taranakifoundation.org.nz/ / https://weareripple.co.nz/ Helen's links: https://ko-fi.com/thecword / https://www.facebook.com/The-C-Word-Radio-105425417907685 / https://www.instagram.com/thecword_radio/ / https://cwordradio.wixsite.com/mysite
Music: Happy Days, Scott Holmes
This episode provides insights into how we can make changes to prevent burnout. Natalie Woodman speaks from personal experience and working with women to heal their bodies.
Tina Conrad aka DJ Breast Cancer talks about her new project, a book of poetry titled "From C to C". Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and found that writing was an instrumental part of her journey. This is a powerful conversation about how we process our cancer diagnosis, the impact on faith and, creating something beautiful from loss.
Niya's journey hasn't been easy. She was diagnosed with cancer in the early stages of her second pregnancy as the pandemic started to kick off in the USA. She joined Helen to share her experience of healing after breast cancer.
Cheryl Carr has been living with breast cancer for 12 years. At 38 when she was first diagnosed, she was reeling from a divorce and parenting two young children, the diagnosis was a huge shock. There was no family history, she had led a healthy lifestyle. Cheryl shares her experience of the difference in approaches to stage 4 breast cancer in Australia, where she was living at the time of her diagnosis, and when she returned to New Zealand.
Meet Nadine Riwai. Nurse, cervical cancer advocate and all round superstar, Nadine leads the team at Cervical Screening Waikato. Check out her kōrero with Helen about smear tests, borrowing caravans to take smears to the people, and why the HPV vaccine can literally save lives.
Talita Kuki knew she needed to keep pushing to find out what was causing her symptoms when she experienced pain. We are lucky she did because the 28-year-old was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020.
Constanza Roeder was just 13 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After two years of treatment, she was left feeling defined by her cancer. When she started volunteering at an oncology ward she discovered singing for patients helped lift their spirits and manage treatment better.
Constanza Roeder was just 13 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After two years of treatment, she was left feeling defined by her cancer. When she started volunteering at an oncology ward she discovered singing for patients helped lift their spirits and manage treatment better.
When New Zealand went into lockdown in 2020, Katy Glenie was diagnosed with breast cancer. She joins Helen in this episode of The C Word Radio to discuss what it's like to face cancer during a pandemic
Helen's guest this week Katie Rossler explains grief shaming, when people make you feel ashamed or guilty for your grief process because it makes them uncomfortable.
Alisi Jack-Kaufusi has been dealing with cancer for the past four years. She was 24-years-old when her life was turned upside down by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Alisi struggled with anxiety and depression when her treatment ended. She found seeking help from a counsellor was a turning point for facing the huge loss cancer brings.