Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman

Episode 1: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: D Day: Diagnosis ShockWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. BCNA's Helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about Charlotte's diagnosis story including the initial shock and common reactions in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis. Charlotte discusses physical and psychological responses, including fight and flight, information control, and anxiety spikes. We also explore what information and tactics helped her process the information and how she told her loved ones of the news.To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on:Coping with a diagnosis of early breast cancer Practical help when diagnosed with early breast cancer Talking to children about your breast cancer diagnosisReactions of parents when you are diagnosed with breast cancerSupport for you when diagnosed with early breast cancer- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 2: What You Don't Know Until You Do, With Dr Charlotte Tottman: A Tale of Two Husbands: Emotional IsolationWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about Charlotte's experience of emotional isolation during her cancer journey, which is the feeling of being alone in the intense experience of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, despite being surrounded by loved ones. Charlotte shares her 'tale of two husbands' in which she reveals her own feelings of emotional isolation following unexpected responses from both her long term and current husband and her ex-husband. We learn about the importance of empathy and strategies of how to best get emotional needs met. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on partner support. - Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 3: What You Don't Know Until You Do, With Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Showing Up and The Letting Down: Surprises and Disappointments in RelationshipsWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about the surprises and disappointments often experienced at various stages of a breast cancer journey and the expectations we often don't realise we have of others. Charlotte shares her experience of being surprised and thankful for those who stepped up, as well as her experience of feeling let down by those who disappeared. We also hear about how best to respond to disappointment, recalibrate expectations and how to clearly communicate your emotional and practical needs to those around you.To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onManaging support and concern from the people around you Support for you when you are diagnosed with EBC- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 4: What you don't know until you do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Mirror Image: Body Image DifficultiesWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about Charlotte's experience of the changes to her body as a result of cancer treatment and how the changes to our physical form can challenge our sense of self, identity and who we are. Charlotte shares her personal stories of the challenges she faced after her second surgery, the triggers and responses she had to un-learn and strategies she used to change her mindset to focus on what her body could do as opposed to what it looked like. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onChanges to the way your body looks and feels Choosing to stay flat after mastectomy- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 5: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Snow Globe Effect: Change of PerspectiveWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about the Snow Globe Effect, an analogy Charlotte uses to explain how a cancer experience can change a person's perspective, values, priorities and how they live their life. We explore confronting mortality, re-thinking past choices and decisions and how we can be empowered to live our best life going forward. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onDealing with emotions after an early breast cancer diagnosisYour new normal after breast cancer treatmentEmotional wellbeing and DCIS- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 6: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Meltdown: Post Treatment AdjustmentWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about what post treatment adjustment is, including physical and psychological recovery, rehabilitation once hospital-based treatment ends and what you can expect in the years that follow. Charlotte shares her personal post treatment adjustment story including her ‘Meltdown', the strategies she used to help her recognise and acknowledge the adjustments she needed to make, and how important sleep and taking time for herself were in helping her find her feet again. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onCoping with the emotional effects of breast cancer treatment Your new normal after breast cancer treatment- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 7: What you don't know until you do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Next Version of You: Managing ExpectationsWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about post treatment adjustment and the role that the expectations we have of ourselves, and the expectations others have of us play in a cancer experience. Charlotte reflects on how she changed various aspects of her life through her cancer journey to adjust to the next version of herself and find a way forward, rather than trying to find a way back to her pre cancer self. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onYour new normal after breast cancer treatmentBeyond active treatment: the impact on you and your relationships- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 8: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: Learning New Dance Steps: Sexuality and IntimacyWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about sexuality and intimacy using the ‘dance steps' analogy and how they are impacted by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. We explore contributing factors including body image difficulties, fatigue and other treatment side effects. Charlotte discusses common responses and how strategies including communication, humour and learning ‘new dance steps' can help with connection and closeness, both physically and emotionally with your intimate partner. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on sexual wellbeing and intimacy. - Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.v

Episode 9: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: Exercise is Annoying (‘cos it works): The Psychological and Physical BenefitsWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In this episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about the major benefits, both psychologically and physically, of exercise during breast cancer treatment, the different exercise types and formats that can be beneficial to treatment, as well as hearing Charlotte's rehab story and how she discovered what worked for her. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources onExercise after breast surgeryExercise: why, what and how?Physical activity, eating healthy and breast cancer- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.

Episode 10: What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman: The Iron Fist: Fear of Cancer RecurrenceWe recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to the Upfront About Breast Cancer What You Don't Know Until You Do with Dr Charlotte Tottman podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. Each episode is raw and real and covers a range of topics, some of which may be triggering for people at various stages of their journey. The intention is to have meaningful conversations, present relevant information and provide practical strategies that may help someone or someone you know on their cancer journey. BCNA's helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au.In the final episode of What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman, we hear about what fear of cancer recurrence is and why it's normal to experience anxiety about the idea of the cancer coming back. We explore the common triggers, including medical reviews, diagnosis of a family member or friend, and physical symptoms, as well as discussing the common responses in fear of recurrence, including avoidance and reassurance-seeking. Charlotte shares her personal experience of fear of recurrence, the strategies she uses to cope, and why and how she uses her fear as a motivator. To help us continue to develop our podcasts, we ask for your feedback via our survey.Resources:- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on what makes breast cancer return or spread.- Visit our Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience.Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia.Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by JT Reid.Produced by Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA Engineered and edited by Jane Nield at SEN StudiosVisit our website at www.bcna.org.au/, email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if any of the content in this podcast has raised any concerns or questions.