Rewritten Me

What does MDT mean? How do they work for patients? Are there breast reconstruction MDTs? As a patient, learning medical acronyms can be like learning a new language! In this episode, Luan talks to A/Prof Rhea Liang ,General and Breast Surgeon, about MDTs (Multidisciplinary Team meetings) and their importance in breast cancer treatment. An MDT can feel like a mysterious behind-the-scenes meeting where your future is decided without you having a say. Dr Rhea explains how MDTs bring together various healthcare professionals to create a personalised treatment plan for each patient. Dr Rhea also talks about the potential benefits of having a reconstruction-specific MDT and how patient involvement in MDTs in other countries could provide valuable insights into informed decision-making. But Dr Rhea talks about more than just MDTs. She explains how doctor training has changed over the years, including incorporating patient discussions about holistic care and recognising the different information needs of patients. It’s important that patients feel empowered to ask questions and seek clarification about any medical terms or procedures they don't understand when considering their reconstruction options.We hope this episode helps them to feel confident to do just that!This is part one of my interview with Dr Rhea - subscribe to hear when part 2 drops.Links for this episode:Dr Rhea Liang on X (Twitter)Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Find a bra that hugs you! What bras can you wear after surgery for breast cancer? And when can you wear an underwire bra? Finding the right bra fit is crucial for post-surgery recovery and can have a positive impact on a person's confidence and well-being. Bras can also help create symmetry after reconstruction, with options such balance shapers and bralettes. But what should you look for if you don’t have access to a bra fitter? In this episode, Luan talks to Gillian, who has a history of breast cancer, from Colleen's Lingerie, a store that offers a chest-inclusive range of bras and prosthesis. Gillian says that the fit of your bra should feel like a hug. The closeness of your ‘bra hug’ will depend on what surgery you’ve had as there are different needs for various types of surgery. Listen to Luan and Gillian talk about:The importance of bra fitting for post-surgeryBra needs for implants and tissue expandersBra needs for autologous or ‘own tissue’ reconstructionChoosing the right bra after surgeryBras for radiotherapyWhen to start wearing longer-term prosthesesCreating symmetry with brasTransitioning to regular brasWearing underwire brasSigns of a bad fitting braThe opinions expressed in this episode are not a substitute for and do not constitute medical advice. Speak to your surgeon about your post-surgery bra needs.  Links for this episode:Colleen’s LingerieAmoena RetailersFiji Fittings and DonationsCancer Council's ‘Breast Prosthesis & Reconstruction’Impact of autologous breast reconstruction on bra fitWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon or equally qualified surgeon in your country.Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)  

This is a story of “balls to the wall” self-advocacy, tiptoeing around surgeons' offices and swimming in circles!Trigger warning: this podcast contains discussions about metastatic breast cancer, which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners.In this episode the wonderful Katy Morrison shares with us the shock of her stage four (metastatic) breast cancer diagnosis, and her experience of living with the disease including the challenges she’s faced advocating for herself.Katy talks about her decision to have a mastectomy after it was initially recommended by her breast surgeon. She tells us how she was refused immediate reconstruction – or removal of her healthy breast – as it was deemed a “waste of resources” because she has incurable breast cancer.Katy’s single mastectomy resulted in significant asymmetry and severe back pain that negatively impacted her quality of life.Despite the difficulties she’s encountered, Katy has a positive outlook and emphasises the importance of finding joy and humour in life. And advocating for yourself!This is part one of Katy’s story, recorded in 2023.Subscribe to hear the follow-up episode and find out whether Katy had her reconstruction.Links for this episode:Katy's InstagramMake 2nds Count (UK)Secondary Sisters Instagram (UK)McGrath Metastatic Breast Care NursesWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Robyn has the BRCA2 variant and had a risk-reducing mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction in 2019. She experienced side effects that impacted her quality of life and made the decision to have the implants removed and ‘go flat’. When a plastic surgeon told Robyn that she would look “aesthetically unpleasing”, she knew she had to self-advocate.Robyn's story is one of courage - to challenge and re-think her own initial reconstruction choice and then to stand up for what was right for her and her health.Luan and Robyn talk about:Hereditary cancer riskRobyn’s decision to have a mastectomyWhy she had implantsHer decision to remove themFinding the right surgeonReconstruction framing biasThe Australian flat community'Flat' research with Flinders University Resources for this episode:Informed consentBreast Recon 101 Live Q&A video: aesthetic flat closure with Dr Kylie SnookFlat Life Australia Facebook groupFlinders researchNot Putting On A ShirtNot Just a Linear Closure: Aesthetic Flat Closure after MastectomyWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

BRA-va art is a first-of-its-kind global Instagram campaign that uses exercise to promote BRA Day (Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day). Luan launched the campaign in 2022 and Rori Zura picked up the BRA-va art baton when she ran around New York in a pink striped ‘where’s Waldo’ top as she made BRA-va art! Rori has always been a fitness enthusiast. When she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer during COVID, exercise was a key concern and topic of discussion with her surgeon. They encouraged Rori to keep moving to support her treatment. This advice was surprising to Rori – why didn’t everyone know of the benefits of exercise for cancer patients? Rori is now a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and founder of Foobs and Fitness, which encourages people to live a more active lifestyle before, during, and after diagnosis. Rori’s passion is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone, and with her they don't. She has unwavering enthusiasm, creativity and joyful outlook. And she's an awesome battle buddy! In this episode Rori shares her story of her treatment and implant reconstruction, and how her diagnosis set her off on a new career path. And she talks about the BRA-va art challenges she’s created so that you can have even more fun taking part this year! Luan and Rori also talk about tips for making BRA-va art and how you can be help put BRA Day on the map on 18th October.Listen in and then join them for #BRADay2023!Links for this episode:BRA-va art InstagramBRA-va art websiteFoobs & Fitness BRA-va art challengesFoobs & Fitness InstagramWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

There's lots of free information about breast cancer and reconstruction on Instagram. But how do you know it’s factually correct? Dr Liz O’Riordan is known as the breast surgeon who has breast cancer. Liz talks about why she uses Instagram to create evidence-based content about breast cancer and how you can check the accuracy of online information. And she talks about how even she found it difficult to ask her doctor about a information she'd seen on social media.If you’re a patient, advocate or medical professional who uses social media – or is thinking of using it – this episode for you! Luan and Liz cover a lot, including:Online communityDoctors using social mediaThe CRAP testAI & Chat GPTDigital literacyEquity of representationResponsibilities of advocacy And Liz talks about her new book, ‘Under the Knife: Life Lessons from the Operating Theatre’, and how its publication was community-funded through her Instagram account.Links for this episode:Listen to Dr Minas Chrysopoulo talk about the Breast Advocate® app.Donna Ashworth ‘Loss’ bookPF TickSince this recording, Liz has had a second local recurrence. As she goes through treatment, she’s putting her breast cancer vlog on her YouTube Channel, where you can find all her breast cancer videos.You can also find Liz:liz.oriordan.co.ukInstagramTwitterDon’t Ignore The Elephant podcastWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Natasha Cauchi was 29 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. As part of her treatment she had a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Three years later Tash and her husband decided to try for a baby. Chemotherapy can affect fertility and Tash was in early menopause. She had IVF, which was unsuccessful. Then she became pregnant naturally! While the arrival of baby Oliver is joyous, Tash shares how she feels grief and sadness that she can’t breastfeed. Tash also talks about how she needed to advocate, especially when a nurse in hospital told her to ‘put him on the boob’ to breastfeed. Tash also shares her story of:Treatment and fertility preservationOvarian tissue freezingTrying for a baby after breast cancerWhat IVF was likeOliver’s dramatic arrival!The pressure to breastfeed in hospitalUsing donated breast milk Thank you, Tash, for sharing your story with us. And welcome to this wonderful world, Oliver AJ, it’s so much more wonderful knowing that you’re in it!Links for this podcast:Natasha's Instagram pageOvarian tissue freezingMother's Milk BankWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInSubscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published. If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

What does Medicare cover for breast reconstruction? What do you need to consider if you choose to be treated privately? The two different systems in Australia – public and private – can be confusing, and potential financial costs of reconstruction can cause anxiety. It can also be an awkward discussion to have with your team. In this episode Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon and President of BreastSurgANZ, Dr Melanie Walker, about how to navigate finances. Luan and Dr Melanie talk about whether Medicare covers:All types of reconstructionElective mastectomyRevision surgeryDelayed reconstructionLiposuction and fat graftingNipple reconstruction Luan and Dr Melanie also talk in general about private cover, including:What to ask your specialist’s teamWhat might not be coveredWhat your quote may includeNegotiating costs Links for this podcast:AMA Guide for patientsBreastSurgANZCancer Council resourceWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInSubscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published. If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.Note: this podcast talks about what is covered by Medicare. What you have access to and what resources and services are available to you, including waiting times, can differ depending on where you live. And things change. This information was correct at the time of recording (3rd July 2023). The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)