Season 1: Episode 1: D Day - Diagnosis Shock

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 (mailto: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. (https://limesurvey.mq.edu.au/index.php/157552?lang=en)Resources:- Sign up to My Journey (https://myjourney.org.au/) and access a range of resources on:* Coping with a diagnosis of early breast cancer (https://myjourney.org.au/article/2166?_ga=2.248865346.416471655.1633299708-240048958.1621917884)* Practical help when diagnosed with early breast cancer (https://myjourney.org.au/article/2167?_ga=2.248865346.416471655.1633299708-240048958.1621917884)* Talking to children about your breast cancer diagnosis (https://myjourney.org.au/article/2360?_ga=2.15158899.416471655.1633299708-240048958.1621917884)* Reactions of parents when you are diagnosed with breast cancer (https://myjourney.org.au/article/2362?_ga=2.15158899.416471655.1633299708-240048958.1621917884)* Support for you when diagnosed with early breast cancer (https://myjourney.org.au/article/2168?_ga=2.15158899.416471655.1633299708-240048958.1621917884)- Visit our Online Network (https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/) 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/ (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bcna.org.au%2F&token=a2153f-1-1633485223847), email us at contact@bcna.org.au (mailto: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.

Om Podcasten

Dr Charlotte Tottman established her own private practice in psycho oncology, providing psychological treatment for cancer-related distress, before being diagnosed with breast cancer herself, giving Charlotte’s understanding of a cancer experience a whole new dimension. Despite the circumstances, Charlotte’s own diagnosis and clinical experience enables her to connect with those who are going through comparable situations, giving them a place to reflect and relate, and learn to navigate and better understand psychological discomfort in a cancer space. Throughout the podcast series we have meaningful conversations about many topics, including the initial shock of diagnosis, emotional isolation, and coming to terms with those who show up, and those who may not during your journey, body image difficulties, how cancer changes your overall perception of life, the impact on sexuality and intimacy, and fear of cancer recurrence.   Charlotte’s own vulnerability is evident in each of the episodes, which lay out her lived experience, provide explanations of psychological triggers and responses, and practical strategies that may help someone on their own cancer journey. We 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.