Donna Fraser on mental attitude towards breast cancer

Season 6, Episode 10,   Jul 04, 09:00 AM

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Donna Fraser OBE, Team GB athlete, talks about her breast cancer diagnosis, its effect on her life and career, and her work with young and ethnically diverse communities to improve breast awareness.

Donna Fraser OBE, Team GB athlete, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, with no family history. In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Donna talks to Laura about how this shock diagnosis affected her and the tough decisions she had to make about her world-class athletics career.

Donna also speaks about being an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Now, and her work to improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible for people in ethnically diverse communities.

You can follow Donna on Instagram: @donnalegz and @donnafraserobe

If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the Breast Cancer Now website. You can also watch it on YouTube.

Key Topics:
2:08 Donna is diagnosed with breast cancer
6:05 Introducing "Diane", Donna's voice of determination
7:37 Making the decision to have a mastectomy
9:20 Recovering from a mastectomy
11:21 The effects of breast cancer surgery on body image
15:18 Donna's new relationship with her body after breast cancer
18:23 Donna makes the decision to go public about her breast cancer
20:21 Black women and breast screening attendance
23:48 Donna's work raising breast awareness among younger women
24:37 The barriers to accessing breast cancer diagnosis and care
27:58 Donna becomes an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Now
31:05 Pink Ribbonwalks – a charity fundraiser
34:39 Sport and exercise after breast cancer
36:12 Tips for getting back into exercising after surgery
39:23 Staying breast aware after active treatment for breast cancer
40:07 Donna makes the decision to retire
45:05 The highlights of Donna's athletics career
46:18 What it means to Donna to "live well"