Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Cups & Courage The Podcast

In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam talks to Kirstie about breast cancer, menopause and the reality of adjusting to a life that can feel very different after treatment.

Kirstie shares her experience of navigating the physical and emotional changes that can come with menopause, and why this part of recovery is so often underestimated.

They talk openly about identity, confidence, relationships, the impact treatment can have long after it ends, and the challenge of finding your way back to yourself.

It’s a conversation about breast cancer, but also about the bigger picture — what happens when treatment finishes, life moves on, and you’re left working out who you are now.

Cups & Courage is a podcast built around real experiences of breast cancer — honest conversations about diagnosis, treatment, recovery, body image, relationships and life beyond cancer.

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When Tanya was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, the decisions that followed weren’t just about treatment — they were about her body, her identity and the life she needed to get back to.

As a firefighter, Tanya knew that reconstruction could have a real impact on her physically demanding career. She chose to have a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction and go flat — but getting her choice heard wasn’t always straightforward.

In this episode of Cups & Courage, Tanya talks openly about finding a tiny lump, navigating chemotherapy and radiotherapy, medical menopause and the long-term effects of treatment. She also shares what it has meant to live flat, the impact on body image and identity, and some of the assumptions she has faced since surgery.

It’s an honest conversation about patient choice, being listened to and making decisions based on what matters to you — not what other people think you should want.

Topics include:
• Tanya’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2018
• Choosing a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction
• Why her career as a firefighter influenced her decision
• Advocating for the treatment and surgery she wanted
• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medical menopause
• Long-term side effects of treatment
• Going flat, body image and identity
• Being misgendered after surgery
• Family, loss and finding perspective
• Why informed choice matters in breast cancer care

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Anais and her husband Vincent share their experience of living with stage four breast cancer.

With Anais facing ongoing treatment and Vincent working as a cancer researcher, they talk honestly about grief, changing plans, supporting one another and choosing to find joy in the life they have together.

Cups & Courage shares honest conversations with people affected by breast cancer.

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Nicola was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 after a fall during a family rugby day led her to get an unusual pain checked. She had no other symptoms, and nothing had initially shown on her mammogram.

In this episode, Nicola talks honestly about her diagnosis, lumpectomy, radiotherapy and ongoing hormone treatment, as well as the fear that can remain after treatment has finished.

She also shares how cancer made her reassess her life, relationships and the amount of herself she was giving to everyone else. Nicola discusses the end of her marriage, rebuilding her health, setting stronger boundaries and learning that looking after herself is not selfish.

An honest conversation about resilience, putting your own oxygen mask on first and refusing to let cancer define who you are.

Cups & Courage shares honest personal stories from people affected by breast cancer. The views expressed are those of our guests and host and do not replace medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, please speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Samantha is joined by Thalie, CEO of Breast Cancer UK, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about breast cancer prevention, personal loss, and the courage it takes to step towards someone who is struggling rather than retreating.

Thalie shares the story of losing her mum to breast cancer, how grief changed the way she sees friendship, support and community, and why showing curiosity and care can be one of the most powerful things we can offer someone going through a difficult time.

They also talk about Breast Cancer UK’s work around prevention, including modifiable risk factors, lifestyle, environmental factors, alcohol, chemicals, and why prevention should never be framed as blame.

A grounded, informative and deeply human conversation about knowledge, choice, support and the importance of helping people feel less alone.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam talks to Tamsin about being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 after previously being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her twenties.

Tamsin shares her experience of being told she would need a double mastectomy, the pressure and assumptions around reconstruction, and how she came to the decision to remain flat.

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about body image, femininity, choice, confidence, medical follow-up, and what it means to feel like yourself after cancer treatment.

Tamsin also talks about the long-term effects of earlier cancer treatment, the importance of joined-up care, and why patients often have to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.

Cups & Courage shares honest personal stories from people affected by breast cancer. The views shared are those of the guest and host and do not replace medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, please speak to a doctor or healthcare team.

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Toni was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2020, on her 60th birthday.

In this gentle and honest conversation, Toni shares her experience of having a lumpectomy, radiotherapy during Covid, and the emotional impact that came afterwards.

She speaks with real bravery about body confidence, feeling different in her own skin, the anxiety of follow-up mammograms, faith, family, friendship, and learning to let people support her.

This episode is a reminder that every breast cancer experience matters, even when we’re tempted to compare it to someone else’s. Toni’s story carries a quiet courage, and there will be something in it that many people recognise.

Cups & Courage shares real conversations and lived experiences around breast cancer. This episode is not medical advice, but we hope it helps you feel informed, supported and less alone.

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Lisa is the face — and unmistakable pink hair — behind the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a small but mighty grant-making charity supporting breast cancer charities across the UK.

In this episode, Lisa talks about what courage means to her, why the charity has stayed intentionally small, and how keeping overheads low allows more money to reach people who need support during diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

She shares the emotional impact of the Bold Is Beautiful photography project, the power of practical support — from counselling and wigs to respite holidays — and why checking your breasts, knowing your body and advocating for yourself matters.

A warm, honest conversation about purpose, loss, visibility, fundraising, friendship and the people who make breast cancer support possible.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam sits down with Emma — physiotherapist, speaker, host of When Life Gives You Lemons, and breast cancer survivor.

Emma shares how a tiny symptom after a run led to her diagnosis during lockdown, why exercise became a lifeline through treatment, and how movement helped her feel connected to herself during an incredibly uncertain time. She also talks openly about mastectomy, reconstruction, body confidence, gratitude, and learning to live more presently after cancer.

This is a conversation about self-advocacy, trusting your gut, asking again when something doesn’t feel right, and finding the confidence to keep pushing — even when it feels uncomfortable.

Emma’s story is full of honesty, strength and perspective: from treatment and recovery to podcasting, public speaking, and training for an Ironman.

A reminder that courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s facing what’s in front of you, one step at a time.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam speaks with Viktoria, an award-winning breast cancer nurse specialist and global leader in breast cancer care.

With over two decades working alongside people affected by breast cancer, Viktoria shares what it means to offer care that is not only clinically expert, but deeply human. From the vital role of breast care nurses, to the emotional weight of diagnosis, the pressures within the NHS, health inequalities, breast awareness, metastatic breast cancer, and the impact of small moments of connection — this conversation explores the care behind the care.

Viktoria also reflects on courage, the importance of meeting people where they are, and why sometimes the most powerful support happens in the smallest, most ordinary moments.

A thoughtful, honest and generous conversation about nursing, awareness, advocacy and the people at the heart of breast cancer care.

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Helena is a three-time breast cancer survivor whose story opens up a powerful conversation about treatment, trauma, identity and self-advocacy. In this episode, she shares what it was like navigating three diagnoses, the mental toll that followed, and the reality of facing a system that did not always see or support her properly. It is honest, sharp, funny in places, and a vital reminder that cancer care is not experienced equally by everyone.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam speaks with acupuncturist, researcher and author Beverley de Valois about the role acupuncture can play in cancer care and survivorship. They explore how it can support people through treatment and beyond, from managing hot flushes, fatigue, anxiety and nausea to improving quality of life after a diagnosis. It’s a thoughtful, practical conversation about supportive care, lived experience and the need for better awareness of what can help after treatment.

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Shirley was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, before facing a recurrence five years later in 2020. In this honest conversation, she reflects on reconstruction, body image, family support, living with uncertainty, and what courage really looks like when cancer becomes part of your story. It’s a warm, open episode about resilience, vulnerability and learning to live fully in the in-between.

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Juliet was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago — a routine mammogram that changed everything. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she made a decision that surprised her medical team: she chose not to reconstruct. Instead, she fought for symmetry, autonomy, and the right to live in a body that felt honest to her.

In this powerful episode, Juliet shares the emotional and physical reality of living with one breast, the long battle to be heard by her surgeon, and the relief she felt when she finally woke up flat. We talk about informed consent, medical culture, body image, advocacy, and why visibility matters for women who choose a different path.

This is a conversation about courage — not just surviving cancer, but insisting on choice, dignity, and self-definition

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, we sit down with Charlayne — clinical nurse specialist, breast care nurse, and co-founder of a charity supporting young women with breast cancer. With over 40 years in nursing, Charlayne shares what it truly means to walk alongside people at the most frightening moments of their lives.

We talk about vulnerability as courage, the shock of diagnosis, information overload, and the quiet but vital role breast care nurses play as translators, advocates, and anchors. Charlayne opens up about building support where none existed, creating safe spaces for young women, and why recovery is about far more than finishing treatment.

We explore the gaps that still remain — support for children, partners, intimacy, and life after cancer — and the small acts of care that make a lasting difference.

This is a conversation about compassion in practice, the power of being seen, and the courage it takes to hold space for others every single day.

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When Carly was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 37, it wasn’t her first encounter with cancer. With a family history of breast cancer and an unexpected discovery of the BRCA1 gene mutation, her diagnosis unfolded fast — from swollen lymph nodes to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction.

In this deeply honest conversation, Carly shares the reality of navigating an aggressive diagnosis, making treatment decisions, advocating for the right medical team, and undergoing major surgery during lockdown. She talks openly about fear of recurrence, learning to live in a changed body, grief, humour, resilience — and the unexpected ways cancer reshaped her identity.

We explore genetic testing, BRCA awareness, patient advocacy, mental health after treatment, preparing for surgery, and why joy, play, and self-compassion became essential parts of survivorship.

A conversation about courage that’s quiet, real, and hard-won.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, we sit down with Emma, who was diagnosed with de novo stage four metastatic breast cancer after what she thought would be a routine mammogram.

Emma shares what it’s really like to live scan to scan — carrying a life-limiting diagnosis while feeling physically well, navigating constant uncertainty, and learning how to live alongside fear without letting it take over. We talk about genetic testing, late screening, advocacy, and the complicated relationship with a body that looks the same but no longer feels safe.

This is a conversation about quiet strength, trusting medical teams, and redefining what courage looks like when cancer isn’t something you “get through,” but something you live with.

A powerful, honest episode about awareness, autonomy, and choosing to live fully — even when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

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In this deeply honest conversation, Sam sits down with Sophie — diagnosed in 2020 with stage 3 breast cancer. Sophie shares her story with raw clarity: from a mammogram that missed her cancer, to the shock of finding it in 13 lymph nodes, the fear of a liver lesion, and the strange reality of chemo, menopause, and body changes no one prepares you for.

We talk about courage not as fighting, but as walking forward without knowing the outcome. Sophie reflects on reframing her experience, making friends with chemo (yes, really), navigating implants and body image after reconstruction, and the pressure to live a “new life” after cancer — even when you’re still figuring out who you are now.

This is one for anyone living in the messy middle: grateful to be here, but still carrying the weight of it. With biscuits (contentious choices were made), humour, vulnerability, and a whole lot of truth.

🫖 Expect: body talk, menopause chat, cancer reality, self-worth, hope, therapy, courage (real courage — not the inspirational quote version).
🍪 Biscuit of choice: fig rolls — surprisingly divisive.

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In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Jacqui  — a Black Women Rising ambassador whose breast cancer diagnosis arrived just six weeks into a brand-new chapter of her life. Jacqui shares how shock, dismissal, and relentless side effects shaped her experience, and how she had to fight to be heard in a healthcare system that repeatedly minimised her pain.

She speaks openly about the pressure to return to work, the financial fear that pushed her beyond her limits, and the emotional cost of holding everything together for her family. Jacqui also explores the deep generational reasons why trust in healthcare can be fractured for Black women, and why visibility, representation, and safe spaces are vital.

From navigating endocrine therapy and complex side effects to discovering survivorship therapy, mindfulness, and community support, Jacqui traces the long road from numbness to feeling again — and the role Black Women Rising played in helping her reclaim her voice.

This episode is about courage that isn’t loud or dramatic — it’s about refusing to stay stuck in fear, learning to rest, asking for help, and allowing yourself to feel. Jacqui’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, and that none of us should have to do it alone.

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When lifelong friends Anna and Katie were both diagnosed with the same rare type of breast cancer within two years, their worlds turned upside down.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, they talk about friendship, loss, and the courage it takes to keep pushing when the system doesn’t listen. From the uncanny parallels between their diagnoses to the differences in their treatment, they share how grief, humour, and self-advocacy helped them through.

Together they reflect on reconstruction, menopause, and identity — and the ongoing impact cancer has on family, body image, and confidence. This episode is full of laughter, honesty, and hard-won wisdom about listening to your gut and fighting to be heard.

🎧 Cups & Courage shares raw, real conversations about breast cancer, body image, and the courage it takes to live life on your own terms.

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In this deeply honest episode of Cups & Courage, Saskia shares her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2025, navigating surgery, radiation, and the often-conflicting world of medical advice.

A professional working in oncology herself, Saskia offers a rare dual perspective — as both patient and insider — on how information, bias, and communication shape our choices. She opens up about wanting agency in her treatment, the emotional gap left by rushed consultations, and the quiet courage it takes to simply live each day after diagnosis.

Together, Saskia and host Samantha Vale explore what bravery really means, how cultural attitudes shape our responses to illness, and the importance of listening — to ourselves, to each other, and to the space between being “well” and “not well.”

Cups & Courage is a podcast that shares real, raw, and hopeful conversations around breast cancer — the messy middle, not just the milestones.

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When Alice Nicholson discovered she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, she made the life-changing decision to undergo preventative double mastectomies — not because she had cancer, but because she didn’t want to wait for it.

In this open and emotional conversation, Alice shares how she navigated the medical system, grief after losing both parents and her sister, and the reality of reconstructive surgery — from the practical to the deeply personal. She and host Samantha Vale talk candidly about body image, identity, and the moments of courage that come when taking control of your own story.

With honesty, humour and heart, this episode explores what it really means to choose prevention — and how to rebuild life, body, and confidence afterwards.

🎧 Cups & Courage shares lived experiences of breast cancer, preventative surgery, and recovery — with warmth, honesty, and a little bit of tea.

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When Tashmia first raised her symptoms, she was told she was too young and that “women like you don’t get cancer.” For three years, her concerns were dismissed — until her cancer was finally found.

In this raw and vital conversation, Tashmia shares the reality of being a British South Asian woman navigating breast cancer: the racial bias and cultural blind spots in healthcare, the taboos that keep women silent, and the painful invisibility that comes when systems aren’t built with you in mind.

From being denied a double mastectomy because she was “too young and might meet someone,” to being handed a prosthetic nipple that didn’t match her skin, her story exposes the systemic inequalities that too many women face — and the exhausting burden of constant self-advocacy.

But Tashmia also shares courage, resilience, and a shift in perspective that’s both empowering and inspiring. She speaks openly about parenting through treatment, reshaping her relationship with her body, and the quiet power of putting one foot in front of the other.

This is not just one woman’s story — it’s a call to see, listen, and do better.

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In this inspiring episode of Cups & Courage, we sit down with Nevo — a breast cancer survivor, image consultant, and stylist — who empowers women to reconnect with their bodies and confidence after treatment. Diagnosed in 2012, Nevo shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery, and how fashion and styling became powerful tools for healing, self-expression, and resilience.

We explore courage, body image, cultural barriers, and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. Full of honesty, warmth, and practical wisdom, this conversation is for anyone navigating life after breast cancer.

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In this inspiring conversation, we meet Priyanka, a teacher, children’s author, and mother of two, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 36. Her journey has included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a mastectomy with reconstruction, and multiple revision surgeries — but also powerful moments of advocacy, family resilience, and finding her voice.

Priyanka shares:

• What it was like to receive her diagnosis in a difficult consultation
• How her young daughters shaped every decision she made about treatment
• Why family honesty and openness became central to her cancer journey
• The challenges of reconstruction and the impact on her body image
• Writing a children’s book to help families talk about cancer
• Speaking out against stigma and silence around cancer in the South Asian community

From dancing in the kitchen with her children to walking the catwalk on International Women’s Day and even an invite to Downing Street, Priyanka’s story is one of courage, representation, and creating space for others to speak openly about cancer.

Cups & Courage shares lived experiences of people affected by breast cancer. These conversations are not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your health, please consult your doctor or healthcare team.

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In this moving episode, we speak with Rosie, a clinical psychologist whose world changed when she was diagnosed with stage four incurable bowel cancer in 2021. Against all odds, Rosie went into remission in 2022, and later faced further life-altering decisions after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation and undergoing a double mastectomy.

Rosie shares with honesty and warmth what courage means to her: facing pain with an open heart and going through suffering, not around it. We explore her personal cancer journey, the psychological impact of treatment, the choice to go flat, and how her lived experience now shapes her work in oncology psychology.

Together, we talk about:

• The shock of a stage four diagnosis and the whirlwind of treatment
• Choosing between reconstruction and going flat after mastectomy
• The inner voice that became her ally during the hardest times
• How cancer changed her perspective on life, meaning, and identity
• The balance between stoicism, vulnerability, and courage

Rosie’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and redefining what it means to truly live.

Cups & Courage shares lived experiences of people affected by breast cancer. These conversations are not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your health, please consult your doctor or healthcare team.

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In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Georgette Oni, one of only a handful of surgeons in the UK dual-qualified in both plastic surgery and surgical oncology. Georgette shares her unique perspective on breast reconstruction — from the surgical options available, to the psychological impact, to the challenges of ensuring women across the UK receive consistent, compassionate care.

Together, we explore:

• What courage means in the context of cancer treatment
• Different types of breast reconstruction and when they’re offered
• How information is shared with patients during overwhelming times
• The role of body image, culture, and personal choice in surgical decisions
• Why access and experiences vary across regions and communities
• Georgette’s advice for anyone starting their own cancer journey

Georgette reminds us that no question is too small, and that asking — and asking again — can make all the difference.

Cups & Courage shares lived experiences of people affected by breast cancer. These are personal perspectives and do not replace medical advice. If you’re concerned about your health, please speak to your doctor or healthcare team.

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Charlotte was just 32 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. What followed was a whirlwind of treatment, failed reconstructions, cancelled surgeries, and years of fighting to be heard.

In this powerful conversation, Charlotte shares what it really means to advocate for your body in the face of a system that doesn’t always listen. From gruelling chemo to choosing to live flat, she speaks with raw honesty about pain, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward — even when it feels impossible.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The whirlwind of diagnosis and “dose-dense” chemotherapy.
• The battle for informed choice in surgery and reconstruction.
• Living with chronic pain and the decision to go flat.
• The emotional toll of being denied and delayed care.
• Finding community, advocacy, and better days ahead.

Grab a cuppa and join us for Charlotte’s story — a conversation about courage, self-advocacy, and the power of lived experience.

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Welcome to Cups & Courage — the podcast that’s breaking the silence around breast cancer.

Hosted by Samantha Vale, breast cancer survivor and advocate, Cups & Courage shares raw, unfiltered conversations with people who’ve faced breast cancer head-on — patients, survivors, clinicians, and loved ones.

These are honest stories about body image, treatment choices, survival, grief, humour, biscuits (always biscuits 🍪), and the courage it takes to keep going when life throws its hardest punches.

🎙️ Expect laughter, tears, and powerful truths you won’t hear in a clinic room. Whether you’ve been diagnosed, love someone who has, or simply care about the real human side of healthcare — this podcast is for you.

👉 Hit subscribe and join us as we challenge stigma, share lived experience, and remind each other that none of us are alone.

#CupsAndCourage #BreastCancer #Podcast

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