S5 Ep2: Naz on mental health and resilience

Breast Cancer Now

Nazanin Derakshan is a professor who specialises in cognitive neuroscience of anxiety and depression. She founded and works at the BRiC Centre, an organisation that helps people who've had a breast cancer diagnosis feel less anxious and improve their quality of life.
In this episode Laura talks to Naz about her research, her own breast cancer diagnosis, and how her organisation BRiC (Building Resilience in Breast Cancer) supports the mental health of people with breast cancer. She also shares insightful strategies to deal with the challenges faced by people after diagnosis and treatment.
You can find out more about The BRiC Centre or follow BRiC on:
Instagram @briccentre
Twitter/X @BC_Resilience
Facebook @resilienceinbreastcancer
You can also follow Naz personally on:
Instagram @profnderakshan
Twitter/X @ProfNDerakshan
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. For information and support, visit our website breastcancernow.org or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
0:24 Laura introduces Naz
2:06 Naz's experience of breast cancer
6:37 The BRiC Centre and Naz's work
15:26 Explaining why 'chemo brain' happens
23:26 The pressure of others' expectations
28:55 Hormone effects on the brain
31:22 Finishing active treatment
38:11 The pressure of social media
41:45 The psychological vs physical cost of cancer
46:24 Dealing with scan anxiety/'scanxiety'
49:40 Managing spiralling thoughts
56:27 Dealing with empty thoughts and depression
59:49 The most effective tool for mental health