This podcast episode features a conversation about breast cancer, advocacy, and medical PTSD. Host Laura Carfing introduces two guest authors, Brenda Denzler and Elaine Schattner, who share their experiences with breast cancer and discuss their books and writing. The episode also highlights the importance of finding purpose and meaning after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Topics In this Episode:
00:03:28 Finding purpose after breast cancer.
00:08:35 Mental health and breast cancer.
00:14:24 Importance of cancer awareness and perception.
00:25:44 Importance of patient advocacy.
00:39:21. Medical PTSD is real.
00:41:54 Importance of compassion in healthcare.
00:47:14 Early medical experiences can traumatize.
00:53:49 Consider self-publishing or hiring a ghostwriter.
00:57:39 Consider partnering with a ghostwriter.

About the Panelists:
Brenda is a writer and editor currently living in rural North Carolina. She is the author of numerous articles about cancer-related topics and treatment-related medical PTSD, including For My Own Good: Medical PTSD and Me as well as the founder and co-moderator of a support group for PTSD on Facebook.

When she is not writing--and has the energy--she tackles the upkeep on her property, and tries to get in some exercise (because after all, exercise is "the answer" for just about everything that ails ya', right?), enjoys being with her grandkids, and grabs most of her opportunities to spend time with friends. In her downtime, she is currently hooked on digital jigsaw puzzles as a suitable low-brain-demand activity. She is a doggie mom to two large and energetic puppies--which as she knows now is never (in her opinion) a good idea for older people! And she is owned by a geriatric cat, which is definitely more her speed.

Elaine Schattner is a physician, breast cancer survivor, and former oncologist whose book, From Whispers to Shouts: The Ways We Talk About Cancer, is published by Columbia University Press and was recently released as an audiobook. Her work explores public attitudes toward cancer through the history of cancer awareness campaigns, patient advocacy, and news including social media.

Dr. Schattner is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College. After her cancer diagnosis, she earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. Her freelance work has appeared in Aeon magazine, The Atlantic, NPR, Scientific American, the Washington Post, and elsewhere. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Association of Health Care Journalists.

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