“Never Knew I Wanted to Be a Breast Cancer Survivor”, is a candid, story‑driven podcast where I share my experience of navigating a life‑changing diagnosis while searching for who I was, who I was becoming, and who am I today. Three weeks after moving to California in 2014—with no family history or warning signs—I found myself thrown into the American healthcare system as a Canadian, a PhD student with a project going no where, while wrestling with my identity. This show is where I unpack those moments: the fear, the absurdity, and the learning curves. In 2023, I was diagnosed with regional recurrence of breast cancer—this time while living in a small town in Nova Scotia Canada. My experiences could not be more different from my initial diagnosis, and yet, I felt like I was in the right place at the right time. As I tell my story, I share how I actively developed my own health literacy. Each episode explores not just what happened, but what I learned about the medical system, patient advocacy, and making sense of the waterfall of information I was receiving. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply someone who loves real life stories, this podcast offers insight, honesty, and sometimes humour in the absurdity that is breast cancer treatment and its aftermath.
Never Knew I Wanted to be a Breast Cancer Survivor
Claim This Podcastby Rebecca J. Hogue
Podcast Overview
“Never Knew I Wanted to Be a Breast Cancer Survivor”, is a candid, story‑driven podcast where I share my experience of navigating a life‑changing diagnosis while searching for who I was, who I was becoming, and who am I today. Three weeks after moving to California in 2014—with no family history or warning signs—I found myself thrown into the American healthcare system as a Canadian, a PhD student with a project going no where, while wrestling with my identity. This show is where I unpack those moments: the fear, the absurdity, and the learning curves. In 2023, I was diagnosed with regional recurrence of breast cancer—this time while living in a small town in Nova Scotia Canada. My experiences could not be more different from my initial diagnosis, and yet, I felt like I was in the right place at the right time. As I tell my story, I share how I actively developed my own health literacy. Each episode explores not just what happened, but what I learned about the medical system, patient advocacy, and making sense of the waterfall of information I was receiving. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply someone who loves real life stories, this podcast offers insight, honesty, and sometimes humour in the absurdity that is breast cancer treatment and its aftermath.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/27/2026
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Recent Episodes
April 23, 2026
When Planning Meets Uncertainty
<p><strong> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/rjhogue" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★">★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★</a> </strong><br>I’ve learned that statistics only mean something before you get a diagnosis. They provide hope (e.g. 80% of breast cancers are HER2 negative), but they mean nothing once you receive the diagnosis. It is no longer relevant what the statistics are, like 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime or that a certain percentage of breast cancers are hormone positive. Both cancers are positive. </p><p>Statistics only matter for the unknown future, not the known present.</p><p>I'm scared. I've gone through many scares over the last 8 and a half years. That is how long it has been since the last of the known cancer was removed from my body. That is how long I've been in remission.</p><p>I have a mantra for when I'm scared - In the absence of a diagnosis, I am healthy.</p><p>Except this scare is different. This scar involved suspicious lymph nodes and an ultrasound guided biopsy. </p>
March 20, 2026
Waiting to prepare
<p><strong> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/rjhogue" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★">★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★</a> </strong><br>For the future, I’m wondering how much I should prepare so that I can pick up where I left off? </p><p>Should I set up something that just keeps going while I’m away? </p><p>And what do I just let go? </p><p>When I first heard that I had cancer, I had friends that I reach out to. These friends put me in touch with other friends – all helping to form a network of support. In times of crisis, we discover the true power of being part of networked communities.</p><p>Time is my biggest challenge right now. Things are moving so very quickly as I manage many different appointments, phone calls, blog posts, notifications, and minutiae.</p>
March 19, 2026
Before Knowing
<p><strong> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/rjhogue" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★">★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★</a> </strong><br>I can logically think about what I want, and how this might play out, but I cannot emotionally prepare. I have no idea where to begin with the emotional side of this decision. How does one prepare to lose a body part?</p><p><br>As Scott and I walk around Sausalito, I find myself looking at other women’s breasts. I never really noticed other women’s breasts before, but now I am drawn to them and keep looking. </p><p><br>I’m not even sure what I’m thinking when I’m looking. I laugh, then swallow tears. Prosthetics or not, I am window shopping. </p>
6 total episodes available
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- What is Never Knew I Wanted to be a Breast Cancer Survivor?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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