From Diagnosis to Advocacy: The Power of Self-Advocacy

TL; DR: In a nutshell

  • Luan joined Jo Clark on the Redefining Midlife podcast to share how breast cancer changed her approach to healthcare

  • Her cancer was picked up via a mammogram she requested at 46, four years before standard screening starts

  • She learned that self-advocacy isn’t a last resort; it’s a proactive, everyday skill that starts from the first appointment

  • Her go-to method? Triangulate information from experts, evidence, and lived experience to ask better questions

  • Sharing her story led to launching Rewritten Me and Regarding Me - platforms helping women speak up for their health with confidence

  • Her reminder: you can’t always choose the challenge, but you can choose how you respond


In this powerful episode, we meet Luan, whose unexpected breast cancer diagnosis at 46 transformed not just her life path but her entire approach to healthcare advocacy. Her journey from a working-class background in northern England to becoming Australia's leading voice in patient self-advocacy reveals how life's challenges can unveil our true purpose. Luan's story demonstrates that our past experiences - even those that seemed insignificant at the time - can prepare us for our most important work.

Key Takeaways1. Early detection matters

Luan's cancer was discovered through her first mammogram at 46, four years before the standard screening age. Her decision to get checked despite having no apparent symptoms highlights the importance of being proactive about health screening.

2. The power of self-advocacy

Through her experience, Luan discovered that patient self-advocacy isn't just for when things go wrong - it's a proactive approach that should begin from day one. It involves knowing yourself, understanding your rights, and effectively communicating your needs to healthcare providers.

3. Information is empowerment

When facing health challenges, Luan recommends gathering information from three key sources: medical professionals, evidence-based resources, and community experiences. This triangulated approach helps inform better questions and leads to more productive conversations with healthcare teams.

4. Finding purpose through challenge

What started as sharing her reconstruction journey on Instagram evolved into creating Australia's first podcast about reconstruction after mastectomy (Rewritten Me) and launching a broader platform for patient advocacy (Regarding Me). Her story shows how personal challenges can become stepping stones to helping others.

5. Moving Forward TogetherI

f you're navigating a health challenge or supporting someone who is, remember that you have the right to participate in your healthcare journey actively. Connect with Luan's work through her podcasts Rewritten Me and Regarding Me, or follow her advocacy journey on Instagram. Her message is clear: while we can't choose every challenge we face, we can choose how we respond and use our experiences to create positive change for others.

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