Living with Pain After Cancer: Dr. Lauren Heathcote of the Medical Research Foundation on the Mind-Body Connection, Resilience, and the Science of Chronic Pain

This episode of I'm Fine is proudly sponsored by the Medical Research Foundation. The Medical Research Foundation is at the forefront of tackling often-overlooked health challenges, from chronic pain to areas of medical health that don’t receive the attention they deserve. Your support can help fund groundbreaking medical research to transform lives.

In today’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Heathcote, a senior lecturer in Health Psychology at King’s College London. Funded by the Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Heathcote and her team are leading one of the first-ever behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the impact of chronic pain in childhood cancer survivors.

Dr. Heathcote delves into the science of pain, explaining how it’s both a sensory and emotional experience shaped by our bodies and minds. She also shares insights on her cutting-edge work developing digital tools to reshape young survivors’ beliefs about their bodies, fostering resilience and empowering them to live fuller lives despite chronic pain.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:19 Sponsor Message: Medical Research Foundation

00:59 Meet Dr. Lauren Heathcote

02:03 Understanding Pain in Cancer Survivors

05:37 Biopsychosocial Model of Pain

06:32 Cancer Treatment Success Stories

08:30 Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors

10:12 Psychological Impact of Cancer

11:41 Core Beliefs About the Body

20:27 Digital Health Interventions

28:39 Influence of Medical Language

29:38 The Psychological Impact of Post-Cancer Monitoring

30:48 Research on Doctor-Patient Communication

31:36 Mindset and Cancer Recovery

32:44 Exploring Body Resilience

34:15 Positive Psychology and Flow State

35:41 Balancing Positivity and Realism

37:14 Mind-Body Connection in Pain Management

47:03 Interoception and Pain Perception

48:09 A Scientist's Journey

51:51 Supporting Cancer Pain Research

52:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

Get Involved: Join us in supporting the Medical Research Foundation to help fund research like Dr. Heathcote's. Visit https://www.medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk/ to learn more. 

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Sponsored by: Medical Research Foundation

Host: Jean Campbell

Guest: Dr. Lauren Heathcote 

Executive Producer: Jean Campbell

Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach

Composer: Eduoardo Vella