Hi, I'm Rebecca Hogue, I'm the author of the BC Becky blog and the book Never Knew I wanted to be a breast cancer survivor and this is my new podcast, which shares the name with my blog and book - because "I never knew I wanted to be a breast cancer survivor, but the alternative doesn't look so grand".

“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—and 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, as I wrestled with my identity. This show is where I unpack those moments: the fear, the absurdity, the learning curves, and the unexpected clarity that comes from being pushed far beyond what you think you can handle.

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—and invite listeners to grow theirs. 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.