Real Pink

People often talk about social determinants of health - the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age - and how they affect a person’s health, well-being and quality of life. However, there are political determinants of health that impact our health and longevity as well. Rebecca Birch, director of state policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen, is here today to help us understand how political determinants of health ultimately determine and affect social determinants of health and how we can all get involved to create a healthier tomorrow.

Sunny, a mom, wife, and friend to many, opens up about what it's like to receive life-changing news and how she's chosen to embrace resilience, gratitude, and new perspectives. From her decision to make lifestyle changes with her husband’s support to finding strength in her community, Sunny shares the realities, challenges, and small victories of her journey.

Today we are joined by actress, activist and mother Olivia Munn for part two of our conversation about Olivia's journey through breast cancer. Earlier this year, Olivia bravely shared her breast cancer diagnosis, urging women to advocate for early detection through the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment tool. Her heartfelt story resonated globally, prompting a surge in awareness and proactive health measures among women.

Today we are joined by actress, activist and mother Olivia Munn. Earlier this year, Olivia bravely shared her breast cancer diagnosis, urging women to advocate for early detection through the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment tool. Her heartfelt story resonated globally, prompting a surge in awareness and proactive health measures among women.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment ends.

Today, we’re getting to know the Titus family – Leo, Rosalie, Allison, Laura and Kelley. Leo lost his wife Jennifer to metastatic breast cancer in 2003. She was just 34 at the time and she and Leo had three young daughters – Allison, Laura and Kelley. Kelley was just 8 months old when her mother died. The Titus family has committed themselves to doing everything they can to save lives from breast cancer in the hopes that nobody would ever have to go through what they went through, losing a wife and mother.

To date, the family has raised more than $350,000 for Susan G. Komen and participated in Washington, DC-area races, walks and other fundraisers. This year, everyone is all in – doing their part to raise as much as they can for the cause.

Today, we are celebrating the 300th episode of this podcast. Over the past half decade, we have heard from survivors and thrivers, those in treatment, those living with metastatic disease, as well as family and friends of those passed and medical professionals.We are so grateful to everyone who has come on this podcast and shared their story, helping those who need to hear it most and supporting this community. Today, we will revisit some of the lessons we hope you have taken away from this series, 300 episodes in.

We know that 1 in 8 women will be being diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. which means that most people know someone that either has been or is currently touched by breast cancer. On top of that, there have been an increasing number of celebrities in the media speaking about their breast cancer diagnoses, which can sometimes make it feel like people are being diagnosed constantly. When family members, friends, loved ones, coworkers, friends of friends – anyone around us is diagnosed – it can bring up feelings of fear and concern for our own health. Today we’ve been blessed with the perfect person on the show. Licensed professional oncology counselor and breast cancer survivor Dr. Chalice Rhodes is here to empower us to take charge of our health, to give us tools to cope with these feelings and not let anxiety stop us in our tracks and to let us know that we are capable of handling whatever comes our way!

A breast cancer diagnosis is shocking for young women. At a time in life most often focused on family and career, issues of treatment, recovery and survivorship suddenly take top priority, and this can bring with it a wide range of emotions. Today’s guest was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 34. By taking things one day at time, she was able to mentally keep it together through diagnosis and treatment, but when her treatment was complete and she was faced with navigating life with her new normal, that is when the weight of what she had been through caught up to her and she found herself struggling. Cecilia Salvans is here today to share what she’s learned through her experience and how sharing her story to be able to help others has been the best medicine.

On today’s episode, we have two special guests, Kristina Guerrero, journalist, TV host, lifestyle expert and author along with three-time Emmy award-winning journalist, TV host, author and speaker, Gaby Natale. Both are Latinas in the public eye who were diagnosed at young ages with breast cancer. We’ll talk with them about navigating their breast cancer diagnosis as a Latina, how it changed them as storytellers and what they want to share with the Latino community having gone through this experience.

Tumor profiling or genomic testing can give us information about the genes in a person’s cancer cells and can help guide doctors to the best possible treatment plan by predicting the risk of recurrence, or when breast cancer returns after initial treatment. If a low risk of recurrence is shown, people with breast cancer and their doctors can choose to pursue a less aggressive treatment plan with confidence. Here today to empower us with information about the power of genomics and to give further insight into how it can positively affect treatment decisions is Medical Oncologist, specializing in Breast Cancer and Cancer Genomics, and Chief Medical Officer at Agendia, Dr. William Audeh.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment ends.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about advice. Naturally, we want to help and support our friends and family when difficult situations arise, but sometimes our advice can have the opposite effect of what we intended. Without knowing, we can create doubt or confusion by telling someone going through breast cancer what WE would do if WE were diagnosed.

Valerie Engel is French-American and was treated for breast cancer in the United States. She heard from some in France that surgery wasn’t safe, and she wasn’t making the right choice. Valerie felt she had made the right decision with the input and guidance from her care team, but the opinions of others didn’t make an already difficult time any easier for her.

Dr. Miggins is a medical provider who works with her patients every day to make the best decisions for their treatment. She wants her patients to feel confident in the choice they make, knowing the options they have based on their personal breast cancer diagnosis.

Women with a very high risk of breast cancer due to genetic mutations, such as BRCA, may consider risk-reducing bilateral mastectomies to lower their risk of breast cancer. While these prophylactic mastectomies do not completely protect a woman from breast cancer, they lower the risk in women at high risk by at least 90%. When today’s guest learned that she was a carrier of the BRCA1 mutation at only age 31, she began preparing for her surgery and found both an escape and a sense of confidence through romance novels where women were embracing self-confidence, self-love and their bodies. Reading romance novels carried her through her recovery and this year, she published her own romance novel, Four Weekends and a Funeral, with a lead character who has also just undergone a double mastectomy. Ellie Palmer is here today to share her story and how a genre of books helped not only bring her joy, but also gave her a language to help discuss her body and what she feared losing.

1 in 5 women who have had breast cancer surgery and treatment are at risk for developing a potentially detrimental side effect of breast cancer – breast cancer-related lymphedema – a condition in which lymphatic fluid gets trapped in lymph vessels and causes chronic arm swelling leading to reduced quality of life for many. We are joined today by Tina Tsan, a certified lymphedema therapist and the Founder of Harmony Lymphatics. Tina is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to her patients and is excited to be here today to share her wealth of knowledge and expertise about managing lymphedema during and after breast cancer treatment.

Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a breast cancer recurrence. However, everyone who’s had breast cancer is at risk of recurrence. Today’s guest is Nikki Panico, the Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Wisconsin. Nikki is unfortunately no stranger to breast cancer. Her mother and aunt both died from the disease 14 years ago, the same year that Nikki was diagnosed for the first time. Now, she is dealing with a second diagnosis, despite undergoing a double mastectomy and 5 years of hormone treatment and having no evidence of disease for over a decade. Nikki is here today to share the physical symptom that led her back to her doctor and how she is feeling amidst this new fight.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment ends.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about mastectomies and how they aren’t boob jobs.

Asha Miller was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2-negative breast cancer at age 33. She was in great physical shape and never suspected the lump she found in her armpit. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery for a double mastectomy, followed by radiation that left severe burns on her skin. She thought she was finally finished with her treatment but a recall on her breast implants sent her back to the hospital for another surgery.

Dr. Stephanie McCoy is a passionate advocate for health equity and a qualitative research professional at Susan G. Komen. With her extensive experience in public health, Stephanie works to ensure the work Komen does across various Mission programs is responsive to the communities we serve toward breast health equity for all.

Chemotherapy or “Chemo” is often associated with cancer treatment and hair loss, but what do you know about it? The term preventative chemotherapy has been mentioned in the media recently in relation to Princess Kate’s cancer journey, leaving many people wondering exactly what that means. We are joined today by Komen Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Lisa Carey, who will help us understand the evolving role of chemotherapy, preventative chemotherapy, and more in the treatment of breast cancer.

Today’s guest is a mom of three young girls, a firefighter and a contestant from season 36 of “The Amazing Race”, who first found out that she had lumps in her breast from a pre-taping required physical for the show. After competing on “The Amazing Race” and returning home, 36-year-old Bizzy Smith had a long road of self-advocacy ahead of her before finally receiving the breast MRI that diagnosed her breast cancer. Bizzy is here today to help raise breast cancer awareness for younger women and to keep it real with topics like talking to her daughters about the changes in her body, still wanting to feel sexy, and how she’s been able to stay connected to her husband. Her positive spin on life has made all the difference and we are thrilled to have her here today to share her story.

How do you navigate breast cancer when you know the health care system is stacked against you? And, how, as a health care provider, can you best support marginalized people going through the experience of breast cancer? Let’s find out.

In this episode, Jasmine Samuel, a TNBC survivor and Black nurse shares how her experience of suboptimal care in Jackson, Miss., encouraged her to actively seek out a better care experience from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. We’ll also hear from Komen Scholar Dr. Mariana Chavez MacGregor, a breast medical oncologist and professor at the Breast Medical Oncology Department of MD Anderson Cancer Center who will discuss how she provides compassionate care and focuses research on improving outcomes for underserved patients.

When something feels off, it is important to pay attention. You know your body best and self-advocating means listening to your body and speaking up for it. Today’s guest had to fight to be taken seriously when she found a lump in her breast at age 26 because she was told that she was too young for breast cancer. Then at multiple other points throughout diagnosis and treatment, she had to advocate for her health by asking for scans and second opinions, which turned out to be necessary because she received an incorrect diagnosis.

In today’s episode, we’re calling ALL listeners – young and old – to have conversations with trusted health professionals about their risk of cancer. While breast cancer is most common in older women, today’s guests remind us that young women get breast cancer, too. And knowing if you have a genetic predisposition to breast cancer could save your life.

Dani Alderman is 30 years old and a 1-year survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Her maternal grandmother had breast cancer at a young age, so Dani is proactive about her health and gets screened every 6 months. Her mom has not had breast cancer and doesn’t carry a genetic link to breast cancer. But Dani didn’t know that a history of ovarian cancer on her dad’s side of the family could make her at greater risk of breast cancer.

Kasey Lipinski is 38 years old and living with metastatic breast cancer. Prostate cancer has affected her father and grandfather, but nobody in her family has had breast cancer. Kasey didn’t know that a prevalence of prostate cancer on her paternal side was a warning sign that she might be at risk of breast cancer.

When a friend or loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may wonder how to best support them, and it may be difficult to know what to say or do. Today’s guest has been a Komen Patient Navigator for the last 4 years and spends her days talking to people diagnosed with breast cancer – helping to support and guide them through their every need, whether financial, emotional, physical or mental. Laura Grueser is truly sunshine in human form, and she is here today to help us understand we can best support our friends and family members when they are diagnosed so that they feel loved and cared for.

Happy Pride Month, ya’ll! If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, finding culturally responsive, affirming health care in general can be challenging. But when you add a breast cancer diagnosis or even finding a provider who understands the importance of screening for this community because of unique risks, it becomes even more daunting. Our guest today is Dr. Chandler Cortina, a breast surgical oncologist and clinical outcomes researcher with the Cancer Center – Froedtert (pronounced FRAY dirt) Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin Health System. As an openly gay man himself and an oncology provider, he has a passion for ensuring safe breast health spaces exist for members of the LGBTQ+ community and that outcomes are similar to that of their cisgender/heterosexual peers.

Molecular imaging tests can offer comprehensive views of breast cancers, especially for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, and can help paint a clearer picture of the extent and characteristics of the cancer. This can then give doctors the ability to help guide treatment and evaluate response to treatment. Joining us on today’s show is Dr. David Mankoff, Vice Chair of Research, Radiology and the Matthew J. Wilson Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and Associate Director of Education and Training at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Mankoff is going to help us understand the complexities of breast cancer tumors, what these molecular imaging tests are looking for and who should be getting them.

This week, nearly 300 Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy Advocates from across the country are coming together to call on federal lawmakers to help us bring an end to breast cancer. Joining me today are two of those advocates who will be in DC to talk about their experience as public policy advocates and share how you too can join in on using your voice and echoing our message on Capitol Hill.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment
ends.

In today’s episode, we’re learning how a BRCA2 gene mutation has affected a family–both directly and indirectly. It is my pleasure to welcome Nikki, her mom, Anita, and her sister, Kim, to the conversation. Nikki is a three-time cancer survivor, and the only one in your family who has had cancer. Nikki was diagnosed the first time with uterine cancer at the age of 31, and six years later, diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent genetic testing. That’s when she learned she had inherited a BRCA2 genetic mutation, increasing the risk of cancers.

The risk of getting breast cancer increases as you get older, but breast cancer can happen at any age. Today’s guest is Abby. Abby was diagnosed with Stage 3 luminal B invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer at the young age of 31 with no prior family history. She is mom of a 2-year-old, a DIYer and spends time trying to live a more simple, happy life.

This is Real Talk, a new podcast series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends. A breast cancer diagnosis can be life altering for women and men at any age.

But imagine learning you have breast cancer while you’re pregnant. Today’s guests were both diagnosed with breast cancer during their pregnancy. They’re going to share about the range of emotions they experienced, their fears, their worries for their health and their babies’ health as they went through treatment, and how they are doing today.

It is common for people diagnosed with breast cancer to experience depression, anxiety, fear, and mental and emotional distress. Today’s guest was undergoing twice yearly screenings for breast cancer because her mother and aunt had previously been diagnosed. She was scheduled to leave 5 days later for a vacation, but then, Alecia Robinson was called back for additional screenings and diagnosed with stage 1A invasive ductal carcinoma ER, PR-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. She is here today to share the mental anguish that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis, particularly in some of the unknown and “waiting” moments, and how she has been best been able to cope and move forward.

Breast cancer affects everyone differently, but It is common for people diagnosed with breast cancer to experience depression, anxiety and mental or emotional distress. The support of family, friends, and others can help as you go through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Here today to help us navigate the toll that a breast cancer diagnosis can have on your mental and sexual health are two experts from City of Hope Chicago – Behavorial Health Therapist, Alexandria Callahan, and Sexual Health/Intimacy Nurse, Cindy Ingram.

Listen to the latest episode of Real Pink to hear Marianne Alexander share how she stays strong in spirit and maintains positivity while living with metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 35.

Tune into the latest episode of Real Pink to hear breast cancer advocate, Michelle Benjamin, and licensed professional oncology counselor and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Chalice Rhodes, delve into the importance of cultural connections, the power of advocacy, and the necessity of prioritizing mental health during a breast cancer diagnosis.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment ends.

In today’s episode, we’re encouraging everyone to take a break. A breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and life thereafter can be exhausting. All the appointments and procedures and follow-ups and bills, on top of the emotional and physical challenges of cancer, is overwhelming.

Sam Lazar Rivello is a Stage 2b breast cancer survivor who learned how to accept help and support from others during her diagnosis and treatment. Through the outpouring of love from those around her, she could focus on overcoming cancer.

Esther Tambe and her sister Alicia co-founded Fight Thru Flights, an organization that provides free wellness retreats and travel experiences for Black women living with breast cancer. Their goal is to improve the wellness and mental health of Black women who are impacted by this disease.

No two breast cancers are the same, and researchers have come a long way in understanding what makes each breast tumor unique. This is the entire premise behind personalized medicine. By looking at a tumor’s biomarkers, doctors can tailor their patient’s treatment to best fight their unique tumor. On today’s show, we’ll be discussing biomarkers that doctors look for in breast tumors and how they use them to design a treatment plan. We’ll also hear about a new twist on an old biomarker, the estrogen receptor, and how it’s being put into clinical practice. Joining us today to share her expertise is Dr. Virginia Kaklamani, M.D. Dr. Kaklamani is a professor of medicine and leader of the Breast Cancer Program at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.

We still have a long way to go to conquer breast cancer, but we have made some big advances that are saving lives and making a difference. A new modeling study has recently published that the mortality rate for U.S. women with breast cancer decreased an estimated 58 percent between 1975 and 2019. Joining us on today’s show is Jennifer Caswell-Jin, MD who is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Standford Medicine, a former Komen grantee specializing in breast cancer care and research and a lead author on the study that published these findings. Dr. Caswell-Jin will help us understand why the mortality rate has gone down, the barriers that exist in getting the rate down further and what the future of breast cancer advancement looks like from her perspective.

March is Women’s History Month so it’s fitting that we talk about how Susan G. Komen started off making history and continues to make history as an organization dedicated to achieving health equity. At its inception in 1982, Komen started as a health equity organization dedicated to supporting women, at a time when even saying the word “breast” was taboo and women’s health was simply not centered. Since then, Komen has doubled down on its health equity focus and works to advance and ultimately achieve health equity for historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. Joining us today is Cati Diamond Stone, vice president of community health at Komen to talk about Komen’s origin story and how that work continues today.

1 in 5 women who have had breast cancer surgery and treatment are at risk for developing a potentially detrimental side effect of breast cancer – breast cancer related lymphedema— a condition in which lymphatic fluid gets trapped in lymph vessels and causes chronic arm swelling leading to reduced quality of life for many. We are thrilled to be joined today by two guests to help educate us on this topic: Dr. Steven Chen, a practicing surgeon, Chief Medical Officer at Impedimed, and past president of American Society of Breast Surgeons and Kathy Lahr, a patient advocate who will be sharing her personal experience with breast cancer related lymphedema.

Starting treatment for breast cancer can be overwhelming and you might feel scared or alone. Often, hearing from people who have been diagnosed themselves can help provide a sense of safety and support. Tune into the latest episode of Real Pink to hear fitness trainer Amanda Butler share some inspiration and advice about what helped her get through treatment.

Tune into the latest episode of Real Pink to hear Anna Horvat do some myth busting around breast cancer risk to shed light on factors that ARE and ARE NOT scientifically proven to increase you breast cancer risk so you can feel empowered to make important breast care decisions and take charge of your health.

Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, at later stages and with more aggressive types of breast cancer than white women. This makes knowing your family health history crucial and potentially lifesaving. Ricki Fairley, a 12 - year late stage breast cancer survivor, is joining us on the show today to talk about the importance of normalizing conversations around breast cancer, particularly for younger women.

Sometimes on our show, we hear stories of women who make career changes after they receive a breast cancer diagnosis, some of them finding that they want to chase passions, give back to others, or perhaps simply realign their priorities. It is less often, however, that we are joined by women who have devoted their entire careers to the field of breast cancer and then suddenly find themselves as the patient. We are lucky enough to be joined today by Tammy Handley, National Senior Manager of Clinical Operations for Women’s Health at FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation, and breast cancer survivor, to hear her story and what it is like when your career passion turns personal.

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from two women whose lives have been changed by breast cancer, and the ways they are soaring to new heights as Black women.

Donna Dennis is a former track and field star and known as one of the greatest female sprinters in the nation. She qualified as an alternate for the 1984 Olympics in the 200. Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 at the age of 53. Donna didn’t know Black women could get breast cancer because she didn’t know anyone who had it and she never saw women who looked like her at the cancer center where she was getting chemotherapy.

Donna’s diagnosis has inspired her to speak to young, Black female athletes and educate them on their health. As an athlete, her body was always different, and she didn’t know much about her breast health.

Nia Gilliam is a pilot for United Airlines and ambassador for Black women in flying. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2022 and opted for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Both expanders in her breasts leaked and caused infections, which meant additional surgeries for Nia. She was able to have new tissue expanders added and completed reconstruction surgery in November of 2023. But due to all the complications and a traumatic recovery, she has not yet returned to the air.

Nia is an avid advocate for Black women in aviation and started a nonprofit to encourage more young, Black women to pursue careers in flying.

Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, at later stages and with more aggressive types of breast cancer than white women. This underscores the importance of learning about your personal risk of breast cancer. Dr. Kameelah Phillips joins us today to share her insights on the value of understanding breast cancer risk in the Black community, how to advocate for yourself as a younger patient and how lifestyle changes can contribute to lowering your risk of breast cancer.

This episode of "Real Pink" presents an intimate and powerful conversation with Lauren Velarde, whose life was deeply affected by breast cancer. Lauren, shares her compelling story, from the early diagnosis at the age of 26, following a BRCA gene test, to her courageous decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. The episode delves into the complexities of facing such a life-altering condition as a young mother, and the impact it had on her family life. Lauren's journey is not just about her struggle with cancer, but also about the importance of genetic testing, being one’s own advocate in healthcare, and the vital support of loved ones. The episode also touches upon how her experience influenced her mother's decision to undergo genetic testing, ultimately leading to early detection and treatment of her own breast cancer.

Tune into the latest episode of Real Pink to hear Corina Klein share how complications after surgery led her to starting a non-profit organization that provides tattoos for breast cancer survivors who lose their nipples from breast cancer, to help them feel whole again.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from being diagnosed, to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day-to-day with metastatic breast cancer – and living life after treatment ends.

In today’s episode, we’ll hear the personal stories of two women who had to make decisions about their nipples because they both needed surgery to treat their breast cancer. Syreeta Coleman opted for a surgical technique that spared her nipples in the surgical process.

Corina Klein also chose nipple-sparing surgery but experienced complications and ultimately lost her nipples in a later surgery. She now has tattoos in place of where her nipples would be and has started a non-profit organization that provides tattoos for breast cancer survivors who lose their nipples.

On this show, we often talk about how lives are changed after breast cancer, how a survivor’s life takes on a new normal. There can be many challenges that come along with that – from self-esteem to navigating relationships, and even sometimes the shifting of life priorities. Today’s guest has been through a whole host of changes in the decade since her breast cancer diagnosis, including a divorce and a career shift that brought her to Komen to make a difference in the lives of others facing breast cancer. Here today to share how she was able to find empowerment following her breast cancer diagnosis is Nikki Panico. Nikki exemplifies the power of living as her truest self and believing that she can do anything…and she has some great stories of doing just that. She is a shining light and I want to bottle her energy up and share with all of you, so let’s get started. Nikki, welcome to the show!

Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., but it can be successfully treated. To support screening and early detection, Susan G. Komen promotes breast self-awareness messages. These messages consist of knowing your risk, getting screened, knowing what is normal for you and making healthy lifestyle choices. More than 20 years ago, studies showed that monthly breast self-exams don’t reduce breast cancer mortality. Joining us on today’s show is Komen’s Senior Director of Health Information and Publication, Susan Brown. Susan has lived through these changes in recommendations and is here today to explain them to us and to clear up any confusion on what we are supposed to be doing to best protect ourselves.

Once breast cancer treatment ends, you can hardly wait to get back to normal life again. But your body may not respond as fast as you expect it to, your relationships may feel different, and you soon learn that you will need to adjust to a whole new normal in your life. Things don’t necessarily go back to the way they were before. These realizations can all be challenging from an emotional and mental perspective and may take some time to accept. Lauren Tarpley is here today to discuss the reality of what survivorship can really look like after treatment and how she was able to move past the disappointment of trying to get her old self back and to create a plan for her future.

A time that is often joyous and celebratory may not be – and this episode will give strength to those who find themselves in a tough spot and help families and loved ones better understand how to support and uplift someone who may be struggling this time of year. In today’s episode, we’ll hear from two women who were diagnosed with breast cancer during the holiday season. Shannon Schumacher was diagnosed on December 6, 2022 and had surgery the week after Christmas. She was hospitalized on New Year’s Eve with a collapsed lung. Shannon’s mom is a six-time breast cancer survivor and her grandmother passed away from metastatic breast cancer before Shannon was born. Shannon’s stepdad is living with Stage IV bladder cancer and her brother is currently fighting lymphoma. Patricia Fox found a lump in her breast just days before Thanksgiving in 2013. She had a needle biopsy the day after Thanksgiving and received her breast cancer diagnosis on December 5th that year.Their holidays were far from what they were expecting. They managed their diagnosis and had conversations with health care providers and family members about their treatment plan. It wasn’t exactly the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

The goal of treating early breast cancer is to remove the cancer and keep it from coming back. When breast cancer returns after treatment, this is called a breast cancer recurrence. Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a recurrence. However, everyone who’s had breast cancer is at risk of recurrence, though that risk varies greatly from person to person. Your health care provider cannot tell you whether or not you will have a recurrence, but they can give you some information about your risk. Joining us today to talk about breast cancer recurrence and the tools available for surveillance monitoring post treatment is Medical Oncologist Angel Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez Komen for the Cure Multidisciplinary Fellowship Grant Recipient.

If you’ve heard the words, “You have breast cancer,” you aren’t alone. There are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors and those living with breast cancer in the U.S – more than any other group of cancer survivors. You also likely face unique issues and concerns, such as the stress of living in a new normal and the fear of recurrence. You may still be trying to process everything that you just went through or grieving life plans that had to change. The mental and emotional effects of breast cancer are real and after being diagnosed at the age of 38, today’s guest learned for herself just how important it is to feel all your emotions through it to allow yourself to heal. Ryn Sloane is here to share her story with us and how she is now committed to helping survivors go from surviving to thriving!

Multiple communities face unique barriers to breast health care, including lack of access to quality care, financial constraints and cultural differences. Susan G. Komen’s Patient Care Center works to address these barriers by providing a variety of services and resources, such as patient navigation, financial assistance and culturally sensitive care. Komen patient navigator Mariana Garza joins us today to discuss the specific breast health inequities these communities face in accessing breast health care, as well as the ways that the Patient Care Center is helping to break down these barriers.

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from two women who both required surgery to treat their breast cancer but made different decisions about what happened after that surgery. Christy Burbidge had a mastectomy on her left side and decided not to have her breast reconstructed. Suzanne Fonseca opted for reconstruction after her breast surgery but experienced one complication after another, and multiple surgeries later, decided to have her implants removed for good. There’s no right (or wrong) decision when it comes to selecting the treatment that is right for you. And no choice is without risks or wondering after the fact if you made the right decision.

What do you say to a friend when you find out they have been diagnosed with breast cancer? How do you address them? Stacey Lucas is a close friend, mother, community member and cancer survivor. Through her journey, she has found strength in her close family, trust in her doctors and staying physically active. Tune in to hear from Stacey first hand on how to support newly diagnosed friends, family members and loved ones.

When someone has metastatic breast cancer, it is scary for them - and for you! What can you do to really help? What should you say? Is it better to just listen? Today’s guest received a de novo metastatic diagnosis in January 2021 and then elected to retire early from a 30-year technology sales career in order to slow life down and to focus on family, friends and thriving with MBC. Carlee Dixon’s surprise diagnosis also inspired her to learn as much as possible about breast cancer and take every opportunity to educate friends and acquaintances about breast cancer prevention and the day to day reality. Today, Carlee is here to shed some light on how to best support those who are living with metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer affects patients, survivors, families and health care professionals in many ways, one of them being the law. When someone receives a diagnosis, their job is often the first place that they may be legally impacted. Our jobs provide us with income and health insurance. Therefore, it is important to know your rights in the workplace so that you can protect yourself and have the knowledge of how to ask for what you are legally entitled to. Joining us today on the show is Shelly Rosenfeld, Director at the Cancer Legal Resource Center. She’ll help explain your rights to take time off work, the antidiscrimination laws that apply both to an employee and an interviewee, and what reasonable accommodations are under federal and state laws.

Susan G. Komen’s Worship in Pink is a volunteer-driven breast health educational program powered by local faith-based communities. The program empowers faith communities with knowledge and resources to take an active role in their breast health. Here today to discuss the Worship in Pink program and why it is so important for Black congregations are Desiree Elder, Associate Pastor at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, and Se’Nita Harris, an FCBC church member and Komen’s Multicultural Marketing Manager.

Women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are often desperately seeking connection from others who have been through the journey before, looking for real women with real answers. Today’s guest, Krisdee Clark, is the author of the blog The Blonde Bombshell. This is a place where she shares her personal breast cancer journey and gives hope to women that life on the other side, though different, can be wonderful again. Krisdee is a 3-year breast cancer survivor, recently finished a reign as Mrs. American 2022 and was the 2023 keynote speaker at the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill where she also met with Congress and the Senate to obtain more co-sponsors for bills that Komen is leading for women’s health. Krisdee is here today to share her story and how she truly believes that the real part of surviving is the thriving you can do after.

You can connect with Krisdee at www.theblondebombshell.net and on Instagram @theblondebombshell22

Intro: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SusieCakes and Susan G. Komen are teaming up with limited edition desserts created to raise awareness and support their shared vision of a world without breast cancer. Susan Sarich, SusieCakes founder and CEO, leads a workforce that is 80 percent female and has been vocal about the fact that supporting Komen is more than a charitable endeavor – it’s a personal mission. She has not shared, however, how personal. Over the past 3 years, Susan has been on her own breast cancer journey – she’s been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer twice, undergoing multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation and has kept all this news private. She has now decided to share her breast cancer story to raise more awareness and is here today to tell us why this mission and partnership means so much to her. Folks, get ready because this woman is truly incredible. Susan, welcome to the show!

Real Talk was created to talk about real issues and although the average age at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis is 62, young women are being diagnosed every day. We’ll use this conversation to share the experiences of what it is like to go through breast cancer at a younger age, before many women even get married, have children or have an established career.

We’ll also use Maria and Jeanelle’s lived experiences to provide help (hope) and inspiration to others in this situation. Both women have been fierce advocates for themselves and the care they needed. Women who are struggling to be heard and believed can draw on their experiences to keep speaking up. This is also a great conversation to educate doctors and health care providers that no one is too young for breast cancer and should be taken seriously.

Metastatic breast cancer, also called Stage IV, is when breast cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and scared when you’re living with metastatic breast cancer. But you’re not alone. Thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world are living with metastatic breast cancer, and Susan G. Komen® offers many support resources to help you through its Patient Care Center, where patient navigators are available to help provide you with information about metastatic breast cancer, information about clinical trials, access to resources, emotional support and more. Joining us today is Toni Lee, Senior Manager of Patient Navigation. Toni is also a breast cancer survivor herself, so this work is very personal for her. Toni will help us understand how Komen’s Patient Care Center supports those currently living with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers.

Sergio Andres Mendoza lost the love of his life, Sarah Fernandez Mendoza, to metastatic breast cancer in 2017. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to honor Sarah’s legacy while raising their two young children, giving back to Komen in multiple ways and providing inspiration for other breast cancer caregivers who are going through what he experienced. Sergio is here today to talk about caregiver support and how he supports Komen’s mission to end breast cancer.

When active treatment ends and the last appointment is over, you are feeling many emotions. Normal is nowhere on the list. This is a point upon which most everyone can agree – there has been a great deal written about the harsh reality patients face when treatment ends, and even that word – patient. You really are no longer a patient, and that in and of itself requires a mindset shift. For all these weeks and months of treatment, a patient is all you have been. And now you’re back to your Before Life. But nothing feels like Before. Today’s guest felt ill prepared for the abrupt end of treatment and the challenge of jumping back into the rhythm of what her life looked like before breast cancer. She thought about what she wanted her survivorship to look like and found a way to take something painful and turn into something purposeful. Rebecca Walden is here to share her story with us and how she now writes about her experience to help, inspire and heal others.

This is Real Talk, a new podcast series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends.

September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Latinas and today I’m pleased to welcome two women who can help break down the cultural and personal stigmas about breast cancer in the Latina community.

Ashley Fernandez and Brenda Nelson are also living with metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced stage of breast cancer that cannot be cured. They’ve both felt that making friends in a new community has been hard, as they didn’t want to overshare about their lives but also wanted to be genuine and form new friendships.

Continuously increasing treatment costs for patients with metastatic breast cancer can create financial hardship, which is known as financial toxicity. According to The Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 50% of women delay or avoid breast cancer care because of the associated costs. Financial toxicity can lead to difficulty accessing nutritious food and paying bills, as well as keeping up with the cost of basic living expenses. There can be many other hidden costs that add up quickly, including the cost of childcare during medical appointments and gasoline for trips to the doctor. All these stressors negatively impact cancer care by affecting a patient’s health, medication adherence, quality of life and mental health. Here today to talk to us about these unexpected costs associated with an MBC Diagnosis are Komen Scholar and Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Director of the Breast Cancer Program of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Dawn Hershman, and an incredible woman who has been living with MBC for 18 years, Deborah Croskrey.

Widespread access to preventive screening mammography, without cost sharing, is available to millions of women as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, some individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer or those requiring follow-up imaging due to an abnormal mammogram result face hundreds to thousands of dollars in patient cost sharing. Susan G. Komen is committed to championing legislation that addresses this disparity in health insurance coverage to ensure all cancer patients have fair and equitable access to breast imaging that may save their lives. Here today to discuss Komen’s public policy efforts at the state level are California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Rebecca Birch, Komen’s Director of State Policy & Advocacy.

This is Real Talk, a new podcast series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends.

Today’s episode is part of a collaboration between Susan G. Komen and Young Survival Coalition on the ways breast cancer treatment affects a woman’s connection with her body. Depending on the treatment she needs, a woman can struggle physically with the way she looks and feels sexually due to hormonal and emotional changes. These are shared experiences across ages and races. Today, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Kristin Rojas, Shanae Ollison and Kyneitres Good to talk about the intimate changes women experience from their breast cancer treatment and getting comfortable with a different version of themselves.

Dr. Rojas is a breast surgical oncologist and a national leader in treating sexual dysfunction in women receiving cancer treatment. She even identifies herself on Instagram as a #sexaftercancer expert. I love that. We’re honored to have you with us today.

And welcome Kyneitres and Shanae. Shanae was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year at age 34. She became involved with Young Survival Coalition during her search for a supportive group of women who could relate to what she was going through. And Kyneitres, I know you’ve had trouble feeling feminine and sexy following your treatment and work hard at reconnecting with yourself.

Dr. Rojas, I’m going to ask you to start this conversation around Getting Sexy Back by explaining some of the changes women experience during their treatment that causes sexual dysfunction and how they feel about being intimate.

When someone has breast cancer it’s scary for them – and for you! What can you do to really help? What should you say? Friends and family often have good intentions but simply don’t know what to do. Today’s guest found herself being supported by an army of people immediately following her diagnosis, but not in a way that she found particularly helpful. After a friend asked her point blank what it was that she did want, she poured onto paper what and her family really needed from people and the response was powerful. Here today to tell us about this list and how she got to a place of not only being able to accept help, but being able to give loving direction that helped serve her family the most is Julie Hogan.

A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Knowing which questions to ask can help you understand your diagnosis and advocate for yourself as you begin to assemble your healthcare team and develop your treatment plan with your doctors. Finding the right providers is perhaps one of the most important decisions a patient will make post diagnosis, as it is critical to find a doctor you are comfortable with and who is well suited to treat your cancer. Sometimes, barriers exist related to finding a provider, for example if insurance won’t cover certain providers or health systems. Joining us today on Real Pink is Miranda Zinn, a breast care helpline specialist who is going to share how Komen helps patients overcome some of the issues they experience, both through our navigation efforts, as well as our policy efforts.

A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis is difficult. You’re processing a lot of information and dealing with many emotions. You may feel overwhelmed and scared, but you are not alone. Today’s guest was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma 6 months after her mammogram came back clear. Before she could begin treatment, she learned her cancer had metastasized to her abdominal lining. It has been quite a road for Mary Randall over the past 2 years since her diagnosis and she is here today to share her tips for staying positive and adjusting to a new kind of normal in order to thrive.

Today we are excited to introduce ShareForCures, Komen’s groundbreaking research initiative that puts patients at the center of scientific breakthroughs. We’ll explore how ShareForCures is making waves by harnessing the power of data, empowering patients to share their health information to expedite the search for cures and better treatments for diseases like breast cancer that touch us all. Here today to tell us more about this extraordinary platform, why they are participants and the importance of diversity in research are ShareForCures Chief Scientist Dr. Melissa Bondy and two-time breast cancer survivor and Komen Scholar Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vasquez. Ladies, welcome to the show!

Advances in diagnostic imaging have the potential to personalize care for the MBC community. This is because these more disease-specific or target-specific imaging agents can more precisely measure cancer activity and burden at multiple time points starting at the time the patient is diagnosed and is commonly used to determine whether a therapy has been effective. On today’s show we will be discussing diagnostic imaging and its role in breast care to help enable patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Joining us to share their knowledge and experience with diagnostic imaging and self-advocacy are Dr. Hannah Linden, a medical oncologist, and Gwen Manchion, who is currently living with metastatic breast cancer.

Self-advocacy is an important and ongoing part of a breast cancer journey. It can begin as soon as you have an inkling that something is wrong and should continue through follow-up care and treatment. It can be as simple as asking your healthcare team more questions and letting them know how you’re feeling, or finding support by connecting with other people going through a similar experience as you. No one should face breast cancer alone. Knowing what to expect can help and getting support is important for your well-being. Here today to tell us her story and the importance of trusting her voice throughout her breast cancer experience is Melissa Oakes.

A breast cancer diagnosis can bring a wide range of emotions, including shock, fear, sadness and anger. These feelings are normal. Some people find joining a support group or talking to a counselor or therapist helpful in coping with these feelings. Today’s guest is a Komen staff member and a licensed clinical social worker with experience helping patients through the transitions that they face through their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here today to talk to us about the impact of diagnosis on mental health and some helpful strategies to help cope is Amy Colver.

Happy Pride Month, everyone! We know that early detection of breast cancer can save lives. Although screening mammography rates for lesbian and bisexual women are similar to rates for heterosexual women, some lesbian and bisexual women may still not get regular mammograms. This may be due to lack of health insurance, a perceived low risk of breast cancer, or concern due to past experiences of discrimination or insensitivity from doctors. These and other barriers make screening mammograms even more important. In today’s episode, Nancy, a Stage I triple negative breast cancer survivor and her wife, Viviana, talk about the importance of breast cancer screening, how it impacted Nancy’s breast cancer diagnosis and the role of family history in the future of their health.

The breast health inequities that Black women in the U.S. experience are a social imperative that calls for collective action. Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. To help address these inequities in Indianapolis, a group of community organizations recently came together to host a discussion about community-based resources that service breast cancer patients, to identify resource gaps and to discuss how they can work collectively to ensure Black women have access to the breast health care and support they need in their community. Lisa Hayes, the Director of Women’s Health at Gennesaret Free Clinic and Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities, is here today to tell us about this initiative and how this community is coming together to collectively use their resources to support the women in their area.

Gennesaret Free Clinic website:  www.gennesaret.org
Gennesaret Free Clinic appointment line:  800-696-1511
Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities website:  www.pink-4-ever-org
Pink-4-Ever phone number:  317-682-4944

This is Real Talk, a new podcast series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends.

Today’s guests had plans for their lives.

Sara and her family moved into a new house during the pandemic. They had a room picked out for the child she was pregnant with, had clothes picked out for her, and even a name – Leah (Lee-Ah) Grace. Sara was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, and miscarried her child. Her family was ready to take on the world. Instead, they were grieving.

Katie is a mother of three children. Her husband was in his third year of residency when they found out Katie had inflammatory breast cancer. They were planning to move to a new state for his new job, enjoy their little family, and a life with a paycheck. They then had to redirect. They were scrambling to stay near doctors, panicking that Katie wouldn't be here for their children, and the paycheck would now be going to medical bills.

Current law requires insurance companies to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women over the age of 40, without any cost to the woman. Unfortunately, individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer or those requiring follow-up imaging due to an abnormal mammogram result will likely be facing hundreds to thousands of dollars in patient cost sharing. Komen strongly supports policies that eliminate the out-of-pocket cost of these medically necessary tests. Today’s guest was diagnosed with breast cancer after having to pay nearly $2,000 out-of-pocket for diagnostic tests, all before she even got to treatment. She was grateful she could afford it, but now wants to help other women to make sure they have the resources they need to get their appropriate diagnosis. Renee Williams White is here today to share more about her story, the importance of screening and how she recently played a part in helping Susan G. Komen’s Center for Public Policy pass legislation in Maryland to do just that.

Dr. Elizabeth Morris, M.D., is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at the University of California Davis. She is a clinician and specializes in high-risk breast cancer screening. A pioneer in the field of breast imaging, she is at the cutting edge of research using advanced screening techniques like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in conjunction with artificial intelligence to identify people at higher risk for breast cancer earlier, so they can receive more screening and catch breast cancer earlier. Her Komen work combines screening images, patient health information, genomics, and uses artificial intelligence to predict individuals at higher risk for breast cancer, in hopes of making a better model to identify those who would benefit from earlier or more frequent breast cancer screening. Dr. Morris is here today to talk to us about her passion for early detection and to help us understand when we should be getting screened for breast cancer.

Breast cancer screening and early detection play an important role in your health. Screening tests can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when the chances of survival are highest. In this episode, we will dive into the importance of screening and how that can help with early detection. As part of this conversation, we will also discuss why genetic counseling and testing is so important, along with the importance of having discussions about family health history, especially in Black families. Joining us for this discussion is Sharon Anderson, who is living with metastatic inflammatory breast cancer.

Finding and seeing joy in life can be a challenge. When you have been diagnosed with cancer four times and lost numerous family members to the disease, it can be even more of a challenge. However, Sulie Spencer has found ways to be victorious in body, mind and spirit and shines her light on every path she crosses. She is a great example of what faith in God, prayer and early detection can do. As a 46-year survivor, she is here today on our podcast alongside her daughter, Julie Washington, to share their family’s story, how to find joy in life despite life’s ups and downs, and how Julie was able to capture her mother’s spirit and passion for cooking in a book called Recipes for Joyous Living: A Story of Inspiration.

In this episode of the Susan G. Komen "Real Talk" podcast series, Alison LoCoco and Kate Ratajczak share their personal journeys of being diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant. As guests on the show, they candidly discuss the challenges they faced during this difficult time and offer insight into how they navigated the complex and emotional decisions that came with their diagnoses. Hear firsthand how these two women balanced pregnancy and breast cancer treatment, while also taking care of themselves and their families. With this episode, the series aims to provide a platform for honest and raw conversations about breast cancer, with a focus on underrepresented experiences such as pregnancy and motherhood. Tune in to gain valuable insight and a new perspective on breast cancer, from two brave women who have been there.

After undergoing a mastectomy, women can either proceed with a reconstruction or “go flat”, but today’s guest says that the correct decision is what’s best for the patient. As an oncoplastic breast surgeon at City of Hope Chicago, Dr. Carolyn Bhakta performs surgical procedures for patients with breast malignancies, ranging from the earliest to advanced stages of disease. Dr. Bhakta works closely with her patients to understand their cancer needs and goals to identify the most appropriate surgical options and to heal her patients both physically and emotionally. When it comes to breast cancer surgery, there are no wrong decisions – only personal decisions. Here today to discuss the very personal choice that some women make to go flat and to help change the narrative surrounding it is Dr. Carolyn Bhakta.

In an effort to drive systemic change, Komen partnered with ASCO and a group of health care institutions to develop and test interventions that address breast health inequities in the Black community. Here’s a peek into a success story at Parkland Hospital & Health System in Dallas, where the intervention helped connect Black cancer patients to financial coverage and ultimately improved their access to care. We are excited to speak to Maripat Hodges, Cancer Program Manager at Parkland Hospital, to learn more about this success story.

When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, the unknown can sometimes feel like the scariest part. The support of family, friends and others can help as you go through the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Some people find going to a support group is helpful and some people desperately long for connection with other survivors who have been through similar feelings and situations. Today’s guest, Cara Sapida, was on our show back in early 2021 and shared a poem that she had written with our listeners called Oh the Places You’ll Go Fighting Cancer. It was a poem that expressed very real emotions about cancer, the shock and reality that diagnosis can bring, and it clearly resonated with you all, as it was one of the most downloaded episodes that we’ve ever had on this show. Since we spoke to Cara last, she has continued to share the realities of her breast cancer experience through writing and has published a book called Not the Breast Year of My Life. She’s here today to tell us about this journey and fill us in on how things have been going.

A breast cancer diagnosis can be life altering for women and men at any age. But for younger women who want to have children, a diagnosis can immediately change their life plans. Some treatments can prevent a woman from carrying a child; some can make it more difficult to become pregnant; and some can require quick decisions about freezing eggs before treatment begins. And for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant, tough decisions must be made to ensure the health and safety of baby and mom, or to understand the possible impact treatment can have to the baby. None of these decisions or situations are easy, but fertility is an important consideration for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age. Today, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Ann Partridge, a world-renowned oncologist who focuses on treating breast cancer in young women, and Lindsay McGloughlin, a breast cancer survivor who tried but did not become pregnant after finishing active treatment.

Whether you’ve had a mammogram or are preparing to have your first mammogram, chances are that you’ve heard a myth or two that might make you nervous about this important annual screening test. Here with us today to debunk some of the most common mammogram myths is Erica Kuhn, Komen’s Sr. Manager of Health Information & Publications.

As part of our Stand for H.E.R. series, we talk about how the breast cancer experience impacts the Black community. In this episode, we are taking a deep dive into Kay Shaw’s experience as a breast cancer survivor and the challenges women – and especially Black women – may continue to face post treatment. Welcome to the show, Kay!

Today I’m joined by two survivors who experienced menopause at an early age due to breast cancer and treatment. At the time of their diagnoses, Deb Song and Elvira Velez could have carried children. The treatment for their cancer, and subsequent hysterectomies, however, changed their lives forever.

Breast cancer screening and early detection play an important role in your health. Screening tests can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when the chances of survival are the highest. Joining us on the show today to talk about the importance of screening, imaging tests for women for dense breasts and the role of innovation and technology in screening is Henry Izawa, President and CEO of FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation.

Learning about your breast cancer risk can empower you to make important breast care decisions to take charge of your health. If you are at higher risk of breast cancer, talk with your doctor about a screening plan that’s best for you. You may need to be screened earlier and more often than other women. If genetic test results show that you have an inherited gene mutation, you may also consider risk-lowering options, such as risk-lowering drugs, prophylactic surgeries, or clinical trials. Today’s guest has an extensive family history of both breast and ovarian cancers and tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation at a young age. Here today to tell us her story and how she’s worked with her doctors to create a screening schedule to keep a close eye on things while allowing her to fulfill her life dreams is Amy Hunter.

Komen’s free, virtual 10-week patient navigation training program provides specific training for patient navigators to ensure they can help Black patients overcome barriers to receiving high-quality care and treatment. The patient navigation training program takes a multifaceted approach to addressing inequities and barriers in the health care system, first and foremost by connecting patients to resources and support at every step of their breast care journey. We are excited to discuss how Komen trains patient navigators to be culturally responsive with Kelley Moultry, Komen’s Patient Navigation and Outreach Coordinator.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is our honor to be joined today by a woman truly making history and one that I know we will be seeing much more from in the future. Dr. Zainab Shonibare, recently graduated from her PhD in 2022, is a reproductive cancer researcher at Yale University and the first Black postdoctoral researcher in her lab. Her story underscores why representation matters and diversity in research is so important, and Dr. Shonibare is here today to share her story and tell us about the focus of her research.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! But we’re kicking things off a day early with a conversation about LOVE and breast cancer. February 14th it isn’t red roses and champagne toasts for everyone, and today’s conversation about LOVE reminds us of that. Se’Nita Harris was diagnosed with aggressive, triple negative breast cancer at age 37, before she found love. LaToya Bolds-Johnson was diagnosed with stage 3C triple negative breast cancer at age 36. She is married with three young girls and struggling to love the skin she’s in after treatment for her breast cancer. Whether you’re in love or looking to find love breast cancer changes you – physically, emotionally, mentally, sexually. Ladies, thank you for being on today’s show to talk about your own personally struggles to love and be loved.

Genetic testing gives people the chance to learn if they’re at a higher risk of breast cancer, if their family history of breast cancer, or if their breast cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation. In the past, breast cancer genetic testing only checked for inherited gene mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. However, we’ve seen tremendous advancements and genetic discoveries in recent years, and it’s now common to be tested not only for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, but also for mutations in multiple other high-risk genes. Today’s guest, Laurel Pointer, has felt the impact of these advancements first-hand in her family over the past two decades and is here to share her story with us. Laurel, welcome back to the show!

If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, learning about your risk can empower you to make important breast care decisions to take charge of your health. Today’s guest has a strong history of breast cancer in her family but was still not prepared to find a lump at the young age of 32. Here today to share her breast cancer story, how she learned to self-advocate, and the importance of educating her daughter about her breast cancer risk is Courtney Parker.

Susan G. Komen’s Center for Public Policy identifies the public policy issue areas where Komen’s voice can provide the greatest potential for achieving the mission to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. We are excited to discuss the work Komen is doing to drive policies that will bridge gaps that affect the Black community with Molly Guthrie, Komen’s Vice President for Policy & Advocacy, and Janice Parker, a 10-year breast cancer survivor and advocate.

Julie Untener remembers the day like it was yesterday… 20 years ago, in January of 2003, Julie decided to do a breast exam. She’d been vigilant about getting her yearly mammograms, so on on this particular day, when she felt a marble on her left side, Julie knew something wasn’t quite right. She went to the doctor to get additional scans, and was eventually diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing six rounds of chemo, helping her sisters through their own mastectomies, and learning a lot of lessons along the way… Julie is here today to share her breast cancer story and what she’s learned over the last 20 years. Julie, welcome to the show!

On this show, we often talk about how lives are changed after breast cancer, how a survivor’s life takes on a new normal. There can be many challenges that come along with that – from self-esteem to navigating relationships, and even sometimes the shifting of life priorities. Today’s guest has been through a whole host of changes in the decade since her breast cancer diagnosis, including a divorce and a career shift that brought her to Komen to make a difference in the lives of others facing breast cancer. Here today to share how she was able to find empowerment following her breast cancer diagnosis is Nikki Panico. Nikki exemplifies the power of living as her truest self and believing that she can do anything…and she has some great stories of doing just that. She is a shining light and I want to bottle her energy up and share with all of you, so let’s get started.