Breastcancer.org Podcast

Is Breast Cancer Linked to Certain Bacteria?

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Dr. Dipali Sharma and her team published two papers that found links between bacteria, including F. nucleatum, the bacterium that causes periodontal disease, and the development of breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sharma explain:

her work to figure out how bacteria travel from the gut or mouth to the breast
the changes the bacteria cause in breast cells
why breast cells with BRCA1 mutations were more likely to have higher levels of bacteria in them
how research to inhibit a specific enzyme may one day lead to a new breast cancer treatment

Histotripsy for Breast Cancer in the Liver

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Dr. Brock Hewitt is a surgeon who specializes in treating cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in the liver and other internal organs. One of the techniques he uses is histotripsy. He’s published a number of papers on the procedure and its effectiveness.Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hewitt explain:

how histotripsy works and why it’s only used to treat liver tumors
how doctors decide if histotripsy is right for someone with liver metastases
the risks and benefits of histotripsy
insurance coverage for histotripsy

Podcast image credit:

Breast Cancer Breaks the Fourth Wall

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In Caitlin Shetterly’s latest novel, the main character has been diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Six months after sending in her draft, Shetterly was diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Breast cancer had broken the fourth wall between Shetterly, her characters, and her readers.

Listen to the episode to hear Caitlin explain:

how she came up with the idea of her character Alice being diagnosed with breast cancer
why she thought Alice would be the only person who could understand what she was going through
how breast cancer changed her as a person and as a writer

Managing Mental Overload After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

For some people a breast cancer diagnosis can bring on a rush of feelings: grief, anxiety, fear, hope, resentment, and anger. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the episode to hear Kelly explain:

why some people might feel more anxious after treatment is completed
why feelings about a cancer diagnosis can be a form of grief
how to make space for both/and instead of either/or
how to move forward when you have ongoing oncology appointments

Cooling and Compression to Prevent Neuropathy

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that run to your hands, feet, arms, and legs. Neuropathy can cause burning pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the areas that are affected. Chemotherapy, especially medicines called taxanes – Taxol, Taxotere, and Abraxane – are common causes of neuropathy in people receiving breast cancer treatment. While there are treatments that may help ease the symptoms of neuropathy, there is nothing available that can repair the damaged nerves. So studies are looking at ways to prevent neuropathy in the first place.

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, head of breast and gynecological medical oncology at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care in Paramus, New Jersey, is the principal investigator at her institution of the ICE COMPRESS study, which is looking at cooling mitts and socks and compression to prevent neuropathy during chemotherapy. The study is being done at more than 20 sites across the United States.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain:

risk factors for neuropathy
the rationale for the ICE COMPRESS study
her advice to people who want to try icing and compression on their own during chemotherapy

Antibody May Stop Growth of TNBC Cells

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 is a protein that helps cancers grow by supporting the formation of new blood vessels, stopping cancer cells from dying, and weakening immune cells that should recognize and attack cancer cells. Dr. Nancy Klauber-DeMore is developing an antibody that blocks this protein. Early research suggests the antibody may halt the growth of triple-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Klauber-DeMore explain:

what secreted frizzled-related protein 2 does and why she thought blocking it might help treat breast cancer
why she’s focusing her work on triple-negative breast cancer
the next steps for the antibody she and her team have developed

Supercharging Cancer Vaccines

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0000

Twenty years ago, seven people diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer received a cancer vaccine as part of a clinical trial. Today, they’re all still alive. This prompted Zachary Hartman to study the immune systems of the people in the trial to see what was happening. He found that the women had immune cells that continue to recognize the cancer and keep it under control. Now his goal is to make that vaccine even more effective and make it work on other types of breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hartman explain:

how the original study was done
how he’s working to make the vaccine even more effective
how the vaccine might be modified to work on hormone receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer

Webinar Audio: Managing Hair Loss and Wearing a Wig With Confidence

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar.

There are steps you can take to help prevent treatment-related hair loss, promote hair regrowth, and find confidence again. In this Breastcancer.org webinar, learn how different treatment types affect hair, preventing or reducing hair loss, what to expect for regrowth, tips for coping, and advice for finding and wearing a wig that's right for you.

Listen to the webinar to get expert advice from the panelists, including:

Marisa C. Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Mario E. Lacouture, MD
Director, Oncodermatology Program, Research Director, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Alicia Giglio
Chief Experience Officer, Wigs.com

Breast cancer advocate, Tirzah Cooper has bravely shared her experience of hair loss. Watch her story and hear about the impact it had on her self-esteem and daily life.

How Will Health Insurance Changes Affect People With Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

The changes to federal- and state-run health insurance programs can be confusing, especially since some of the changes haven’t been implemented yet and others are being challenged in court. How will these changes affect people with metastatic breast cancer?

This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Support Group featuring guest moderator Joanna Doran.

Listen to the episode to hear Joanna explain:

what short-term health insurance plans are and what they may not cover
what Medigap plans are and how they’re purchased
Medicaid work requirements and required documentation
differences between Medicare parts A, B, C, and D

Webinar Audio: One Step at a Time: Starting Exercise After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio of Breastcancer.org webinar.

Exercise could change your life — at any age.

Physical activity can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, and it may lower the risk of the cancer coming back if you've been diagnosed. Exercise also has many benefits for people living with metastatic breast cancer.

While evidence shows there are many ways exercise can boost your mental and physical health, we know it isn't always easy to do. This webinar will help inform and motivate you to get moving.

Patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers can watch this webinar to:

Understand how much exercise you really need to get the benefits of working out
Learn what types of exercise are safe and recommended
Hear the latest guidelines on lymphedema and exercise
Discover simple ways to begin or return to physical activity
Hear answers to common exercise concerns
Get tips on equipment, sneakers, and low cost exercise resources

You can also try a free guided workout led by a certified cancer trainer at the end of the webinar.

Learn more about exercise and breast cancer, and try our series of workout videos.

Featured Speakers:

Sami Mansfield

Founder, Cancer Wellness for Life

Thank you to AstraZeneca for making this program possible.

AIMSS: How Aromatase Inhibitors Can Affect Hands and Wrists

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0000

Bone and joint pain are some of the most common side effects of aromatase inhibitors, medicines for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The official name for this is aromatase inhibitor associated — or sometimes induced — musculoskeletal syndrome, also called AIMSS. Many people report pain in the knees, ankles, and hips while taking an aromatase inhibitor, but the hands and the wrists also might be affected.

Hand expert Dr. David Bozentka discusses how AIMSS can affect the wrists and hands, including symptoms such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and tendonitis.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bozentka explain:

the theories why aromatase inhibitors cause joint and bone pain, or AIMSS
how to decrease the risk of AIMSS
how carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and tendonitis are treated

Webinar Audio: Beyond Treatment: How to Get the Follow-Up Care You Need

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar.

Follow-up care after breast cancer is essential. Getting good follow-up care can make a big difference in your long-term health and quality of life. In this Breastcancer.org webinar, you’ll find out how often you should see your oncologist after your treatment ends and get other practical advice from our expert panelists and patient advocates.

Watch the webinar to get expert advice from the panelists, including:

Marisa C. Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer and Founder, Breastcancer.org

Hoda Badr, PhD
Professor, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine

Fumiko Chino, MD
Radiation Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Evelyn Robles-Rodríguez, DNP, APN, AOCN
Director of Outreach, Prevention, and Survivorship, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper

Erin Roesch, MD
Breast Medical Oncologist, Cleveland Clinic

Megan-Claire Chase
Breast Cancer Program Director, SHARE Cancer Support
Patient Advocate

Amanda Helms
Patient Advocate

Kate Rosenblum
Patient Advocate

Loriana Hernandez-Aldama
Two-Time Cancer Survivor, Award-winning Journalist, Author

Exercise As Cancer Treatment

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

The CHALLENGE trial found that a three-year, structured exercise program after chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer reduced the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence risk) and also led to people living longer overall. Dr. Kerry Courneya, the lead researcher, thinks the results can be applied to people with other types of cancer, including breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Courneya explain:

why the study asked people to exercise for three years
why he thinks the results may spur insurance companies to cover exercise-related costs, like equipment and gym memberships
the reasons why the results also could apply to people diagnosed with breast cancer

Webinar Audio: Let's Talk About Sex and Breast Cancer: Desire, Comfort, and Body Image

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This podcast is the audio from a Breastcancer.org ⁠webinar⁠.

Many people struggle with intimacy during and after breast cancer treatment, but not everyone knows what to expect or how to manage these issues. Watch this webinar to learn about the physical and emotional challenges, and suggestions to improve sexual health.

The featured speakers are Marisa Weiss, MD, Jennifer Barsky Reese, PhD, FSBM, and Kristin Emilia Rojas, MD, FACS.

The topics they discuss include:

Vaginal dryness and irritation
Intimacy while in treatment
Decreased desire
Pain during sex
Decreased breast sensation
Fatigue
Emotional challenges and self-confidence
The impact on relationships with partners

In the webinar you will also hear about the importance of discussing sexual health with healthcare providers, different methods and treatments to improve sexual health after breast cancer, the role of counseling and communication in dealing with these issues, and how exercise and lifestyle changes can help.

Learn more about sexual health and breast cancer.

Webinar Audio: Advice From Doctors Who Had Breast Cancer (2024)

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This podcast is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar.

In this candid conversation, Marisa Weiss, MD, Michele Ley, MD, FACS, Pamela Munster, MD, and Rachel Swart, MD, PhD share what they each experienced when they went from the role of healthcare provider to patient.

Despite their medical training, many years of helping patients, and deep knowledge about breast cancer, they too felt their life come to a screeching halt when they were diagnosed.

They spoke honestly about how they managed treatment decisions, returning to work, how the experience changed their interactions with their own patients, what everyone can learn about advocating for yourself, and much more. Their hope is that by sharing their stories, they can help others coping with the same challenges, and empower everyone affected by breast cancer.

Featured speakers:

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Michele Ley, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Breast Surgical Oncologist and Founder, Tucson Breast Health Specialists

Pamela Munster, MD
Director, Early Phase Clinical Trials Unit, Co-leader of the Center for BRCA Research, and Co-Leader, Molecular Oncology Program, University of California San Francisco

Rachel Swart, MD, PhD
Medical Oncology and Hematology, Arizona Oncology

Addressing the Skin Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:47:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Ian Tattersall, an oncodermatologist, was part of a panel focusing on body image, hair loss, and skin health after breast cancer treatment.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Tattersall explain:

some of the most common skin issues
who is a highest risk for skin issues
his advice for people who are experiencing skin issues

Top Research From SABCS 2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:46:00 -0000

The 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured four days filled with new research findings, poster presentations, and educational sessions. Marisa Weiss, MD, founder and chief medical officer of Breastcancer.org, offers her take on the top results.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

how giredestrant, a new oral SERD for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, may change practice
a new use for Tukysa (chemical name: tucatinib) in metastatic HER2-positive disease
the lifestyle factors that can affect breast cancer risk and steps people can take to keep their risk as low as possible

Final Results From Early Trials on a Vaccine to Prevent TNBC

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:30:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Justin Johnson, PhD, presented a poster detailing the final results from three groups of people in a phase I trial on a vaccine to prevent triple-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Johnson explain:

why the vaccine targets the alpha-lactalbumin protein
the safety and dose results of the study
what’s next for the research

Interactive Online Tool Improves Quality of Life in Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:29:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, presented research on the Young, Empowered & Strong (YES) mHealth tool designed to better meet the emotional and physical health needs of young people who’ve received breast cancer treatment.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Partridge explain:

how people access the tool and how it works
the specific symptoms the tool helped improve
what’s next for the tool

Acupuncture Helps Ease Chemo Brain

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:15:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Jun Mao, an integrative medicine specialist and licensed acupuncturist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, presented research showing that both real and sham acupuncture can help improve cognitive function in women treated for breast cancer. Sham acupuncture mimics real acupuncture, but no needles pierce the skin.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Mao explain:

the complexities of chemo brain and why the causes are more than chemotherapy
the results of the study
his advice for people who would like to try acupuncture

Bridging the Gap Between the Oncology and Mental Health Communities

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:53:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Whitney O’Connor, a two-time breast cancer survivor, licensed professional counselor, and founder of the Boobie Queen Company, presented a poster on the mental health tools she developed to help young women address any mental health and body image challenges they may have.

Listen to the episode to hear Whitney explain:

the phases of cancer survivorship framework she developed
how the retreats her company sponsored used the framework to help young women heal emotionally
how she plans to integrate healthcare providers into the framework

“We Need More Education About The Risk of Recurrence”

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:52:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Megan-Claire Chase, known online as Warrior Megsie, a fierce and funny breast cancer advocate, presented a poster on real-world patient and caregiver experiences with breast cancer risk of recurrence in the United States.

Listen to the episode to hear Megan-Claire explain:

why she and her colleagues wanted to do the survey
the gaps in survivorship care the survey uncovered
the support services patients and caregivers need

Making HRT Decisions With a History of Breast Cancer

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:51:00 -0000

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Dr. Tara Sanft, associate professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine and director of the Yale Survivorship Clinic, moderated a session called “Balancing Act: Hormone Replacement Therapy in Breast Cancer Care.”

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sanft explain:

the difference between systemic and local HRT
why HRT decisions need to be nuanced and individualized for anyone with a history of breast cancer – there is no one-size-fits-all
her advice to people with a history of breast cancer who are considering HRT

Giredestrant Promising New Treatment For Early-Stage HR-Positive Breast Cancer

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:49:00 -0000

After surgery, many people with stage I to stage III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer take tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor for five to 10 years. This has been the standard of care for the last 25 years.

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, UCLA scientist Dr. Aditya Bardia presented results on giredestrant, a new oral selective estrogen degrader/downregulator (SERD) that offered better disease-free survival — how long people live without the cancer returning – than tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bardia explain:

how giredestrant is different from the two other available SERDs
if giredestrant could be combined with a CDK4/6 inhibitor
giredestrant side effects
what the results mean for people diagnosed with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Webinar Audio: Corrective Breast Reconstruction: Getting the Results You Want

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠⁠⁠webinar.

Managing breast cancer treatment can be a long, complex process with unexpected obstacles. Some people experience a cosmetic or medical issue with their breast reconstruction that occurs soon after surgery or years later.

If you’re unhappy with the cosmetic results of reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy — or you’re feeling pain, tightness, or changes in implant position — a corrective procedure may be beneficial for you.

In this webinar, three highly specialized breast surgeons discuss what to do when issues develop after getting implants or having a flap reconstruction – which is using your own tissue to rebuild a breast. They explain possible complications, how to find the right doctor for revision surgery, techniques to fix reconstruction issues, and paying for a corrective procedure.

Listen to the webinar to learn about options for managing discomfort, changes in shape, size, positioning of the breast, asymmetry, implant rupture, capsular contracture, fat necrosis, and more. And remember, If you notice symptoms that concern you, it’s best to see your doctor as soon as possible and ask if what you’re experiencing is normal for the type of reconstruction you had and other health factors that are specific to you.

Learn more about corrective breast reconstruction surgery.

Featured Speakers:

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Anne Peled, MD
Board-certified Plastic Surgeon
Co-director, Breast Care Center of Excellence
Sutter Health

Dhivya Srinivasa, MD, FACS
Double Board-certified General and Plastic Surgeon
Founder, The Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction

Sarosh Zafar, MD
Double Board-certified General and Plastic Surgeon
Center for Restorative Breast Surgery

The Guy With Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Male breast cancer makes up about 1% of all breast cancer cases. The numbers are small, but it does happen. Jake Messier is living with metastatic breast cancer after first being diagnosed with stage II disease in 2023. Jake has very active Tik Tok and Instagram accounts (theguywithstage4breastcancer) detailing his experience with breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Jake explain:

how he felt when he was diagnosed
why and how he got a second opinion and moved his care to Dana Farber
why he decided to be vocal about being a man with breast cancer
why he started the Male Breast Cancer Research Foundation and what he hopes to accomplish with it

Webinar Audio: Managing Chemo Side Effects Before, During, and After Treatment

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠⁠webinar.

Hair loss. Fatigue. Forgetfulness. Vomiting. Weight changes. Neuropathy. The possible side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer can be concerning — especially because there’s no way to predict exactly how each person will react to treatment. It can feel overwhelming to manage it all, but there are steps you can take to help yourself.

Watch this webinar to learn from experts about what to expect and how to prepare for short and long-term side effects. You’ll hear how to manage changes to your body and mind before, during, and after treatment. Get actionable advice on ways to reduce some side effects, and advocate for your care.

Learn more about breast cancer chemotherapy side effects.

Featured Speakers:

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO
Director, Translational Research Integration at UCLA Health
Professor, Department of Medicine at UCLA Health

Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH
Director, Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital
Chief, Breast Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center
Associate Professor of Medicine, Yale

LaShae Rolle, MPH, CPH
Predoctoral Fellow, University of Miami
Breast Cancer Survivor

Cara Sapida
Reporter, WPXI-TV
Breast Cancer Survivor

Ashley Patrick, PharmD
Registered Manager Onsite Pharmacy, Walgreens

Can We Stop Fat From Fueling Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Dr. Andrei Goga and his colleagues found that triple-negative breast cancer cells build molecular tunnels called gap junctions into nearby fat cells and use the fat cells’ energy for fuel. When the scientists blocked the gap junctions, the tumors stopped growing.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Goga explain:

how the study came about
how the cancer cells connect to the fat cells
how the process could work in metastatic TNBC
what the results could mean for treating triple negative disease.

Webinar Audio: Real Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠webinar.

For many people, life after breast cancer isn't as easy as just moving on. Physical side effects may linger, and the emotional healing is ongoing. Fear of recurrence can affect our mental health and relationships even when we are doing our best to live in the moment.

Listen to this webinar for an honest conversation between breast cancer survivors about realistically managing anxiety and stress, staying active, and finding a balanced healthy lifestyle.

You’ll also hear from medical experts about survivorship care plans, and their perspective on making healthy choices without putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.

Special thanks to ArmorUp for Life for partnering with Breastcancer.org on the webinar.

Read more about getting the best follow up care for you.

Featured Speakers:

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Kevin Fox, MD
Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania

Loriana Hernández-Aldama
Founder, ArmorUp for LIFE

Charlene Abrams
Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Carolyn Teschler
Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Epiphany Wallner-Haas
Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Coping With the Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, nearly everyone worries that the cancer will come back. But for some people, this fear is overwhelming and interferes with their ability to function and live their lives. Clinical health psychologist Dr. Shelly Johns is studying the effect fear of breast cancer recurrence has on people’s lives and how they cope with that fear.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Johns discuss:

the number of people have a fear of recurrence that warrants treatment
how this fear affects people
the coping strategies her study evaluated
coping mechanisms anyone can use

Webinar Audio: Breast Cancer Before 45

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:02:00 -0000

This bonus episode is the audio of a Breastcancer.org webinar.

When life is interrupted by breast cancer at a young age, there are distinct challenges and quality-of-life issues to manage.

It’s important to understand all the possible ways a diagnosis can impact the future, including fertility decisions, pregnancy care, career disruptions, parenting young kids, long-term survivorship concerns, sexuality, and more.

This webinar is for patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers who want to understand and support the unique experiences of people diagnosed before age 45. Hear powerful personal stories, get expert insights, and learn about resources that can help you.

Featured Speakers:

Jeanelle Adams
Breast Cancer Advocate, @elleviews

Allie Brumel
Chief Operating Officer, The Breasties

Brooks Fuentes
Community Support, Young Survival Coalition

Hayley Gullen
Author, Illustrator, and Breast Cancer Survivor

Melissa Jenkins
Community Director, Breastcancer.org

Athena Jones
Award-winning Journalist and Breast Cancer Advocate

Jasmine McDonald, PhD
Associate Professor, Columbia University

Mackenzie McGrath
VP, Programs, First Descents

Megan Tesch, MD, MPH
Breast Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dani Trops
Breast Cancer Advocate, @dani_trops

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Weight Loss Drugs and Breast Cancer

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

According to a KFF poll, about one in eight, or 12%, of adults in the United States have used a GLP-1 medicine like Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or Zepbound. These drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, but quickly started being prescribed for weight loss and other uses.

While they seem like wonder drugs, GLP-1 medicines do cause side effects and have risks. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are common side effects. The drugs also can cause dizziness, headaches, and elevated heartbeat.

Dr. Neil Iyengar is a breast medical oncologist who studies how diet and exercise can improve quality of life for people with breast cancer. He’s also prescribed GLP-1 medicines for the people he cares for.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Iyengar explain:

how GLP-1 medicines work
the risks these drugs may pose for people receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a CDK4/6 inhibitor
why he works closely with a weight loss specialist or endocrinologist when prescribing these medicines
why the medicines work best when a person also makes lifestyle changes

Webinar Audio: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus episode of the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠webinar⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive subtype of breast cancer that can be harder to treat and is more likely to come back. But new research into understanding TNBC is helping some patients find more precise treatment options.

Learn about innovations in immunotherapy, genetic testing, and targeted therapies, why TNBC is different compared to other types of breast cancer, and what gives doctors hope about the future of care for people with TNBC.

You’ll also hear from two inspiring breast cancer advocates who created TNBC resources for patients after their own diagnosis.

Read more about triple-negative breast cancer.

Featured Speakers:

Maimah Karmo
Breast Cancer Advocate and Founder, Tigerlily

Roberto Leon-Ferre, MD
Co-Leader of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Working Group and Associate Professor at Mayo Clinic

Evelyn Taiwo, MD
Hematology and Oncology at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and Associate Professor at Cornell University

Kelly Thomas
Breast Cancer Advocate and Founder, TNBC Thrivers

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Already Aware: Dealing With Feelings About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Many people feel supported by Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities and pink merchandise. Others feel the month focuses on people who’ve been cured and leaves out people with metastatic disease. Some men with breast cancer feel the overwhelming pinkness of the month silences their experience. And others feel the pink labels on products linked to higher breast cancer risk, such as alcohol and cosmetics with ingredients like triclosan, are hypocritical.

This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the episode to hear:

what people like and dislike about Breast Cancer Awareness Month
why some people feel pressure to be the face of breast cancer for the month
why some people don’t like the words “survivor” or “warrior”
ways to support people with breast cancer during October

Webinar Audio: Healing Your Invisible Scars With Mental Health Support

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:02:00 -0000

This is a bonus episode of the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠⁠⁠webinar⁠⁠⁠.

If you’ve struggled with anxiety, fear, depression, anger, loneliness, or felt overwhelmed by the emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis, this webinar is for you.

You’ll learn about a variety of approaches to treat and manage mental health issues from counseling to complementary therapies, lifestyle changes, medication, meditation, and much more.

Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer can benefit from mental health support. Watch the video to hear what the experts recommend.

Discussion topics include:

How to get started with finding mental health support
Coping with scanxiety
Navigating relationships with loved ones who don’t understand what you’re going through
Finding the right therapist for you
Research into the benefits of yoga, meditation, and acupuncture
How to focus on living in the present
The grief that can accompany any breast cancer diagnosis

The webinar also features a calming 10-minute meditation.

Learn more about taking care of your mental health after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Featured Speakers:

Bethany Adair
Mindset Coach, Author, and Stage IV Cancer Thriver

Ting Bao, MD, MS
Co-Director of the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Susan Glaser, LCSW
Senior Clinical Social Worker, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Rhonda Schaller, MPS, MBSR
Assistant Vice President; Co-Lead of The Mindfulness Collaboratory, Pratt Institute

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

TNBC Can Change Hormone Receptor Status If It Comes Back

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Triple-negative breast cancer is negative for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. So, it’s hormone receptor-negative. People diagnosed with this type of breast cancer aren’t offered hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence (the cancer coming back) because it’s thought that they wouldn’t be effective.

Dr. Lisa Newman and colleagues published research that found that among people diagnosed with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, nearly 33% of the recurrences or second primary breast cancers were hormone receptor-positive. This means the hormone receptor status had changed when the cancer came back or when there was a new cancer. The results raise this question: Should people with triple-negative disease be offered hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence?

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Newman explain:

how she decided to investigate this issue
why the results surprised her
what the results mean for someone who’s been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence

Webinar Audio: Understanding Breast Reconstruction Options

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus episode of the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠⁠webinar⁠⁠.

Making decisions about breast reconstruction is personal. Hours of research can go into your choice about restoring the shape and size of one or both breasts. It’s also important to think carefully about how you want to look and feel in your body.

Implants, flap reconstruction, fat grafting, going flat, immediate or delayed, breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, risks, benefits, costs — there’s a lot to consider.

Whether you’re planning for reconstruction, having a corrective procedure, or recovering from surgery, watch this webinar to learn from experienced plastic surgeons.

Marisa Weiss, MD, interviewed Clara Lee, MD, MPP, FACS and Sarosh Zafar, MD to ask them questions from our community about reconstruction decisions after lumpectomy and mastectomy, expectations for the procedures and recovery time, side effects, symmetry, nipple reconstruction, and much more.

Chelsea’s Story: Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 25

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

A medical assistant at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Upstate New York, Chelsea Vangrol had seen young women diagnosed with breast cancer. But she never expected to be one of them. She shares her experience of being diagnosed with DCIS at age 25 so other people in a similar situation will know they’re not alone.Listen to the episode to hear Chelsea discuss:

strategies she used to cope with stress and fear
the factors she considered when making treatment decisions
what she’d like other people who are diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s to know

Webinar Audio: Styling Confidence After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:56:00 -0000

This is a bonus episode of the audio of a Breastcancer.org ⁠webinar⁠.

Whether you’re adjusting to changes to your body, experiencing weight fluctuation, hair loss, hot flashes, or just trying to feel “like yourself” again, this webinar will give you a toolkit of style strategies to try.

Dr. Weiss and Emma John discuss their personal stories, and how self-expression through style has helped them after breast cancer. They’ll share practical, affordable ideas to help you feel comfortable, confident, and stylish—no matter where you are in your treatment for breast cancer.

Topics include:

Wardrobe essentials that work for every body
Feeling confident after weight changes
Styling for changes in breast size
Dressing for hot flashes
Head coverings after hair loss
Ways to feel put together when you don't have the time or energy
How to build a versatile wardrobe with accessories
Emma’s tips for keeping your style joyful and flexible during the hardest times

This episode is for anyone who wants to reclaim your sense of self, or develop a whole new style that feels right for you. Remember, style is not about chasing trends or fitting into someone else’s idea of beauty. It’s about honoring your story, embracing your body as it is today, and finding moments of joy.

Featured Speakers:

Emma John
Personal Stylist and Founder, Sisterhood of Style

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Teaching the Immune System to Fight Cancer

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:55:00 -0000

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a relatively new type of medicine for breast cancer. Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) and Dato-DXd (brand name: Datroway) are two ADCs used to treat breast cancer.

Dr Benjamin Schrank and colleagues have developed a new type of ADC that combines an antibody with a toxin — called an antibody-toxin conjugate — that teaches the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Schrank explain:

the antibody and the toxin component of the medicine
how the new medicine works
possible side effects
next steps for the research

Episode image photo credit: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Diagnosed With Breast Cancer While Pregnant

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:01:00 -0000

At the start of her second trimester, Rafaela Dreisin was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. Listen to the episode to hear Rafaela discuss:

how she and her doctors decided on a treatment plan
how she coped with experiencing the excitement of being pregnant and the fear of her diagnosis at the same time
her advice for other people in the same situation

Webinar Audio: It’s OK Not To Be OK: Mental Health and Breast Cancer

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus episode of the audio of a Breastcancer.org webinar.

It’s normal to experience emotional challenges after a cancer diagnosis. From body image to managing relationships, heightened stress, the fear of recurrence, and so much more.

In this webinar, you’ll learn about a variety of ways to cope with the anxiety and doubts that can take hold.

Breast cancer patients and survivors will share what helps them manage their mental health struggles. They discuss candidly how they find strength and hope even on their most difficult days.

We'll also hear from experts on finding mental health support and different approaches to getting the help you need.

After you watch the webinar, hear Dr. Stephanie Ross answer more audience questions in a “Stage Free” podcast interview. And learn more about taking care of your mental health after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Featured Speakers:

Martha Gamez-Smith
Breast Cancer Advocate

Loriana Hernández-Aldama
Founder, ArmorUp for LIFE

Allison Ko
Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocate

Stephanie Ross, PhD
Founder, Illness Navigation Resources

Carolyn Teschler
Breast Cancer Advocate

Tiah Tomlin-Harris
Breast Cancer Advocate, Breastcancer.org Virtual Support Group facilitator

Marisa Weiss, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org

Health Insurance and Disability for People Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:23:00 -0000

This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Support Group meetup featuring guest moderator Joanna Doran.

Listen to the podcast to hear Joanna and Community members discuss:

Medicaid changes that may happen, including the work requirement
the long-term disability approval process
having both Medicaid and Medicare

Managing the Emotions of Metastatic Breast Cancer When You’re Young

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:21:00 -0000

This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Support Group featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:

why you might not want to share tough emotions with the people in your life
how to tell someone you need them to listen, not fix things
how different members of the group shared their diagnosis with family and friends

Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care Whom You Love

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Four years after giving birth to her son, Jaci Field was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39.

Listen to the episode to hear Jaci discuss:

her breast cancer experience and her advocacy work
the discrimination she’s faced, both because of her race and whom she chooses to love
how she finds joy

Managing Hormonal Therapy Side Effects

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 23:07:00 -0000

At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Hope Rugo, MD, chaired a session on managing the side effects of new breast cancer treatments and also presented information on how to manage the side effects of hormonal therapy medicines, which are used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Rugo explain:

ways to manage the side effects of tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors
why talking to your doctor about side is crucial to managing them
her advice for people who are having side effects from hormonal therapy medicines

Financial Toxicity and Breast Cancer: How Doctors Can Help

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:39:00 -0000

At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Fumiko Chino, MD, summarized her presentation on how doctors can help the people they care for overcome financial issues. She also offered some strategies for patients.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Chino explain:

some specific resources for people with cancer
why people with breast cancer may have the most financial issues
her top three recommendations for people having financial hardship

Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:24:00 -0000

The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified medical oncologist at the Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Paramus, NJ, summarizes the top breast cancer research.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky discuss:

The SERENA-6 trial, which found that if metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer develops ESR1 mutations during first hormonal therapy treatment, switching to camizestrant from an aromatase inhibitor before the cancer grows improves outcomes.
Results from the DESTINY-Breast09 trial showing that the combination of Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) and Perjeta (chemical name: pertuzumab) is a better first treatment for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer than the current standard of THP chemo.
The ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19 trial, which found that people with metastatic, PD-L1-positive, triple-negative breast cancer fared better with the combo of Trodelvy (chemical name: sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) and Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) as a first treatment compared to people who received chemotherapy and Keytruda.

Making Sure Exercise is Part of Cancer Care

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:06:00 -0000

At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Katie Schmitz chaired a session on ways to ensure that exercise is part of every cancer treatment plan. She also talked about how results of the CHALLENGE trial in colon cancer might apply to breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Schmitz explain:

strategies doctors can use to make exercise an integral part of cancer care
how people can afford and stay motivated to exercise
the results of the CHALLENGE trial, which found that three years of exercise after colon cancer treatment improved disease-free survival (how long people lived without the cancer coming back) and overall survival (how long people lived whether or not the cancer came back)

Lifestyle Risk Factors and Breast Cancer Mortality

Tue, 27 May 2025 16:12:00 -0000

At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Dr. Samantha El Warrak presented the results of her research on how five lifestyle factors affect the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. El Warrak explain:

the five risk factors included in the study
which risk factors were most linked to breast cancer mortality
what the results mean for women diagnosed with breast cancer

The Research METAvivor Funds

Fri, 16 May 2025 11:53:00 -0000

By 2030, researchers estimate that about 246,000 people will be living with metastatic breast cancer. METAvivor is the first organization dedicated to raising awareness of, and funding research on, stage IV breast cancer. Dr. Kelly Shanahan, current METAvivor president, has been living with metastatic disease for 11 years.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Shanahan explain:

how METAvivor started funding research
the funding process
why private funding is so important in today’s political climate
what she’s most fearful of

Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care About Gender

Fri, 02 May 2025 19:24:00 -0000

Ashton Davidson was diagnosed with breast cancer during gender-affirming top surgery. He faced some unique challenges and situations during and after treatment.

Listen to the episode to hear Ash explain:

the emotions he felt when diagnosed
how he decided to become an outspoken advocate
how he lives authentically in the face of adversity
how he finds joy, especially today

Winter 2025 Breast Cancer Research Round Up

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 20:20:00 -0000

Can people diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer avoid chemotherapy and take a CDK4/6 inhibitor instead? Do people diagnosed with DCIS need to have surgery? Will there soon be another oral selective estrogen degrader available?

Breastcancer.org medical advisor Dr. Kevin Fox explains the details of the studies and what they mean for you.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Fox discuss these studies:

Young-PEARL: Ibrance plus Aromasin, along with ovarian suppression, offers better progression-free survival than Xeloda for pre-menopausal women with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who had previously received tamoxifen.
PATINA: Adding Ibrance to standard-of-care first treatments for metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer increased progression-free survival by more than a year.
EMBER-3:Imlunestrant led to longer progression-free survival than standard therapy if the cancer had an ESR1 mutation among people with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced-stage breast cancer. Adding Verzenio to imlunestrant improved progression-free survival compared to imlunestrant alone, whether the cancer had an ESR1-mutation or not.
COMET: Can people with low-risk DCIS just be monitored instead of having surgery with or without radiation?

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and the TRIM37 Protein

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 17:27:00 -0000

It’s been known for many years that Black women are twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. If diagnosed with this type of breast cancer, Black women are also more than twice as likely to die from the disease than women of other races and ethnicities. Researchers have been studying a number of factors that may play a role in these disparities.

Dr. Sanchita Bhatnagar’s research has found that cells that have too much TRIM37 protein are much more likely to become cancerous. She and her colleagues also have found that the breast tissue of Black women are much more likely to have high levels of TRIM37.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bhatnagar explain:

how she began studying the TRIM37 gene
how a variant in the TRIM37 gene that causes more of the TRIM37 protein to be made is more common in Black women that white women
how a medicine that targets the TRIM37 protein could help stop triple-negative breast cancer from metastasizing
next steps for her research

Federal Funding Freeze Pauses Breast Cancer Research

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:48:00 -0000

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are the largest funder of cancer research in the world. A January 2025 executive order froze NIH funding and cut indirect cost payments. Another executive order halted all public communications by a number of federal agencies. Challenges to the orders are winding through the courts.

Dr. Donald McDonnell, who studies and develops drugs to treat breast and prostate cancer, explains how these actions are affecting breast cancer research and what it might mean for people diagnosed with the disease.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McDonnell discuss:

why there may be no federal money allocated to cancer research this year
why all cancer research will likely stop if no federal money is allocated
how the funding freeze is affecting future scientists
how the freeze may affect someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer today

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment: Where Are We?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 18:23:48 -0000

About 10% to 15% of breast cancers are triple-negative. This means they don’t have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone, and don’t have too many HER2 proteins. So, hormonal therapy medicines and medicines that target the HER2 protein aren’t effective against triple-negative breast cancer.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are commonly used to treat triple-negative disease. But scientists are working diligently to develop new treatments that are more precise and targeted.

Triple-negative breast cancer expert Dr. Lisa Carey explains the latest research.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Carey discuss:

the two main areas of research on triple-negative breast cancer
what antibody-drug conjugates are and their potential for treating triple-negative disease
the benefits of combining antibody-drug conjugates with immunotherapy
the features of triple-negative breast cancer that make researchers think a vaccine for it is possible

How Does Alcohol Affect Breast Cancer Risk?

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:59 -0000

In January 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General put out an advisory on alcohol and cancer risk, calling for cancer risk-warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The advisory said alcohol contributes to nearly 100,000 cases of cancer each year, and about 20,000 deaths each year.

The advisory also cited a 2019 study showing that alcohol is more closely linked to breast cancer than any other cancer. More than 44,000 breast cancer cases in 2019 were related to drinking alcohol, which was about 16% of the total number of breast cancer cases that year.

Lifestyle medicine researcher Dr. Tracy Crane discusses alcohol and breast cancer risk, including how to stop thinking of a drink as a reward after a hard day.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Crane explain:

why there is no amount of alcohol that is considered safe or healthy
why alcohol seems to increase cancer risk more in women than men
how alcohol increases risk
how we can start to change the culture around alcohol

Fall 2024 Breast Cancer Research Round Up

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:23:38 -0000

Hormonal birth control increases breast cancer risk in women with a BRCA1 mutation, but not women with a BRCA2 mutation. Levonorgestrel IUDs increase risk, but how much? The long-term risk of breast cancer coming back — recurring — as metastatic disease has gone down in the last 20 years, but younger women still have a higher risk than older women.

What does all this mean? Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board member Dr. Kathy Miller discusses the details of these studies and how they may affect you.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Miller discuss these studies:

hormonal birth control ups risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 mutation
levonorgestrel IUDs increase risk
breastfeeding after breast cancer seems safe
the long-term risk of late, distant recurrence has gone down
but age affects that risk

Biomarker Testing Laws: How Are They Helping?

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In cancer, biomarkers are features of the tumor, such as a genetic mutation or the presence of a certain protein. These biomarkers affect how the cancer behaves. Doctors use the results of biomarker testing to make treatment recommendations.

Several organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the LUNGevity Foundation, through the No One Missed campaign, are working to pass laws to require insurance coverage for biomarker testing for people with cancer.

Joanna Fawzy Doran, CEO of Triage Cancer, discusses some of the issues people face getting biomarker testing covered by insurance and how the new laws are helping.

Listen to the episode to hear Joanna talk about:

which biomarker tests are less likely to be covered by insurance
the insurance plans the laws do and don’t apply to
the options people have when a health insurance carrier denies coverage for a biomarker test deemed necessary by a doctor

Advocates’ Thoughts on SABCS 2024

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:38:00 -0000

Five patient advocates share what they like and what they’re excited about at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The advocates are:

Antoinette Greer, of My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support
Gitte Joergensen, of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
Joan Mancuso, of Theresa’s Research Foundation
Barbara Bigelow, of Metavivor and the MBC Alliance
Christine Hodgdon, of GRASP

Listen to the episode to hear the advocates:

explain the research they’re most interested in, including circulating tumor DNA research
what they like most about the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
what the symposium has inspired them to do

Scroll down to below the “About the guest” information to read a transcript of this podcast.

Top Research at SABCS 2024

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:49:00 -0000

The 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and advocacy meetings.

Dr. Marisa Weiss, founder and chief medical officer of Breastcancer.org, breaks down the research that will have the most immediate impact for people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Weiss discuss:

results from the PATINA study showing that adding Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) to first treatments for metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer improved outcomes
research on the benefits of risk-reducing surgery for young women with a BRCA mutation and a history of breast cancer
the importance of moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating breast cancer and personalizing treatments for each unique person

Scroll down to below the “About the guest” information to read a transcript of this podcast.

Enhertu for HER2-Low and -Ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:35:00 -0000

At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Aditya Bardia, director of the Breast Oncology Program and Translational Research Integration at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented results from the DESTINY-Breast06 study, showing that Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki), also called T-DXd, was better than chemotherapy for metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-low or -ultralow breast cancer that grew after one or more hormonal therapy medicines.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bardia explain:

results of the study
what HER2-low and -ultralow breast cancer is
whether people diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer should have additional HER2 testing

Breast Cancer in Young Women: What We Know and Reducing Risk

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 01:01:00 -0000

Cases of breast cancer in young women have been increasing dramatically in the last eight years. Dr. Matteo Lambertini, whose research focuses on breast cancer in young, especially fertility and pregnancy after a breast cancer diagnosis, chaired a session on breast cancer in the young at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. He also presented the results of a study that found young women with a BRCA mutation and a history of breast cancer had better survival and a lower risk of recurrence – the cancer coming back – if they had risk-reducing surgery to remove their healthy ovaries and fallopian tubes, as well as the remaining healthy breast, and any breast tissue left if they had had lumpectomy.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Lambertini explain:

possible reasons why breast cancer rates are rising in young women, even though researchers aren’t exactly sure yet
some of the most troublesome issues young women with breast cancer face
how he plans to use the results of his study with his patients

Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarships

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:45:00 -0000

Andrea Hans was diagnosed with stage II triple-negative breast cancer when she was 28. With expertise in public health and health policy, she began working as an advocate to empower young women to understand their breast cancer risk factors. Andrea received an Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Advocate Scholarship to attend the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Listen to the episode to hear Andrea explain:

how she transitioned from patient to advocate
the scholarship application process
what being a scholar entails

Sexual Health After Breast Cancer

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:28:00 -0000

At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Dr. Don Dizon, professor of medicine and professor of surgery at the Brown University Cancer Institute, was part of a panel entitled “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll.” His presentation focused on sexual health after breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Dizon discuss:

the highlights of his presentation
why sexual health after cancer treatment is important
his advice on how to discuss sexual health with a provider, especially for people in the LGBTQ+ community

Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:59:00 -0000

New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells; it also makes immunotherapy medicines, like Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab), less effective. Dr. Donald McDonnell, senior author of the study, explains the results and how they might make a difference for people with breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McDonnell explain:

what eosinophils are and how he started studying them in connection with breast cancer
how estrogen in the body affects the immune system
how a hormonal therapy medicine, like tamoxifen, can make an immunotherapy medicine, like Keytruda, more effective

Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0000

In the THRIVE trial, sexual side effects caused by hormonal therapy led to lower mental quality of life in both Black and white women, but caused lower physical quality of life only in Black women. Sexual side effects were also linked to Black women being less likely to take hormonal therapy as prescribed, but not white women.

Dr. Janeane Anderson, who analyzed the THRIVE data, explains why it’s so important for anyone who’s received breast cancer treatment to talk to their doctors about any and all sexual health problems they’re having.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Anderson discuss:

Why sexual health is one of the most significant unmet needs among breast cancer survivors of breast cancer, regardless of race.
The most common sexual health side effects of hormonal therapy.
Her advice to women who aren’t comfortable talking about sex and sexuality with their oncologists.

Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 26

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:45:00 -0000

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at any age is frightening and unexpected. But if you’re diagnosed in your 20s – before any type of screening starts – you face different challenges than if you’re diagnosed later in life.

LaShae Rolle, who studies cancer disparities, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 at age 26. When she found a lump in her breast she wasn’t concerned because no one in her family had ever had breast cancer. But a mammogram and ultrasound found at least eight cancer tumors in different quadrants of her breast.

Listen to the episode to hear LaShae explain:

why she decided to have a check-up after she found the lump
how powerlifting helped ease some side effects
how her diagnosis changed the focus of her research
her advice to other people who are too young to start cancer screening

What You Need to Know About Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer; only about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are inflammatory. This type of breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in younger women and has very different symptoms than other types of breast cancer; it can be mistaken for an infection.

Dr. Filipa Lynce, director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Center at Dana-Farber, explains what you need to know about inflammatory breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Lynce explain:

the signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
how inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed
how inflammatory breast cancer is treated

Transitioning to a Different Normal After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:23:00 -0000

A breast cancer diagnosis is a trauma, both physically and emotionally. You may find yourself wondering why no one is calling you one day and wishing you could just be left alone the next. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:

navigating through both fear and hope
how to stay grounded in what exists today
giving yourself grace for living a different life

Oral Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:02:00 -0000

A number of breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and some targeted therapy medicines, like Herceptin (trastuzumab), can cause oral side effects, including mouth sores, dry mouth and infections.

Dr. Sollecito explains why these side effects happen and how they’re treated.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sollecito explain:

why it’s a good idea to see a dentist before starting chemotherapy
the type of dental check-up schedule someone receiving breast cancer treatment should consider
what to do if you develop a cavity or need a root canal during treatment

The Mastectomy I Always Wanted

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:33:00 -0000

While preparing for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Erica Neubert Campbell was understandably scared and anxious. She also had no idea what her reconstructed breasts would look like. Then a colleague shared that she had been through the same experience and showed Campbell her results. The information gave Campbell hope and strength, and she hopes to offer the same to other women with her new book, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted.

Listen to the episode to hear Campbell discuss:

why she wrote the book
how the book was a release, but also brought up a lot of the raw emotions she was feeling when she was first diagnosed
how she hopes the book, including the more than 50 photos, will help other women

Summer 2024 Breast Cancer Research Round Up

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:13:00 -0000

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its screening mammogram recommendations. Having a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast doesn’t lower the risk of dying from the disease. Certain types of exercise can reduce the risk of metastatic recurrence and neuropathy caused by chemotherapy.

What does all this mean? Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board member Dr. Holly Pederson discusses the details of these studies and how they may affect you.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Pederson discuss these studies:

updated U.S. Preventive Services Task Force breast cancer screening recommendations
double mastectomy after a cancer diagnosis in one breast reduces the risk of cancer in the other breast, but doesn’t decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer
neuromuscular training reduces chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
exercise reduces the risk of metastatic recurrence of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer
hormonal therapy doesn’t increase dementia risk

Scroll down to below the “About the guest” information to read a transcript of this podcast.

Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:14:00 -0000

Certain breast cancer treatments, including the aromatase inhibitors – medicines that stop the body from making estrogen – and certain chemotherapy medicines can compromise bone health and lead to osteoporosis.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Shahane explain:

the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia
osteoporosis risk factors
how osteoporosis is diagnosed
osteoporosis treatments

Podcasting From the Chemo Chair

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:16:00 -0000

Carly Fauth was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024. Scheduled to start chemotherapy in May, Carly decided to start a podcast called Chemo Coffee Talk, which she records from her chemo chair during her twice-monthly infusions at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Listen to the episode to hear Carly discuss:

how recording the podcast takes her mind off chemotherapy
how she selects her guests
what she plans to do with the podcast when her chemotherapy regimen ends

What Is Palliative Care and When Do You Use It?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:02:00 -0000

Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, but the two are very different. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Dr. Joe Straton.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Straton discuss:

the issues palliative care addresses
the difference between palliative care and hospice care
the appropriate time to request palliative care
insurance coverage for palliative care

Bias in Healthcare AI

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:57:00 -0000

In late 2019, Meredith’s routine mammogram showed an area of concern. Both her doctor and AI – an artificial intelligence program -- read her mammogram. Her doctor looked at the images and knew she had cancer, while the AI reading wasn’t so clear.

Listen to the episode to hear Meredith explain:

how AI is taught to read and interpret a mammogram

the factors a doctor considers when making a diagnosis versus the factors an AI considers

how bias is introduced into AI

why she wants a doctor to read her mammogram rather than AI

Research on Side Effects at ASCO 2024

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 16:00:00 -0000

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) in June, an entire poster session was dedicated to treatment-related side effects.

Listen to the episode to hear:

Dr. Miriam Klahr discuss links between high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy :42-2:20
Dr. Ana Ferrigno Guajardo explain her study on sexual function in young Mexican women with breast cancer 2:21-4:44
Dr. Mingxiao Yang talk about how acupuncture and yoga may help ease chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy 4:45-5:56
Erin Hong detail the results of a study on the Amma, a scalp cooling cap to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy 5:57-9:52
Dr. Laila Agrawal report the results of an online surgery on sexual health after breast cancer 9:53-11:50

How Are Your Oncologist’s Communication Skills?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:07:00 -0000

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Fumiko Chino, MD, presented the results of research she conducted with Breastcancer.org on how doctors’ communication skills affected how well breast cancer patients stuck to their treatment plants.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Chino explain:

why she wanted to do the study

the results

how to have good conversations with your doctor

Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2024

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:51:00 -0000

The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified medical oncologist at the Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Paramus, NJ, summarizes the top breast cancer research.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain:

the DESTINY- Breast06 study on Enhertu compared to chemotherapy for metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer

how circulating tumor DNA may help predict recurrence

descalating treatment to reduce the risk of side effects

Predicting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Risk in Young Black Women

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:50:00 -0000

Black women have a higher risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer at a young age than white women. At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Holly Pederson, of the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Elisha Hughes, of Myriad Genetics, presented their research on how a polygenic risk score can help predict the risk of early-onset triple-negative breast cancer in Black women.

Listen to the episode to hear Drs. Pederson and Hughes explain:

what a polygenic risk score is

the results of their research

how the results are being used

Genetic Testing Saved My Life

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:49:00 -0000

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Brooklyn Olumba was part of ASCO Voices, a program that gives people in the oncology a community an opportunity to tell their stories. Her talk was entitled “Genetic Testing Saved My Life.”

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Olumba explain:

how she came to have genetic testing at age 25

when she started breast cancer screening

how she advises young women about screening

The Boob Bus

Fri, 24 May 2024 17:57:00 -0000

There are many reasons women don’t get annual mammograms, including the distance to a mammogram facility, lack of transportation, or not having a primary care doctor.

Licensed, certified genetic counselor Rena Vanzo wants to overcome those barriers. She’s started The Boob Bus, a mobile mammography bus that also offers genetic testing and cosmetic procedures, to make getting a mammogram feel more like going to a spa.

Listen to the podcast to hear Rena discuss:

how she came up with the idea for The Boob Bus

the services offered on The Boob Bus

why screening mammograms are so important

how she wants to grow the business

Photo courtesy of Master of Business Creation, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah

Easing Cancer Pain in People With a History of Addiction

Fri, 10 May 2024 13:56:00 -0000

Pain is a common side effect of breast cancer. The cancer itself may cause pain and nearly all breast cancer treatments may cause some type of pain. If breast cancer is metastatic – meaning it’s spread to parts of the body away from the breast, such as the bones or liver – it may cause pain in those areas.

There are many medicines that can ease cancer pain. Opioids are narcotic drugs that are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by breast cancer or its treatments. While effective, opioids can be habit-forming, which can be a problem for people with a history of addiction.

Listen to the episodes to hear Dr. Moryl discuss:

the difference between chronic and acute pain

the difference between withdrawal symptoms and addiction

pain control options for people with a history of substance abuse disorder

Radiation Before Mastectomy: Switching Treatment Order Allows for Immediate Reconstruction

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:18:00 -0000

If early-stage breast cancer has a high risk of recurrence – coming back after treatment – nearly all doctors recommend radiation after mastectomy. But when a woman wants to have reconstruction, the timing of radiation after surgery is tricky because radiation can cause changes in the reconstructed breast’s appearance and up the risk of complications, such as delayed healing. So many women have a tissue expander placed during mastectomy surgery and then receive radiation. Once the area has recovered from radiation, reconstruction surgery is done, usually about six or 12 months after radiation is completed.

In the April 5, 2024, issue of JAMA Network Open, Dr. Benjamin Smith and colleagues published the results of the SAPHIRe trial, which studied whether giving radiation before mastectomy was safe.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Smith explain:

how the idea for the trial came about

the benefits and risks of giving radiation before mastectomy

why women having implant reconstruction aren’t good candidates for radiation before mastectomy

next steps, including the phase III TOPAz trial

How to Ease Stress

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 13:30:00 -0000

That being diagnosed with breast cancer is stressful is an understatement. It may be difficult to accept the diagnosis. You may feel overwhelmed by making so many decisions at once: Which doctor should you see? Which treatments should you have? Where should you have treatment? You may have concerns about how you’re going to keep up with your responsibilities at home and at work.

At the 2024 Living Beyond Breast Cancer Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer, Dr. Ginsberg will be discussing the psychological effects of metastatic breast cancer. During this podcast, she talked about tools anyone who’s been diagnosed with any type of breast cancer, as well as caregivers, can use to manage stress and anxiety.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ginsberg explain:

the most stress-inducing aspects of a breast cancer diagnosis

the factors that make caregivers stressed

how to tell the difference between stress and anxiety and depression

strategies and tools to manage stress and anxiety

Nutrition and Breast Cancer

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 21:37:00 -0000

After a breast cancer diagnosis, many people want to eat more healthfully. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Hillary Sachs.

Listen to the podcast to hear Hillary discuss:

how sugar and protein affect cancer cells

foods and supplements that can help ease fatigue

alcohol and cancer

soy and breast cancer

Embracing What Matters Most After a Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:51:00 -0000

Living with metastatic breast cancer can bring many changes, including to what you find important. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:

how to live in the “right now”

acknowledging and accepting feelings, but not justifying them

the importance of being true to yourself and letting go of things that don’t make you feel good

celebrating what brings you joy

Talking To A Partner About Sex After Breast Cancer

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Many people struggle with being intimate during and after breast cancer treatment. Surgery can change the way you look and feel about yourself, as well as change the sensations your breasts feel. Hormonal therapy can lower your libido and make sex painful. You may be afraid that having your breasts or other areas touched will be painful. And you may be fatigued and feeling exhausted. Talking to your partner about all this can feel overwhelming.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ross discuss:

how people can get more comfortable talking about sex

tips on overcoming some of the most common issues, including body image, painful sex, loss of libido

the best time to bring up the topic

different professional that can help with sex and intimacy issues

Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:44:00 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2023 Congress, Dr. DeMichele presented results from the CLEVER study, which looked at ways to treat inactive breast cancer cells that remained in people who were previously treated for breast cancer. The results suggest that it might be possible to find and treat these inactive breast cancer cells, which could help prevent breast cancer recurrence (the cancer coming back).

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DeMichele explain:

how inactive breast cancer cells survive chemotherapy

how the inactive cells wake up and cause a recurrence

the results of the CLEVER study

next steps for the research

Tai Chi for People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:31:00 -0000

Tai chi is described as meditation in motion. But what does that mean, exactly?

Listen to the podcast to hear Judith explain:

what tai chi is and its history

what a typical tai chi class consists of

the benefits tai chi offers people with breast cancer

Bringing Breastcancer.org to the Spanish-Speaking Community

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:04:00 -0000

Marián Castanondo has been with Breastcancer.org since the Spanish language discussion forums launched 11 years ago.

Listen to the podcast to hear Marián discuss:

how she came to be a moderator

what she’s learned from community members

why it’s important for Breastcancer.org to have a Spanish site and a Spanish community

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:54:00 -0000

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the preferred term for many of the symptoms that menopause can cause, including vaginal dryness and irritation, urinary tract infections, and incontinence.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Rojas explain:

why many people still use the term vaginal atrophy rather than genitourinary syndrome of menopause

the symptoms GSM encompasses

treatments for GSM symptoms

Research With Immediate Impact at 2023 SABCS

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 21:58:00 -0000

The 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and advocacy meetings.

Dr. Matthew Goetz, noted breast cancer researcher at the Mayo Clinic, explained the top research presented that will make an immediate difference for people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Goetz explain:

a study on inavolisib, a promising new treatment for advanced-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that’s stopped responded to tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor
how the immunotherapy medicines Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (chemical name: nivolumab) can be used to treat early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer
overall survival results from the MONARCH-3 study on Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)
why overall survival is such an important study end point

The Benefits of Exercise for People Living With Metastatic Disease

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:22:00 -0000

In 2022, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released guidelines on exercise for people being treated for early-stage cancer. But when those guidelines were developed, there wasn’t enough research on exercise in people with metastatic cancer. So Dr. Anne May decided to do that research.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. May explain:

the design of the study
the type of exercise the people did
what the people thought about exercising
her advice for people with metastatic disease who want to start exercising

Genomic Test Helps Decide Which DCIS Needs Radiation

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:31:00 -0000

The Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score test is used to help people and their doctors make decisions about whether radiation after lumpectomy surgery to remove DCIS would offer more benefits than risks.

At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Seema Khan presented results from the E4112 study, evaluating the ability of the Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score to accurately predict which women would benefit from radiation after DCIS surgery and which women could safely skip radiation.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khan explain:

the design of the study, including why a prospective study is important

the results

how the results fit into the current context of DCIS care

Being in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinical Trial

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 23:51:00 -0000

Dr. Kelly Shanahan, trained as an OB/GYN, has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 10 years. For many years, she tried to join a clinical trial. In 2021, she finally did. At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she told us about her experience.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shanahan explain:

why and how she joined a trial
what she’s experienced while being in the trial
why clinical trials are important to her personally
why clinical trials are important for everyone

Breast Cancer Vaccine Update

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:29:00 -0000

Dr. G. Thomas Budd, an oncologist and Dr. Justin Johnson, an immunologist, are collaborating on research looking at a vaccine to prevent triple-negative breast cancer. At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, they presented a poster on the encouraging first results from three small studies.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Johnson explain:

how the people in the study are responding to the vaccine
why having an immune response to the vaccine is important
the protein the vaccine targets

ART Doesn’t Increase Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:14:00 -0000

At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Hatem Azim presented a new analysis of information from the POSITIVE trial, which found that younger women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer could safely pause hormonal therapy to try to become pregnant. His new analysis looked at whether the women could use fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) without increasing the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence).

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Azim discuss:

the types of fertility preservation and ART used
which techniques were the most successful
the results of his analysis

Paxman Scalp Cooling Patient Assistance Programs

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 23:32:00 -0000

Scalp cooling can help people keep some or quite a lot of their hair when receiving a chemotherapy regime that can cause hair loss.

At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Richard Paxman, CEO of Paxman Scalp Cooling, explained the updated patient assistance programs his company offers. Listen to the podcast to hear Richard explain:

the Paxman Patient Assistance Program
other resources Paxman offers
where to get more information on scalp cooling if your medical oncologist doesn’t have any

What You Need to Know About Lymph Node Radiation After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:37:00 -0000

Breast cancers that are lymph node-positive are usually treated with chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). If those cancers become lymph node-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, there’s been a debate about whether to treat the nodes or not.

A new study has practicing-changing results: Nodal radiation isn’t need.

Dr. Marisa Weiss, Breastcancer.org chief medical officer and founder, and radiation oncologist, explains the findings.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

why there has been debate about how to treat this type of breast cancer
the study results
what the results mean for patients

Treatment After CDK4/6 Inhibitors

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:04:00 -0000

CDK4/6 inhibitors are used to treat both early-stage and advanced-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

The CDK4/6 inhibitors are:

Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib)
Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib)
Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)

At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Stephanie Graff moderated an educational session to help people and their doctors decide on treatments after a CDK4/6 inhibitor has stopped working.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Graff explain:

how the oral SERD, Orserdu (chemical name: elacestrant), might be used
how PARP inhibitors, such as Lynparza (chemical name: olaparib) or Talzenna (chemical name: talazoparib) might be used
why using a CDK4/6 inhibitor after another CDK4/6 inhibitor probably won’t be used

The Losses We Feel After a Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:26:00 -0000

Living with metastatic breast cancer can bring many losses: not being able to ride bike, missing events, losing friends, just to name a few. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:

how to move away from the “what if” to the “what is”
what to say to friends that don’t understand your involvement in metastatic support groups
how they learned to live with metastatic disease

Imaging Tests for Lobular Breast Cancer

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:08:43 -0000

Lobular breast cancer is cancer that starts in the lobules, the glands in the breast that produce milk. Lobular breast cancer is the second most common breast cancer, accounting for about 10% of breast cases in the United States. Lobular breast cancer doesn’t always form a lump and can spread to areas of the body different from ductal breast cancer, such as the abdominal lining or the tissue around the kidneys or the eyes.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Jochelson explain:

why lobular breast cancer is harder to see on mammograms
the imaging tests used to figure out if lobular breast cancer has spread to other areas of the body
the difference between a FES PET scan and a FDG PET scan

Pregnancy After Breast Cancer: Is It Safe?

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 21:29:37 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, chaired a session titled, “Pregnancy After Breast Cancer: Is It Safe?”

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Partridge discuss:

why oncologists are concerned about pregnancy after breast cancer
what the most recent research shows, including results from the POSITIVE trial, which she led
the things women need to consider if they want to have a child after breast cancer treatment

Can Chemotherapy Before Surgery Eliminate the Need for Surgery?

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 20:30:41 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress in Madrid, Spain, Dr. Henry Kuerer presented results from a study looking at whether some women diagnosed with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer or early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer could skip surgery if they had a pathologic complete response to chemotherapy before surgery.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Kuerer explain:

what a pathologic complete response is
why no women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive disease were in the study
the results of the study
what the next steps are for this research

Promising New Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 20:06:00 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, presented results from the TROPION-Breast01 trial, which is comparing a new antibody-drug conjugate, datopotamab-deruxtecan (dato-DXd), to doctors’ choice of chemotherapy for inoperable or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that had grown while being treated with hormonal therapy and also had been treated with chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Bardia explain:

what an antibody-drug conjugate is
the design of the TROPION-Breast01 study and the first results
dato-DXd side effects
how dato-DXd might fit into the current treatment landscape for metastatic breast cancer

Talking to Children About Metastatic Breast Cancer

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Finding the words to talk to children about metastatic breast cancer can be very difficult. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly explain:

why it’s important to use words like “cancer” and “medicine” when talking to children
what children of different ages need to know and hear
how to discuss death with children and how to reassure them that they’ll be taken care of

Breast Cancer Biomarkers

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0000

Biomarkers are molecules that help doctors distinguish breast cancer cells from healthy cells. In general, there are three broad categories of breast cancer biomarkers:

biomarkers that every breast cancer is tested for
biomarkers that may be tested for, depending on the characteristics of the cancer
biomarkers that are being studied

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Tripathy explain:

biomarker tests that are always done
biomarker tests that might be done, the types of breast cancer they’re done on, as well as when they’re done and why they’re done
experimental biomarkers and how they might be used

Medical Cannabis for Breast Cancer Symptoms and Side Effects

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:28:46 -0000

Many people diagnosed with breast cancer decide to use cannabis to ease side effects such as pain, nausea and vomiting.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

the two main compounds in cannabis
the symptoms and side effects cannabis has been shown to help
how to find a dispensary that meets your needs
the top three things to consider if you want to try medical cannabis

Genomic Assays: What Are the Different Kinds and How Do They Work?

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:18:31 -0000

There are several genomic tests -- also called genomic assays -- that analyze a sample of a breast cancer tumor to see how active certain genes are. The results of these tests help people and their doctors decide if more treatments after surgery would offer more benefits than risks.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what each test does and when it might be recommended
how doctors decide which test to use
how widely applicable the results are

Exercise As Breast Cancer Medicine

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:22:24 -0000

At the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Dr. Christina Dieli-Conwright gave a presentation entitled “Resistance exercise is medicine: Applications to improve health and cancer outcomes.”

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Dieli-Conwright explain:

how she came to study exercise as medicine
the exercise benefits for people diagnosed with cancer she’s seen in her research
how to get started with exercise and how to stay motivated
resource suggestions for people who want to start exercising, including the Exercise is Medicine website and a library of exercise videos from the Zakim Center

How Spirituality Can Help People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Dianne Hyman founded Sister Will You Help Me, a breast cancer support group for women of faith and color, nearly 22 years ago.

Listen to the episode to hear Dianne talk about:

why it was important to her to include faith in the support group
how she sees faith and spirituality helping the women in her group
how different beliefs can give people a new perspective on things

2023 ASCO Takeaways

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 13:11:47 -0000

The 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, posters, and networking events. The amount of research presented can be overwhelming, so we asked Dr. Stephanie Graff to break down the key takeaways for people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Graff explain:

the results of the NATALEE trial on Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) for early-stage breast cancer
a meta-analysis showing ovarian suppression definitely reduces the risk of recurrence for pre-menopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer
a poster showing that diclofenac (brand names: Flector, Cambia, Zipsor), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, in a topical gel form seems to help ease hand-foot syndrome caused by the chemotherapy medicine Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine)

Better Sexual Health For Women Taking Hormonal Therapy

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:58:36 -0000

Hormonal therapy can cause a number of troubling issues for women, including loss of libido, hot flashes, and pain during sex. At the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Dr. Kristin Rojas chaired a session called “A Juggling Act: Managing the Toxicity of Estrogen Deprivation for Patients With Breast Cancer.”

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Rojas explain:

some of the most problematic issues and how they can be treated
some of the therapies, products, and devices to avoid
how women can find help for sexual issues

Cannabis for Peripheral Neuropathy

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:35:04 -0000

At the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting Dr. Marisa Weiss, founder and chief medical officer of Breastcancer.org, presented results from her study looking at cannabis to ease peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

how chemotherapy causes peripheral neuropathy
the cannabis product she studied and how it can be obtained
what the results mean for people with peripheral neuropathy

Kisqali Helps Treat Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:17:00 -0000

At the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Dr. Slamon presented results from the NATALEE trial, showing that Kisqali plus an aromatase inhibitor after surgery for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, reduced recurrence risk by 25% compared to an aromatase inhibitor alone.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Slamon explain:

why he thought Kisqali could benefit people with early-stage breast cancer
the side effects Kisqali can cause
what the results mean for people diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive disease

Treatments for Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 18:01:27 -0000

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, also called BIA-ALCL, is a rare type of cancer of the immune system that can develop in the scar tissue capsule and fluid surrounding a breast implant. In some cases, it can spread throughout the body. BIA-ALCL is curable in most patients if it’s diagnosed early and treated appropriately, but a small number of women have died from the illness.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Zafar explain:

what we currently know about BIA-ALCL and its causes
treatments for BIA-ALCL
the differences between the three types of capsulectomies available
reconstruction options for women who have implants removed

Cancer Ghosting

Mon, 15 May 2023 21:16:24 -0000

Cancer ghosting – when friends and loved ones cease all contact after a cancer diagnosis – is a common and extremely painful experience for many people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly explain:

why some people ghost people with cancer
how frequently cancer ghosting happens
the best ways to respond to cancer ghosting

Music Listening Helps Treat Cognitive Problems

Fri, 05 May 2023 14:58:58 -0000

Dr. Ashley Henneghan explains her research showing listening to classical music helped ease memory and thinking problems in people who received breast cancer treatment.

Cognitively-Based Compassion Training May Help Ease Stress

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:37:00 -0000

Dr. Thaddeus Pace is one of the leaders of the Breast Cancer SUPORT (Survivors and Partners Online Research Together) Project, which is studying how cognitively-based compassion training, a specific type of guided meditation, can help women with a history of breast cancer, as well as their partners.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Pace explain:

the differences between cognitively-based compassion training and other types of meditation
the benefits of cognitively-based compassion training
the goals of the Breast Cancer SUPORT Project and how people can join the study, if they’d like to do so

Breast Cancer Care for LGBTQ+ People

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:41:35 -0000

In a paper published in JAMA Oncology, Dr. Erik Eckert, of Stanford, and his colleagues found that LGBTQ people with breast cancer faces delays in diagnosis and have a three times higher risk of recurrence than heterosexual cisgender people.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Eckhert discuss:

the discrimination LGBTQ+ people face when going to doctor’s appointments and other healthcare visits
why he decided to do the study and what the results were
the next steps for this research
how LGBTQ+ people can make sure they’re getting the best and most appropriate care, whether it’s for breast cancer or another issue

Breast Cancer Survival Differences in Black and White Women

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Although Black women are less like to be diagnosed with breast cancer than white women, they are more likely to die if they do develop the disease. Much of Dr. Kent Hoskins’ research focuses on trying to figure out the factors behind this difference in survival. He was the lead author of a paper in the journal JAMA Oncology that found that both the characteristics of a breast cancer, as well the environment in which women live, contribute equally to this survival disparity.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Hoskins explain:

when survival differences were first noticed
what social determinants of health are
how he and his colleagues developed their study
what the results mean for Black women who develop breast cancer
what the next steps are for his research

Breast Cancer Vaccines

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 19:39:01 -0000

Dr. G. Thomas Budd, an oncologist and Dr. Justin Johnson, an immunologist, are collaborating on research looking at a vaccine to prevent triple-negative breast cancer. Their very early studies in mouse models were successful and now they’ve started two small, early studies in people.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Budd and Dr. Johnson explain:

how a cancer vaccine would work in general
how their vaccine works
side effects the vaccine may cause
how long they think it will take before a vaccine is available for approval

Sexual Health Side Effects From Breast Cancer Treatment

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0000

Dr. Sarah Tevis recently conducted a study that found that many women who receive breast cancer treatment have side effects that affect their sexual health. While doctors usually talk to women about possible fertility and menopausal side effects, other common side effects, including vaginal dryness, body image issues, and lack of desire aren’t mentioned. The results also showed that women have specific preferences on how this type of sensitive information should be presented.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Tevis explain:

why it’s difficult for women to bring up sexual health side effects
when women want doctors to discuss sexual health
how women would like sexual health information to be presented

Medical Aid in Dying Laws

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 11:54:00 -0000

Medical aid in dying laws, also called death with dignity laws, physician-assisted suicide laws, and right-to-die laws, are difficult for some people to think about, but for others they’re hugely important.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McGeehan explain:

the history of how medical aid in dying laws came about
the checks and balances in place to ensure the laws are used ethically
the costs associated with using the laws

Low-Dose Tamoxifen to Reduce Risk in Women Who Received Chest Radiation

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 17:41:01 -0000

Women with a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer often take tamoxifen to reduce that risk. There are a number of reasons why a woman might have a higher risk of breast cancer, including receiving chest radiation for childhood cancer, such as Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr. Sandhya Pruthi joined us to discuss a study looking at whether a lower dose of tamoxifen helps reduce breast cancer risk in women who received radiation to the chest as children.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Pruthi explain:

why women who received childhood chest radiation have a higher risk of breast cancer
how the study came about and its results
how she counsels her patients who have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer because they had chest radiation as children

Cancer Culture: Art, Culture, and Equitable Development

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:40:15 -0000

At the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, metastatic breast cancer advocate Beth Fairchild sat down with us to talk about her new organization, Cancer Culture, and what it aims to do.

Listen to the podcast to hear Beth discuss:

why being an advocate is important to her
how and why Cancer Culture was created
the work Cancer Culture created for the #ThisIsMBC campaign

Experimental Capivasertib Seems Promising for Advanced-Stage, Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 17:21:26 -0000

Researchers are always looking for new treatments for advanced-stage breast cancer. Dr. Nicholas Turner explains the results of the CAPitello-291 trial, looking capivasertib, an experimental targeted therapy medicine, in combination with Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) as a treatment for advanced-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has become resistant to the aromatase inhibitors.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Turner explain:

how capivasertib works
the results of the CAPitello-291 trial
how capivasertib worked on cancers previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor

GRASP: Helping Advocates Understand Research, Helping Researchers Understand Patients

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 20:08:29 -0000

GRASP – Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnership – connects patients, doctors, and researchers to exchange ideas and learn from each other. At the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, we asked advocates and researchers who are part of the program what they have learned from the program.

Listen to the episode to learn about:

plans for launching a Spanish version of the program
how the mentor aspect of the program works
how the program helps researchers refine their programs

2022 SABCS Key Take-Aways

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:03:43 -0000

The 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and posters. The amount of research presented can be overwhelming, so we asked Dr. Stephanie Graff to break down the key take-aways for people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Graff explain:

updated results from the monarchE study
updated results from the TAILORx study
results from the RIGHT Choice trial
her thoughts on whether HER2-low breast cancer is a distinct subtype

What I Get From Breastcancer.org Meetups

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 13:42:04 -0000

Vanessa Onsurez, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2021, explains the #ThisIsMBC project at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and the benefits she gets from the Breastcancer.org Virtual Community Meetups.

Listen to the episode to hear Vanessa discuss:

how she got involved in #ThisIsMBC
how she found Breastcancer.org and what she’s learned in the Meetups
what she wants to leave as her legacy

Enhertu Offers Better Overall Survival Than Kadcyla for Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:27:52 -0000

2021 results from the DESTINY-Breast03 study showed that Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) more than doubled the 12-month progression-free survival rate compared to Kadcyla (chemical name: T-DM1 or ado-trastuzumab emtansine) in people diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer that had been previously treated.

At the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Sara Hurvitz presented new overall survival results, showing that Enhertu also improves overall survival compared to Kadcyla.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hurvitz explain:

overall survival and progression-free survival results
severe side effects of Enhertu
how the researchers managed any severe lung problems that developed in people receiving Enhertu

Experimental Elacestrant Seems Effective for Breast Cancer Resistant to Other Types of Hormonal Therapy

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 19:40:05 -0000

Doctors are looking for new treatment options for people diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has grown during treatment with hormonal therapy and a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Dr. Virginia Kaklamani is part of the team investigating elacestrant, an oral medicine, to see if offers more benefits than Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant), which is the current standard of care.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Kaklamani explain:

the type of medicine elacestrant is and how it works
why it’s important that elacestrant showed benefits for breast cancers with an ESR1 mutation
when we might hear if elacestrant is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

What Patients Want Doctors and Researchers to Know About Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:56:41 -0000

A number of issues affecting people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, including financial toxicity, support, and early palliative care, were discussed at an educational session on the first day of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Metastatic patient advocates Christine Hodgdon and Stephanie Walker talked about what they want researchers and clinicians to know about day-to-day life with metastatic disease.

Listen to the episode to hear Christine and Stephanie discuss:

why the patient perspective is important
if and how the patient perspective is taken into account as new treatments are developed
what they hope happens as a result of their participation in the session

Helping Patients Advocate for Themselves

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 13:27:13 -0000

We know that disparities exist in healthcare, including in breast cancer outcomes and in general care before someone is diagnosed. Evidence suggests that structural racism, including how doctors talk to their patients and what they talk to them about, may be at the heart of some of these disparities.

A study led by Dr. Jennifer Griggs found that coaching patients to talk to their doctors about their concerns about their care and advocate for themselves can offset doctors’ implicit biases and lead to better care for Black patients.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Griggs explain:

how an activated patient behaves
how doctors’ implicit biases can affect patient care
steps you can take if you want to be a more activated patient

Healthy Eating During Breast Cancer Treatment

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:00:00 -0000

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, eating nutritious food is an important part of your treatment plan. What you eat can affect your recovery from treatment, your energy levels, and how severe some side effects may be.

Listen to the podcast to hear Amy explain:

her definition of healthy eating
how to wade through all the conflicting stories in the media about nutrition research
ways to eat when you’re having specific treatments and side effects
how to start eating healthier

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Breast Implant Scar Tissue

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0000

In September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put out a safety alert about reports of squamous cell carcinoma and other lymphomas in the scar tissue that forms around breast implants.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what squamous cell carcinoma is and how it’s different from anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
what he thinks about squamous cell carcinomas being found in the scar tissue around both textured and smooth breast implants
the rarity of squamous cell carcinoma in implant scar tissue, how he’s talking to patients about it, and what women should look for

What Is Cancer Survivorship?

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:13:49 -0000

The concept of survivorship is complicated and means different things to different people. Still, in most cases, we’re usually talking about the time after initial treatments for breast cancer are completed. Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez joined us to explain why the term can be controversial, as well as how a survivorship care plan can monitor for late and long-term side effects.

Listen to the episode to hear Evelyn discuss:

how she defines survivorship
the most common late and long-term side effects someone who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer may have
the screening tests she recommends for everyone who’s received breast cancer treatment

Paying for Breast Cancer Care

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:33:00 -0000

Joanna Morales and Loriana Hernandez-Aldama talk about the common issues people face when paying for cancer care and offer solutions for them.

Listen to the podcast to hear Joanna and Loriana discuss:

the four most common issues people face when paying for cancer care
their personal experiences helping people overcome financial issues
advice on how to solve financial issues
resource recommendations for help with financial issues

Verzenio Improves Overall Survival in Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative, Advanced Stage Breast Cancer

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 20:59:16 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022, Dr. Matthew Goetz presented interim overall survival results from the MONARCH 3 study showing that adding Verzenio to an aromatase inhibitor improves overall survival by 12.6 months for advanced-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Goetz explain:

how Verzenio works
the aims of MONARCH 3 study
the difference between progression-free and overall survival and why each is important
Verzenio side effects
what the results mean for people diagnosed with advanced-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

Trodelvy Offers Benefits for Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:22:09 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022, Dr. Rugo presented results from the TROPiCS-02 trial, which was looking to see if the targeted therapy Trodelvy could offer more benefits for people diagnosed with previously treated, metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer than chemotherapy. Currently, Trodelvy is approved to treat previously-treated, metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Rugo explain:

the type of medicine Trodelvy is and how it works
the results showing people diagnosed with previously treated, metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer lived longer when they received Trodelvy compared to chemotherapy
how the results from TROPiCS-02 fit into current treatment options

Enhertu for HER2-Low Breast Cancer: Patient-Reported Outcomes

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 19:23:02 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022, Dr. Naoto Ueno presented patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes from the DESTINY-Breast04 study, which found that compared to doctors’ choice of chemotherapy, Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) improved both progression-free survival and overall survival in people diagnosed with previously treated metastatic HER2-low breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to her Dr. Ueno explain:

how the researchers assessed quality of life
the results showing that Enhertu offered better quality of life than the doctors’ choice of chemotherapy
differences in side effects between Enhertu and chemotherapy

Mental Health Benefits of Pets

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 18:20:08 -0000

We know that many people with breast cancer find that pets offer comfort and companionship and help them better cope with all the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Steven Feldman joined us to talk about the mental health benefits pets can provide people with cancer, as well as things to think about if you’re considering adopting a pet.

Listen to the episode to hear Steve talk about:

the benefits of pets
how pets affect people both physiologically and psychologically
things to consider before adopting a pet

How Therapy Can Help People Affected by Breast Cancer

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 17:48:15 -0000

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary, upsetting, and traumatic for the person diagnosed, as well as their family members. Many people could benefit from counseling and therapy, but don’t know what services are available or how to find them.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ross explain:

how therapy or counseling can help people diagnosed with breast cancer
how to find a therapist that’s right for you
why there is still a lot of stigma and embarrassment attached to therapy
how to start the process, if you think therapy would benefit you

Fezolinetant: A Non-Hormonal Treatment for Hot Flashes

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 18:24:09 -0000

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause, some of your treatments, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, can bring on menopause earlier and more abruptly than expected, causing hot flashes and night sweats. For some women, these symptoms can be severe and dramatically affect their quality of life.

In search of relief, some women consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But because HRT contains hormones -- estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone -- which can make breast cells grow, it is not recommended for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Neal-Perry explain:

how fezolinetant works to ease hot flashes
fezolinetant side effects
why the results of her work on the SKYLIGHT 2 study are so exciting for women with a history of breast cancer

Enhertu for HER2-Low Breast Cancer

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 17:52:43 -0000

At the recent 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, researchers presented results showing Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki), which is a type of medicine doctors call an antibody-drug conjugate, improved both progression-free survival and overall survival in people diagnosed with previously treated metastatic HER2-low breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what HER2-low breast cancer is
how Enhertu works
how the results of the DESTINY-Breast-04 study will change practice

Loosening COVID-19 Restrictions and Immunocompromised People: Do You Feel Left Behind?

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:38:53 -0000

If you’re being treated for breast cancer, you may be considered immunocompromised, meaning your immune system isn’t functioning at its full capacity. As mask mandates are being dropped and other COVID-19 restrictions are loosening, many immunocompromised people feel left behind and are worried that other people’s eagerness to get back to quote “normal” may make them sick.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

vaccine effectiveness in immunocompromised people
his mask recommendations
how immunocompromised people can continue to protect themselves
how he’s talking to his patients about this issue

Genetic and Genomic Tests: What’s the Difference?

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 19:32:48 -0000

If you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, your doctor may have talked to you about genomic testing. You also may have heard about genetic testing. The names sound similar, but the tests are very different.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

how the tests are used and how they’re done
for whom the tests are recommended
how the tests are different
how he talks to his patients about the tests

Just Ask: Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials

Fri, 27 May 2022 20:11:26 -0000

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Barrett talk about:

why diversity in in clinical trials is so important
what the Just Ask program is and how it works
reactions to the program
her recommendations for people who want to be part of a clinical trial

Dating and Breast Cancer

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:50:12 -0000

In this episode, four very different people explain their diagnoses and how they approached dating after breast cancer:

Shawn is a nurse who lives in Kentucky and has had two breast cancer diagnoses.
Suzette Brown is a stand-up comedian and founder of NYLaughs, a non-profit that produces free comedy events in public spaces to inspire audiences, enrich the lives of New Yorkers, and connect people through humor. She is also the creator of #StrongBlackBoobs, which aims to increase breast health awareness and heighten self-esteem among breast cancer patients of color.
Jenne lives in Philadelphia and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27.
Bret Miller is the co-founder of the Male Breast Cancer Coalition and founder of the Bret Miller 1T Foundation.

Adolescent and Young Adult Breast Cancer

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:49:00 -0000

Dr. Rebecca Johnson is a pediatric oncologist/hematologist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. She specializes in treating childhood blood disorders and cancer in kids, teens, and young adults. While at Seattle Children’s Hospital, she founded the adolescent and young adult oncology program and is now building a similar program at Mary Bridge.

Dr. Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 27 years old. This personal experience helped shape her research interests, which include patient engagement, cancer epidemiology, and unmet needs and barriers to care among adolescents and young adults. Earlier this year, Dr. Johnson and colleagues wrote a clinical review of breast cancer in adolescent and young adult women that was published in the Journal of Oncology Practice.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Johnson discuss:

why the number of younger women diagnosed with breast cancer is going up, as well as the size of the increase
issues that are more challenging for younger women with breast cancer
reconstruction options for very young women
her advice for a newly diagnosed adolescent or young woman

Top Research Presented at the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Dr. Sara Tolaney is chief of the Division of Breast Oncology and associate director of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

The 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured four days of presentations on the latest research on breast cancer. Dr. Tolaney joined us to discuss the research that is most immediately applicable to people who’ve been diagnosed with the disease.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Tolaney explain:

results of an early study looking at how effective the experimental medicine datopotamab deruxtecan was in treating metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer
a study comparing Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) to Kadcyla (chemical name: T-DM1 or ad-trastuzumab emtansine) for metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer that had spread to the brain
the studies that she thinks are practice-changing

Aromatase Inhibitors versus Tamoxifen for Pre-Menopausal Women Diagnosed With Early-Stage, Hormone Receptor-Positive Disease

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Dr. Jeremy Braybrooke is a consultant medical oncologist and clinical lead for oncology at University Hospitals Bristol, as well as a senior clinical research fellow at the University of Oxford. Rosie Bradley is a medical statistician in the Clinical Trial Service Unit at the University of Oxford.

At the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Rosie presented the results of their meta-analysis of four studies looking at effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors compared to tamoxifen in pre-menopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive disease.

Listen to the episode to hear them explain:

the results of the study, showing that an aromatase inhibitor and ovarian suppression reduced recurrence risk more than tamoxifen, but didn’t lead to better overall survival
the side effects of aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen
how Dr. Braybrooke is advising his pre-menopausal patients diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive disease

Experimental Elacestrant: A Standard of Care for Pre-Treated, Metastatic, Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer?

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Dr. Aditya Bardia is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the breast cancer research program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

At the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, he presented results from the EMERALD trial, comparing the experimental medicine elacestrant to the standard of care for post-menopausal women diagnosed with metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has grown during treatment with hormonal therapy. That standard of care is either Faslodex or an aromatase inhibitor.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Bardia explain:

how elacestrant works
the results of the EMERALD study
what the results mean for post-menopausal women and men diagnosed with metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has grown while being treated with hormonal therapy

Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Avonne Connor is assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. Much of Dr. Connor’s research focuses on cancer health disparities in women, especially cancer risk factors that people have some control over, such as drinking alcohol, weight, exercise, and smoking.

Listen to the episode to her Dr. Connor explain:

how much alcohol affects breast cancer risk
why alcohol as a breast cancer risk factor is so emotional
why binge drinking is so harmful
why drinking during treatment isn’t a good idea
steps people can take if they want to reduce or quit drinking

Breast Cancer Research at ESMO 2021

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Brian Wojciechowski practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.

Dr. Wojciechowski joined us to talk about some of the most notable research at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2021.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what an antibody-drug conjugate is
results from the DESTINY-Breast03 study, showing Enhertu more than doubled the 12-month progression-free survival rate compared to Kadcyla in people diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer that had been previously treated
results from the BrighTNess study, showing adding carboplatin to chemotherapy before surgery improves progression-free survival.

Running time: 14:09

Kisqali Plus Femara Seems Best Option for Advanced-Stage Hormone-Receptor-Positive HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi is professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and is one of the world’s leading authorities on breast cancer treatment. He has published more than 1,000 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2021, Dr. Hortobagyi presented overall survival results from the MONALEESA-2 trial, which compared the combination of Kisqali and Femara to Femara alone to treat advanced-stage hormone-receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Earlier results from the study found that adding Kisqali to Femara improved progression-free survival — the amount of time the women lived without the cancer growing. These new results found that the combination of Kisqali and Femara also improved overall survival — the length of time women lived whether the cancer grew or not.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hortobagyi explain:

the goals of the MONALEESA-2 study
why the overall survival difference of more than 1 year is so important
whether the improvement in overall survival is likely to be the same no matter which aromatase inhibitor is used
what the results mean for postmenopausal women diagnosed with advanced-stage hormone-receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer

Keytruda Added to Chemotherapy Improves Overall Survival for Metastatic PD-L1-Positive, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Hope Rugo is professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she is also the director of breast oncology and clinical trials education. Dr. Rugo is also a member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board. She is a principal investigator of a number of clinical trials looking at combining new targeted and immunotherapy medicines with standard treatments for both early-stage and advanced-stage breast cancer and has published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2021, Dr. Rugo presented final results from the KEYNOTE-355 trial, which was looking to see if Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and chemotherapy were better than chemotherapy alone as a first treatment for metastatic PD-L1-positive, triple-negative breast cancer. Earlier results found that adding Keytruda to chemotherapy improved progression-free survival — how long people lived before the cancer grew — for this type of breast cancer. These new results show that adding Keytruda improves overall survival — how long people live whether the breast cancer grows or not.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Rugo explain:

what the KEYNOTE-355 aimed to do
whether Keytruda offers benefits for PD-L1-negative disease
why it’s important for a medicine to improve overall survival as well as progression-free survival
the differences in PD-L1 tests and what they mean for the effectiveness of breast cancer checkpoint inhibitor medicines

Running time: 25:03

The Importance of Diversity in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Lola Fayanju is the Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is also chief of breast surgery at Penn Medicine, as well as surgical director of the Rena Rowan Breast Center. Her research focuses on health disparities, aggressive breast cancer variants, and improving value in oncology.

Studies show that overall participation in cancer clinical trials is low, and participation by people of color is even lower. This is thought to be part of the reason that minority women — especially Black women — have worse breast cancer outcomes than white women.

One strategy to help reduce disparities in breast cancer outcomes is to make clinical trials more diverse.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Fayanju explain:

why diversity in clinical trials is important
some of the barriers that keep people of color from enrolling in clinical trials and how they can be overcome
how she talks to all her patients about clinical trials

Running time: 31:11

Tattoo Ink Showing Up on Mammograms

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Susan Summerton is associate professor of clinical radiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Summerton joined us to talk about an issue that many people are unaware of: Ink from tattoos on the upper body migrating to the lymph nodes and showing up as white specs on a mammogram. In some cases, this can lead to more tests to rule out breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Summerton explain:

how tattoo ink ends up in the underarm lymph nodes
how often this happens
how often tattoo ink leads to more testing
what women with tattoos who are getting regular mammograms should know

Running time: 15:26

Immunotherapy Keytruda for Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Better pCR and Lower Recurrence Rates: ESMO 2019 Coverage

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:13:00 -0000

Dr. Peter Schmid is chair in cancer medicine at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University London and also serves as clinical director of the Breast Cancer Centre at the St. Bartholomew Cancer Centre and honorary consultant medical oncologist at Barts Hospital. His research focuses on breast cancer, cancer immune therapy, and early drug development.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, he presented results from the KEYNOTE-522 study showing that the combination of the immunotherapy Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and chemotherapy before surgery to remove early-stage triple-negative breast cancer led to a better pathologic complete response than chemotherapy alone. This is the first phase III study using immunotherapy to treat early-stage breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Schmid discuss:

the design of the KEYNOTE-522 study
side effects related to both chemotherapy and Keytruda
what these results mean for patients

Reconstruction Options After Lumpectomy

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:12:00 -0000

Dr. Monique Gary is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health-Penn Cancer Network Cancer Program in Sellersville, Penn., where she also serves as director of the Breast Program. As a physician, advocate, and expert on health and healthcare disparities, she is passionate about developing integrative, holistic, and innovative approaches to cancer treatment, prevention, and general wellness.

Dr. Gary joined us to talk about oncoplastic lumpectomy surgery, which is lumpectomy to remove the breast cancer followed by immediate breast reconstruction. In many cases, lumpectomy and reconstruction are done during the same surgery. The goal is to have the best possible cosmetic outcomes, without the need for any additional surgery to correct any dents or asymmetry.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Gary explain:

how and why oncoplastic lumpectomy was developed
who is and isn’t a good candidate for oncoplastic lumpectomy
the benefits and drawbacks of oncoplastic lumpectomy
things to consider when deciding between lumpectomy and mastectomy

Breast Cancer Research at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:37:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board-certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is also vice president of clinical research.

The 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting was held virtually June 4-8, and there were a number of studies on breast cancer presented. Dr. Litton joined us to talk about some of the most notable research.

Listen to the episode to hear her explain:

results from the OlympiA trial, showing that Lynparza (chemical name: oliparib) offered benefits for early-stage breast cancer in people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
results from the NEOTALA trial showing that Talzenna (chemical name: talazoparib) offered benefits for early-stage breast cancer in people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation when given before surgery
updated results showing continued better overall survival when advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer is treated with the CDK4/6 inhibitors Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) or Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib)

Breast Cancer, a CEO, and a New Nonhormonal Birth Control

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:20:00 -0000

Saundra Pelletier is the CEO and founder of Evofem Biosciences. Saundra was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer while her company was conducting phase III clinical trials on Phexxi, a nonhormonal contraceptive gel for women. She describes herself as a mother, daughter, CEO, and trailblazer. She has more than two decades of experience of executive leadership at companies and nonprofits focusing on women’s health.

Listen to the episode to hear Saundra discuss:

how she led her company without taking a leave of absence while being treated for breast cancer
how breast cancer changed her
how Phexxi, a nonhormonal birth control gel, was developed, how it works, and why it's safe for women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer
her advice for women who’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer

See full product information at Phexxi.com. Do not use if you have a history of repeated urinary tract problems. Side effects include vaginal burning, itching, discharge, genital discomfort, yeast infection, urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis. Phexxi does not protect against STIs.

Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 15:07:00 -0000

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.

One of the goals of treatment for DCIS and early-stage breast cancer — which is stage I, II, or stage III cancer — is to stop the cancer from coming back, called recurrence by doctors. Dr. Wojciechowski joined us to talk about recurrence risk and how it’s estimated.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski discuss:

the factors used to determine each breast cancer’s risk of recurrence
'the steps a person can take to help keep the risk of recurrence as low as it can be
how tests called tumor genomic assays can help estimate the risk of recurrence

Breast Self-Exam

Fri, 28 May 2021 10:27:00 -0000

Medical and oncology organizations disagree on the value of breast self-exam. The American Cancer Society, for example, doesn’t recommend breast self-exam, while Breastcancer.org believes they are part of a comprehensive screening plan. Dr. Wojciechowski joined us to talk about the role of breast self-exam in screening and why it’s controversial.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

why organizations stopped recommending breast self-exam
the benefits and drawbacks of breast self-exam
how he talks to his patients about breast self-exam

Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccines

Wed, 12 May 2021 14:15:00 -0000

Dr. Hana El Sahly is associate professor of molecular virology and microbiology in the Vaccine and Treatment and Evaluation Unit at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. El Sahly is the chairperson of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the committee that makes vaccine recommendations to the FDA, and was also the lead investigator for the phase III trial for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Because of her role in studying the Moderna vaccine, Dr. El Sahly recused herself from the committee’s review of COVID-19 vaccines. In this podcast, she talks to us about both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency authorization by the FDA.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. El Sahly explain:

how mRNA vaccines work
the differences between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines
the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines for people with weakened immune systems '
why someone who’s been vaccinated still needs to wear a mask and practice social distancing

Lymphedema 101

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:59:00 -0000

Marcia Beck is a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Kansas Health System. Marcia is certified in adult health and breast health and also certified as a lymphedema therapist by the Lymphology Association of North America.

Listen to the episode to hear Marcia explain all aspects of lymphedema, including:

what lymphedema is and where it can develop
risk factors for lymphedema
how lymphedema is treated
steps people can take to reduce their risk of lymphedema or lymphedema flare-ups

J&J COVID Vaccine and Blood Clots: What This Means for People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:22:00 -0000

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control have recommended that use of the Johnson & Johnson-Janssen COVID-19 vaccine be paused because six cases of what’s called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia have been diagnosed after people received the vaccine. Basically, a blot clot was found in the veins that drain blood from the brain, and the people also had very low levels of platelets, a type of cell that helps the blood to clot.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what these rare clots are and how they happen
what people who’ve received the J&J vaccine should know
how he’s advising his patients with breast cancer

American Rescue Plan: Benefits for the Breast Cancer Community

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 16:29:00 -0000

Joanna Fawzy Morales is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization providing free education on the legal and practical issues that may affect people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. Joanna has spent more than 27 years working on behalf of people with cancer, including 5 as an adjunct professor of law at Loyola Law School, teaching a seminar in cancer rights law, and 8 years at the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s Psychosocial Care Program. Currently, she’s also an adjunct law professor at Wayne State University.

Listen to the episode to hear her explain the American Rescue Plan and the benefits it may offer to people diagnosed with breast cancer, including:

additional economic impact payments for individuals who make up to $75,000 or couples who make up to $150,000
the increase in health insurance marketplace subsidies
when the benefits begin and how long they will last

Scalp Cooling: How It Works to Preserve Hair

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 11:34:00 -0000

Dr. Steven Isakoff is a medical oncologist who serves as associate director for clinical research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and also as director of the Mass General Scalp Cooling Program and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Program. He is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Isakoff explain what scalp cooling is and how it works, including:

the differences between automated scalp cooling systems and manual cold caps
the factors that influence how effective scalp cooling can be at preserving hair during chemotherapy
the biological mechanism of how scalp cooling works
his tips for anyone who wants to try scalp cooling

Update on COVID-19 Vaccines

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 09:28:00 -0000

Dr. Halle Moore is director of breast medical oncology and co-director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at the Cleveland Clinic. Her research focuses on breast cancer treatment and issues related to cancer survivorship.

Since the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved, she has been advising people diagnosed with cancer about what they need to know about being vaccinated. In this episode, she gives us an update on COVID vaccines, as well what people with allergies to polyethylene glycol and polysorbate should consider before being vaccinated.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Moore explain:

how the technology of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine differs from the technology of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines
why the vaccines can’t be compared head-to-head
how she is advising people with polyethylene glycol and polysorbate allergies about the COVID vaccines
what people currently being treated for breast cancer need to consider before being vaccinated

Immunotherapy Side Effects

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:56:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board-certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, where she is vice president of clinical research. She also is a member of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force of the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Litton joins us for this episode to talk about the side effects that may be caused by the two immunotherapy medicines approved for breast cancer: Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab).

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton explain:

how these two immunotherapy medicines work
the side effects that are unique to the immunotherapy medicines
how doctors monitor immunotherapy side effects
tips how people can monitor themselves for side effects

Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:52:00 -0000

Dr. Deanna Attai is associate clinical professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Attai was an early adopter of social media for professional and patient education. She serves as the social media editor for the Journal of Oncology Practice and is a member of the Annals of Surgical Oncology editorial board. She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Social Media Working Group and co-chair of the Collaborative for Outcomes in Social Media in Oncology research group.

Much of her recent research has focused on going flat and how satisfied women are with this decision, as well as whether surgeons support women who want to go flat.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Attai explain:

the reasons why a woman may opt to go flat
why she decided to study how satisfied women were with their decision to go flat
how a woman should talk to her surgeon to ensure she gets a truly flat chest that she is happy with cosmetically after mastectomy, with symmetrical scars and no dog ears

Intermittent Fasting: Can it Help With Weight Loss?

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 10:07:00 -0000

Dr. Neil Iyengar is a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center whose practice focuses on people with breast cancer.

His research is looking at the links between metabolic health and cancer, specifically looking at how diet, exercise, and medicines can prevent cancers tied to obesity, such as breast cancer, and improve outcomes for people with inflammation in fatty tissues.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Iyengar explain:

what intermittent fasting is and how it was developed
why some people think intermittent fasting could be a tool to prevent breast cancer
the research done so far
the risks of intermittent fasting and what people who want to try it should consider

SABCS 2020: Doctors May Not Recognize the Severity of Radiation Side Effects

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:12:00 -0000

Dr. Reshma Jagsi is the Newman Family Professor and deputy chair of the department of radiation oncology and director of the Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine at the University of Michigan.

At the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she presented results from a study looking at how well doctors recognized radiation treatment side effects among people treated for breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Jagsi explain:

why the researchers decided to look at this topic
why certain groups, including younger women and women who are Black or of a race other than Asian or white, were more likely to have their doctors assess their side effects as less severe than they really were
how patients can help make sure their doctors understand the severity of any side effects they’re having

SABCS 2020: Pregnancy After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 09:38:00 -0000

Fertility after breast cancer treatment is an important issue for many, many younger women diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, research was presented showing that while breast cancer survivors of child-bearing age are less likely to get pregnant than the average woman, most have healthy babies and pregnancy has no effect on their long-term survival. Dr. Matteo Lambertini, adjunct professor of medical oncology at the University of Genova - IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, is corresponding author of the study.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Lambertini explain:

why the researchers did the study a summary of the study and the results
why it is important for women and doctors to know that pregnancy after breast cancer treatment is safe for both a woman and her baby
his advice to young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and want to have a child after treatment

Why Health Literacy Is Important for People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 13:27:00 -0000

Dr. Jenni Sheng is assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Sheng mainly treats people diagnosed with breast cancer and helps them live with, through, and beyond cancer by working with her patients to create the best treatment plans and manage any side effects treatment may cause.

Dr. Sheng is also a research member of GRASP — Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships — a nonprofit that connects cancer researchers and advocates so they can learn from each other.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sheng explain:

what health literacy is and how having good health literacy skills can help people diagnosed with breast cancer
how people can improve their health literacy skills
how to navigate online sources of health information

SABCS 2020: Easing Depression in Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:51:00 -0000

Dr. Patricia Ganz is a medical oncologist who is distinguished professor of medicine as well as professor of health policy and management at UCLA. She also serves as director of the Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Ganz is a member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board.

At the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she presented results from a study looking at using mindfulness meditation and survivorship education classes to ease depression in younger women treated for breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Ganz explain:

how the breast cancer experience is different for younger and older women
why the researchers chose to study mindfulness meditation and survivorship classes to ease depression
how someone who is interested could participate in the UCLA Mindfulness Center mindfulness meditation classes

Using Cold Caps During Breast Cancer Treatment

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:21:00 -0000

Heba Abdalla is a member of the Breastcancer.org community who was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer at age 36 when she was pregnant with her third child. Being diagnosed de novo means that the cancer was metastatic at first diagnosis.

Heba has been on several different treatments, including some that are known to cause hair loss. She has used cold caps during treatment three times and in this episode of the Breastcancer.org podcast, she’ll tell us about her experience with them.

Listen to the episode to hear Heba talk about:

her diagnosis and first treatments
how she learned about cold caps
why she wanted to use cold caps
how well cold caps worked for her
what she wants other people considering cold caps to know

SABCS 2020: Supplement Use After Breast Cancer

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:13:00 -0000

Maura Harrigan is an oncology research registered dietitian and project manager at the Yale School of Medicine. She also serves as a registered dietitian nutritionist in the Survivorship Clinic at the Yale Cancer Center.

At the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, results were presented from a study on dietary supplement use by breast cancer survivors and how these supplements may interact with tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors. Maura is the lead researcher on the study.

Listen to the episode to hear Maura discuss:

why telling your doctor and/or a registered dietitian with oncology expertise about any and all the supplements you take is so important
why people may be getting more of a particular supplement than they realize
her advice for women who’ve been treated for breast cancer and are considering taking supplements

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 13:35:00 -0000

Dr. Chirag Shah is a radiation oncologist and director of breast radiation and clinical research in the department of radiation oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. His primary research interests are breast cancer, sarcoma, and innovative radiation treatment schedules, as well as lymphedema. He has participated in numerous clinical trials.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shah explain:

the difference between hypofractionated radiation schedules and older, longer radiation schedules, as well as why accelerated schedules were created
the benefits and possible risks of a hypofractionated radiation schedule
how to advocate for yourself if your radiation oncologist doesn’t recommend a hypofractionated schedule

Ira’s Story: Living as a Trans Man With a BRCA1 Mutation

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 09:26:00 -0000

Ira Feinstein is an American author currently living in Chicago. Cut Off will be his first book. Growing up in Georgia and Michigan, Ira lived as Carla before gender transitioning at age 38. Carla lost both of her parents by age 11 — her father died unexpectedly of a heart attack and 2 years later, her mother died from breast cancer. A number of years after her mother’s death, Carla learned that she carried a BRCA1 mutation, which gave her a much higher than average risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Carla had a preventive double mastectomy and hysterectomy before gender transitioning.

Listen to the podcast to hear Ira talk about:

living with a BRCA1 mutation, both as a woman and a trans man
the decision to have preventive surgery
his experiences as a trans man dealing with the medical community
his advice for other people dealing with a genetic mutation
Cut Off, his first book

Weslinne’s Story: Diagnosed With Breast Cancer During COVID-19

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:35:00 -0000

Weslinne Cespedes, who lives in Brooklyn, was diagnosed with stage III triple-negative breast cancer at age 30 in March of this year, just as New York City was deciding when and what to shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the podcast to hear Weslinne talk about:

how finding a lump in her breast led to her diagnosis
how the COVID-19 pandemic added to the stress of cancer treatment
how she started chemotherapy and planned her wedding during the pandemic
how she feels the diagnosis changed her
what she wants people to know

Does Chemotherapy Choice Affect How Well Tecentriq Works Against Breast Cancer?

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 13:05:00 -0000

Dr. Leisha Emens is professor of medicine in hematology/oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center. She is also co-leader of the Hillman Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program and director of translational immunotherapy for the Women’s Cancer Research Center. She is internationally recognized for her research on using immunotherapy to treat breast cancer.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress 2020, Dr. Emens presented final overall survival results from the IMpassion130 study, showing that the combination of Tecentriq, which has the chemical name atezolizumab, and Abraxane, which has the chemical name nab-paclitaxel, improved overall survival by 7.5 months compared to Abraxane alone for people diagnosed with metastatic PD-L1-positive, triple-negative breast cancer. But another trial — the IMpassion131 study — found that combining Tecentriq with Taxol, a different form of paclitaxel, was no better than Taxol alone in treating the same type of breast cancer — metastatic triple-negative disease.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Emens explain:

the differences in the designs of the two studies
how Abraxane is different from Taxol
possible reasons for the difference in results
what this means for patients

Breast Cancer Research at ESMO 2020

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:35:00 -0000

Dr. Michael Method is an oncologist and also senior medical adviser and global lead for adjuvant breast cancer treatment research at Lilly Oncology.

While ESMO 2020 was virtual this year, there was still quite a bit of breast cancer research presented. Dr. Method joined us to talk about some of the most notable studies.

Listen to the podcast to hear him discuss:

studies looking at using the CDK4/6 inhibitors Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib) and Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) to treat early-stage hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
a study using the immunotherapy Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab) to treat early-stage triple-negative breast cancer before surgery

Flu Vaccines and Holiday Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 17:00:00 -0000

Infectious disease expert Dr. Elizabeth Robilotti is assistant attending physician and associate medical epidemiologist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Listen to the podcast to hear her discuss:

why a flu vaccine is so important during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for people diagnosed with breast cancer
why you can’t contract the flu from the flu vaccine
how to safely celebrate the fall and winter holidays

COVID-19 Testing Confusion

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:39:00 -0000

Dr. Megan Kruse is a breast medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

On Aug. 24, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified its COVID-19 testing guidelines to say that people who don’t have symptoms don’t need to be tested, even if they’ve been exposed to the virus. Many experts questioned the change, and on Aug. 26, the director of the CDC issued a statement saying that, “testing may be considered for all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients.” It’s the “may be considered” language that seems to be confusing people.

Dr. Kruse joins us to help clear up any confusion about COVID-19 testing recommendations.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Kruse explain:

how she’s talking to her patients about COVID-19 testing
how someone who is immunocompromised should approach COVID-19 testing
why testing recommendations for people being treated for breast cancer have to be nuanced

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded before September 18, 2020, when the CDC again changed its recommendations on COVID-19 testing to say that people without symptoms should talk to their doctor about being tested if they may have been exposed to the virus.

Verzenio Reduces Recurrence Risk for Certain Early-Stage Breast Cancers

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:14:00 -0000

Dr. Stephen Johnston is professor of breast cancer medicine and consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research in London.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress 2020, Dr. Johnston presented results from the monarchE trial. This study compared treating people diagnosed with early-stage hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence with either standard hormonal therapy after surgery or two years of Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib) in addition to standard hormonal therapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Johnston explain:

the characteristics that make early-stage hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer have a high risk of recurrence
an overview of the study and its early results
side effects caused by Verzenio seen in the study
the future of using Verzenio to treat early-stage hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence

COVID-19 and Breast Cancer Care: Follow-Up Questions

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

On July 30, 2020, Breastcancer.org hosted a virtual town hall to hear from medical experts and patients about the effect of COVID-19 on breast cancer care. During the town hall, the medical experts answered many questions, but didn’t have time to answer all of them. In this podcast, Breastcancer.org medical adviser Dr. Brian Wojciechowski answers the rest of the questions.

If you’d like more information, visit our special report on COVID-19 and breast cancer care.

Dr. Wojciechowski practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals. He trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what we know about how stress and anxiety can affect the immune system
how people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer can protect themselves in public spaces
whether or not it is safe to get a chemotherapy port flushes
questions to asks surgeons and other doctors to ensure the proper safety protocols are in place

Running time: 21:14

Breast Cancer Risk and Race

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Lola Fayanju is assistant professor of surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. In addition to treating people with breast cancer surgery, Dr. Fayanju’s research interests include using big data and sophisticated analyses to reduce disparities in outcomes after breast cancer diagnoses and to improve the value of breast cancer care. When she was a general surgery resident at Washington University in St. Louis, her research found that women treated by safety-net primary care doctors in the greater St. Louis area were more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced-stage breast cancer than women who had private insurance. She also looked at the reasons behind this disparity, and her work led to an overhaul of the referral process for underserved women in the St. Louis area.

In a June 2020 New England Journal of Medicine article, at least two widely used tools estimating breast cancer risk have been found to offer lower risk estimates for women of color.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Fayanju explain:

how these tools were created
why an artificially lower risk of breast cancer can be harmful for women of color
the factors that she thinks need to be incorporated into risk calculators for minority women
how women of color can accurately figure out their risk of breast cancer and develop an appropriate screening plan with their doctor

Running time: 25:12

Acupuncture to Ease Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dory Ellen Fish is a board-certified, state-licensed acupuncturist with 25 years of experience in 5 Element and Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture. She holds a diplomate in acupuncture from the National Commission for the Certificate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. For the past 15 years, much of her continuing education has been focused on cancer care. She completed the acupuncture course in oncology for cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and the Oncology Training for Acupuncture course at MD Anderson. Dory Ellen has lectured and taught at various universities, hospitals, and organizations. Her clinical practice is in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dory Ellen explain:

what acupuncture is
the benefits of acupuncture
the risks of acupuncture, including the risk of lymphedema
her top three recommendations for someone who wants to try acupuncture for the first time

Running time: 27:38

Sexual Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Kelly Shanahan is a metastatic patient advocate and METAvivor board member. She had to give up her OB/GYN practice because of side effects from metastatic breast cancer treatment. At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Shanahan was one of the moderators of a panel sponsored by Breastcancer.org and Sermonix Pharmaceuticals on the sexual side effects that breast cancer treatment can cause. As a dual citizen of this discussion — she’s both a metastatic patient who has experienced some of these side effects and an OB/GYN who used to treat people for these side effects — she’s uniquely qualified to help us all understand the topic and offer solutions.

Listen to the podcast to here Dr. Shanahan explain:

her personal journey with breast cancer
why anti-estrogen medicines and chemotherapy can cause vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, and pain during intercourse
some of the causes of loss of libido
solutions to some of the most common sexual side effects, including vaginal dryness and thinning, pain, lack of desire, and hot flashes

Running time: 37:20

September and October 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:15:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in September and October 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found the targeted therapy Perjeta increased overall survival by about 1.5 years in women diagnosed with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
why wearing a bra IS NOT linked to breast cancer risk
why breastfeeding decreases breast cancer risk
how Trelstar might increase the chances that some premenopausal women get pregnant after going through breast cancer treatment

October 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:08:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in October 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found the targeted therapy Herceptin offers long-lasting benefits for women diagnosed with early-stage HER2-positive disease
a study that found occult cancers in more than 2% of women who were having their ovaries removed preventively because of genetics or family history
why Hispanic women still need to take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer, even if they have a genetic variant that may lower their risk
why more research is needed before a new genomic test can be used to make treatment decisions

Aniela McGuinness: Choosing to Laugh at What Life Gives Her

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:04:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast features Aniela McGuinness, an actress and the creator of the My Breast Choice blog. Aniela knew she had an abnormal BRCA1 gene and lost her mother to ovarian cancer in 2013. A year and a half later, at age 31, Aniela was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer, three days before her appointment to schedule a preventive double mastectomy.

Listen to the podcast to here Aniela talk about:

why she decided to create her blog and YouTube channel
how she uses humor to get cope with things that upset her
how she came up with the idea for her mastectomy photo series
her Halloween costume and why Halloween is the best holiday for people with cancer

The Elements Project -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:57:00 -0000

Beth Fairchild, president of METAvivor, talks about the #ThisIsMBC Elements Project.

Shades of Brown Foundation -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:51:00 -0000

Sheila McGlown, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 5 years after her mother died of the disease, talks about her work with the Shades of Brown Foundation to advocate for, educate, and support Black women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Talzenna Patient-Reported Outcomes

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton, a board-certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is chief of the Section of Clinical Research and Drug Development for Breast Cancer. She also is a member of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force of the National Cancer Institute.

At the American Association for Cancer Research virtual annual meeting, Dr. Litton presented results from the EMBRACA trial, looking at using Talzenna (chemical name: talazoparib), a type of medicine called a PARP inhibited, to treat advanced-stage HER2-negative breast cancer in people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. She joins us today to talk about the results, especially the patient-reported outcomes, which showed that people treated with Talzenna had better quality of life than people treated with chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton explain:

what a PARP inhibitor is and how it works
how quality of life was better for people treated with Talzenna compared to chemotherapy
why she thinks Talzenna is a good treatment option for people diagnosed with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer who also have a BRCA1 or a BRCA2 mutation

Running time: 14:04

Low White Blood Cell Counts and Infection Risk

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:09:00 -0000

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

the different types of white blood cells and what they do in the body
how chemotherapy and targeted therapy medicines lower white blood cell counts
why low white blood cell counts raise the risk of infection
how doctors monitor white blood cell counts
symptoms of infection to watch out for
steps you can take during chemotherapy to keep your risk of infection as low as it can be

What My Patients Are Asking: The Difference Between 2D and 3D Mammograms

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:08:00 -0000

A recent study found that the number of women having 3D mammograms has increased dramatically in the last four years. Still, 3D mammograms are not available everywhere.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

the difference between 2D and 3D mammograms
why 3D mammograms are a standard of care, but not the standard of care
how to find a center that offers 3D mammography, if you decide you would like one

Quarantine Fatigue: How to Stay Vigilant About Your Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Jackie Gollan is associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral science and a clinical psychologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. As a clinician, she uses evidence-based psychotherapy to treat people for depression and anxiety. Her research focuses on how habits interfere with our goals; this includes how people make decisions to approach or avoid situations.

As the quarantine and restrictions related to COVID-19 stretch into their fourth month — though some areas are loosening some restrictions — we may find ourselves not wearing a mask every single time we leave the house or being a bit more casual about washing our hands. This reaction is called “caution fatigue.”

In this podcast, Dr. Gollan explains caution fatigue and give us some tips on how to overcome it.

Listen to hear Dr. Gollan explain:

the differences between caution fatigue, alarm fatigue, and information overload
how to recognize if you’re experiencing caution fatigue
how to overcome caution fatigue

Running time: 20:30

Breast Cancer and Race: Disparities and Mental Health Effects

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Breast cancer is a crisis in its own right. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many doctors’ offices and treatment facilities to close, so breast cancer screenings and treatments have been delayed for months. When some areas were just starting to schedule appointments again, many people experienced additional trauma due to the killing of George Floyd and potentially even more limited access to medical facilities. All of this fear, anxiety, and uncertainty can lead to sky high stress and despair levels, especially for people of color who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

In this podcast, Dr. Fayanju talks about some of the disparities we see in breast cancer, as well as some ways to ease stress and despair.

Listen to the podcast to hear her explain:

some of the disparities in breast cancer care and some of the reasons behind the disparities
the idea of choice and how that affects the diversity of enrollment in clinical trials
the resources she recommends to her patients who are feeling stress and anxiety

Running time: 22:25

Numbness After Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Thu, 28 May 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Frank DellaCroce, or “Dr. D” as he has come to be known, is a founding partner of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans. Board-certified in plastic surgery, Dr. D has performed thousands of reconstructive procedures, both for women diagnosed with breast cancer and women at high risk of the disease who choose to have prophylactic breast removal. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He also has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

In this podcast, Dr. DellaCroce talks about why numbness happens after mastectomy or breast reconstruction and factors that can affect how much sensation returns.

Listen to the podcast to hear him explain:

the differences between immediate and delayed reconstruction and how each procedure can affect the potential for sensation to return
the difference between implant reconstruction and autologous reconstruction and how each procedure can affect the potential for sensation to return
how the type of mastectomy can affect the potential for sensation to return
why we need more research on using nerve grafts to possibly help sensation return

Running time: 42:43

COVID-19 and Metastatic Breast Cancer

Wed, 13 May 2020 04:00:00 -0000

During her professional career, Shirley Mertz was a political science teacher and high school principal. Before her retirement, Shirley was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, 12 years after being diagnosed with early-stage disease. After receiving targeted treatment, Shirley experienced a durable remission. She decided in 2005 to use her skills and intellect to advocate for research to end deaths from metastatic breast cancer; to lobby for access to affordable, quality healthcare; and to empower metastatic patients to make informed healthcare decisions to have the best outcomes. In 2009, to spread knowledge about metastatic disease, Shirley organized and led a group of patients to Congress, asking for a resolution to designate October 13 as National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The resolution passed unanimously.

In 2013, Shirley was a founding member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance and currently serves as its chairperson. She is also president of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, a patient advocate member of the Translational Breast Cancer Consortium and the AURORA USA clinical study, and a member of the board of directors of the Global Advanced Breast Cancer Alliance based in Lisbon. Shirley is often invited to speak at conferences about the challenges and needs of patients. Among her numerous awards, Shirley was honored at the White House in 2011 as a Champion of Change in Breast Cancer by President Obama.

In this podcast, Shirley talks about what it’s like to live with metastatic breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the podcast to hear Shirley discuss:

her personal journey with breast cancer
the ways in which the stresses of COVID-19 and metastatic breast cancer are similar
how people with metastatic disease are coping with treatment and scan delays

Running time: 38:31

Update: Breast Surgery and Reconstruction During COVID-19

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Julie Sprunt is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Surgeons who specializes in breast surgery, treating all breast conditions. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center, she did her residency in general surgery at the University of Texas at Austin and completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Elisabeth Potter is a board-certified plastic surgeon who received her medical degree from Emory University. She completed her plastic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and her reconstructive plastic surgery and microsurgery fellowship at MD Anderson. Dr. Potter specializes in autologous breast reconstruction and has performed more than 750 DIEP flap surgeries.

Drs. Potter and Sprunt work as a team to treat breast cancer and then reconstruct a woman’s breast or breasts.

On April 21, 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released guidelines on how breast reconstruction surgery can begin again. The American Society of Breast Surgeons also issued updated guidelines on treating people with breast cancer during the pandemic.

Listen to the podcast to hear Drs. Potter and Sprunt explain:

why resuming both breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery will depend on where a woman lives
how the surgery process has changed as a result of COVID-19
how postoperative procedures have changed as a result of COVID-19

Running time: 27:50

What My Patients Are Asking: Does A Cancer’s Stage Change If It Spreads or Comes Back Years Later?

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Our guest is Dr. Brian Wojciechowski, who practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.

In one of our Discussion Board threads, people were talking about how a breast cancer is staged, especially if an early-stage cancer spreads or comes back in a place away from the breast. Both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute websites say that the stage of a breast cancer at first diagnosis doesn’t change. So a woman who was diagnosed in 2010 with stage II disease and then had a recurrence in the bones in 2015 would technically be “stage II with metastatic recurrence to bone,” which is not how most people think and talk about metastatic disease.

Dr. Wojciechowski reached out to the American Cancer Society about this, and he joins us today to help us all understand this a little bit better.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski each explain:

the technical differences between stage IV breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer
how prognosis differs for someone diagnosed de novo stage IV and someone who was diagnosed stage II with a metastatic recurrence 2 years later
how he talks to his patients about a breast cancer’s stage

Running time: 17:23

Top News at 2019 SABCS – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:38:00 -0000

Jack Goodpasture, senior director of medical affairs at Eli Lilly and Company, discusses some of the research presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium that might be most applicable to people diagnosed with breast cancer.

SABCS 2019: Tucatinib: A New Standard of Care for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:38:00 -0000

Dr. Rashmi Murthy, assistant professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, discusses the results of the HER2CLIMB study that she presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that the experimental medicine tucatinib offers benefits to people diagnosed with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and may be a new standard of care.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Murthy explain:

a summary of the study results
why this study included people with brain metastases
the side effects of tucatinib
why she thinks the results are practice changing

COVID-19 Insurance and Financial Issues for People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Joanna Morales is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization connecting people to cancer survivorship education through educational events, a speakers bureau, and online materials and resources. Joanna has spent more than 24 years working on behalf of people with cancer, including 5 as an adjunct professor of law at Loyola Law School teaching a seminar in cancer rights law and 8 at the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s Psychosocial Care Program and Positive Appearance Center.

In this podcast, Joanna explains the most important aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for people with cancer, as well as:

how the new paid sick leave and family and medical leave programs work
what to do if you’ve been laid off and have lost your employer-sponsored health insurance
why it’s important to communicate with your creditors if you can’t pay your bills right now

Running time: 30:02

Staying Active During Quarantine: Tips for People With Breast Cancer

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Sami Mansfield started her career as a cancer exercise specialist in 2003. Since being inspired by coaching her first client who had been diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, her career has been dedicated to helping people with cancer — any type and any stage — live as well as possible. Sami’s experience encompasses work in both community- and hospital-based cancer centers, nonprofit organizations, developing and consulting on clinical trials, and as a speaker presenting to both patients and healthcare professionals. She is a certified cancer exercise trainer, a CrossFit Level 1 coach with extensive exercise and nutrition experience, and the founder of Cancer Wellness For Life. She also offers functional movement basics classes on the We Build 4 Life YouTube channel.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms are closed and personal trainers can’t visit their clients. So how can people with breast cancer stay active and continue their exercise programs?

Listen to the podcast to hear Sami discuss:

how to motivate yourself to exercise when you’re working out alone
how exercise can help both your physical and mental while being while you’re isolating
tips on how to exercise if you have no equipment at home

Running time: 23:07

Breast Surgery and Reconstruction During COVID-19

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Editor's Note: On April 21, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released guidelines on how breast reconstruction surgery can begin again. The American Society of Breast Surgeons also issued updated guidelines on treating people with breast cancer during the pandemic. Listen to our update with Drs. Sprunt and Potter, recorded on April 27.

Drs. Potter and Sprunt work as a team to treat breast cancer and then reconstruction a woman’s breast or breasts.

Many people diagnosed with breast cancer are concerned because their breast cancer surgery or reconstruction surgery has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the podcast to hear Drs. Potter and Sprunt explain:

why many breast cancer surgeries can be safely delayed
the American Society of Breast Surgeons recommendations for treatment during COVID-19
the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommendations for reconstruction during COVID-19
what they want people who have been diagnosed with breast to know about breast surgery and reconstruction during COVID-19

Running time: 23:45

COVID-19 and Breast Cancer Treatment

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 04:00:00 -0000

On the Breastcancer.org discussion boards and on our Facebook page, people are talking about doctor and treatment appointments being delayed or cancelled because of COVID-19. And many people whose appointments haven’t been cancelled are scared to go out.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:

the general recommendations oncologists are following when deciding which treatments should be delayed
which breast cancer treatments can compromise the immune system and how long it takes the immune system to recover
the most important things someone being treated for breast cancer should know about COVID-19

Running time: 21:10

Facing the End of Life

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:18:00 -0000

For nearly 25 years, Kelly Grosklags has dedicated her practice to minimizing suffering through her work in oncology, palliative care and hospice. An experienced therapist, Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker and a board-certified diplomat in clinical social work. She also earned a fellowship in grief counseling from the American Academy of Health Care Professionals. Kelly speaks frequently about end-of-life issues, including care, grief and loss, both in person and on her website, Conversations With Kelly. Her passionate and supportive demeanor helps patients, caregivers and health professionals connect with the wisdom of making life more meaningful, coping with depression and anxiety, transforming fear into hope, healing versus curing, and the wisdom of dying a good death.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly talk about:

becoming comfortable with talking about the end of life
why stopping treatment is not giving up
hospice care — what it is and when to start talking about it
how to talk to children about the end of life

Photo credit: Geordie Griffiths

Managing the Emotions of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:17:00 -0000

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly talk about:

taming the feelings of fear, anger, and loss of control that can come with a metastatic diagnosis
strategies to deal with “scanxiety”
how to allow yourself to ask for help
how and how much to disclose about your diagnosis to your friends and at work

Photo credit: Geordie Griffiths

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:16:00 -0000

For nearly 25 years, Kelly Grosklags has dedicated her practice to minimizing suffering through her work in oncology, palliative care and hospice. An experienced therapist, Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker and a board-certified diplomat in clinical social work. She also earned a fellowship in grief counseling from the American Academy of Health Care Professionals and is the author of A Comforted Heart: An Oncology Psychotherapist Perspective on Finding Meaning and Hope During Illness and Loss. Kelly speaks frequently about end-of-life issues, including care, grief and loss, both in person and on her website, Conversations With Kelly. Her passionate and supportive demeanor helps patients, caregivers and health professionals connect with the wisdom of making life more meaningful, coping with depression and anxiety, transforming fear into hope, healing versus curing, and the wisdom of dying a good death.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly talk about:

what PTSD is, what causes it, and some of the most common symptoms of PTSD in people diagnosed with cancer
why people who’ve experienced trauma in the past may want to be proactive and schedule an appointment with a mental health professional or spiritual guide shortly after being diagnosed
when PTSD can happen
how PTSD is treated
three things people diagnosed with breast cancer should know about PTSD

For more information on PTSD in people diagnosed with cancer, you can read a piece Kelly wrote for the journal Oncology Issues.

Medical Records: Privacy and Access Rights Granted by HIPAA

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:16:00 -0000

Deven McGraw is the chief regulatory officer for Ciitizen, a tech company creating a platform that helps people collect, organize, and share their medical records digitally. Before joining Ciitizen, she directed U.S. health privacy and security policy as deputy director for health information privacy at the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, the office that oversees HIPAA policy and enforcement. She also served as acting chief privacy officer for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. McGraw also served as an adviser to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Network, as well as the All of Us Research Initiative.

Listen to the podcast to hear Deven discuss:

what HIPAA is and what it was created to do
how HIPAA guarantees people access to their health information
tips for requesting and then keeping track of your medical records

Managing Loneliness and Anxiety During This Time of Social Distancing

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Kelly Grosklags is an experienced therapist who dedicated her practice to minimizing suffering through her work in oncology, palliative care, and hospice. Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker, a board-certified diplomate in clinical social work, and a fellow of the American Academy of Grief Counseling. Kelly now teaches and speaks frequently about end-of-life issues, including care, grief and loss, both in person, on her website, Conversations With Kelly, and on her Conversations With Kelly Facebook page. Her support has helped patients, caregivers, and health professionals cope with depression and anxiety and transform fear into hope.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly discuss ways to combat the loneliness and anxiety people may be feeling during this time of isolation and social distancing because of COVID-19, including:

how to stay emotionally close while being physically distant
how breathing and living in the now can help ease anxiety
why taking up a new hobby can be good for your psyche

Running time: 47:15

COVID-19: What We Know Now

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Angela Rasmussen is an associate research scientist in the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Her research focuses on how hosts respond to infection by viruses in order to determine the severity of the infection and outcomes of the disease, as well as to look for new pathways to treat the disease and how to design vaccines. She is especially interested in newly emerging viruses, such as COVID-19.

Listen to the podcast to hear her explain:

where COVID-19 testing stands right now and what needs to happen to improve testing
some measures that people who are undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressing treatments might take to protect themselves
how handwashing removes the COVID-19 virus membrane
some of the myths surrounding COVID-19 and why they’re untrue

Running time: 30:34

Becoming Your Own Advocate

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 07:56:00 -0000

Kimberly Irvine is a two-time breast cancer survivor, passionate advocate, consultant, and CEO of her Chicago firm at kimberlyirvine.com. Kim was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 31 years old; her second diagnosis came four years later at age 35. Her treatments included surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, all while being a mother to two young children. Currently, she has no evidence of disease. Kim attributes her survivorship to her faith, strength, hope, and passion. She has recently published a memoir about her breast cancer experience titled STRONG(ER+): Becoming My Own Best Advocate and Discovering My Purpose. By sharing her story as a two-time cancer survivor, Kim aims to empower others to be advocates in their healthcare decisions.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kim discuss:

what it means to be your own advocate
how being an advocate gives you some control over situations you may feel you have no control over
10 steps you can take to help you be your own best advocate

Managing Shoulder Issues After Breast Cancer Treatment

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 15:58:00 -0000

Ashish Khanna, M.D., is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and part of the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Khanna completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Kingsbrook Jewish Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he became interested in cancer rehabilitation early on. He completed his fellowship subspecialization in cancer rehabilitation at Medstar Georgetown University/National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. He specializes in the treatment of people who have pain or functional issues as a result of cancer or cancer treatments, including people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes pain, shoulder issues, fatigue, joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, and other issues. He has lectured at numerous international conferences, has published peer-reviewed research on a variety of related topics, and is the co-author of an upcoming book on cancer rehabilitation.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khanna talk about:

the shoulder problems that can happen as a result of breast cancer treatment
links between lymphedema and shoulder problems
how shoulder problems can be managed
his top three tips for people who are having shoulder issues

Support Services for Caregivers

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:02:00 -0000

Mallori Thompson is manager of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program at the Duke Cancer Institute. Mallori received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from North Carolina Central University. Her area of expertise is the psychosocial care of patients diagnosed with cancer and their families. Her research involves learning about how cancer affects people who’ve been diagnosed, as well as their family members and their relationships. Mallori leads a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers, including medical family therapists, oncology recreation therapists, child life specialists, and psychologists, as well as people who coordinate volunteer services and self-image programs.

Listen to the podcast to hear Mallori explain:

how the needs and concerns of cancer caregivers are different from those of people diagnosed with cancer
the services that caregivers seem to use the most
her top three suggestions for a caregiver who’s feeling overwhelmed or burned out

Breast Cancer Inspired Me to Start a Lingerie Company

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 13:07:00 -0000

Dana Donofree is a designer and founder of AnaOno. After being diagnosed with stage I estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer almost 10 years ago at the age of 27, Dana began to design her first pieces to meet her need for sexy, beautiful lingerie during a recovery period that she calls “anything but sexy and beautiful.”

She has made it her mission to design lingerie specifically for women who have had breast surgery, breast reconstruction, or are living with other conditions that cause pain because she believes that they shouldn't have to compromise between comfort and beauty.

On February 9, for the fourth year in a row, AnaOno is partnering with #Cancerland to put on a fashion show during New York Fashion Week to raise funds for METAvivor. All the models in the show are women who have been touched in some way by breast cancer or its risk — from previvors to people with early-stage disease to people with stage IV disease — to start new conversations between all these groups.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dana talk about:

her diagnosis and treatment and how it inspired her to start AnaOno
where the AnaOno name came from
the show during Fashion Week and what she hopes to accomplish with it
her tips for someone who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer

Characteristics of Early-Stage Breast Cancer That Make It More Likely to Come Back

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 14:27:00 -0000

Dr. Chirag Shah is a radiation oncologist and director of clinical research for the department of radiation oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Shah received his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. He completed his internship and residency at William Beaumont Hospital from 2007 to 2012 and joined the Cleveland Clinic Staff in 2015. Dr. Shah serves as a reviewer for various medical journals and is a member of various medical societies. His primary research interests are breast cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and innovative radiation treatment schedules as well as lymphedema. He has participated in numerous clinical trials.

In this podcast, Dr. Shah talks about specific characteristics of early-stage breast cancer that make the cancer more likely to come back, which doctors call recurrence.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shah discuss:

the difference between local/regional recurrence and metastatic/distant recurrence
the characteristics of early-stage breast cancer that make the risk of recurrence higher

Editor’s Note: Please know that Dr. Shah does point out that more research is needed on how diet, alcohol use, and smoking affect recurrence risk because current data are inconsistent. His ultimate point is that a survivorship care plan, which includes monitoring, is the most important tool we have beyond following your treatment plan to reduce the risk of recurrence. A survivorship care plan includes:

monitoring for and managing long-term physical and emotional side effects
guidance about diet, exercise, and health-promoting activities
resources to help with financial and insurance issues surveillance

Yoga: Benefits and Precautions for People With Breast Cancer

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:53:00 -0000

Vicki Flannery wears a number of hats: She’s a nurse in the Kansas City area; she’s a yoga instructor at weBuild4Life, a nonprofit that focuses on functional fitness and nutritional programs for cancer survivors and people with chronic illnesses; and she is a breast cancer survivor.

Vicki’s yoga classes center around recovery, flexibility, and strengthening.

Listen to the podcast to hear Vicki talk about:

what yoga is and examples of different types of yoga
the benefits yoga can offer to people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer
precautions people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer may want to consider
how she modified her own yoga practice after being diagnosed with breast cancer

Experimental Talazoparib Seems Better Than Chemotherapy for Metastatic HER2-Negative Disease in Women With a BRCA Mutation

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:05:00 -0000

Jennifer Litton, associate professor of breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the results of the EMBRACA study she presented at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that talazoparib, an experimental targeted therapy medicine, improved the time until the cancer grew in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who had been diagnosed with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer compared to chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton explain:

how talazoparib works
whether talazoparib will offer benefits to women with other mutations linked to a higher risk of breast cancer
how the side effects differed between talazoparib and chemotherapy
why quality of life was better in women who were treated with talazoparib

Editor's Note: Talzenna (chemical name: talazoparib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 16, 2018, for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations. Learn more about Talzenna.

SABCS 2019: Five More Years of Femara Seems to Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk for Some Women

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:53:00 -0000

Dr. Terry Mamounas is medical director of the comprehensive breast program at Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center and is considered one of the country’s top cancer doctors.

At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, he presented the latest results from a study looking at whether an additional 5 years of Femara after five years of a combination of tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor or 5 years of only an aromatase inhibitor offers benefits to postmenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Mamounas discuss:

the results showing additional Femara reduced the risk of distant recurrence – the breast cancer coming back in a part of the body away from the breast
the amount of improvement in event-free survival
side effects associated with taking Femara for another 5 years
how he’s talking to his patients about these latest results

SABCS 2019: MRI Finds Breast Cancers Earlier Than Mammography in Women With Strong Family History

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:43:00 -0000

Dr. Madeleine Tilanus-Linthorst is a member of the department of surgery at the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands. At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she presented research comparing breast cancer screening with MRI versus mammography in women at high risk of the disease because of strong family history. The results found that MRI found cancers earlier, when they were smaller in size and could potentially change screening standards in the Netherlands and other European countries.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Tilanus-Linthorst explain:

differences in screening recommendations between the United States and the Netherlands
why it’s important to find cancers earlier
the risk of more false-positives with MRI screening

Diarrhea -- Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:55:00 -0000

Dr. Brian Wojciechowski, Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, specializes in the care of patients with cancer. He practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer Hospitals. His research has been presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the world's largest scientific meeting on breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

the breast cancer treatments that may cause diarrhea
why some people may be more prone to experiencing diarrhea
treatments for diarrhea
why it’s important to always report diarrhea to your doctor

SABCS 2019: Arimidex for Breast Cancer Prevention: Benefits Last Nearly 6 Years After Treatment Ends

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 10:41:00 -0000

Dr. Jack Cuzick is director of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine and head of the Center for Cancer Prevention at the Queen Mary University of London, where he holds the title of John Snow Professor of Epidemiology.

He is internationally known for his research showing tamoxifen can be used to treat estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, as well as his work to help develop the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk evaluation tool, which helps women and their doctors estimate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, he presented the latest results from the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II Prevention Trial, looking at whether 5 years of Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) can reduce breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women who have higher-than-average risk of the disease but have not been diagnosed.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Cuzick discuss:

how much Arimidex reduced risk after about 11 years of follow up
why Arimidex is better than tamoxifen at reducing risk in high-risk postmenopausal women
the side effects seen in the study and why side effect rates were the same in women who took Arimidex and women who took a placebo
why it’s unlikely that Arimidex will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use, but why doctors will be able to prescribe it off-label

Does Immunotherapy Before Breast Cancer Surgery Offer Benefits? – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:57:00 -0000

Dr. Luca Gianni, president of the Fondazione Michelangelo in Milan, discusses the results of the NeoTRIP trial, which looked to see if adding the immunotherapy medicine Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab) to chemotherapy before surgery for triple-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence could improve the time women lived without the cancer coming back.

What My Patients Are Asking: What Is the Lung Inflammation Side Effect Caused by CDK4/6 Inhibitors?

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:33:00 -0000

In September 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a statement warning that the CDK4/6 inhibitors used to treat breast cancer:

Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib)
Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib)
Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)

may cause rare but serious inflammation in the lungs.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:

how CDK4/6 inhibitors are used to treat breast cancer
why we’re just hearing about this side effect now
the recommendations for anyone being treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor

World-Record Swim 1 Year After Treatment

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 16:25:00 -0000

In September 2019, marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas did something that had never been done before: she swam the English Channel four times, non-stop. And she did this a year after completing treatment for stage II breast cancer.

Sarah started swimming lessons at age one and was on a year-round swim team by age 10. She swam on her high school team and in College at the University of Connecticut where she studied political science and journalism. She took a break from swimming while earning a master’s degree at the University of Denver, but joined a masters’ swim team after graduating.

In August 2017, Sarah swam 104.6 miles in Lake Champlain, the first current-neutral open water swim of more than 100 miles and the world record for the longest unassisted open water swim.

In November 2017, while planning her English Channel swim, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35.

Listen to the podcast to hear Sarah talk about:

how she found the breast lump and what she did after that
how she talked to her doctors about treatments while she was planning her English Channel swim
what she thought about and how she ate during the 54-hour swim
how breast cancer has changed her

Photo credit: James Musselwhite

Mets, Sex, and Side Effects – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 15:04:00 -0000

Dr. Kelly Shanahan, metastatic patient advocate, METAvivor board member, and former OB/GYN talks about the Mets, Sex, and Side Effects panel that she comoderated at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The panel was cosponsored by Breastcancer.org and Sermonix Pharmaceuticals.

Beneath the Breast – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:18:00 -0000

Barbara and Tim Bigelow discuss Barbara’s metastatic breast cancer diagnosis and the side effects she experienced as one of the first people treated with immunotherapy for breast cancer. A board member of METAvivor, Barbara also explains the Beneath the Breast project, the latest initiative of the #ThisIsMBC campaign.

GRASP: Empowering Patients With Knowledge – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:30:00 -0000

Felicia Johnson, who is living with metastatic disease, and Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, who was diagnosed in 2015 with triple-negative breast cancer, talk about what they learned during the GRASP (Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships) program.

Why Sexual Health Is Crucial for People With Metastatic Breast Cancer – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:08:00 -0000

Dr. Stephanie Graff, director of the Breast Cancer Program at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, talks about why sexual health is so important for people living with metastatic breast disease and offers tips for people who may be uncomfortable bringing up the topic with their oncologist.

Chemo Brain Update: Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:10:00 -0000

Erica Guardascione is a speech-language pathologist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. She’s also a curriculum developer and faculty member at ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation.

After completing her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology at Hofstra University, Erica went on to pursue graduate studies at Nova Southeastern University. She has practiced for more than a decade as a clinical specialist in the Cognitive Rehabilitation Program at Kessler. The program is designed to help people with brain injuries rebuild cognitive skills, restore physical and emotional strength, and maximize independence.

Erica is a clinical lead in the program. Erica has a deep interest in cancer-related cognitive problems and is considered an authority on attention, focus, and memory impairments and rehabilitation strategies. As a faculty member at ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, she recently co-led a continuing education course for therapists and other clinicians called “Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline.”

Listen to the podcast to hear Erica explain:

why “cancer-related cognitive decline” is the most up-to-date term for chemo brain
the factors that can contribute to cognitive decline after a cancer diagnosis
some broad steps that people can take to help manage any thinking and memory problems they may be having

Sharing Knowledge: Pairing Experts With Patient Advocates

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:53:00 -0000

Christine Hodgdon was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer in April 2015 and became heavily involved in the metastatic community after attending a Metavivor advocacy event on Capitol Hill to push for more research funding for metastatic breast cancer.

Christine volunteers with a number of breast cancer organizations, including Living Beyond Breast Cancer, METAvivor, and the Tigerlily Foundation. She also has contributed articles and blogs to organizations to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer and serves as a peer mentor for the Young Survival Coalition.

Before she was diagnosed, Christine loved to travel and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 2011-2013. When she returned, she worked as a conservation biologist to save habitat for endangered species. Now Christine is using her science background to create an open-access online forum thestormriders.org that provides the most recent and scientifically accurate information about breast cancer and its treatments, including metastatic breast cancer clinical trials and drugs and therapies in the pipeline. She also has created a pilot program, pairing oncology experts with new patient advocates at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, which is what we talk about during this podcast.

Listen to the podcast to hear Christine talk about:

how the cancer diagnoses changed her
how she keeps up with breast cancer research
her pilot program to pair oncology experts and patient advocates at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
what she wants people to know about metastatic breast cancer

How to Ease Aromatase Inhibitor-Related Pain

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 16:23:00 -0000

Ashish Khanna, M.D., is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and part of the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Khanna completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Kingsbrook Jewish Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he became interested in cancer rehabilitation early on. He completed his fellowship subspecialization in cancer rehabilitation at Medstar Georgetown University and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. He specializes in the treatment of people who have pain or functional issues as a result of cancer or cancer treatments, including people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes pain, shoulder issues, fatigue, joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, and other issues. He has lectured at numerous international conferences, has published peer-reviewed research on a variety of related topics, and is the co-author of an upcoming book on cancer rehabilitation.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khanna discuss:

what aromatase inhibitors are and how they treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer
why and how aromatase inhibitors cause joint pain
how exercise can reduce aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain
other ways to ease this joint pain

Breast Cancer Research Highlights -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From ESMO 2019

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:21:00 -0000

Anne White, president of Lilly Oncology, discusses some of the most talked about breast cancer research presented at ESMO 2019.

Where Are We With Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer? ESMO 2019 Coverage

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 11:44:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is chief of the Section of Clinical Research and Drug Development for Breast Cancer. She also is a member of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force of the National Cancer Institute.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, she presented information on a study she's leading, looking at combining a new type of immunotherapy with a traditional chemotherapy medicine. She joined us to talk about current immunotherapy research for breast cancer in general as well as what is specifically being presented at the congress.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton discuss:

why immunotherapy medicines to treat breast cancer will likely be used with another type of therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy
the difference between a "hot" and "cold" tumor and why that is important for immunotherapy
other biomarkers besides PD-L1 that may help doctors decided if an immunotherapy medicine will work

"CDK4/6 Inhibitor Plus Hormonal Therapy Should Be First Treatment for Metastatic Hormone-Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer" ESMO 2019 Coverage

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:12:00 -0000

Dr. Dennis Slamon is professor of medicine and executive vice chair for research for the UCLA Department of Medicine. He also serves as director of clinical/translational research and director of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA. He is probably best known for doing the laboratory and clinical research that led to the development of Herceptin, the first medicine to specifically treat HER2-positive breast cancer. Dr. Slamon has won numerous awards for his research. Earlier this month, he received the 2019 Lasker Award for clinical medical research for his groundbreaking work on Herceptin.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, he presented overall survival results from the MONALEESA-3 study, looking at using the CDK4/6 inhibitor Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) plus the hormonal therapy Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) to treat advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Slamon explain:

the background of the MONALEESA-3 study
how much adding Kisqali to Faslodex improved overall survival compared to Faslodex alone
treatment side effects seen in the study
what the results mean for people diagnosed with metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

Immunotherapy to Treat Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: ESMO 2019 Coverage

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:21:00 -0000

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, she presented overall survival results from the KATE2 study, which compared using the combination of Tecentriq, also called atezolizumab, and Kadcyla, also called T-DM1, to Kadcyla alone to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer that had grown while being treated with Herceptin and chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Emens discuss:

the design of the KATE2 study
why the study is encouraging, even though it didn't meet its primary endpoint
what the results mean for people diagnosed with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
her advice to people diagnosed with breast cancer who are interested in immunotherapy

Verzenio Plus Faslodex Improves Survival in Metastatic Hormone-Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer, Regardless of Menopausal Status

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:48:00 -0000

Dr. George Sledge is professor of medicine and head of the Oncology Division at Stanford University. A former president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, he specializes in breast cancer research. He has published extensively on the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and has been honored with numerous awards for his work.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, he presented overall survival results from the MONARCH 2 study, which used Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib) and Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) to treat metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that was previously treated with hormonal therapy and had stopped responding. The women in the study were premenopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Sledge explain:

the background of the MONARCH 2 study
how much overall survival was improved the side effects seen in the study
what the results mean for people diagnosed with metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

People Satisfied With Decision to Use Scalp Cooling, Even If It's Not Effective -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From ESMO 2019

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 11:07:00 -0000

Dr. Conleth Murphy, an oncologist at Bon Secours Cork Cancer Center in Ireland, discusses his research on scalp cooling in people being treated with chemotherapy for cancer.

The Think Before You Pink Project

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 16:41:00 -0000

Karuna Jaggar has been executive director of Breast Cancer Action since 2011 and has a lifelong commitment to social justice. Throughout her 15-year career in nonprofit leadership, her work has focused on women’s rights and on eliminating socioeconomic inequities. Jaggar began her career working with women’s microenterprises internationally and in the United States, providing self-employment and business training, funding and support for low-income women. Prior to joining Breast Cancer Action, Jaggar was executive director at the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment. She has served on the Board of the California Association of Microenterprise Opportunity, where she chaired the Policy Committee. She holds a master’s degree in economic geography from the University of California-Berkeley and received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Smith College.

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, Karuna joins us to talk about the Think Before You Pink project, including its history and goals.

Listen to the podcast to hear Karuna talk about:

how the Think Before You Pink campaign started
how she defines “pink washing”
reactions to the campaign
four questions Breast Cancer Action asks people to consider before buying anything with a pink ribbon on it

What My Patients Are Asking: Explain the New Breast Cancer Staging Guidelines

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:39:00 -0000

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer Hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.

In 2018, the American Joint Committee on Cancer, commonly called the AJCC, updated breast cancer staging guidelines to add other information to how a cancer’s stage is determined. This has made determining the stage of a breast cancer more complex, but also more accurate.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what the T, N, and M parts of the staging system mean
how the new characteristics added to the staging system in 2018 — cancer grade, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, HER2 receptor status, and Oncotype DX Recurrence Score — affect a breast cancer’s stage
how a cancer that might have been stage IIIA in the past might now be stage IB

Breast Implant Illness: What Do We Know Right Now?

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:38:00 -0000

Dr. Frank DellaCroce, or "Dr. D" as he has come to be known, is a founding partner of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans. Board-certified in plastic surgery, Dr. D has performed thousands of reconstructive procedures, both for women diagnosed with breast cancer and women at high risk of the disease who choose to have prophylactic breast removal. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He also has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

In this podcast, Dr. DellaCroce discusses illness linked to breast implants, the Allergan textured implant recall, as well as how he is counseling his patients.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DellaCroce discuss:

the differences between textured and smooth implants, as well as the differences between silicone-filled and saline-filled implants and the theories as to why textured and silicone implants are linked to disease
what breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is and how it is treated
what to do if you have an implant and are concerned

What My Patients Are Asking: Can Dog Deworming Medicine Treat Breast Cancer?

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:31:00 -0000

Blogs and popular media have discussed using fenbendazole (brand names: Panacure, Safe-Guard), a drug used to deworm dogs, to treat cancer. While some studies on cells in petri dishes and in mice suggest that fenbendazole might have anti-cancer properties, no studies have been done in people and it’s not clear what side effects it may cause or what the optimal dose might be.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:

the type of drug fenbendazole is and how it might kill cancer cells
the studies in petri dishes and mice on fenbendazole that have been done so far
what he tells his patients when they ask about fenbendazole

Cancer-Related Fatigue: What It Is and How to Manage It

Sat, 06 Jul 2019 09:57:00 -0000

Ashish Khanna, M.D., is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and part of the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Khanna completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Kingsbrook Jewish Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he became interested in cancer rehabilitation early on. He completed his fellowship subspecialization in cancer rehabilitation at Medstar Georgetown University and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. He specializes in the treatment of people who have pain or functional issues as a result of cancer or cancer treatments, including people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes pain, shoulder issues, fatigue, joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, and other issues. He has lectured at numerous international conferences, has published peer-reviewed research on a variety of related topics, and is the co-author of an upcoming book on cancer rehabilitation.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khanna explain:

how cancer-related fatigue is different from other fatigue
the link between inflammation and fatigue
why exercise is the best remedy for fatigue
steps you can take if you think you have cancer-related fatigue

Telling Your Breast Cancer Story With Art Therapy

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 10:20:00 -0000

Stephanie McLeod-Estevez is a licensed clinical professional counselor and art therapist with 15 years of clinical expertise in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. Stephanie also is a breast cancer survivor. She started her company, Creative Transformations, in 2016 to provide information, tools, and services to people diagnosed with cancer to enhance their emotional health and wellness. Her writing has been published in Wildfire, Coping with Cancer, and Breast Cancer Wellness.

In this podcast on art therapy, Stephanie explains how people diagnosed with cancer can use it to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Listen to the podcast to hear Stephanie discuss:

her own breast cancer journey and how that influenced her career
the process of art therapy and its benefits
how to find a reputable art therapist

ASCO 2019: Right to Try Legislation and Why Clinical Trial Entry Criteria Need to Change

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 12:08:00 -0000

Dr. Kelly Shanahan describes herself as a mother, wife, daughter, doctor, and woman living with metastatic breast cancer. Neuropathy from breast cancer treatment forced her to retire from her OB/GYN practice. She now works tirelessly as an independent metastatic breast cancer advocate. Dr. Shanahan was part of a panel on Right to Try Legislation at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. In this podcast, she explains Right to Try and Compassionate Use legislation and why she thinks the real answer is changing the criteria for enrolling in clinical trials.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shanahan talk about:

why she thinks Right to Try legislation is flawed
how the common criteria for entering a clinical trial exclude a majority of people diagnosed with metastatic disease and how trials can be changed
how she would proceed if her disease progressed and she didn't meet the eligibility criteria for an appropriate clinical trial

ASCO 2019: Women Don't Need Reminders to Take Aromatase Inhibitors, They Need Better Treatments for Side Effects

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 13:42:00 -0000

A member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board, Dr. Dawn Hershman leads the Breast Cancer Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University, where she is professor of medicine and epidemiology. Dr. Hershman is a nationally recognized expert in breast cancer treatment, prevention, and survivorship. '

At this ASCO annual meeting, Dr. Hershman presented results from a study looking at whether text messaging could increase the number of women who stick to their aromatase inhibitor treatment plans.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Hershman talk about:

the background of the study
the study results, which showed no difference in treatment adherence between women who received text messages and women who didn't
what future research needs to do to better help women stick to their aromatase inhibitor treatment plans

Top Metastatic Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2019

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 13:06:00 -0000

Dr. Maura Dickler, vice president of oncology late phase development for Eli Lilly and Company, offers insights on some of the most interesting research on metastatic breast cancer presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Dickler explain:

results from the IMpassion 130 trial looking at Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab) and Abraxane (chemical name: albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel) to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
results from the Young-PEARL trial studying Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) and Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane) along with ovarian suppression to treat premenopausal women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer overall survival
results from the MONALEESA-7 trial, which examined using Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) and hormonal therapy to treat premenopausal women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced-stage breast cancer

ASCO 2019: The BWEL Study: Diet and Exercise in Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:45:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Ligibel is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who treats breast cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Ligibel's research looks at the relationship between diet and exercise and breast cancer risk and prognosis. Her current project is the Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) study, which is looking at connections between exercise, diet, weight management, sleep, and health and wellness outcomes in women being treated for breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Ligibel talk about:

the progress of the BWEL study so far
how the BWEL study is different from other studies that looked at low-fat diets and breast cancer
why the BWEL study wants to examine methods that work best to help women diagnosed with breast cancer lose weight and exercise more

ASCO 2019: Diet, Exercise, and Breast Cancer Outcomes

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 12:58:00 -0000

Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist is professor of behavioral science and director of the Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Basen-Engquist’s research focuses on cancer survivors and how health behavior interventions can reduce the severity of late-term side effects, improve physical function, optimize quality of life, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. She also studies ways to help people make behavior changes and ways to assess symptoms and behavior in cancer patients and survivors.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Basen-Engquist talk about:

how to talk about diet and exercise with your doctor
why exercise and maintaining a healthy weight should be part of every person's long-term cancer care
how people who are feeling overwhelmed about having to make a lot of diet, weight, and exercise changes can start slowly to improve their health

Can a Low-Fat Diet Reduce the Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer? -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 11:11:00 -0000

Dr. Rowan Chlebowski, of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, explains the results of the latest analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative.

Metabolite Markers -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:41:00 -0000

Dr. Liz O'Day talks about a test her company is developing that uses metabolites in blood to assess whether a person with metastatic breast cancer will respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Live by Living -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:23:00 -0000

Dan Miller, founder of Live by Living, explains how the organization offers free outdoor experiences to people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.

Body Fat and Weight Loss

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 11:31:00 -0000

Marie Savard, M.D., is a doctor, educator, and former ABC News medical contributor. She is the founder of the Savard System for managing and controlling your healthcare. Dr. Savard is the author of five books, focusing on women’s health and wellness.

A native of Philadelphia, she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She formerly served as the director of the Center for Women's Health at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, technical adviser to the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, adviser to the American Board of Internal Medicine Subcommittee on Clinical Competency in Women's Health, health columnist for Woman's Day magazine, and senior medical consultant to Lifetime Television's "Strong Medicine."

In this podcast on body fat, weight, and weight loss, Dr. Savard explains what women, especially postmenopausal women, can do to prevent weight gain and lose some pounds that may have been gained.

Listen to the podcast to hear her explain:

why women tend to gain weight and change shape after menopause
steps you can take to reduce the risk of gaining weight after menopause
the top four things she recommends to a woman who wants to lose weight

2018 SABCS Preview -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 30 May 2019 16:34:00 -0000

Dr. Maura Dickler, vice president of late phase development for Lilly Oncology, discusses some of the research presentations she is looking forward to hearing at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

What Is Mindfulness?

Fri, 24 May 2019 08:12:00 -0000

Laura Cohen Romano is director of spiritual care and mindfulness for the Einstein Healthcare Network. She first came to Einstein in 2009 as director of chaplaincy, language and culture, and volunteer services. Laura began her own journey with meditation 25 years ago, and with evidence-based mindfulness meditation and practices 12 years ago. Following her growing passion to share the many benefits of mindfulness, she pursued training as a mindfulness teacher, first through teacher training at the Mindfulness Institute at the Jefferson Myrna-Brind Center for Integrative Medicine, and then receiving her teacher qualification through the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine Center for Mindfulness.

Mindfulness and/or mindfulness meditation can be intimidating to many people. They’re not sure if they’re doing it correctly — or at all. People worry they can’t completely clear their minds and become frustrated. While mindfulness can’t make cancer or other chronic illness go away, it can help people with a disease have better quality of life by easing pain, stress, and worry.

Listen to the podcast to hear Laura explain:

exactly what mindfulness and mindfulness meditation are
where mindfulness started
some common myths about mindfulness

For the last 5 minutes of the podcast, Laura leads a short, guided mindfulness meditation so everyone can experience mindfulness.

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts After a Cancer Diagnosis

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 11:52:00 -0000

Dr. Donald Rosenstein is a professor of psychiatry and director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Rosenstein’s research focuses on the areas where medicine and psychiatry meet. His research interests include assessing and managing suicide in the medical setting and psychosocial support for patients facing cancer. In 2017, Dr. Rosenstein was elected president of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. He is also co-author of The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life, which details the challenges and triumphs of seven men who raised young children after their wives died.

In this podcast on depression and suicidal thoughts after a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Rosenstein talks about what major depression can feel like, as well as risk factors for depression.

Listen to the podcast to hear him discuss:

what we know about depression as a side effect of tamoxifen
signs that you may need to see a doctor for depression
treatments for depression
depression in the context of breast cancer and why people should not suffer with depression in silence

Managing Constipation

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 15:26:00 -0000

William Chey, M.D., is professor of internal medicine and professor of nutrition at the University of Michigan, where he leads the Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Group. His research interests include diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, fecal incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and H. pylori infection. During his 30 years of treating people with constipation, Dr. Chey has written more than 300 manuscripts, reviews, and book chapters. He received his medical degree from Emory University and completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Michigan.

In this podcast on constipation, Dr. Chey discusses risk factors for constipation, how to manage constipation, as well as his favorite constipation joke.

Listen to the podcast to hear him explain:

why he recommends an integrated, holistic approach to managing constipation
why patients need to overcome any embarrassment they have about constipation and be their own advocate for treatment
the steps he recommends when treating constipation

Kisqali in Combination with Hormonal Therapy and Ovarian Suppression Effective Treatment for Metastatic Hormone-Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Disease in Premenopausal Women: 2017 SABCS

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:16:00 -0000

The targeted therapy Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) is approved to be used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor to treat advanced-stage or metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that hasn’t been treated with hormonal therapy yet in postmenopausal women. Dr. Debu Tripathy, professor of medicine and chairperson of the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the results of the MONALEESA-7 study he presented at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that Kisqali can help treat premenopausal and perimenopausal women diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Tripathy explain:

why the study is important
why ovarian suppression helps make the treatments more effective
the side effects caused by Kisqali
why he thinks this study will change practice

Editor's Note: On April 4, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the use of Ibrance so the medicine now can be used to treat men diagnosed with advanced-stage or metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

November 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:41:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in November 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found calcium channel blockers, a common type of high blood pressure medicine, don’t increase breast cancer risk
new guidelines from the Society for Integrative Oncology on complementary therapies for breast cancer
why more U.S. women are choosing mastectomy over lumpectomy to remove early-stage breast cancer
how the experimental targeted therapy olaparib works and why it may work against advanced-stage cancers in people with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

Reiki: What It Is and How It Helps People With Cancer

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 11:18:00 -0000

Beth Baughman DuPree is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in diseases of the breast, with additional board certification in integrative medicine. She is also a master level Reiki practitioner. Dr. DuPree is part of the Sedona Breast Care Clinic of the Northern Arizona Healthcare System.

Dr. DuPree earned her medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and her undergraduate degrees in behavioral neuroscience and the history and philosophy of science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Her first book, The Healing Consciousness: A Doctor’s Journey to Healing, was released in 2006 to excellent reviews by Christiane Northrup, M.D., and Bernie Siegel, M.D, among other well-known experts in the women’s health field. Her numerous honors include the Clara Barton Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross for her ongoing contributions to the treatment of breast cancer. She was selected by her peers for Philadelphia Magazine’s TOP DOCS in Surgery in 2016 and 2017. She serves on the advisory board for Breastcancer.org and often hosts live chats and podcasts on current breast cancer issues.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DuPree explain:

what Reiki is and why she uses it in her practice
what happens during a typical Reiki session
the benefits of Reiki for people diagnosed with cancer
three things you should know before trying Reiki

Below are links to the two studies on Reiki that Dr. DuPree discusses during the podcast:

Massage and Reiki used to reduce stress and anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial, by Kurebayashi, L., et al. Published in Revista Latino-Amerciana de Enfermagem, 2016.
Self-Efficacy for Coping with Cancer Enhances the Effect of Reiki Treatments During the Pre-Surgery Phase of Breast Cancer Patients, by Chirico, A., et al. Published in Anticancer Research, 2017.

Exercise for People Diagnosed With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:59:00 -0000

Sami Mansfield started her career as a cancer exercise specialist in 2003. Since being inspired by coaching her first client who had been diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, her career has been dedicated to helping people with cancer — any type and any stage — live as well as possible. Sami’s experience encompasses work in both community- and hospital-based cancer centers, non-profit organizations, developing and consulting on clinical trials, and as a speaker presenting to both patients and healthcare professionals. She is a certified cancer exercise trainer and CrossFit Level 1 coach with extensive exercise and nutrition experience.

Listen to the podcast to hear Sami discuss:

how attainable “exercise snacks” can help people start exercising
three exercises anyone can do safely at home
whether people with metastatic disease should “feel the burn” when they exercise
how to talk to your oncologist about exercise

Fashion Statements With Sheila McGlown: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:22:00 -0000

Sheila McGlown talks about body positivity, choosing to be bald, and what walking in the AnaOno Fashion Week show means to her.

Fashion Statements With Susan Sullivan Danenberger: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the Runway

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:20:00 -0000

Susan Sullivan Danenberger talks about her experience with metastatic breast cancer, reconstruction, and what it's like to walk in the AnaOno fashion show.

Fashion Statements With Beth Fairchild: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:53:00 -0000

Beth Fairchild talks about what it’s like to walk in the AnaOno Fashion Week runway show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Fashion Statements With Terlisa Sheppard: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:52:00 -0000

Terlisa Sheppard talks about what it’s like to walk in the AnaOno Fashion Week show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Fashion Statements With Monica Hill: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:51:00 -0000

Monica Hill talks about what it’s like to walk in the AnaOno Fashion Week show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Fashion Statements With Maggie Kudirka: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:51:00 -0000

Maggie Kudirka talks about what it's like to walk in the AnaOno Fashion Week show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Fashion Statements With Emily Garnett: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:49:00 -0000

Emily Garnett talks about what it's like to walk in the AnaOno fashion show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Fashion Statements With Barbara Bigelow: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:49:00 -0000

Barbara Bigelow talks about her experience with metastatic breast cancer and what walking in the AnaOno fashion show means for her.

Fashion Statements With Michael Kovarik: Metastatic Breast Cancer on the AnaOno Runway

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Michael Kovarik talks about what it’s like to walk in the AnaOno Fashion Week show and what it means for people with metastatic disease.

Healthy Eating During the Holidays

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:20:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Diana Dyer, R.D. talks about how to eat healthy before, during and after the holidays. Diana is a registered dietitian and multiple-time cancer survivor. She the author of the book A Dietitian’s Cancer Story and writes the blog DianaDyer.com, where she shares her thoughts about life as a cancer survivor, food and nutrition, growing food, recipes, and our environment. Diana also is a member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board.

Listen to the podcast to hear Diana talk about:

strategies for coping with the snack table at holiday parties
how to be festive and alcohol-free
tips for eating if you’re undergoing chemo during the holidays
ideas for making traditional family dishes healthier

I Was A 24-Year-Old Man With Breast Cancer -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0000

Bret Miller found a lump in his right breast when he was 17 and was finally diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24. His journey led him to found the Bret Miller 1T Foundation and the Male Breast Cancer Coalition. Running time: 12:03

Research for Young Survivors -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:12:00 -0000

Kelly Owens, director of education and research for FORCE, explains the organization's XRAYS (eXamining the Relevance of Articles for Young Survivors) program. Running time: 3:44

Longer Time to Chemotherapy Linked to Worse Outcomes in Triple-Negative Disease

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:11:00 -0000

Dr. Zaida Morante, medical oncologist at Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas in Lima, Peru, explains her research that found delaying chemotherapy for more than 30 days was associated with worse outcomes in women diagnosed with early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is breast cancer that is estrogen-receptor-negative, progesterone-receptor-negative, and HER2-negative.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Morante explain:

the design of the study
which outcomes delaying chemotherapy affected
possible explanations for why chemotherapy was delayed for some women

Oxybutynin to Ease Hot Flashes

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 09:58:00 -0000

Roberto Leon-Ferre, M.D., breast oncologist at the Mayo Clinic, discusses the research he presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium evaluating the effectiveness of oxybutynin, a medicine commonly used to treated bladder incontinence, to treat hot flashes in women who can't take hormone replacement therapy, which includes most women treated for breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Leon-Ferre explain:

the design of the study
why he thought oxybutynin might be able to ease hot flashes
possible side effects of long-term use of oxybutynin and why the medicine may still be useful for women who have been treated for breast cancer

Surgery Choice Seems to Affect Quality of Life for Younger Women

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:58:00 -0000

Dr. Laura Dominici, surgeon at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and division chief of breast surgery at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, discusses the research she presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium looking at how the type of breast cancer surgery affected quality of life in women 40 and younger who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Dominici explain:

the design of the study
what we can and can't infer from the results
why she hopes these results will lead to better communication between doctors and patients

Caregiving for a Person With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:14:00 -0000

Tim Watkins is the owner of the Watkins Garden Center and also is the partner of Michael Kovarik, a man with metastatic breast cancer. Tim and Michael became a couple after Michael had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but before he had been diagnosed with metastatic disease.

Listen to the podcast to hear Tim talk about:

what it's like to date someone with breast cancer
how Tim's role as caregiver changed when Michael was diagnosed with metastatic disease
the advice he would offer to people who are cancer caregivers

SABCS Through the Eyes of a Person With Metastatic Disease -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 SABCS

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 14:14:00 -0000

Shirley Mertz, president of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network and chair of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, has been living with metastatic disease for 15 years. She talks about the increasing body of research on metastatic breast cancer at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Running time: 2:47

Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance and SHARE Cancer Support Projects -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 SABCS

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:30:00 -0000

Christine Benjamin, breast cancer program director for SHARE Cancer Support and vice chair of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, explains some of the new programs each organization will roll out in 2019.

Verzenio Side Effects: What Patients Are Reporting

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:45:00 -0000

Matthew Goetz, M.D., professor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic where he is also co-leader of the Women's Cancer Program and chair of the Breast Cancer Disease-Oriented Group, discusses the research he presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on patient-reported outcomes from women being treated with Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib) plus an aromatase inhibitor as the first treatment for advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Goetz talk about:

what patient-reported outcomes are and why they're important for both doctors and patients
the Verzenio side effects reported in the study
how diarrhea caused by Verzenio can be proactively managed so a woman doesn't have to plan her life around a side effect

Holiday Eating: Tips to Eat Healthy and Feel Good

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:07:00 -0000

Kelly Hogan received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Northeastern University and her nutrition education, training, and master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University. As the nutrition and wellness manager at the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, Kelly incorporates a holistic approach, focusing not only on nutrition, but overall wellness including physical activity, stress management, and sleep. Before the Dubin Breast Center, Kelly worked with the general surgery and oncology inpatient populations at Mount Sinai.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly discuss:

how people who want to eat healthy can have fun and not feel left out or hungry
why the holidays are a great time for creative mocktails
how some traditional holiday dishes can be modified to be a bit healthier
what she’s making for her Thanksgiving dinner

Caring for Men Who Are Cancer Caregivers

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 11:48:00 -0000

Kyle Woody is cofounder and executive director of Jack’s Caregiver Coalition, a community of men who are cancer caregivers. Kyle believes that one of the biggest and most important challenges a man can face in his lifetime is engaging as a caregiver for a loved one with a serious disease such as cancer. Kyle believes that every man has the potential to rise to that challenge and be his boldest and most confident self. Reflecting on his experience as a primary caregiver for his spouse with metastatic colon cancer, he realized the principles of excellence and sound teamwork that he preached in his professional career should have been applied at home in his caregiving experience, which is why he helped found Jack’s in 2014 to improve the way men think, feel, and act in their role as cancer caregivers.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kyle talk about:

how Jack’s was founded
some of the programs Jack’s offers to help men who are caregivers
some things that he’d like men who are cancer caregivers to know
why caregiving is akin to a team sport

Flat: How One Woman Reclaimed Her Body From Breast Cancer

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:22:00 -0000

Catherine Guthrie is a women’s health journalist with two decades of experience in the magazine and publishing industry. She has written for Cosmopolitan; O, The Oprah Magazine; Slate; Time; and Better Homes and Gardens, among others.

In 2009, at age 38, Catherine was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the cancer was only in one breast, she opted for a double mastectomy and chose not to reconstruct. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time a year later in 2010. During her treatment, she searched for a memoir where the narrator grappled with the reality of the disease, where she unpacked questions about reconstruction, and challenged the tacit assumptions about what women want or need to feel whole after cancer. She couldn’t find a book that filled that niche, so she wrote one. Catherine’s queer, feminist memoir, FLAT: Reclaiming My Body From Breast Cancer, was published in September 2018.

Listen to the podcast to hear Catherine discuss:

“the male gaze” and how it informs breast reconstruction, even if the surgeon is a woman
how her queerness affected her experience with breast cancer
how her experience with breast cancer has changed how she reports on the disease
her advice to women on things they can do to help ensure that their choices about reconstruction — or not — are respected by surgeons

Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome: What It Is and How It's Treated

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:21:00 -0000

Michael Stubblefield, M.D. is medical director of cancer rehabilitation at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey and the national medical director for Select Medical’s ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation program. He is known around the world for his expertise in the identification, evaluation, and rehabilitation of pain and functional disorders caused by cancer and cancer treatments, particularly problems caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Dr. Stubblefield is an accomplished researcher and has published extensively on medical rehabilitation, oncology, pain management, palliative care, and neurophysiology.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stubblefield explain:

the definition of post-mastectomy pain syndrome and the different ways it affects people
how surgeries and radiation can cause this pain syndrome
treatments for post-mastectomy pain syndrome
the three things that anyone experiencing post-mastectomy pain syndrome should know

Survivorship Care Plans

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 18:44:00 -0000

An adult nurse practitioner, Dori Klemanski, DNP, CNP is clinical director of survivorship at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. In this role she helps identify the unmet needs of cancer survivors, as well as late- and long-term effects of treatment. She also oversees the creation of survivorship care plans to meet the long-term needs of survivors.

Listen to the podcast to hear Klemanski explain:

what a survivorship care plan is and the information included in one
why it’s so important that a survivorship care plan be personalized
who creates a survivorship care plan
how to get a survivorship care plan if you don’t have one

Neuropathy: Causes and Treatments

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:00:00 -0000

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stubblefield explain:

what neuropathy is, how it happens, and the treatments that can cause it
how to explain neuropathy to friends and family
risk factors for neuropathy
treatments for neuropathy
the three things that anyone diagnosed with neuropathy should know

Advocating as a Man With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:28:00 -0000

Michael Kovarik is a retired elementary school teacher who is living with metastatic breast cancer. He is the author of “Healing Within: My Journey with Breast Cancer” and the former host of the Healing Journeys with Michael Kovarik radio show. He was also one of the people profiled in Breast Cancer: A Story Half Told, a campaign to increase public awareness of metastatic breast cancer. Since his metastatic diagnosis, Michael participates in a number of advocacy organizations, including the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, the MBC Alliance, and METAvivor.

Listen to the podcast to hear Michael talk about:

the importance of the doctor-patient relationship
the importance of a support system
deciding not to let fear run his life
becoming an advocate and sharing his story
how being stage IV has helped him live his truth

Revision Reconstruction: What You Need to Know

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:02:00 -0000

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. D discuss:

why a woman might consider revision reconstruction
the results of revision reconstruction: what to expect, as well as recovery and side effects
questions to ask a plastic surgeon if you’re considering revision reconstruction

Evolving Mutations in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Tue, 08 May 2018 11:50:00 -0000

Dr. Utthara Nayar is a research fellow in medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Harvard Medical School, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. A cancer biologist, her broad research focuses on the interface of basic biology, targeted medicines, and drug resistance. At the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, she presented research looking at how acquired HER2 mutations can make some metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers resistant to hormonal therapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Nayar explain:

the number of metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers that become resistant to hormonal therapy
what whole exome sequencing is and why she and her colleagues used it in this study
the possibility that genetic sequencing of cancers could be an ongoing part of treatment at some point in the future

Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment

Tue, 08 May 2018 10:16:00 -0000

Dr. C. Kent Osborne is director of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is also a professor and the Dudley and Tina Sharp Chair for Cancer Research. Since 1992, he has been a codirector of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the world's largest conference focusing entirely on breast cancer. His own research focuses on improving the effectiveness of hormonal therapy medicines and targeted therapies that treat HER2-positive disease. At the 2018 American Association for Cancer Annual Meeting, Dr. Osborne was honored with the 2018 AACR Distinguished Award for Extraordinary Scientific Achievement and Leadership in Breast Cancer Research, in part for his stewardship of the San Antonio Symposium.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Osborne discuss:

how our understanding of breast cancer has changed since the 1970s
the most promising areas of breast cancer research going on right now
the feasibility of a cure for breast cancer

Adding the Patient Perspective to Research -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Tue, 08 May 2018 10:00:00 -0000

Desirée Walker, who calls herself a two-time breast cancer "victor," talks about her poster on the importance of involving patients in breast cancer research projects.

The Bodice Project -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Mon, 07 May 2018 17:03:00 -0000

Artist Kathryn Stella, vice president of the Bodice Project, discusses how the sculptural exhibit promotes inner healing among women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Meeting Highlights -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Mon, 07 May 2018 16:48:00 -0000

Dr. Levi Garraway, senior vice president of oncology development and medical affairs at Eli Lilly and Company, discusses some of the research highlights at the 2018 AACR Annual Meeting, particularly those in breast cancer.

Clinical Trials Part I: Clinical Trial Basics

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 14:39:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board certified medical oncologist and associate professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Her research focuses on the genetics of breast cancer and how the genes of a breast cancer change at the molecular level. She has been principal investigator on a number of research projects and is a member of the Genetic/Familial High Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian guideline expert panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton discuss:

the phases of clinical trials and why each is important
the benefits and risks of being part of a clinical trial
how to withdraw from a clinical trial
how care works in a clinical trial
how to find clinical trials

Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer: Part II

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:12:00 -0000

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board certified medical oncologist and associate professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is chief of the Section of Clinical Research and Drug Development for Breast Cancer. She also is a member of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force of the National Cancer Institute.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton discuss:

how immunotherapy medicines work
why immunotherapy medicines haven’t seemed to work as well in breast cancer as they have in other cancers
the direction of immunotherapy research for breast cancer

Managing Breast Cancer Surgery Side Effects

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:22:00 -0000

Dr. Alexander Miller is a surgical oncologist who specializes in treating breast cancer and people at high risk of the disease. Currently at the START Center for Cancer Care in San Antonio, Texas, he trained at MD Anderson and the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Miller has received awards for excellence in research, education, and patient care. He has been lead or collaborating researcher for several studies on breast cancer treatments, prevention, genetic testing, and the psychosocial experiences of people receiving cancer care.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Miller explain:

the most common side effects of both mastectomy and lumpectomy and how to manage them
why the risk of lymphedema, while still a concern, has gone down in the last 10 years
steps people can take before surgery to reduce the risk of side effects

Clinical Trials Part 2: How Are the Results Used?

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:30:00 -0000

Dr. Dawn Hershman is professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University. She also serves as leader of the Breast Cancer Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia and is nationally recognized for her expertise in breast cancer treatment, prevention, and survivorship. A member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board, Dr. Hershman also has conducted extensive research on breast cancer treatment and quality of life -- she has published more than 250 scientific papers and has received the Advanced Clinical Research Award in Breast Cancer from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Advanced Medical Achievement Award from the Avon Foundation. Dr. Hershman is also on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and is an associate editor at the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Hershman explain:

how clinical trial results are used
how clinical trial results have changed the standard of care
why factors such as diet or exercise for reducing breast cancer risk are difficult to study in clinical trials
why some trials are stopped early because of good or not-so-good results

Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer: Part 1

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 15:48:00 -0000

Dr. Sherene Loi is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating breast cancer. In addition to treating patients, particularly patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, she also leads the Translation Breast Cancer Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, where she is a professor. Much of her clinical research focuses on investigating new treatments, such as immunotherapy, especially for breast cancers that have become resistant to standard treatments.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Loi explain:

results from the PANACEA trial, which looked at using the immunotherapy medicine Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) along with Herceptin to treat Herceptin-resistant, HER2-positive, advanced-stage breast cancer that had high levels of PDL-1, a biomarker that indicates that Keytruda will be effective
how an immunotherapy medicine like Keytruda works
what tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are and why cancer tumors with high numbers of TILs seem to respond better to immunotherapy
side effects of immunotherapy medicines

Doctor-Patient Communication for People With Metastatic Disease

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 14:51:00 -0000

Dr. Timothy Pluard is medical director at the Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute and the Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer in Kansas City, Missouri. A medical oncologist, Dr. Pluard specializes in offering comprehensive care, including treatments that use advanced genomics and immunotherapy to women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. He also incorporates nutrition planning, spiritual counseling, exercise physiology, massage, yoga, palliative care, and emotional support into patient care. He also advises patients on participating in clinical trials on leading-edge treatments for advanced-stage breast cancer. Many of Dr. Pluard’s patients have praised his communication skills.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Pluard discuss:

how he tailors his communication to each individual patient and that person’s unique situation
how he talks to patients about disappointing news, such as cancer progression or a treatment that stops working
what makes someone a good communicator
his tips on how to make doctor-patient communication the best it can be

The Serenity Project

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:39:00 -0000

Beth Fairchild was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer in 2014 at age 34. The diagnosis was a surprise to her because her mammogram results from the month before were negative, and she had never had a lump in her breast. Beth was familiar with breast cancer though. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44, and her paternal grandmother died from breast cancer at age 33.

An artist and tattoo professional, Beth and her husband own five tattoo studios. Her focus is on permanent cosmetics, scar camouflage, and areola restoration for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Beth is the current president of METAvivor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of metastatic breast cancer and funding research on metastatic disease. Beth also is one of the creators of the Serenity Project, a metastatic breast cancer support campaign that gives patients an opportunity to tell their personal metastatic breast cancer stories through a series of photos and videos.

Listen to the podcast to hear Beth talk about:

what the Serenity Project is
the inspiration for the Serenity Project and how it became reality
what the participants have said about the project
what public reaction has been to the project

Listen to Beth's other podcast, Permanent Cosmetics, Scar Camouflage, and Nipple Tattooing.

Permanent Cosmetics, Scar Camouflage, and Nipple Tattooing

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:37:00 -0000

Beth Fairchild was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer in 2014 at age 34. The diagnosis was a surprise to her because her mammogram results from the month before were negative and she had never had a lump in her breast. Beth was familiar with breast cancer though. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44 and her paternal grandmother died from breast cancer at age 33.

An artist and tattoo professional, Beth and her husband own five tattoo studios. Her focus is on permanent cosmetics, scar camouflage and areola restoration for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Beth is the current president of METAvivor, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of metastatic breast cancer and funding research on metastatic disease. Beth tattoos permanent cosmetics, such as eyebrows or eyeliner, as well as nipples and areolas for women who have had breast cancer surgery.

Listen to the podcast to hear Beth explain:

how to find a professional who can do permanent cosmetics
what scar camouflage is
how she approaches the nipple tattooing process
what nipple tattooing and areola restoration has done for her clients

Listen to Beth's podcast about the Serenity Project.

Benefits and Drawbacks of At-Home Genetic Tests

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:26:00 -0000

Cristina Nixon is a licensed certified genetic counselor with the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics Program at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. In addition to counseling patients, she also assists with research, including a study looking at multi-gene panels in BRCA1/BRCA2-positive families. Cristina also has completed the City of Hope’s intensive course in cancer risk assessment.

In the wake of the March 6, 2018 U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorization of the 23andMe Personal Genomic Service Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) test, we talked to Cristina about at-home genetic testing.

Listen to the podcast to hear Cristina explain:

the differences between an at-home genetic test, such as the 23andMe BRCA genetic test, and a genetic test that is ordered by your doctor, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each how the cost of a genetic test ordered by a doctor isn’t much more than the cost of an at-home genetic test
why genetic counseling is so important when having genetic testing
what she wants people to know about at-home genetic tests

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Recurrence

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:50:00 -0000

Dr. Marleen Meyers is a medical oncologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone. She also serves as director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center Survivorship Program. She received her medical degree from the NYU School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Meyers talk about:

what HER2-positive breast cancer is and how its aggressiveness ranks compared to other types of breast cancer
factors doctors consider when estimating a person’s risk of recurrence
specific ways to reduce the risk of HER2-positive disease recurrence
how she helps her patients manage the fear of recurrence

Ovarian Suppression Can Help Protect Ovarian Function and May Preserve Fertility in Younger Women Being Treated with Chemotherapy

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 13:56:00 -0000

Preserving fertility after chemotherapy is an important issue for many, many younger women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Dr. Matteo Lambertini, medical oncologist at the Institute Jules Bordet Brussels, presented research at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that ovarian suppression with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue such as Lupron, Trelstar, or Zoladex, can safely protect ovarian function and may help preserve fertility in younger women being treated with chemotherapy for early-stage disease.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Lambertini explain:

why earlier studies on this topic had mixed results
the results of the study
the side effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues
the strategies he recommends to his younger patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who want to have a child after chemotherapy

Raising Awareness of Inflammatory Breast Cancer -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:22:00 -0000

Terry Lynn Arnold, founder of The IBC Network Foundation who was diagnosed with triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer in 2007, talks about how her organization is raising awareness of and funding research on this rare type of breast cancer.

Where Are We With Immunotherapy to Treat Breast Cancer? -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:21:00 -0000

Leisha Emens, associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, discusses the state of immunotherapy to treat breast cancer.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance: Looking Forward -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:20:00 -0000

Marc Hurlbert, chairperson of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance (MBCA) and chief mission officer of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, discusses some research presented in San Antonio by MBCA collaborators.

The Serenity Project: This Is Metastatic Breast Cancer -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:19:00 -0000

Kelly Shanahan, MD, a former obstetrician/gynecologist, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2008 and then diagnosed with metastatic disease in 2013, on her birthday. Here she talks about how empowering it was to participate in the #ThisIsMBC Serenity Project, which gives women and men living with metastatic breast cancer an opportunity to tell their personal stories through a series of unique pictures and inspiring videos.

Acupuncture Helps Ease Joint Pain Caused by Aromatase Inhibitors

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:59:00 -0000

Joint pain is one of the most common side effects of aromatase inhibitors and may be a big reason why women stop taking these medicines early. Dr. Dawn Hershman, leader of the Breast Cancer Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, presented research at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that acupuncture can ease aromatase inhibitor-caused joint pain, even after the acupuncture treatment sessions stop.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Hershman explain:

how much acupuncture eases joint pain
why she believes acupuncture could help many women stick to their hormonal therapy treatment plans
the cost of acupuncture relative to other treatments
the few and mild side effects of acupuncture

Postmenopausal Women Who Lose Modest Amount of Weight Have Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 09:38:00 -0000

Research has shown that women who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of breast cancer, especially after menopause. Still, research results have been mixed on whether losing weight would decrease a postmenopausal woman's breast cancer risk. Rowan Chlebowski, research professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope, discusses an analysis of data from the very large Women's Health Initiative Observational Study that found that overweight or obese postmenopausal women who lost just a modest amount of weight — as little as 10 or 15 pounds — had a lower risk of breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Chlebowski explain:

why he wanted to do this study
why this study was different than earlier studies
his advice to postmenopausal women

Breast Reconstruction Techniques and Revisions

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 13:49:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast focuses on breast reconstruction and features Frank DellaCroce, M.D., F.A.C.S., cofounder of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and the St. Charles Surgical Hospital. Dr. DellaCroce is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and his pioneering work in microsurgery has made the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery an international leader in the art and science of breast reconstruction. He has performed thousands of breast reconstructions on women from around the world.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DellaCroce discuss:

the advances in reconstruction that have happened in the past decade
what microsurgery is and why it’s so specialized
the most popular breast reconstruction options
how he assesses a breast reconstruction that a woman is unhappy with

Stories of Mastectomy and Reconstruction: Deidra

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 13:26:00 -0000

A former pharmaceutical sales rep, Deidra is a 3-time cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with melanoma in 1991 at age 32 in 1991. In 2006, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 47. Three days before Christmas in 2014 and 12 weeks before the wedding of her son, Pierce, she was diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in two spots. She had double mastectomy and immediate DIEP flap reconstruction on January 18. She also had nipple reconstruction and tattooing. Her goal was to be able to dance at Pierce’s wedding, and she did. She continues to take an aromatase inhibitor.

Deidra is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on reconstruction after mastectomy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Deidra talk about:

why she was honored to share her story
what she would tell a woman who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer
how she felt when she was relating her story on camera
what dancing at Pierce’s wedding meant to her

Stories of Mastectomy and Reconstruction: Peggy

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:18:00 -0000

A former first grade teacher, Peggy Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2009 after she became concerned about some dimpling in her left breast. She had six rounds of chemotherapy, then a double mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction in May 2010. She then had radiation therapy. After that treatment was completed, she had new implants inserted in December 2010. At that time, nipple reconstruction wasn’t offered to her. In early 2016, at her annual exam with her breast surgeon, the surgeon discovered that one of her implants had ruptured and was leaking. Peggy was told she would have to have her implants replaced yet again. Instead, she decided to have DIEP flap reconstruction as well as nipple reconstruction and nipple tattooing in May 2016.

Peggy is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on reconstruction after mastectomy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Peggy talk about:

why she decided to have DIEP flap surgery when her implant ruptured
how keeping a journal helped her
how she tries to be a resource for women diagnosed with breast cancer

Stories of Mastectomy and Reconstruction: Mimi

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:52:00 -0000

Breast cancer was familiar to Mimi, even before she was diagnosed. Her mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer three times. She was treated with a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. Fifteen years later, she is cancer-free. Mimi’s cousin Annette, her best friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and passed away from the disease that same year at age 42. Mimi herself was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer in April 2015 at age 45, the same age her mother was first diagnosed. She had a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. Later she also had a preventive hysterectomy because the cancer was hormone-receptor-positive. She took tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor but has since stopped.

Mimi is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on reconstruction after mastectomy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Mimi discuss:

how she made her decisions about surgery and reconstruction
the positives she believes breast cancer brought to her life
what she would say to a woman who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Metastatic Breast Cancer: Now What?

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 14:30:00 -0000

Krista Curley was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with estrogen-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in her lymph system and bones at the age of 39. She had no previous diagnosis of cancer. Since her initial diagnosis, the cancer has spread further into her bones and to her liver, despite surgery, various hormonal therapies, and chemotherapy. Krista lives in Ontario, Canada and is married to Patrick, the love of her life. She is the mother of Ethan, who is 16, and Naomi, who is 10. She has a blog about living with metastatic disease called “Metastatic Breast Cancer: Now What?”

Listen to the podcast to hear Krista talk about:

what writing the blog gives to her
how she and her family find joy and humor in day-to-day life
how she talked to her kids about metastatic disease
the one thing she would tell people about metastatic breast cancer

Nipple Reconstruction

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 13:19:00 -0000

Dr. Frank DellaCroce, or "Dr. D" as he has come to be known, is a founding partner of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans. Board-certified in plastic surgery, Dr. D has performed thousands of reconstructive procedures, both for women diagnosed with breast cancer and women at high risk of the disease who choose to have prophylactic breast removal. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He also has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. D discuss:

the benefits and risks of nipple reconstruction
the timing of nipple reconstruction
how nipple reconstruction has evolved over the years
how long the procedure takes and what recovery is like

Controlling Pain During and After Breast Cancer Surgery

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:01:00 -0000

Beth Baughman DuPree performs breast cancer surgery and is vice president at the Holy Redeemer Health System, as well as an adjunct assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a board certified general surgeon specializing in diseases of the breast. She also has obtained dual board certification in integrative and holistic medicine. She has won numerous awards for her medical work as well as her humanitarian endeavors. Dr. DuPree’s skin-sparing mastectomies, performed in conjunction with plastic surgeon Robert Skalicky, were featured live on the Internet; the webcast and subsequent documentary received a Gracie Award.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DuPree discuss:

the types of medicines used to control pain during breast cancer surgery
non-opioid pain control options for people in recovery or who simply don’t want an opioid
the side effects of pain medications
ways to control pain that don’t involve medication

Living Well With Metastatic Disease: Controlling Fear, Finding Joy

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:57:00 -0000

Teva Harrison is an artist, writer, and cartoonist who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer at age 37. She is the author of the bestselling, critically acclaimed graphic memoir, In-Between Days; the book was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award for Non-Fiction.

Teva is a Canadian Magazine Award and National Magazine Award finalist whose writing and/or comics have appeared in The Walrus, Quill & Quire, Huffington Post, Carte Blanche, The Humber Literary Review, The Globe and Mail, and more. She is a regular commentator on radio, television, and in newspapers, including CBC Radio, the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

Born and raised in rural Oregon, Teva currently lives in Toronto with her husband.

Listen to the podcast to hear Teva talk about:

how she changed her mind about being public about her diagnosis
how she controls her fear and finds joy and beauty in her life
the things she’s saying yes to and how they are making her happy
what leaving a legacy means to her

Personal Finance After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Advice From Suze Orman

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 22:49:00 -0000

Suze Orman has been called “a force in the world of personal finance” and a “one-woman financial advice powerhouse” by USA Today. A two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times mega bestselling author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world today, Orman is undeniably America’s most recognized expert on personal finance.

Listen to the podcast to hear Suze discuss:

the four documents that EVERYONE should have
what a young parent with metastatic disease can do protect the financial future of her minor children
when to start taking disability or Social Security payments if you’ve been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer
the differences between wills and trusts

New Scalp Cooling System Can Reduce Hair Loss From Chemotherapy: 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 15:23:00 -0000

Several studies have shown that cooling the scalp to a very low temperature can help reduce hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. In this podcast, Julie Nangia, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, Baylor College of Medicine talks about the study results she presented at the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on the Orbis Paxman Hair Loss Prevention System. The study was the first prospective, randomized trial on a scalp cooling system and found that about 50% of the women who used the cooling system kept most of their hair.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Nangia explain:

how the Paxman Hair Loss Preservation System works
how the type of chemotherapy regimen the women were on affected the results
why doing a prospective, randomized trial was important

Editor’s Note: On April 19, 2017, the Paxman Scalp Cooling System received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance. This means the system can be marketed in the United States.

Pausing Hormonal Therapy Treatment to Have a Child: The POSITIVE Trial

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:22:00 -0000

Ann Partridge, M.D., MPH., is founder and director of the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer and the Adult Survivorship Program, as well as senior physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is a medical oncologist focusing on the care of women with breast cancer and has a particular interest in the psychosocial, behavioral and communication issues in breast cancer care and treatment.

Dr. Partridge is also the lead investigator of the U.S. arm of the POSITIVE trial. This study is looking at whether premenopausal women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive disease who stop taking hormonal therapy after about 1.5 to 2.5 years of treatment to get pregnant have a higher risk of the breast cancer coming back, which doctors call recurrence. Most women diagnosed with hormone receptor positive disease take hormonal therapy for 5 to 10 years after surgery. In the POSITIVE trial, the women who want to get pregnant are stopping hormonal therapy for up to 2 years to become pregnant, deliver the baby and breastfeed. The women then start hormonal therapy again.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Partridge talk about:

why the researchers decided to do this study
the safeguards the study has in place so a developing baby won’t be harmed by the hormonal therapy medicine
other safety concerns associated with stopping hormonal therapy to get pregnant besides recurrence risk

Visit the Fertility and Pregnancy Issues During and After Breast Cancer section for more information on pregnancy after treatment.

Biosimilars: What Are They and What Are Their Advantages?

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:15:00 -0000

Dr. Philip Lammers, a medical oncologist, is the chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Meharry Medical College and adjunct assistant professor of internal medicine at Vanderbilt University. He has several active research projects on ways to increase minority and underserved population representation in clinical trials. He also studies state-of-the art cancer treatments, including biosimilars.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Lammers explain:

what a biosimilar drug is, as well as the approval process for biosimilars
how we can be sure that biosimilars are as safe as the reference products
the advantages and disadvantages of biosimilars
when we might see biosimilars on the market to treat breast cancer

Sexual Health, Intimacy, and Metastatic Disease: Reclaiming Your Sexual Self

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:33:00 -0000

Sage Bolte is executive director of Life With Cancer and also serves as associate director of psychosocial program for the Inova Health System. She is an internationally recognized educator and speaker on sexual health, intimacy, and relationships among people diagnosed with cancer and other chronic diseases. She conducts lectures, workshops, and training to both patient and healthcare professional groups on the topic of the sexual self and cancer survivorship. Her goal is to help empower patients to reclaim their sexual selves in spite of the many physical and emotional changes they may experience from their cancer diagnosis and to help healthcare professionals feel more comfortable and knowledgeable to assess and address the sexual health needs of their patients.

Listen to the podcast to hear Sage talk about:

how women diagnosed with metastatic disease can redefine sexual health so they’re fulfilled and satisfied
tips for women who are having vaginal pain/dryness, including stretching and strengthening exercises
why it’s important to remember libido starts in the brain, not necessarily the body
how to start a conversation with a partner about what is pleasurable right now and how what’s desired may change

Quality of Life With Metastatic Disease -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 16:14:00 -0000

Leah Eshraghi, director of clinical research at the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, discusses the poster she presented on quality of life and disease collateral damage in women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Radiation Effects on Reconstruction -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:45:00 -0000

Breastcancer.org Chief Medical Officer and Founder Marisa Weiss, M.D. talks how radiation therapy can affect different types of breast reconstruction.

Overcoming Hormonal Therapy Side Effects -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:37:00 -0000

Breastcancer.org Chief Medical Officer and Founder Marisa Weiss, M.D. talks about the importance of sticking with a hormonal therapy treatment plan and ways to deal with any side effects.

Scalp Cooling -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:33:00 -0000

Breastcancer.org Chief Medical Officer and Founder Marisa Weiss, M.D. offers her take on a new device that may help women keep quite a bit of their hair during chemotherapy.

Experimental Buparlisib Offers Benefits, But Side Effects Too Toxic: 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 14:59:00 -0000

The experimental medicine buparlisib helps treat metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has been treated with an aromatase inhibitor, but grew after being treated with Afinitor (chemical name: everolimus) and Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane). In this podcast from the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Ruth O'Regan, M.D., professor of hematology and oncology at the University of Wisconsin and one of the researchers who did the phase III BELLE-3 trial, discusses the results of the study and explains why the mechanics of how buparlisib work are promising, even if buparlisib probably isn't the right medicine to treat breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. O'Regan talk about:

how buparlisib works
why inhibiting the PI3 kinase pathway may help treat metastatic, hormone-receptor-positive disease that has stopped responding to hormonal therapy
buparlisib's unacceptable side effects
how she plans to talk to her patients about buparlisib

Does 2.5 to 5 More Years of an Aromatase Inhibitor Offer Benefits? Maybe, For Some Women: 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:29:00 -0000

In 2012, research results showed that taking the hormonal therapy tamoxifen for 10 years instead of 5 offered more benefits for women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, including less recurrence and better overall survival. Since that time, researchers have wondered if extending the time a woman with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive disease took an aromatase inhibitor would offer similar benefits.

In this podcast from the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Terry Mamounas, M.D., M.P.H., medical director of the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, discusses the results of his and other studies looking at whether 2.5 to 5 additional years of Femara (chemical name: letrozole) after 5 years of an aromatase inhibitor offered better survival or lowered the number of recurrences.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Mamounas talk about:

the very specific group of women that may benefit from an additional 2.5 to 5 years of an aromatase inhibitor
which women should not take an additional 2.5 to 5 years of an aromatase inhibitor
how women and their doctors can weigh the benefits and potential risks of extended aromatase inhibitor treatment
how he plans to talk to his patients about this issue

Liquid Tumor Biopsies -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:20:00 -0000

"An exciting but early time."

Oncologist Philomena McAndrew talks about the exciting, but still early research on what's called by a variety of names: liquid tumor biopsies, circulating tumor cells, and cell free DNA and what the development of these tests might mean for patients in the future.

Male Breast Cancer Advocacy -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:13:00 -0000

"I've been on a roll of male breast cancer advocacy."

Breast cancer survivor Michael Singer was staffing the Male Breast Cancer Coalition booth at the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. In this mini podcast, he talks about his diagnosis and how he works to raise awareness that men can be breast cancer patients, too.

Men Have Breasts, Too: Diagnosed With Male Breast Cancer

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:38:00 -0000

In August 2016, Stephen Sala found a small lump on the right side of his chest. His doctor thought it was a cyst, but scheduled an ultrasound to be sure. His ultrasound results were concerning, so he had a mammogram the same day, followed a needle biopsy about a week later. The results showed breast cancer. He was 41. He decided to have a bilateral mastectomy to reduce his risk of contralateral disease; pathology results showed that he had cancer in his left chest as well. As he went through diagnosis and treatment, Steve experienced a number of awkward situations. Almost all mammography offices are in women’s health care centers, with no consideration for men. Forms asked when he had his last period, how many children he had given birth to, and if he was in menopause.

Listen to the podcast to hear Stephen talk about:

how he came to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis
his ideas on how the process can be made less clumsy for men
how he talked to his children about his diagnosis
how he found support
advice he would offer other men

Research Highlights From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 11, 2013

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 15:00:00 -0000

In our premiere podcast, we're excited to bring you a summary of the day's research highlights from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2013! We discuss treatments before surgery for HER2-positive cancers, radiation after lumpectomy in women over age 65, and more. Breastcancer.org medical adviser Brian Wojciechowski, M.D. and senior editor Jamie DePolo explain the latest news.

Research Highlights From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 12, 2013

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:58:00 -0000

Listen to the December 12 updates from the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on today's podcast! In this edition, we fill you in on the latest research about Arimidex (chemical name: anastrazole) for reducing the risk of a primary breast cancer, sticking to your aromatase inhibitor regimen, strength training and aerobics for the relief of aromatase inhibitor-induced joint pain relief, and survival improvements with bisphosphonates after early breast cancer. Breastcancer.org medical adviser Brian Wojciechowski, M.D. and senior editor Jamie DePolo explain the latest news.

Research Highlights From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 13, 2013

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:57:00 -0000

In this edition of our podcast coverage from the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, we bring you the latest information from these areas of breast cancer research:

post-treatment psychosocial and physical issues
updates on chemotherapy in high-risk women, early and metastatic breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancers, and in women with high numbers of circulating tumor cells
a new design for clinical trials that may allow drugs to become available sooner
breast cancer incidence in women using hormonal treatments for infertility
a presentation on what women know about risk reduction versus how they put this knowledge into practice, from Breastcancer.org Chief Medical Officer Marisa Weiss, M.D.

Sexuality and Breast Cancer: Get Your Mojo Back

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:55:00 -0000

Because Valentine’s Day is in February, many people start thinking about romance, love, and sex — and their satisfaction with what they have. The February 2014 Breastcancer.org podcast features Lynn Wang, M.D., female sexual medicine specialist for the Main Line Health System and member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board. She is a board-certified gynecologist and American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists-certified counselor and educator.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wang discuss:

different models of female sexual response
the biological, psychological, social, and relationship reasons why libido may be reduced
how a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect libido and sexual satisfaction
who to talk to if you’re having sexual problems

February 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:54:00 -0000

In the March 2014 Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, discusses some of the most talked about research studies that were published in February 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

the Canadian mammogram study and why it’s flawed
why the FDA is warning women not to use ductal lavage in place of mammograms
the importance of starting chemotherapy within 30 days of surgery
how yoga can ease fatigue and reduce inflammation in women diagnosed with breast cancer
how acupuncture can ease aromatase inhibitor side effects

How Pets Help Us Heal

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:52:00 -0000

The March 2014 Breastcancer.org podcast features Michele Pich, a psychologist and veterinary grief counselor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Michele also has extensive experience in leading support groups for people diagnosed with cancer. Michele brought along Vivian, her certified therapy dog who has been named Therapy Dog Ambassador for two years in a row at the National Dog Show.

Listen to the podcast to hear Michele discuss:

the physical and psychological reasons pets are so comforting
how the therapy animal world has expanded beyond dogs
Michele and Vivian's experiences helping women diagnosed with breast cancer
how you can arrange for a visit from a certified therapy animal

March 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:51:00 -0000

In the first April 2014 Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org's medical adviser, talks about some of the most interesting research studies that were published in March 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski discuss:

the importance of exercise to reduce breast cancer risk
the new guidelines for the size of cancer tumor margins
available options for women who are having trouble paying for treatment
resources for older cancer survivors who might be having sexuality issues
how radiation after mastectomy benefits women with one to three positive lymph nodes
results from a phase II trial on the experimental medicine palbociclib

Writing and Healing After a Cancer Diagnosis

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:50:00 -0000

The second April 2014 Breastcancer.org podcast features Pamela Post-Ferrante, a four-time breast cancer survivor, writer, teacher, and workshop leader. She wrote her book, Writing and Healing: A Mindful Guide for Cancer Survivors, to help others use writing and mindfulness to heal themselves.

Listen to the podcast to hear Pamela discuss:

how writing helped her heal
how the exercises in her book have helped others
why therapeutic writing is so powerful

How Breast Cancer Treatment Affects Your Ability to Exercise

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:49:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Kathy Miller, M.D., talks about how breast cancer treatments can affect your stamina and your ability to exercise, as well as how to exercise during treatment. Dr. Miller is a professor of medicine at Indiana University and is the author of more than 60 scientific papers, many of which focus on breast cancer biology and treatment. Dr. Miller also is a member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Miller talk about:

how to figure out what a safe level of exercise is while you’re getting chemotherapy or radiation or recovering from surgery
tips on how to start exercising if you’ve never exercised before
how treatment can change your stamina
the benefits of exercise, including helping women recover from treatment

April 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:47:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, discusses some of the most talked-about studies that came out in April 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

the new American Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines on sentinel lymph node biopsy for people diagnosed with early-stage disease
more guidelines from ASCO on issues faced by survivors, including chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, fatigue, and depression
how healthy eating improves survival why an individualized approach to mammography screening is needed

Sexuality and Breast Cancer: From Diagnosis to Survivorship

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:46:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Michael Krychman, M.D. discusses female sexual health and how a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect sexual function and quality of life. Dr. Krychman is executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, as well as a clinical sexologist. Dr. Krychman also is writing a new blog for Breastcancer.org called "Sex Matters."

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Krychman talk about:

some of the biggest sexual issues and side effects during and after breast cancer treatment
the best way to discuss sexual issues with your doctor, especially if you're not comfortable with the topic
the importance of having an individualized survivorship care plan that includes a sexual health component

May and June 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:45:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in May 2014 or presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in June 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

why using Aromasin on top of ovarian suppression medicine is better at reducing risk in premenopausal women than tamoxifen on top of ovarian suppression medicine
why some research studies on any links between vitamin D and breast cancer outcomes seem to have mixed results
the American Society of Clinical Oncology special series of articles on pain in people diagnosed with cancer
why childhood cancer survivors have a higher risk of breast cancer, even if they didn’t have radiation to the chest area

July 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:44:00 -0000

In this podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in July 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:

why treating inflammatory breast cancer with three treatments — chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation — improves survival compared to using only one or two of these treatments
the reasons why having more moles is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, though moles themselves DO NOT cause breast cancer
research showing that women with an abnormal BRCA1 gene — but not an abnormal BRCA2 gene — diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to survive if they have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed
a study that found combining 3-D mammograms (digital tomosynthesis) and digital mammograms find more breast cancers with fewer false positives

How Breast Cancer Drugs Are Developed

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:43:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Suzanne Wardell, Ph.D., talks about how breast cancer drugs are developed and why some drugs never make it to market. Dr. Wardell is a research scientist at Duke University in North Carolina. Her research interests lie in understanding the processes by which breast cancers develop resistance to tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and in developing drugs that will target estrogen receptor activity in these resistant tumors.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wardell talk about:

bazedoxifene (BZA), a SERM approved in Europe to treat osteoporosis that has been shown to stop the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells
the importance of clinical trials
new research she's conducting suggesting that women diagnosed with breast cancer who do some form of moderate exercise three times a week while in treatment have better outcomes than women who don’t exercise; this applies to women who didn't exercise before being diagnosed, as well as women who did

Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:42:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast focuses on metastatic disease and features Roz Kleban, a licensed clinical social worker who is a clinical supervisor and program coordinator at the Breast Imaging Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Roz has worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering since 1989 and works with patients being treated for all stages of breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Roz talk about:

why metastatic disease doesn't mean the loss of hope
how people with metastatic disease who feel isolated can build a community of people who understand what they're going through
how the needs of a woman with metastatic disease are different from the needs of a woman with early-stage disease

August and September 2014 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:41:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in August and September 2014.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found an abnormal PALB2 gene increases breast cancer risk more than previously thought
why bisphosphonates don’t reduce risk in women who’ve never been diagnosed with breast cancer
the risk-reducing benefits of exercise for postmenopausal women
the risks and benefits of double mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation for women at average risk diagnosed with breast cancer in just one breast

Choosing to Live Breast Free

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:40:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast focuses on not having reconstruction after mastectomy and features Barbara Kriss, the founder of BreastFree.org, a nonprofit website that presents non-reconstruction as a positive alternative to reconstruction.

Listen to the podcast to hear Barbara talk about:

how she made her decision to not have reconstruction
how to handle any pressure to have reconstruction from doctors or loved ones
how to ask your doctor for the best possible cosmetic results after mastectomy if you're not going to have reconstruction
clothing tips for women who opt for no reconstruction and decide not to wear breast forms

Integrating Complementary Therapies Into Your Care

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:39:00 -0000

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., FACS, ABIHM, is a general surgeon and also medical director of the Breast Health Program at the Holy Redeemer Health System, as well as an adjunct assistant professor of surgery for the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. DuPree strongly urges her patients to consider complementary healing support, whether it's through lifestyle modification, spiritual assistance, grief counseling, exercise programs, reflexology, nutritional counseling, Reiki, yoga, or massage. She herself has participated in all these techniques and is a master level Reiki practitioner. She believes that "whatever it takes to help a person find healing and peace is the way to curing them."

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DuPree talk about:

how she became interested in complementary therapies and how she integrates them into her practice
the healing benefits of some complementary therapies
how it feels to see her patients heal their minds and psyches as well as their bodies

Hope After a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:37:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Pat Prijatel talks about triple-negative breast cancer and what makes it different from other types of breast cancer. Pat Prijatel writes the blog Positives About Negative and is the author of Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She has been a magazine writer, editor, consultant, and professor for more than 35 years. She headed Drake University's magazine sequence for 22 years before taking over as director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2004. In May 2006, Pat was diagnosed with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. She retired from Drake in 2007 to focus on health writing and her health. She had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and is now healthy, fit, and cancer-free.

Listen to the podcast to hear Pat talk about:

what the idea of triple-negative disease meant to her when she was diagnosed
when and why she started her blog
what researchers have learned recently about triple-negative disease
advice she would give to a woman newly diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer

Male Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Awareness

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:33:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Harvey Singer talks about his diagnosis of breast cancer and awareness of male breast cancer in general, especially during October. With his sister Vicki Singer Wolf, a three-time breast cancer survivor, Harvey is the founder of the HISBreastCancer Awareness, Inc. Foundation and HISBreastCancer.org. He also wrote the book Sir, You Have Breast Cancer! My Life and the Story of a Man with a Woman’s Disease.

Listen to the podcast to hear Harvey talk about:

the shock of his diagnosis
how he made his treatment decisions
how perceptions of male breast cancer have changed
risk reduction advice he recommends for men at high risk

2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:28:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found that Aromasin plus ovarian suppression reduced recurrence risk better than tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression in some women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive disease
research that underscored the long-term benefits of tamoxifen for reducing risk in women with a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer who’ve never been diagnosed
a study showing that Faslodex worked better than Arimidex as a first treatment for women newly diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer
research conducted in part by Breastcancer.org that shows that breastfeeding, even for a short time, reduces breast cancer risk more than previously thought
why a low-fat diet improved survival in women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer

February 2015 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:22:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, discusses Ibrance, a medicine that was approved to treat metastatic, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in February 2015.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

how Ibrance works
who is eligible to take Ibrance
how Ibrance is taken and whether any other medicines are taken with it
the side effects that Ibrance can cause

March 2015 Research Highlights

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:21:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, discusses a study looking at whether Zoladex (chemical name: goserelin) given during chemotherapy can help preserve fertility in premenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

when Zoladex is given
why women shouldn’t get pregnant while they’re being treated with chemotherapy and Zoladex
why a woman might have to bring this treatment up with her doctor
why this treatment is only recommended for women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-negative disease

Holley Kitchen, "Cancer Lifer," Talks Metastatic Disease and Her Viral Video

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:20:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast features Holley Kitchen, the metastatic “cancer lifer” as she calls herself, whose June 4, 2015 video about what it’s like to live with metastatic breast cancer went viral on Facebook and other media outlets. Holley was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2012. In 2013, she learned that the cancer had recurred in her spine and other bones.

Listen to the podcast to hear Holley talk about:

why and how she made her now-famous video
her support group of other younger women with metastatic disease and why it’s so important to her
some of the most common misconceptions about metastatic disease
what she’s doing next

Marie Arsenault, Metastatic Patient, Talks About the Need for a Cure, Not Awareness

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:18:00 -0000

This Breastcancer.org podcast features Marie Arsenault, a former music promoter and booking agent, who was first diagnosed with stage II estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in September 2000 at age 36. She had mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction, chemotherapy, and radiation. In May 2007, she was diagnosed with metastatic disease; the breast cancer had returned in her liver and bones. In 2011, the cancer spread to her bone marrow.

Listen to the podcast to hear Marie talk about:

how she feels during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
what she would like people to know about metastatic breast cancer
how her support network helps her stay positive through treatment
her volunteer work with the Tenth Life Cat Rescue in St. Louis

Research Highlights From the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:15:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, talks about four studies that were presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 8-12, including studies that offer encouraging news about treatment for women diagnosed with triple-negative disease and metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

what luminal A breast cancer is and why women diagnosed with this subtype didn’t seem to benefit from chemotherapy after surgery
why adding carboplatin to a standard chemotherapy before surgery for triple-negative breast cancer improved pathologic complete response rates and what this means for women with triple-negative disease
why postmenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer who are taking an aromatase inhibitor and have experienced bone loss might want to consider taking the targeted therapy denosumab
results showing that Kadcyla improves overall survival in women diagnosed with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer that has stopped responding to Herceptin and Tykerb

2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: Arimidex, Tamoxifen, and Recurrence Risk After DCIS

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:13:00 -0000

In this podcast, Marisa Weiss, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s chief medical officer, explains a study that looked at the effectiveness of Arimidex and tamoxifen for reducing risk after DCIS surgery and radiation, as well as the side effects of each medicine. The study was presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 8-12.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

what DCIS is
why postmenopausal women should be reassured no matter which of these medicines they’re taking
the side effects of each medicine

2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: Lumpectomy Plus Radiation vs. Mastectomy for Early-Stage Disease

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:12:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Marisa Weiss, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s chief medical officer, discusses a study examining survival rates after lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer. The study was presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Dec. 8-12.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

why lumpectomy plus radiation and mastectomy are both good choices for early-stage breast cancer surgery
why one type of surgery might be recommended over the other
why the researchers think there might have been a difference in survival rates

Precision Medicine and the “Moonshot” Program

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:11:00 -0000

Nancy Davidson, M.D., is director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, where she also is a distinguished professor of medicine and associate vice chancellor for cancer research. She also serves as president-elect of the American Association for Cancer Research, the first and largest cancer research organization in the world. Dr. Davidson is a world-renowned breast cancer researcher who has played a key role in discovering how hormones, particularly estrogen, affect cell growth in breast cancer.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Davidson explain:

what the American Association for Cancer Research is and what its goals are
what precision medicine is
what she thinks the moonshot program to conquer cancer will do
what new treatments she sees coming in the near future

All About Cold Caps

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:10:00 -0000

Hope Rugo, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer research and treatment. A professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Rugo is the director of the Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program and is the lead researcher on a number of studies investigating new treatments for both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Dr. Rugo is a member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board. She also was the lead researcher on the study that led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the DigniCap, a cold cap that may help some women keep some or quite a bit of hair during chemotherapy.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Rugo explain:

how she became interested in studying cold caps
how cold caps work
her research on the DigniCap
how much cold caps might cost and whether insurance is covering it yet

Diet, Obesity, and Breast Cancer

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:09:00 -0000

Tracy Crane is a registered dietitian and senior research specialist at the University of Arizona Zuckerman College of Public Health. Her research focuses on diet, specifically studying diet quality and cancer risk. Tracy also has more than 15 years’ experience developing nutrition plans for cancer survivors, many of them breast cancer survivors.

Listen to the podcast to hear Tracy discuss:

why obesity is linked to higher breast cancer risk
the new U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and what they mean for women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as women who want to keep their risk of the disease as low as it can be
how to make lasting changes to your diet
styles of eating that can keep your risk of breast cancer or breast cancer recurrence as low as it can be

Supporting a Partner With Breast Cancer

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:08:00 -0000

Courtney Bitz is a licensed clinical social worker who heads the Couples Coping with Cancer Together program for City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center in Duarte, Calif. When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, research has shown that having a supportive partner is one of the most important factors in helping her cope. But partners may struggle with knowing what to say or how best to support a loved one. The only program of its kind, Couples Coping with Cancer Together helps women and their partners identify problems that are most important to them as part of their overall medical care.

Listen to the podcast to hear Courtney discuss:

how the Couples Coping with Cancer Together program works
specific examples of how a woman can ask for and get the support she needs
the different ways women and men cope with stress and how each can understand the other better
common requests that women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer ask of their partners

To help our visitors, Courtney provided the Partners’ Guide to Managing the Challenges of Breast Cancer (download the PDF). It offers tips on what partners can do to help a woman who’s been diagnosed, as well as tips for what diagnosed women can do to get the best support from their partners and other loved ones.

Does Chemotherapy Increase the Risk of Common Infections?

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:06:00 -0000

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s medical adviser, explains a study published in January 2016 suggesting that chemotherapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of common infections.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:

how the immune system works
how chemotherapy affects the immune system
when women who will be undergoing chemotherapy should get vaccines
steps you can take to support your immune system

Genetics, Genetic Testing, and Breast Cancer: Part 1

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:05:00 -0000

Cristina Nixon is a licensed certified genetic counselor with the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics Program at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. In addition to counseling patients, she also assists with research, including, most recently, a study looking at multi-gene panels in BRCA1/BRCA2 positive families. Cristina also has completed the City of Hope’s intensive course in cancer risk assessment.

This is part one of three-part podcast on genetics and breast cancer with Cristina.

Listen to this podcast to hear her explain:

the difference between a genetic abnormality and a genetic mutation
what the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes do in the body and why having a mutation in one of them increases the risk of breast cancer
other genes besides the BRCA genes that are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer
other types of cancer that are linked to a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

Listen to part 2 of the series.

Listen to part 3 of the series.

Genetics, Genetic Testing, and Breast Cancer: Part 2

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:04:00 -0000

Cristina Nixon is a licensed certified genetic counselor with the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics Program at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. In addition to counseling patients, she also assists with research, including most recently a study looking at multi-gene panels in BRCA1/BRCA2-positive families. Cristina also has completed the City of Hope’s intensive course in cancer risk assessment.

This is part two of three-part podcast on genetics and breast cancer with Cristina.

Listen to this podcast to hear her explain:

the factors that would recommend genetic testing for a particular woman
whether DCIS is considered differently than invasive cancer when recommending genetic testing
the process of genetic testing
when genetic testing wouldn’t be recommended for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer

Listen to part 1 of the series.

Listen to part 3 of the series.

Genetics, Genetic Testing, and Breast Cancer: Part 3

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:03:00 -0000

Cristina Nixon is a licensed certified genetic counselor with the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics Program at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. In addition to counseling patients, she also assists with research, including most recently a study looking at multi-gene panels in BRCA1/BRCA2-positive families. Cristina also has completed the City of Hope’s intensive course in cancer risk assessment.

This is part three of three-part podcast on genetics and breast cancer with Cristina.

Listen to this podcast to hear her explain:

how a woman could use an online risk assessment tool
the factors the different tools consider
why it’s important that a woman use a risk assessment tool with her doctor or a licensed genetic counselor
what the results from direct-to-consumer testing companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com contain

Listen to part 1 of the series.

Listen to part 2 of the series.

Prophylactic Surgery for Women at High Risk: Part 1

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:02:00 -0000

Dr. Alan Stolier is a surgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. He has more than 35 years of experience in surgical oncology. He specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and is a pioneer in the development of nipple-sparing mastectomy. Dr. Stolier also focuses on breast cancer genetics and the associated care of women who have a BRCA gene mutation.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stolier talk about:

how much each type of prophylactic surgery (breast, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus) can reduce risk
who is most likely to benefit from prophylactic surgery
women who shouldn’t consider prophylactic surgery
whether there is an optimal age for prophylactic surgery

Listen to part 2 of the series.

Prophylactic Surgery for Women at High Risk: Part 2

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:01:00 -0000

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stolier talk about:

the timing of prophylactic surgery
other genetic mutations besides BRCA1 or BRCA2 that might make a woman consider prophylactic surgery
the type of screening program recommended for a woman who’s had prophylactic surgery
how often cancer is found during prophylactic surgery

Listen to part 1 of the series.

Stories of Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Surgery, and Reconstruction: Lorell

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:00:00 -0000

Lorell Hornbrook has a strong family history of breast cancer: Both her older sister and her father were diagnosed with breast cancer. Her father died at age 75 from treatment complications, a year after he was diagnosed. In 2014, at age 48, Lorell decided to have genetic testing to see if she had a gene mutation that dramatically increased her risk for breast cancer. When her test results came back positive for a BRCA2 mutation, Lorell had already decided what she would do: a double prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction using tissue from her tummy area.

Lorell is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and reconstruction.

Listen to the podcast to hear Lorell talk about:

why she never hesitated about participating in the videos
the type of research she did after she got her genetic test results
how she prepared herself for surgery
the advice she would give to women in a similar situation

Stories of Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Surgery, and Reconstruction: Kerry

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:58:00 -0000

Kerry Osmond was 10 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. When it became available, genetic testing for a mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer was strongly recommended for Kerry’s mom — in 2010 her mother tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. Kerry knew that meant she had a 50-50 chance of having the same mutation. In 2012, she decided to have genetic testing and learned that she, too, had a BRCA2 mutation. She decided to have a double prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction using tissue from her hip area.

Kerry is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and reconstruction. Kerry’s younger sister, Mandi, also tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation and is also in the video series.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kerry talk about:

how her family uses their experience to help others
how she connected with women who had similar surgeries on the Breastcancer.org discussion boards
how sharing her story in the video was healing in a way
why talking to other women who had already had prophylactic surgery was encouraging

Stories of Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Surgery, and Reconstruction: Mandi

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:57:00 -0000

Mandi Seifert was 3 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. When it became available, genetic testing for a mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer was strongly recommended for Mandi’s mom — in 2010 her mother tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. Mandi knew that meant she had a 50-50 chance of having the same mutation. In 2013, she decided to have genetic testing and learned that she, too, had a BRCA2 mutation. She decided to have a double prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction using tissue from her tummy area.

Mandi is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and reconstruction. Mandi’s older sister, Kerry, also tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation and is also in the video series.

Listen to the podcast to hear Mandi discuss:

how talking about her surgery with her sister was both emotional and freeing
how it felt to see her reconstructive surgeon again after she was completely healed
how her sister’s experience helped guide her
why family support is so important