The heart of today's episode is the poetry readings from our community members. Each poet shared their personal experiene with breast cancer, touching on themes of struggle, resilience, and hope. From Brookshire McDonald's reflections on the growth of our community to Farhana's poignant farewell to her breasts, each piece brings unique insights and emotions. Joely from New Jersey shared her experience compiling an anthology of breast cancer-related poetry, emphasizing the therapeutic power of...

In today's episode, we tackle a highly requested topic: navigating work while living with MBC. We explore the complexities of managing a career, discussing when to work, when to consider disability, and how to maintain health insurance and benefits amidst a metastatic diagnosis. Our guest, Abigail Johnston, leads our MBC webinar series and has assembled an incredible panel of women who share their firsthand experiences of working with MBC Our panelists include: Holly, from Portland, who was...

Awareness and resources for safety are crucial when it comes to addressing issues of domestic violence, especially in the context of breast cancer.  In today's episode we share personal experiences, warning signs, and resources for those who may be facing this difficult situation. Lourdes Heras, a breast cancer survivor, shares her experience of dealing with both a health issue and a violent intimate partner. She highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing domestic violence,...

Lauren shared her story, starting from the unsettling discovery of a lump during a routine yoga practice to her diagnosis of stage 3, triple-positive breast cancer at the young age of 29. She recounted the initial disbelief, the urgency of starting treatment, and the life-altering decisions she faced, including fertility preservation through IVF before commencing chemotherapy. 00:03:59 - Lauren's Breast Cancer Diagnosis Story 00:08:48 - Family History and Genetic Testing 00:11:12 - Sharing...

Tune in to this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations as Shannon and Erin share their personal experiences with the Signatara test. Shannon, living with oligometastatic breast cancer, takes a holistic approach to her treatment plan, while Erin, with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, offers insights from a different perspective. Personalized blood tests for cancer, such as the Signatera are revolutionizing the way we monitor and treat cancer. These tests offer a non-invasive and...

Dawn shares her journey from diagnosis to traveling the world doing cat sitting after caring for her mother. Their conversation touches on major milestones, personal experiences, and the impact of travel on Dawn's life post-treatment. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and adventure. 00:02:08 - Travel Stories Post-Diagnosis 00:08:42 - Seeking a Second Opinion and Surgical Biopsy 00:12:34 - Dawn's Experience with Aromatase Inhibitors 00:19:02 - The Importance of Second Opinions and...

In this episode, Emily Parks, a patient advocate and professional living with a chronic illness, shares her personal journey with medical PTSD, starting from her diagnosis at birth with a gene mutation affecting her GI system. She talks about the lack of mental health support in her medical treatment and how she learned to manage her condition and advocate for herself within the healthcare system. We touch on the importance of recognizing medical PTSD, understanding its triggers, and learning...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of introducing our incredible Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Leadership Team. It was a heartwarming session where we delved into the personal journeys of our team members, each sharing their unique experiences with breast cancer. Our conversation was guided by the ever-inspiring Abigail Johnston, a board member and a dear friend, who led us through the stories of our amazing guests. We heard from Katie, Sheila, Claudia, Melanie, Amy, and in spirit,...

Today's episode of Breast Cancer Conversations features Rachel Burns, an incredible musician, singer, songwriter, and founder of the nonprofit Cancer Culture. Celebrating 10 years since her initial diagnosis, Rachel dives into her identity beyond cancer, highlighting her roles as a mom, daughter, and advocate. As a musician, Rachel describes the healing power of music and how it helped her process her emotions and experiences with cancer. Rachel's songs, which blend various genres, serve as a...

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jacquie Carter Angell, a remarkable woman who has not only survived non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a teenager but is now living with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTBBC). Jacquie shares her incredible journey with us, from being told she wouldn't live past her early 20s to becoming a mother, a wife, and a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Despite her initial diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer and later, the more...

Today, we had the pleasure of having Melanie Sisk on the show to demystify the complex world of emerging endocrine therapies, often referred to as the "alphabet soup" of treatments. Melanie provided clarity on the different classes of drugs and how they interact with tumors, particularly focusing on those that target estrogen receptors. We discussed: SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators): These drugs, like tamoxifen, block the growth of cancer cells by competing with estrogen...

Sanya has been conducting interviews with breast cancer patients and medical professionals to provide a comprehensive understanding of the treatment process. In this episode, Sanya interviews Gracita, a dedicated chemotherapy nurse who shares her own breast cancer journey and her passion for helping others. Gracita's story from the Bahamas to Haiti and eventually to the US serves as a testament to her commitment to making a difference. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and insights into the...

In this episode, we delve into the exciting developments in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. ADCs are a promising class of treatment that combines an antibody with a chemotherapy drug, aiming to target and kill cancer cells more effectively while reducing side effects. We discuss approved ADCs like Enhertu and Trodelvy, and highlight that there's an ADC available for every breast cancer subtype. With many more ADCs in clinical and...

This podcast episode is part of our MBC webinar series with survivingbreastcancer.org, and focuses on resources for parents living with stage four metastatic breast cancer. The panel includes Carissa Hodgson from Bright Spot Network, Airn Ahlum Hanson from  Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Kelsey Mora from the Pickles Group, and Sara Olsher from Mighty and Bright. All of these organizations offer support and resources for parents and children affected by a cancer diagnosis. In this episode, we...

Welcome back to another episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, where we continue to share valuable insights from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. As a breast cancer survivor and the founder of survivingbreastcancer.org, I'm thrilled to bring you key takeaways from one of the world's largest breast cancer conferences. In this episode, we focus on what to do when CDK4-6 inhibitors, such as Ibrance, Kisqali, and Verzenio, stop working.  Our guest, Amy Bremer, highlights the importance...

In today's episode, part of our MBC webinar series, we delve into the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). We aim to break down the overwhelming amount of information into digestible insights. We discuss key findings, particularly on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), with insights from Amy Parliman, a member of our MBC leadership team. Amy highlights the advancements in technology that outpace current treatment options and the importance of...

In today's episode, part of our MBC webinar series, we delve into the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). We aim to break down the overwhelming amount of information into digestible insights.  Over the next week, we will be releasing short snippets and key take-aways from SABCS.  If you are thinking about attending this conference, today's patient advocate panelists share tips and tricks for making the most of your SABCS experience!   +++++++++++++++++++++ Attend a free virtual...

In today's episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, we dive deep into oral health!  Before undergoing cancer treatment, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their dental health. This is because cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can have significant effects on oral health, specifically how bisphosphonates may lead to Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). In this podcast episode, we discuss the importance of visiting a dentist and dental hygienist before starting cancer treatment to...

Creating hope through tragedy is a powerful concept that is exemplified throughout this podcast episode. The conversation we have with Jan Hillman and Elesha Snyder shed light on the devastating effects of breast cancer and how it can inspire individuals to take action and make a difference.  Jan shares her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer multiple times, including a recent diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Elesha shares the story of her sister Kelli who unfortunately passed...

Welcome to Breast Cancer Conversations, the podcast dedicated to empowering those affected by breast cancer. I'm your host, Laura Carfang, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of survivingbreastcancer.org. In this episode, we're diving into a topic that resonates with many in our community: the role of exercise, specifically Pilates, in regaining normalcy after a breast cancer diagnosis. Our guests today are Nina Prol, Bev Breen, and Marie McGuire, who share their insights and personal...

In this episode, we emphasize the significance of being mindful about the conversations we have, the friendships we cultivate, and the music we listen to, as they can either nourish or deplete us.  Just as the food we consume can impact our physical well-being, the conversations we engage in can have a similar effect on our overall health. Investing time in nourishing conversations can be life-giving rather than promoting negativity. By dissolving fear and choosing where to focus our...

This podcast episode features a conversation about breast cancer, advocacy, and medical PTSD. Host Laura Carfing introduces two guest authors, Brenda Denzler and Elaine  Schattner, who share their experiences with breast cancer and discuss their books and writing. The episode also highlights the importance of finding purpose and meaning after a breast cancer diagnosis. Topics In this Episode: 00:03:28 Finding purpose after breast cancer. 00:08:35 Mental health and breast cancer. 00:14:24...

In this podcast episode, Laura Carfing interviews Shelly Rosenfeld, the director of the Cancer Legal Resource Center. The center offers free legal resources to people impacted by cancer, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. They provide confidential information and research on various legal topics related to cancer. Today's podcast episode delves into ADA policies, insurance coverage, and patient rights. The aim is to educate individuals about their rights and empower...

In this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfing is joined by Dr. Stacey Devine, a board-certified family physician with a passion for disease prevention and holistic health. Dr. Devine discusses her journey from traditional medicine to integrative oncology and lifestyle medicine, highlighting the importance of addressing the root causes of illness and providing more natural treatment options. She emphasizes the impact of integrative oncology on the physical and emotional...