For many young women diagnosed with breast cancer, some of the most important decisions they will ever make happen within days of hearing the words, "You have cancer." While treatment planning begins immediately, patients may also be faced with urgent questions about fertility, future family-building, and preserving options they may not have expected to think about so soon.

These conversations often happen during a period of fear, uncertainty, and information overload, leaving many patients feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ann Partridge, Vice Chair of Medical Oncology and Chief Clinical Strategy Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she also serves as co-founder and director of the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer. A professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Partridge is a leading breast oncologist and researcher whose work focuses on improving care and outcomes for young adults with breast cancer.

Together, we discuss how breast cancer treatment can affect fertility, why these conversations need to happen early, the options available today, and how patients can make informed decisions while balancing the urgency of cancer treatment with hopes and plans for the future.

We also reinforce the hopeful message that having children after breast cancer is often possible - and that preserving future options begins with having the right conversations early.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that patients deserve information, support, and compassionate guidance when facing life-changing decisions at diagnosis.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

For additional information and support, visit the Young and Strong Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which offers resources and practical guides for young adults with breast cancer, including those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship, as well as caregivers.

The program also provides trusted information about fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer, and breastfeeding.

The information shared on Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual medical care and treatment decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cancer Fashionista.

Thank you to Daiichi Sankyo and Novartis for making this episode of the Signature Series possible.

For many families, cancer doesn't affect just one person. It can shape generations.⁣ When a parent is diagnosed with cancer, children often carry more than memories. They may inherit questions, uncertainty, increased risk, and life-changing decisions of their own.⁣ ⁣ In this conversation, Ashley Dedmon shares her experience of losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer, learning she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, and ultimately making the decision to undergo a preventive mastectomy.⁣ ⁣ Together, we discuss hereditary cancer risk, genetic testing, prevention, family planning, and how understanding your family history can empower you to make informed decisions for yourself and future generations.⁣ Ashley also shares how her personal experience inspired her work as a national public health leader, patient advocate, and children's book author helping families navigate conversations about cancer and family health history.⁣ ⁣ Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that while we cannot change our family history, we can make informed decisions that help shape what comes next.⁣ ⁣ Resources Mentioned in This Episode:⁣ ⁣ To learn more about Ashley Dedmon's work, follow her on Instagram at @PinkLegacy5050 and explore her children's books, The Big Discovery and The Big Family Trip, which help families navigate conversations about cancer and family health history.⁣ ⁣ For additional education and support, visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) or follow @LivingBeyondBC on Instagram.⁣ ⁣ The information shared on Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual medical care and treatment decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cancer Fashionista.

For many women, one of the most challenging parts of life after breast cancer isn't something they expected at all: menopause.

Whether caused by chemotherapy, ovarian suppression, surgery, or hormone-blocking therapies, treatment-induced menopause can arrive suddenly and bring significant physical and emotional changes that impact nearly every aspect of daily life. Yet many survivors say they were never fully prepared for what comes next.

In this conversation, Dr. Corinne Menn shares both her professional expertise as an OB/GYN and menopause specialist and her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor who has faced many of these challenges herself.

Together, we discuss why menopause after breast cancer can feel so different from natural menopause, the symptoms that often catch us off guard, the confusion surrounding hormones after cancer, and how survivors can advocate for the support and quality-of-life care they deserve.

This episode of the Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful Signature Series was made possible by Novartis and Daiichi Sankyo.

Divorce after breast cancer is rarely talked about openly, even though many people quietly navigate this reality, and that silence is part of what makes the experience feel so isolating.

In this conversation, Asha Miller shares her experience of living through breast cancer within a long-term marriage and what it was like when that marriage later ended. Her story reflects a layered and often unacknowledged grief: the end of a relationship, the aftershocks of illness, and the process of rebuilding identity from both.

Together, we discuss how breast cancer can affect communication, connection, and self-perception within a relationship, the challenges of starting over after divorce, and the strength it takes to rebuild a life after multiple losses.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone in starting over after everything changes.

When Elissa Kalver was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer just days before her daughter's first birthday, she was thrown into a reality no one is ever fully prepared for. Alongside the shock and fear came something many patients experience but rarely talk about: not knowing how to ask for help or what support actually looks like in real life.

In this episode, Elissa shares what those early days were really like, raising a young child while navigating treatment and the emotional weight that comes with it. She opens up about the moments that felt overwhelming and the realization that there had to be a better, more human way for patients and caregivers to get the support they need.

That realization led to the creation of We Got This, a first of its kind registry designed to take the guesswork out of asking for help. We discuss how the platform works and how it allows patients to request exactly what they need to make day to day life more manageable and enjoyable.

This conversation highlights how "We Got This" helps patients and caregivers move beyond just getting through cancer and toward feeling supported, seen, and empowered. Elissa also shares the impact the registry is already having and what she envisions for the future, along with key takeaways from her book that offer guidance for anyone navigating cancer.

This episode is for patients, caregivers, and anyone who wants to better understand how to show up in a way that truly helps.

Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful turns 5 this year! To celebrate, Dana Donofree joins me as guest host for this special milestone episode. Dana is a breast cancer survivor, fashion designer, and founder of AnaOno Intimates, creating chest-inclusive lingerie, loungewear, and post-surgery essentials that help women feel confident and supported after breast cancer surgery.

In this episode, Dana and I reflect on the past five years of the podcast. We talk about why it started, unforgettable moments, lessons learned from incredible guests, and what's ahead. It's a heartfelt celebration of the community, stories, and strength that continue to inspire us all.

To learn more about Dana and shop the AnaOno collection, visit AnaOno.com. To celebrate this milestone episode, use this link or enter code CANCERFASHIONISTA at checkout for an additional 15% off.

Breast cancer and its risk can dramatically disrupt hormones and often trigger early or surgical menopause, yet menopause care is still too often treated as an afterthought. In this episode, Rachel Frankenthal, PA-C and gynecologic oncology specialist, makes the case that menopause should be a non-negotiable part of every cancer care plan from the very beginning.

She explores how survivors and previvors can navigate hormonal changes, manage menopause safely, and protect long-term gynecologic health. From understanding genetic risk and prevention options to taking control of your body and choices, Rachel offers clear, practical guidance and expert strategies to help women feel empowered, informed, and confident in advocating for care that addresses their whole health, not just the cancer.

Being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer while pregnant is a reality few can imagine. In this episode, Allie Kubik, triple negative breast cancer survivor and creator of @allieaftercancer, shares her journey of undergoing chemotherapy at 11 weeks pregnant after previously completing IVF, long before she knew she would face cancer. She opens up about fear, grief, fertility, and fighting for both her life and her unborn child. Now years out from treatment, Allie reflects on survivorship and how she supports others facing aggressive or high-risk breast cancers through honest storytelling and community on Instagram. This conversation honors resilience, motherhood, and life after TNBC.

In this episode, guest Kia Lee shares her experience using scalp cooling during chemotherapy, keeping most of her hair while reclaiming control at a time when so much felt out of her hands. She talks about advocating for herself, navigating insurance reimbursement, and why representation matters for Black women and other underrepresented patients in cancer care.

Kia also highlights the emotional and practical challenges of treatment, from hair regrowth to self-confidence, and how initiatives like Paxman's Simple Switch program and advocacy efforts are helping more patients access cold capping. This empowering conversation explores choices, dignity, and advocacy, and why every patient's story deserves to be heard.

In this episode, host Melissa Berry sits down with Paloma Soledad, a three-time stage IV melanoma thriver, designer, and founder of LuxCare, a fashion line dedicated to creating chic, functional garments for cancer patients. Paloma shares how her experiences during treatment inspired her to create clothing that blends luxury, style, and functionality.

She opens up about her background as a designer, her journey as a survivor, and the process behind creating garments that are port-accessible, scan-friendly, and built for comfort, including elegant headscarves and built-in bralettes. Discover how her pieces help women feel confident and stylish during treatment and recovery, along with her vision for the future of cancer-friendly luxury fashion.