In this very informative episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, Melissa sits down with Dr. Krystle Zuniga, a Board Certified Oncology Dietitian, to talk about a concern many breast cancer patients face: weight gain during treatment. Dr. Zuniga sheds light on why the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story and shares why nutrition combined with resistance training is key to overall health and well-being.

Tune in as they explore Dr. Zuniga’s path into oncology nutrition, her research on diet’s impact on cancer prevention and treatment, and practical tips to support muscle health and metabolism. Together, they debunk common diet myths and emphasize how proper nutrition paired with exercise helps patients take control of their recovery and quality of life.

Join Melissa and Dr. Zuniga for a candid, hopeful conversation that goes beyond weight to what truly matters throughout the cancer experience.

In this compelling episode, host Melissa Berry continues the series "Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight" with a heartfelt conversation with Krista Brown, also known on Instagram as the Cancer Prevention Coach. Krista, an oncology nurse navigator and breast cancer survivor, shares her journey of living with an ATM gene mutation and the empowering role of genetic testing in her life. Together, they explore the importance of education, nutrition, and self-advocacy in managing hereditary cancer risks. Tune in to discover how Krista's personal experiences have shaped her mission to fill gaps in patient education and support others on their cancer prevention journeys. Special thanks to AstraZeneca for making this episode possible.

In this episode of, “Your Voice. Your Health”, we take a closer look at step therapy but this time through a financial lens.

I sat down with Monica Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer of Triage Cancer, to talk about how step therapy can create unexpected financial obstacles—from rising co-pays and delayed treatment to challenges with insurance coverage and staying employed during treatment in  your health plans, navigating appeals, and accessing financial aid. She also shares practical tips for choosing insurance plans, minimizing out-of-pocket costs, and using tools like Triage Cancer’s new health insurance comparison calculator to make informed, cost-conscious decisions.

If you or a loved one is facing treatment delays or financial stress related to step therapy, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help you take control.

Special thanks to Amgen and Daiichi-Sankyo for making this episode possible.

In this episode of Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight, I’m joined by Dena Goldberg, board-certified genetic counselor and founder of Malibu Genetics.

We talk about the critical role genetic counselors play in assessing breast cancer risk, and how genetic testing can guide treatment and preventive care. Dena also shares how she supports patients through the emotional impact of receiving test results—and how understanding your genetic risk can be both empowering and life-saving.

We also look ahead at the future of genetic testing, including the promise of population screening and the ongoing push for more equitable access.

Listen now to learn how genetic counseling can help you and your loved ones make informed, proactive decisions about breast cancer risk. 

Special thanks to AstraZeneca and Merck for making this episode possible.

Host Melissa Berry sits down with LaToya Bolds-Johnson — Physician Associate, triple negative breast cancer survivor, and passionate clinical trials advocate. With her experience as both a healthcare provider and a patient, Latoya offers a meaningful and insightful perspective on clinical trials and how they can transform cancer treatment.

In this episode, LaToya shares her personal journey navigating breast cancer treatment and the challenges of finding the right clinical trial. They discuss the critical need for greater diversity in clinical trial participation, and how her involvement created a “medical trust fund” for her daughters’ futures.

LaToya also discusses how we can shift the mindset around clinical trials from being seen as a last resort to a standard of care, helping patients advocate for themselves and make informed choices.

If you’re newly diagnosed, considering treatment options, or want to learn how clinical trials can offer hope and opportunity, this episode is a must-listen!

Host Melissa Berry sits down with Melissa Eppard, a triple negative breast cancer survivor and co-founder of Upstate Mary, a wellness brand focused on CBD-infused intimacy products. They talk about Melissa’s personal breast cancer experience and the challenges many patients face with intimacy during and after treatment.

Their conversation highlights the importance of addressing issues like vaginal dryness and the need for lubrication, which are often misunderstood, overlooked, and surrounded by shame. Melissa shares how CBD can help improve comfort and sexual wellness, while normalizing these conversations and taking the shame away.

They also discuss the pressures both cancer survivors as well as their partners can feel around intimacy and the power of community support in reclaiming confidence and connection after cancer. This episode offers honest insights and encourages open conversations about sexual health for cancer survivors and their partners.

In this episode, we continue with a special series close to my heart: Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight. I’m joined by Kathy Baker, patient advocate and founder of My Faulty Gene to explore the power of genetic testing—particularly cascade testing—and how it can help both you and your family take control of your breast cancer risk.

Kathy shares her compelling personal story and how it inspired her to launch My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit organization that provides education, emotional support, and financial assistance for genetic testing. You’ll learn all about the importance of cascade testing for families, how genetic knowledge can lead to proactive screenings and preventive health measures, and how advocacy is truly paving the way for more accessible care.

Whether you’re facing a BRCA-positive diagnosis, considering genetic testing, or looking for support navigating hereditary cancer risk, this is one conversation that you’ll want to listen to - and share with your entire family. 

Thank you to Merck and AstraZeneca for making this episode possible!

Today is Clinical Trials Awareness Day, making it the perfect time to spotlight a powerful conversation about access, equity, and the future of cancer research. Host Melissa Berry is joined by Dr. Sara Horton, Strategic Clinical Trials Access and Partnerships Lead at Quantum Leap Healthcare to have an insightful and empowering conversation about clinical trials.

Dr. Horton is deeply committed to improving access to clinical trials and ensuring diversity in cancer research—an essential step toward creating treatments that truly work for everyone. In this episode, we explore why representation matters in clinical trials, what barriers still exist, and how her work is helping to break them down.

We also discuss the groundbreaking Wisdom Study, how to find and join clinical trials, and how they can be a vital part of improving treatment options. Overall, we talk about the importance of clinical trials and why they’re so essential—not only to advance research, but also to getting an upgrade to your own care.

From Survivor to Founder: Redefining Swimwear with Post Swim with Lauren Yerkes, Breast Cancer Survivor and Founder of Post Swim

In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, host Melissa Berry sits down with Lauren Yerkes, a triple negative breast cancer survivor and founder of Post Swim, a new swimwear brand designed to solve the difficult challenges we face when finding the right swimsuit after a mastectomy. Lauren shares her personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, and how her struggles with swimwear post-surgery inspired her to create a line that combines comfort, style, and thoughtful features tailored specifically to breast cancer survivors.

The conversation explores how difficult it can be to find swimwear that meets the unique needs of those who’ve had mastectomies. Lauren explains how Post Swim’s designs offer options for scar coverage, nipple smoothness, and implant rippling coverage, with removable waterproof molded cups to help even out nipple imperfections. Some styles are designed for those who have gone fully flat, ensuring a flattering fit without compromising comfort. Lauren also discusses how community feedback has played a vital role in shaping the designs and how the swimsuits help us feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in our own skin.

Lauren shares how Post Swim’s mission is about empowering us to feel strong, confident, and in control, offering options that make us feel beautiful during and after cancer treatment. This is one episode you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, we’re talking about beauty, confidence, and self-care with Karissa Bodnar, CEO and Founder of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare.

Her mission goes way beyond makeup—Karissa has created a brand that champions clean beauty, uplifts those affected by cancer, and helps women feel like themselves again.

As a breast cancer survivor, I know how powerful beauty and self-care can be during and after treatment. Karissa opens up about the deeply personal reason she started Thrive Causemetics: her friend Kristy, while undergoing cancer treatment, was advised by her oncologist to avoid wearing makeup.  

That moment sparked the creation of the now-iconic Kristy Faux lashes— perfect for women who’ve lost their lashes and want to regain a sense of confidence and normalcy.

We’ll celebrate the 10-year anniversary of those lashes, talk about why clean beauty matters (especially for those of us going through treatment), how to spot harmful ingredients, and the incredible ways that Thrive Causemetics is giving back to the cancer community—including naming products after survivors.

To learn more, follow:

@karissabodnar

@thrivecausemetics

@biggerthanbeautyskincare

Use code CANCERFASHIONISTA at checkout for 20% off your first Thrive Causemetics order.