Shannon McAndrews joins me on today’s episode to talk about hair loss during chemotherapy. Shannon was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in spring 2020. She underwent treatment with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and is now on endocrine therapy. Shannon talks about how it felt to lose her hair, shaving her head and her decision to be bald during treatment (and not get a wig). We talk about what it was really like, how she talked to her young kids about hair loss, and how her hair is growing back now (and her focus on having an ‘intentional hairstyle.’) This conversation is all about empowering oneself to take control during a really hard time where everything feels out of control.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Joelle Scales. Joelle is a Cosmetics Coordinator and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2020. She quickly realized that her skin care routine would have to change due to the effects of cancer treatment. Joelle shares her expertise about how to best take care of your skin (including your scalp and nails) during chemotherapy and after completion of treatment. We talk about cleansers, moisturizers, antioxidants, retinols, sunscreens and much more. This conversation will give you practical tips to start using immediately to optimize your skin care regimen (even if you have not had chemotherapy, there is so much great advice here!)

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Anne Keane. Anne was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer when she was 36 years old and had a 1 year old daughter at the time (who is now 6 and just started kindergarten!). We talk about how she made it through those initial dark and difficult times and what living with metastatic breast cancer for the past 5 years has been like. Anne recently ran the Boston Marathon as part of The Dana Farber Marathon Team and shares her experience– this race recap (and really, our whole conversation) will give you chills (and probably make you cry). This was such a special episode to record and I urge you all to listen to this one.

It’s time for Teaching Tuesday! Join me for a solo episode where I share updates in lifestyle factors that can help to reduce breast cancer risk or a risk of breast cancer recurrence. On this episode, learn about the role that exercise, obesity, diet/nutrition, sugar sweetened beverages, alcohol and Vitamin D play in your risk!

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Chance Osborne. Chance was diagnosed with a BRCA1 mutation at the age of 19 after her mother had passed away several years prior from ovarian cancer. Early in 2021, at the age of 24, she felt a mass in her breast but was told “you’re too young, we will give you antibiotics.” However, she persisted and advocated for herself and was ultimately diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. On today’s episode, we talk about her diagnosis and treatment, how she reacted when she was told “you’ll be lucky if you live to see 30”, the challenges she has faced and the lessons that she has learned along the way.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Koreen Holmes. Koreen was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in January 2021. She was 31 years old and pregnant with her second child when she developed changes in her breast. She initially was treated for an infection but when the symptoms did not go away after antibiotics, she had a biopsy and received the call that she had breast cancer. From there, it was a rapid race toward delivery and initiation of chemotherapy. On today’s episode, Koreen shares her story. She talks about what it was like to navigate this treatment with a newborn and a toddler, the role her faith has played, and how she is moving forward with bravery and perseverance.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Angela Pohl. Angela is an ultra marathoner runner, a mom of two, a wife and a nonprofit business owner. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2021. She was training for a 100 mile ultra marathon when she was diagnosed and although she put that training on hold, she has run throughout her entire treatment. There have been times where she couldn’t run, times when her paces have slowed and times when running felt quite different than it previously had. However, no matter what, she keeps moving forward. On today’s episode, Angela shares her story. She talks about how the lessons she has learned through running have helped her get through cancer and treatment.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Kelli Anderson. Kelli is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. Kelli is a BRCA mutation carrier and breast cancer survivor. Following her own breast cancer treatment, she opened Breast Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Center in Westwood, NJ. Kelli and I discuss the importance of rehabilitation after breast surgery and radiation, who should get rehab, what kind of therapy is available and when to start. We discuss body image after cancer treatment, the PTSD and grief that many experience after a cancer diagnosis, how Kelli discussed her BRCA mutation with her children and so much more.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Dr. Urvi Shah. Dr. Shah is a hematologic oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC and specializes in treating patients with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She is a cancer researcher and a lot of her research focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer– specifically, plant-forward diets. She is also a cancer survivor and was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when she was a hematology/oncology fellowship. On today’s episode, we speak about the research she is doing with nutrition and the microbiome (we go over what this is!) in myeloma, her lymphoma diagnosis & how it changed her perspective as an oncologist, the language we use when talking about cancer, and the importance of nutrition (& lots of tips for how to get started in changing your diet!) in living your healthiest lifestyle.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Caryn Sullivan. Caryn was initially diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer and then 9 years later, was diagnosed with metastatic disease. We speak about her diagnosis, treatment and the journey that she has been on since that time. Caryn is the founder of Pretty Wellness, a healthy lifestyle media and content creation company and is the author of the book, Happiness Through Hardship and the host of the podcast, Happiness Through Hardship.