Today on National Cancer Survivor’s Day, we’re joined by a remarkable performer whose strength, vulnerability, and resilience have inspired millions around the world. She has taken the stage as a backup vocalist for numerous top artists and most recently dazzled the crowds on the biggest tour in music history with global superstar Taylor Swift. However, audiences were moved even more deeply when she chose to publicly share something far more personal – her breast cancer journey. After Jeslyn Gorman’s diagnosis become known through The Eras Tour docuseries, fans witnessed the emotional reality of navigating cancer while stepping away from a career and community she loves so deeply. From continuing to tour in the early days of diagnosis, to facing treatment side effects and returning to the stage immediately following treatment, her story is one of courage, grace and resilience. Today, Jeslyn opens up about the support she received, what survivorship looks like now and most importantly, shares an empowering message for young women about listening to their bodies, advocating for their health, and never underestimating the importance of early detection.

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Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

This episode originally aired in November 2023.

When someone has metastatic breast cancer, it is scary for them - and for you! What can you do to really help? What should you say? Is it better to just listen? Today’s guest received a de novo metastatic diagnosis in January 2021 and then elected to retire early from a 30-year technology sales career in order to slow life down and to focus on family, friends and thriving with MBC. Carlee Dixon’s surprise diagnosis also inspired her to learn as much as possible about breast cancer and take every opportunity to educate friends and acquaintances about breast cancer prevention and the day to day reality. Today, Carlee is here to shed some light on how to best support those who are living with metastatic breast cancer.

It’s Women’s Health Month — which means a lot of awareness messaging and a lot of conversation about why women’s health matters. But today, we’re going a level deeper. Because awareness doesn’t save lives. Action does. Infrastructure does. Investment does. And honest conversations about why the system isn’t working equally for everyone — those matter too.

Komen is focused on breast health access — and the sobering reality that where you live and what you look like still determine whether you get a timely mammogram, an accurate diagnosis or the best possible care. Jenica has the research, the relationships and the conviction to tell us exactly why that is — and what’s possible.

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00:00 Jenica Patterson’s journey from neuroscience to women’s health systems leadership

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Menopause – it may be the most unwanted time in a woman’s life. It arrives with a vengeance, forcing all kinds of emotional, hormonal and bodily changes onto women as they approach their 50s. But for women going through breast cancer treatment, it can arrive even earlier and be even more unwanted. The good news is no one has to suffer in silence.

Today's guests are Dr. Makeba Williams, the incoming president of The Menopause Society, and Claudia McConnell, a breast cancer survivor who was forced into menopause during breast cancer treatment at age 37.

Key takeaways

Chapters

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

While menopause is often associated with aging, many women facing breast cancer experience it suddenly and much earlier than expected—bringing a wave of physical and emotional changes. From managing intense symptoms to confronting fears about future family-building, the journey can feel overwhelming. On today’s episode, we are joined by Melody Johnson, a nurse practitioner who specializes in caring for women navigating these exact challenges. She will help us understand how treatment-induced menopause differs from natural menopause and the strategies available to cope with side effects while already carrying so much. We’ll also take a closer look at fertility—an especially emotional and complex issue for younger women diagnosed before they’ve had the chance to start or grow their families. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this critical aspect of women’s health, this conversation is here to inform, support, and remind you: you are not alone on this journey.

What You’ll Learn:

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Learn more at komen.org and realpink.komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Today’s conversation is one that so many mothers will feel deep in their bones because it talks about what happens when life asks you to be the one who needs care. Our guest today has lived that shift in a profound way. In the midst of raising her young children, navigating the everyday chaos and fiercely advocating for her youngest daughter, Nylah, who was born with congenital heart disease, Nisha Jaime was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. There is an emotional whiplash to being the strong one for your child and then suddenly needing that same strength for yourself. Nisha will talk to us about what that was like and how she balanced it all with the help of her village. We’ll talk about the ongoing realities of survivorship, including things like scanxiety and continued care and how her children are involved in her journey. Most importantly, we’ll hear how she has turned her experience into support for other mothers walking a similar path and why that mission matters so deeply to her.

What does it take to turn the most terrifying moment of your life into a movement? For Yvonne McLean Florence, it started with discovering a lump she acted on right away. Yvonne is a HER2-positive breast cancer survivor, ordained minister, Worship in Pink Ambassador, former founder of Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors (SRUCOS) and is currently the reigning Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America 2025. But before all of that, she was a wife, a mother, a grandmother — and suddenly, a patient. In this powerful episode of Real Pink, Yvonne joins host Adam Walker to talk about what it felt like to receive a life-changing diagnosis, how her faith in God, family and friends carried her through chemotherapy and Herceptin infusions, and why she didn’t stop when treatment ended. She’ll share how she’s bringing the conversation about breast health into churches across Philadelphia through Worship in Pink, what it means to build a Cancer Survivorship Resource Nook inside a congregation, and why she would like every survivor to discover how they can also reach back. This episode is part of our Health Equity Revolution series, which lifts up the voices, stories and solutions of the communities most impacted by breast cancer disparities.

People who had radiation treatment to the chest area for certain types of cancer early in life have an increased risk of breast cancer later in life. Today, we welcome a special guest back to the show, Amy Colver. Amy is Manager of Health Information & Publications at Komen and an oncology certified, licensed independent social worker who has worked in the oncology space, so she knows more about cancer from an educational standpoint than most. Today, she is here to share that she’s also a cancer survivor and lives with the reality that a treatment she had for lymphoma in young adulthood put her at a higher risk of breast cancer. She’ll talk to us about how to process risk and what ongoing care, screening and emotional resilience really looks like. Above all, Amy knows the power of turning awareness into action, and how understanding your risk factors can become more of a source of empowerment than fear.

Millions of women in the U.S. can access no cost screening mammograms, but if the patient is at a higher risk of breast cancer or the mammogram reveals an abnormality, the cost of imaging makes it unattainable for many. Komen has worked with state legislature to eliminate the patient’s out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, not all states have passed such laws, and federal legislation is still pending. Susan G. Komen’s Center for Public Policy is championing legislation that addresses this significant flaw in health care insurance coverage and ensuring all people have access to high-quality, affordable care. Here today to discuss Komen’s public policy is Deandrea Newsome, Regional Manager of State Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen.

Learn more about how you can support the ABCD Act here: https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/advocacy/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f128891%2frespond%3f_gl%3d1*3b3ivi*_gcl_au*MTk3NTA1Mjk2My4xNzcwMDU5MTYy*_ga*MjUzMDUxNzk3LjE3NTYyMzI0NjI.*_ga_HGS8BJYTKQ*czE3NzU3NTExODEkbzkkZzEkdDE3NzU3NTExOTgkajQzJGwwJGgxMTE2ODQ1MzE2*_fplc*WTlIZnY0dVc3ZEpvZFZmQWElMkJpNUh6T2lNUlhTOHJWJTJGV3RyckU5OFJ0b0k5WkhJamh0RjE2c2JoVkRwbjVNcDE1SnB6d0ZnVDBTYUxhZnRwYmluZm1QSlU1bElSU05JY2ZudWZZMmd4TmxJRkROYVB6RWF1SzhNZmEwZ1FGdyUzRCUzRA..

We’re excited today to welcome Dina Farris and her husband, Caleb, to the podcast. Dina and Caleb navigated her breast cancer diagnosis, together, one test at a time, and just weeks before their wedding. We know that breast cancer disproportionately affects the patient, but it also deeply affects the loved ones and family members who are among the biggest supporters.