Real Pink

When a friend or loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may wonder how to best support them, and it may be difficult to know what to say or do. Today’s guest has been a Komen Patient Navigator for the last 4 years and spends her days talking to people diagnosed with breast cancer – helping to support and guide them through their every need, whether financial, emotional, physical or mental. Laura Grueser is truly sunshine in human form, and she is here today to help us understand we can best support our friends and family members when they are diagnosed so that they feel loved and cared for.

Happy Pride Month, ya’ll! If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, finding culturally responsive, affirming health care in general can be challenging. But when you add a breast cancer diagnosis or even finding a provider who understands the importance of screening for this community because of unique risks, it becomes even more daunting. Our guest today is Dr. Chandler Cortina, a breast surgical oncologist and clinical outcomes researcher with the Cancer Center – Froedtert (pronounced FRAY dirt) Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin Health System. As an openly gay man himself and an oncology provider, he has a passion for ensuring safe breast health spaces exist for members of the LGBTQ+ community and that outcomes are similar to that of their cisgender/heterosexual peers.

Molecular imaging tests can offer comprehensive views of breast cancers, especially for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, and can help paint a clearer picture of the extent and characteristics of the cancer. This can then give doctors the ability to help guide treatment and evaluate response to treatment. Joining us on today’s show is Dr. David Mankoff, Vice Chair of Research, Radiology and the Matthew J. Wilson Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and Associate Director of Education and Training at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Mankoff is going to help us understand the complexities of breast cancer tumors, what these molecular imaging tests are looking for and who should be getting them.

This week, nearly 300 Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy Advocates from across the country are coming together to call on federal lawmakers to help us bring an end to breast cancer. Joining me today are two of those advocates who will be in DC to talk about their experience as public policy advocates and share how you too can join in on using your voice and echoing our message on Capitol Hill.

This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be, from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day to day with metastatic breast cancer, and life after treatment

In today’s episode, we’re learning how a BRCA2 gene mutation has affected a family–both directly and indirectly. It is my pleasure to welcome Nikki, her mom, Anita, and her sister, Kim, to the conversation. Nikki is a three-time cancer survivor, and the only one in your family who has had cancer. Nikki was diagnosed the first time with uterine cancer at the age of 31, and six years later, diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent genetic testing. That’s when she learned she had inherited a BRCA2 genetic mutation, increasing the risk of cancers.

The risk of getting breast cancer increases as you get older, but breast cancer can happen at any age. Today’s guest is Abby. Abby was diagnosed with Stage 3 luminal B invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer at the young age of 31 with no prior family history. She is mom of a 2-year-old, a DIYer and spends time trying to live a more simple, happy life.

This is Real Talk, a new podcast series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends.  A breast cancer diagnosis can be life altering for women and men at any age.

But imagine learning you have breast cancer while you’re pregnant. Today’s guests were both diagnosed with breast cancer during their pregnancy. They’re going to share about the range of emotions they experienced, their fears, their worries for their health and their babies’ health as they went through treatment, and how they are doing today.

It is common for people diagnosed with breast cancer to experience depression, anxiety, fear, and mental and emotional distress. Today’s guest was undergoing twice yearly screenings for breast cancer because her mother and aunt had previously been diagnosed. She was scheduled to leave 5 days later for a vacation, but then, Alecia Robinson was called back for additional screenings and diagnosed with stage 1A invasive ductal carcinoma ER, PR-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. She is here today to share the mental anguish that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis, particularly in some of the unknown and “waiting” moments, and how she has been best been able to cope and move forward.

Breast cancer affects everyone differently, but It is common for people diagnosed with breast cancer to experience depression, anxiety and mental or emotional distress. The support of family, friends, and others can help as you go through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Here today to help us navigate the toll that a breast cancer diagnosis can have on your mental and sexual health are two experts from City of Hope Chicago – Behavorial Health Therapist, Alexandria Callahan, and Sexual Health/Intimacy Nurse, Cindy Ingram.

Listen to the latest episode of Real Pink to hear Marianne Alexander share how she stays strong in spirit and maintains positivity while living with metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 35.