In this episode of Save Your Breast, Dr. Heather Macdonald — an OB/GYN, breast surgeon, and Director of the High-Risk Breast Clinic at Hoag — joins Dr. Nirav Savalia and host Kacey Polanco to unpack what it really means to be “high risk” for breast cancer.

They break down how women can determine their level of risk, what genetic testing actually reveals, and how fertility, hormones, and family planning factor into preventive decisions. From understanding when a mastectomy is — or isn’t — necessary to navigating hormonal risk and early menopause, this episode empowers women with the knowledge they need to make confident, informed choices about their health.

Whether you’re navigating your own risk, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand your options, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

Timestamps: 2:45 – Understanding Your Breast Cancer Risk 5:30 – Breast Cancer & Fertility in Young Women 7:30 – The Role of Genetic Testing 13:00 – Treatment Recommendations vs. Personal Options 16:40 – What to Know About Risk-Reducing Mastectomies 19:30 – Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy: Recurrence Rates 25:20 – When a Mastectomy Is Recommended Immediately 30:35 – Why Women Have More Options Than They Realize 34:00 – High-Risk Patients & Fertility Considerations 40:00 – The Effects of Estrogen & Progesterone 56:30 – A Final Message to All Women

For more resources, expert guidance, and upcoming episodes, visit SaveYourBreast.com.

In this episode of Save Your Breast, we sit down with Selise, a breast cancer survivor, as she shares her deeply personal journey — from the moment she found her cancer to life after reconstruction. Selise opens up about how she chose her doctors, the decisions she made about reconstruction, and what recovery was really like.

You’ll hear her honest reflections on the emotional and physical aspects of surgery day, the value of having a strong support system, and why she chose the LICAP flap for her reconstruction. Whether you’re navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply wanting to understand the patient experience, this episode offers hope, clarity, and inspiration.

⏱ Episode Chapters:

01:20 – Finding the breast cancer and choosing her doctors

05:41 – Initial thoughts about breast reconstruction

11:26 – Choosing the LICAP Flap

13:15 – What recovery is like

16:17 – Surgery day

19:27 – Life after breast cancer

24:10 – The importance of having a support system

30:28 – Why reconstruction was important to her

36:00 – A final message for women facing breast cancer

Go to saveyourbreast.com for more helpful resources on breast reconstruction.

In this episode of Save Your Breast, Dr. Sadia Khan, a breast surgical oncologist, joins Dr. Nirav Savalia to walk you through everything women should know when facing a breast cancer diagnosis — from early detection and screening to surgical decisions and recovery.

Together, they clear up common misconceptions about mastectomies, explain the benefits of breast conservation through oncoplasty, and outline the modern, team-based approach to breast cancer care. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone through it, or simply seeking to understand your options, this episode will leave you informed and empowered.

03:01 – The Importance of Early Detection

03:20 – When to Start Screening for Breast Cancer

05:47 – The Importance of Self Exams

06:53 – 5 Things Women Can Do to Minimize the Risk of Breast Cancer

09:00 – Advancements in Breast Cancer Surgery

16:00 – Misconceptions Around Mastectomies

20:08 – Benefits of a Team Approach

26:05 – What to Expect Day of Surgery

28:58 – What Recovery is Like

32:22 – What to Ask Your Doctors

35:10 – Patients Have Time to Consider Options

39:45 – The Future of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

44:38 – A Message to All Women

For more resources, expert guidance, and upcoming episodes, visit SaveYourBreast.com.

Ep. 4: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Surgery – A Conversation with Dr. Melvin Silverstein

In this special episode of Save Your Breast, Dr. Nirav Savalia is joined by his mentor and legendary breast surgeon, Dr. Melvin Silverstein. Known for pioneering lumpectomy and introducing oncoplastic surgery to the U.S., Dr. Silverstein reflects on the evolution of breast cancer treatment, the rise of breast-conserving techniques, and the urgent need for patient education in today’s medical landscape.

💡 Topics Covered:

✅ Evolution of the Lumpectomy (4:29)

✅ When Saving the Breast Became the New Goal (6:30)

✅ Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy Cure Rate (10:01)

✅ Oncoplasty Emerges (11:42)

✅ Extreme Oncoplasty Emerges (17:00)

✅ Teaching Other Surgeons This Technique (20:59)

✅ Is Mastectomy the Safest Option? (25:01)

✅ Why Breast Cancer Occurrences Seem to Be Rising (30:39)

✅ Pros and Cons of Other Cancer Treatment Strategies (35:34)

✅ What It Takes to Be an Oncoplastic Surgeon (31:42)

✅ Dr. Silverstein and Dr. Savalia’s First Oncoplastic Case Together (38:08)

From historical resistance to breast-saving procedures to the modern-day innovations changing lives, this episode is a must-listen for any woman navigating a breast cancer diagnosis—and for the providers guiding them through it.

🎧 Subscribe now to hear groundbreaking insights on breast reconstruction and the future of cancer care.

Visit saveyourbreast.com for more information

#BreastReconstruction #OncoplasticSurgery #Lumpectomy #BreastCancerAwareness #BRCA #CancerSupport #PatientEducation #PlasticSurgery #SaveYourBreast #BreastConservation

🎙 Ep. 3: Breaking Down a Real Oncoplastic Surgery Case with Dr. Savalia

In this episode, Dr. Nirav Savalia dives into the details of a real oncoplastic breast surgery case. He walks us through how he approached a complex diagnosis, what happened when the cancer was larger than imaging predicted, and how he balanced oncologic safety with aesthetic preservation. This episode gives you a rare inside look at the thought process and surgical decisions involved in breast conservation.

This episode discusses:

✅ Specifics of the Patient’s Diagnosis and Case (1:00)

✅ Why Achieving Clean Margins Is Critical in Surgery (5:00)

✅ The Initial Controversy Surrounding Oncoplastic Techniques (6:16)

✅ Setting Clear Expectations with Patients Before Surgery (7:20)

✅ When Cancer is Larger Than the MRI Predicted (11:20)

✅ The Role of Radiation and Its Long-Term Impact on the Breast (14:00)

✅ Oncoplasty Helps Patients Move Forward (21:40)

If you're a patient, caregiver, or provider, this case study will help you understand the nuance of treating breast cancer while preserving form, function, and confidence.

💡 Subscribe for more real-life stories and expert insights on the evolving world of oncoplastic surgery.

#OncoplasticSurgery #BreastCancerCaseStudy #BreastConservation #BreastReconstruction #RadiationRecovery #SaveYourBreast #WomensHealth #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSupport #BRCA

Ep. 2: Breaking Down the Basics – What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Reconstruction

In this episode of Save Your Breast, Dr. Nirav Savalia and his surgical consultant, Kacey Polanco, dive into the fundamentals of breast reconstruction—what every woman should know when facing breast cancer surgery. Understanding your options early can make a profound difference in both your physical and emotional healing.

💡 Topics Covered:

✅ The Importance of Understanding Your Reconstructive Options (1:22)

✅ Guiding Patients Through Critical Decisions (3:06)

✅ Empowering Patients Through Clarity and Choices (4:56)

✅ Mastectomy vs Lumpectomy (6:47)

✅ How Well Educated Are Doctors on This Topic? (15:19)

Too often, patients feel reconstruction isn’t possible or that mastectomy is the only way to ensure complete cancer removal. In this episode, Dr. Savalia debunks these myths and explains the various pathways to reconstruction, so patients can make informed decisions about their health and confidence.

🎧 Subscribe now for expert insights on breast reconstruction and life after breast cancer.

Visit saveyourbreast.com for more information

#BreastReconstruction #Mastectomy #BRCA #OncoplasticSurgery #BreastCancerAwareness #BRCA #CancerSurvivor #PatientEmpowerment #BreastCancerSupport #ReconstructionOptions #PlasticSurgery

Welcome to the Save Your Breast podcast! In this episode, Dr. Nirav Savalia, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in oncoplastic breast surgery, introduces this innovative approach to breast cancer treatment. Oncoplastic surgery combines breast cancer removal with advanced plastic surgery techniques, helping women maintain their natural shape, confidence, and even sensation after surgery.

Dr. Savalia and his Office Manager, Kacey, discuss:

✅ How Dr. Savalia Got Involved with Oncoplasty (4:27)

✅ Real Patient Reviews (8:09)

✅ The Key to Gaining Expertise in Oncoplasty (9:00)

✅ Training Others in Oncoplasty (11:59)

✅ What to Expect From This Podcast (13:31)

Whether you're a breast cancer patient, a BRCA gene carrier, a loved one seeking information, or a healthcare provider looking to learn more, this podcast is here to educate and empower.

💡 Subscribe now to stay informed on the latest in breast surgery advancements and oncoplastic techniques. Have questions? Let us know what topics you’d like covered in future episodes!

#OncoplasticSurgery #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastReconstruction #MastectomyRecovery #BreastCancerSupport #PlasticSurgery #BRCA #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerTreatment #PatientStories