Test Those Breasts ™️

What happens when passionate college students come together to make breast health education more accessible? A student-led movement begins! 💗

In Episode 135 of the Test Those Breasts Podcast, our student-led Test Those Breasts @ UNR series features Guadalupe Placencia Miranda, President of the Test Those Breasts @ UNR student club at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Guadalupe is a junior majoring in microbiology and immunology, a violinist with UNR's mariachi group, and a student leader passionate about making a difference.

Her commitment to breast health education is personal. After witnessing her mother's experience with breast cancer, Guadalupe understands how challenging it can be to navigate a diagnosis without adequate knowledge of warning signs or access to screening. Today, her mother is a breast cancer survivor, and Guadalupe is helping turn that experience into meaningful action.

As club president, Guadalupe is helping lead an exciting initiative to bring FREE, evidence-based breast health education to UNR students and the greater Reno community, using the Know Your Lemons Foundation evidence based curriculum.

Through The MBA Program™ (My Best Act), students are preparing to become peer-to-peer breast health educators using curriculum developed by the Know Your Lemons Foundation.

• Meet Guadalupe and discover what inspired her to become involved with Test Those Breasts.
• Hear how her mother's breast cancer experience influenced her commitment to education.
• Learn about the mission and goals of the TTB @ UNR student club.
• Discover how students are training to become breast health educators.
• Explore opportunities to get involved through education, outreach, and fundraising.
• Hear Guadalupe's vision for growing the club and expanding its impact.

You don't need to be a science major, a breast cancer survivor, or have a personal connection to cancer to get involved!

Test Those Breasts @ UNR welcomes students from ALL majors and backgrounds.

Whether you're interested in education, advocacy, community outreach, fundraising, leadership, or simply connecting with others who want to make a difference, there's a place for you.

Connect with TTB @ UNR:

• Instagram: @ttb.unr
• Email: [email protected]
• Club meetings: Tuesdays, 5–6 PM, with virtual participation available.

Test Those Breasts, Inc.® is a Reno-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by breast cancer survivor and retired educator Jamie Vaughn. Our mission is to empower people with accessible, evidence-based breast health education to recognize warning signs, understand risk, advocate for themselves, and take action toward earlier detection.

Through free community classes, advocacy, and The MBA Program™, we're helping bring breast health education to people long before a diagnosis.

Find it early, Change the outcome.

https://testthosebreasts.org

Listen to Episode 135, share it with UNR students, and help spread the word about Test Those Breasts @ UNR.

Because the next generation shouldn't have to wait for a diagnosis to understand breast health. 💗

This version makes Guadalupe's presidency unmistakable while keeping the main focus on recruiting students and promoting TTB @ UNR.

Did you know that breast cancer risk assessment should begin as early as age 25?

In this episode of the Test Those Breasts Podcast, host Jamie Vaughn welcomes Dr. Kimberly Beavers, a fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health, for an eye-opening conversation about breast cancer screening, dense breasts, personal risk, and self-advocacy.

Dr. Beavers explains why mammograms remain essential for early detection, how dense breast tissue can affect screening, and when supplemental imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may be recommended. They also address common mammogram misconceptions, the importance of knowing your lifetime breast cancer risk, and the proposed Find It Early Act, which aims to reduce financial barriers to supplemental screening.

Because breast health education should begin long before a diagnosis!

• Why breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 matters.
• Understanding dense breasts and supplemental screening.
• Mammogram myths, safety, and early detection.
• The Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk assessment model.
• Advocating for personalized screening and care.
• The Find It Early Act and access to screening.

Instagram, LinkedIn, X & Bluesky: @kbeaversmd

• Breast Cancer Risk Calculator: https://magview.com/ibis-risk-calculator/
• Dense Breast Information: https://densebreast-info.org/
• ACR Screening Guidelines: https://www.acr.org/News-and-Publications/Media-Center/2023/New-ACR-Breast-Cancer-Screening-Guidelines-call-for-earlier-screening-for-high-risk-women
• Find It Early Act: https://finditearlyact.org/

Test Those Breasts, Inc.® is a nonprofit dedicated to accessible, evidence-based breast health education, early detection, and advocacy.

Learn more: https://testthosebreasts.org/

Support our mission: https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

💗 Find it early, Change the outcome.

In Episode 133 of Test Those Breasts, host Jamie Vaughn welcomes Michele Pilon, founder of Washington Wellness with Michele, national Mental Health First Aid trainer, and breast cancer survivor.

Diagnosed at 43 after discovering a painful, movable lump, Michele shares her journey through breast cancer treatment, her decision to embrace aesthetic flat closure, and the emotional and physical challenges of survivorship.

Together, Jamie and Michele discuss mental health, medical anxiety, self-advocacy, body image, and the importance of having a supportive care team. Michele also challenges the idea that cancer survivors must be exceptionally "strong" or "brave," reminding us that sometimes moving forward simply means taking life one day at a time.

An honest and empowering conversation about making informed choices, finding support, and navigating life beyond breast cancer.

Washington Wellness with Michele

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wawellnesswmichele/

Website: https://wawellnessmichele.wixsite.com/westernwashingtonwel

• Mental Health First Aid Video
• Mental Health First Aid Interest Form
• Teen Mental Health Awareness Interest Form
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 for free, confidential support.

• Not Putting on a Shirt — Flat closure education and surgeon resources.

Facebook Support Communities:

• Fantastic Flat Fashion
• Fierce Flat Forward
• Fabulously Flat Not Reconstructing

Learn more about our breast health education programs, attend a class, or support our nonprofit mission at https://testthosebreasts.org.

Find it early. Change the outcome.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.

🎙️ New voices. New perspectives. Same mission.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Test Those Breasts at UNR Podcast!

University of Nevada, Reno student and host Sadhana Balasubramanian sits down with Jamie Vaughn, founder and president of Test Those Breasts, Inc.®, to talk about her breast cancer diagnosis, how her experience inspired a podcast and nonprofit, and why breast health education matters long before a diagnosis.

From the personal story behind the TTB owl logo to Jamie's vision for reaching young adults, this conversation introduces the mission behind Test Those Breasts® and the students helping carry it forward.

So, what is Test Those Breasts at UNR?

It's a student-led club at the University of Nevada, Reno, supporting the mission of Test Those Breasts, Inc.®, a Northern Nevada 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accessible, evidence-based breast health education.

Through The MBA Program™ (My Best Act), our peer-to-peer breast health education initiative, students are helping their peers recognize warning signs, understand risk factors, and learn how to advocate for their breast health. As a Know Your Lemons® Global Partner, Test Those Breasts® uses their evidence-based breast health curriculum to bring accurate, accessible education into our communities.

And now they're taking those conversations to the microphone!

💗 Want to get involved?

Follow the UNR club on Instagram: @ttb.unr

Email: [email protected]

Learn more: https://www.testthosebreasts.org

Find it early. Change the outcome.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.

What happens when three specialists are almost certain something isn’t cancer, but your gut tells you to keep asking questions?

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Krista Brown, MS, RN, oncology nurse navigator, breast cancer survivor, and cancer prevention advocate for a powerful conversation about hereditary breast cancer risk, genetic testing, early detection, and patient self-advocacy.

After learning that she carried an ATM genetic mutation, Krista began increased breast screening and started planning a preventive mastectomy. When an MRI revealed an abnormality, she was initially advised to wait and follow up. Even after multiple specialists reassured her that it was almost certainly not cancer, Krista couldn't shake the feeling that she needed more answers.

She advocated for herself and requested a breast biopsy  It was Stage 1A breast cancer.

Krista and Jamie talk about hereditary cancer risk, genetic testing Genetic mutations, early detection, second opinions, prevention, lifestyle, and why advocating for yourself can be difficult, even when you're a nurse.

They also explore one of Krista's most important messages:

“Don't confuse being healthy with being invincible.”

This conversation is a powerful reminder that breast cancer  prevention isn't about perfection. It's about knowing your risk, knowing your family history, getting appropriate screenings, asking questions, and becoming an active participant in your own healthcare.

Instagram: @cancer.prevention.rn
https://www.instagram.com/cancer.prevention.rn/

LinkedIn: Krista Brown
https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-brown-b71956249/

Test Those Breasts®
https://testthosebreasts.org

Find it early. Change the outcome.®

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

In Part Two of my conversation with Krystal, we continue her breast cancer survivor story and explore what life after breast cancer can really look like, the plot twists keep coming. 

Krystal opens up about dating after cancer, fertility, miscarriage, finding love, becoming a mom again, and the devastating experience of losing a dear friend to metastatic breast cancer. Then, what was supposed to be a breast reconstruction revision led to an unexpected discovery: remaining breast tissue and another breast cancer diagnosis.

We talk candidly about breast reconstruction, DIEP flap surgery, body image, scanxiety, self-advocacy, and the emotional toll of being expected to stay positive or become a “beacon of hope” when you're struggling yourself.

Krystal also shares why she eventually stepped away from nonprofit leadership, how Plot Twist: Still Alive became another way to connect through humor and honesty, and what she's creating next with Happily Epic After.

This conversation is raw, funny, emotional, and very real, because surviving breast cancer doesn't mean you have to “get over it.” You may be changed by what happened to you, but you still get to decide what comes next.

In this episode:

• Life after breast cancer: dating, fertility, motherhood and finding love 
• Another breast cancer diagnosis
• DIEP flap reconstruction and body image
• Scanxiety, toxic positivity and self-advocacy after breast cancer 
• Humor as a coping mechanism
• Knowing when it's time to choose yourself
• Plot Twist: Still Alive
• Happily Epic After

Content note: This episode includes candid conversations about cancer, miscarriage, grief, reconstruction, abuse, mental health and adult language.

CONNECT WITH KRYSTAL & RESOURCES

Plot Twist: Still Alive
Website: www.plottwiststillalive.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/plottwiststillalive
Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/1DDDaLCAQj/

Pink Warrior Advocates
Breast cancer support, financial assistance, care kits, support meetups, and restorative tattoo assistance.
www.pinkwarrioradvocates.org

Dr. Chris Schneider | Austin Face & Body
www.austinfaceandbody.com/our-providers/dr-chris-schneider/

Happily Epic After
Retreats and adventures supporting women after cancer and other life-changing experiences.
www.happilyepicafter.com

Finding HER Again Retreat | October 23–25 | Texas Hill Country
Applications for this retreat are closed, but cancer survivors can complete the Find Your Epic Profile to learn about future retreats and adventures. Sponsorships are also available to help warriors attend at no cost.

Find Your Epic Profile:
www.happilyepicafter.com/find-your-epic-adventure-profile

Three-time cancer survivor. Nurse. Mom. Chaos coordinator. Podcast host. And a woman who is absolutely not interested in sugarcoating cancer.

In Part 1 of Episode 129, Jamie sits down with Krystal with a K, host of Plot Twist: Still Alive, for a conversation that is raw, hilarious, emotional, occasionally profane, and very, very real.

Krystal’s cancer journey began when she was just three years old. Decades later, at 32, newly divorced, raising two young children and fresh out of nursing school, she found a lump in her own breast. She would eventually learn that the radiation that helped save her life as a child may have contributed to her breast cancer years later.

Krystal talks about the fear and anger, but also the absurdity and humor she found along the way—from BreastFest, where she shaved her head before cancer could take her hair, to $35 Amazon wigs with names, accents and entire backstories.

Underneath the laughs is a powerful conversation about breast cancer in young women, using your voice, knowing your body, pushing back when something doesn’t feel right, setting boundaries around toxic positivity, and refusing to accept “you’re too young” as an answer.

And perhaps the most Krystal line of the episode:

“If I’m too much, go find less.”

Because when it comes to your healthcare, sometimes you have to be too much.

Part 1 closes with Krystal meeting Jen, a fellow young breast cancer warrior whose friendship would introduce her to advocacy, volunteering and a community she didn’t even know she needed.

And that's where we leave you, because Krystal with a K has a whole lot more plot twists coming in Part 2.

• Childhood cancer and the treatment that saved Krystal’s life
• Finding her own breast lump at 32
• Double mastectomy, Oncotype testing and chemotherapy
• Breast cancer in young women and why “you’re too young” isn’t good enough
• Learning to use your voice and be “too much”
• Toxic positivity and boundaries

Plot Twist: Still Alive
Website: www.plottwiststillalive.com
Instagram: @plottwiststillalive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DDDaLCAQj/
Email: [email protected]

Pink Warrior Advocates
www.pinkwarrioradvocates.org

Happily Epic After
www.happilyepicafter.com

Website: www.testthosebreasts.org
Support our work: www.testthosebreasts.org/donate/

What happens when breast cancer is found early, but the health journey is far from over?

In this episode of the Test Those Breasts® Podcast, Jamie sits down with Myra Marangi, a DCIS breast cancer survivor, lifelong dancer and fitness instructor whose survivorship journey has included reconstruction, lymphedema, unexplained pain and mobility issues, inflammatory myositis, and most recently, a ruptured breast implant. Myra shares the years-long process of searching for answers and learning to advocate for herself when she knew something wasn’t right.

Jamie and Myra also talk candidly about breast reconstruction choices, the importance of researching your options and your surgeon’s experience, and how overwhelming it can be to make life-changing decisions while newly diagnosed. Myra’s advice? “Do your homework. Do your homework thoroughly.”

In this episode:

• Finding breast cancer because of a change in the other breast
• Navigating reconstruction and unexpected health challenges
• The importance of researching reconstruction options and surgical expertise
• Speaking up when something doesn’t feel right
• Why survivorship isn’t always a straight line
• Myra’s work giving back through Dance for Hope

Connect with Myra:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love.life.myram/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyraSMarangi

Find it early. Change the outcome.®

This episode shares personal experiences for educational and awareness purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Mara and David Langer, we continue their story by talking about what it really takes to navigate breast cancer treatment, and what happens when treatment ends.

Mara shares practical advice from her own experience with chemotherapy, including the fear of that first treatment and the extraordinary experience of receiving chemotherapy while pregnant. David offers his perspective as a partner and caregiver, including the importance of communication, staying present, asking for help, and remembering that caregivers need support, too.

We also talk about knowing your body, understanding your family health history, advocating for yourself, and seeking another opinion when something doesn’t feel right.

And then we get into something that isn’t talked about nearly enough: life after treatment. Mara shares why survivorship can bring its own uncertainty, the importance of resources like Cancer Community Clubhouse, and why there isn’t always a return to “normal.” Sometimes it’s about learning to live in a new normal, and finding gratitude and presence along the way.

Facebook: facebook.com/mblanger
Instagram: instagram.com/mblanger2
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marablanger

Cancer Community Clubhouse — A Northern Nevada cancer survivorship center offering support, connection, education, and resources for people affected by cancer, including survivors, care partners, and loved ones. Mara specifically recognizes Natalie and her team when discussing the importance of support after active treatment ends.

Website: www.cancercommunityclubhouse.org

Test Those Breasts — Find additional breast health and cancer resources under the Resources tab.

Website: www.testthosebreasts.org

Find it early. Change the outcome.

What would you do if you were diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant?

In this powerful first installment of our two-part conversation, Jamie sits down with two-time breast cancer survivor Mara Langer and her husband, David, to share their extraordinary journey through not one, but two, breast cancer diagnoses.

Mara opens up about growing up with a strong family history of breast cancer, how that shaped her decisions about screening and prevention, and the life-changing moment she discovered a new lump while pregnant with her second child, even after having a bilateral mastectomy.

Together, Mara and David discuss the fear, uncertainty, and difficult decisions they faced, including navigating cancer treatment during pregnancy, leaning on one another through every step, and the importance of community support throughout their journey.

This episode is a powerful reminder that breast cancer impacts more than just the person diagnosed, it affects entire families, and no one should have to walk through it alone.

• Mara's incredible journey through two breast cancer diagnoses.
• Why understanding your family history matters.
• What it was like to undergo breast cancer treatment while pregnant.
• David's perspective as a husband and caregiver.
• How communication strengthened their marriage during one of life's greatest challenges.
• The importance of accepting help and building a strong support system.
• Why community can make all the difference during a cancer diagnosis.

Be sure to join us next week for Part 2, where Mara and David share practical advice on early detection, self-advocacy, family health history, survivorship, and what they wish every patient and caregiver knew from the very beginning.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mblanger

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mblanger2/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marablanger/

🌐 Website: https://testthosebreasts.org

🎧 Subscribe to the Test Those Breasts® Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💗 Follow us on social media for breast health education, survivor stories, and resources that empower you to recognize warning signs, understand your risk, and advocate for your health.

Find it early. Change the outcome.