Test Those Breasts ™️

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Sheila Mikhail, a biotech entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, and fierce advocate, to discuss what happens when the system we trust fails us.

Despite having access to top-tier medical care, Sheila’s breast cancer was missed by routine mammograms.

What followed was not just a diagnosis, but a mission: to challenge outdated standards, fight insurance barriers, and push for life-saving changes in breast cancer screening.

This conversation is raw, honest, and incredibly important.

Because this isn’t just Sheila’s story…
It’s happening to women every single day.

• Why mammograms can miss cancer in women with dense breast tissue
• The critical role of supplemental screening (MRI, ultrasound)
• The gap between insurance coverage and actual access to care
• How insurance companies create barriers, and what that means for patients
• The reality of advocating for yourself when the system pushes back
• Why physician education is still a major issue
• The importance of understanding your breast density
• What women can do to better advocate for their own health

Early detection only works if we’re using the right tools.
And right now, too many women are not being given those tools.

Follow Sheila:

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcruckus/posts/?feedView=all

• BC Ruckus (founded by Sheila Mikhail):
  https://www.bcruckus.org/

In Part 2, Arianna Bennett shares what it really looks like to navigate cancer in real time—from treatment decisions like cold capping to the emotional reality of being seen as a cancer patient.

We talk about support systems, what helps (and what doesn’t), and how to stay grounded through it all. This is an honest, human look at the parts of the journey people don’t always see.

• Why early detection and self-advocacy matter
• Cold capping: what it is and why it’s more than “just hair”
• The emotional impact of looking like a cancer patient
• How community support can make all the difference
• What not to say to someone with cancer
• Finding grounding through routine, movement, and connection
• Real advice for those newly diagnosed

“The fear of the thing is almost guaranteed to be worse than the thing itself.”

• Know Your Lemons
• Conrad Breast Center
• Paxman Cold Capping System
• Moms on the Run
• Peer support programs

If this episode resonated:
Share it, leave a review, or reach out to share your story.

In this episode, I sit down with Arianna Bennett, news anchor at Channel 2 in Reno, Nevada, who is currently going through breast cancer treatment.

Arianna shares what it was like to receive her diagnosis, and opens up about almost not getting tested for the BRCA gene. One push from her doctor changed everything, and that decision led to early detection.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that knowing your risk matters, and early detection can change outcomes.

This is Part 1 of our conversation. In Part 2, we will talk about treatment, chemo, and how Arianna is navigating it all in real time.

LinkedIn

Facebook

[email protected]
🔗 Resources

Conrad Breast Center
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
Moms on the Run

In Part 2 of Jamie Vaughn’s conversation with intimacy educator and cancer survivor Claire Rumore, the discussion turns to a topic rarely addressed in cancer care: intimacy and sexuality after cancer.

Jamie and Claire explore how cancer treatments, menopause, body changes, and emotional healing can impact libido, relationships, and self-confidence. Claire shares powerful insights on redefining intimacy, navigating mismatched desire, and helping survivors reconnect with their bodies and partners after cancer.

This episode offers compassionate guidance for patients, survivors, and partners navigating life and relationships after cancer.

Resources

https://clairerumore.com
https://cancerandintimacy.com

Use code CAI20 for 20% off resources in Claire’s store.

Instagram

Substack

LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of Test Those Breasts, Jamie Vaughn talks with intimacy educator and cancer survivor Claire Rumore about her unexpected stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and how survivorship reshaped her life and work.

Claire shares how her experience revealed a major gap in cancer care: conversations about intimacy, relationships, and sexuality after cancer are often missing from the recovery process. Her journey ultimately led her to create Cancer and Intimacy, a platform supporting patients, survivors, and partners navigating life after cancer.

Part 1 focuses on Claire’s diagnosis, treatment journey, and how her survivorship inspired her mission to change the conversation around intimacy and cancer.

Resources

Cancer and Intimacy
https://cancerandintimacy.com

Use code CAI20 for 20% off resources in Claire’s store.

Instagram

Substack

LinkedIn Newsletter

Zainab Sow returns to Test Those Breasts to share how daily self-exams helped her find a 1.8 cm lump at 38 and led to a Stage 1 IDC diagnosis. We talk family history without BRCA, survivorship realities, and the side effects many women face after treatment, especially aromatase inhibitors and medically induced menopause. Zainab is a three-time author and founder of Melanin Breast Cancer Alliance, Inc., a nonprofit providing grants to newly diagnosed patients in the U.S. and West Africa, and shares why self-advocacy and boundaries matter.

Find Zainab: Instagram @zainab_underscore_air to breast cancer | Heir to Breast Cancer

Hope Beyond Hormones

Jamie sits down with Jennifer Herrod, a breast nurse navigator with nonprofit Project 31 and a seven-year breast cancer survivor, to talk about early detection, self-advocacy, and the power of community.

Jennifer shares her diagnosis of DCIS (grade 3) at age 43, her treatment journey including mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and why learning your “normal” and speaking up about breast changes, no matter your age, can make all the difference. She also explains how Project 31 supports and their podcast, Pink Ribbon Rollercoaster supports survivors and families through peer support, mentoring, education, and survivorship resources, reminding listeners that healing doesn’t stop when treatment ends.

Project 31 on Instagram

Project 31 on Facebook

Project 31 on LinkedIn

In Episode 104, Jamie talks with Leslie Ferris Yerger (founder/CEO of My Density Matters and Susan LePlae Miller (VP of Partnerships & Programs) about why breast density matters, how women can better advocate for themselves, and why some cancers, especially lobular breast cancer, can be harder to detect on standard imaging.

Leslie shares her story of being diagnosed with stage IV lobular breast cancer after an “all-clear” mammogram and ultrasound, and why trusting your intuition and pushing for answers is critical. Susan breaks down practical steps anyone can take, including using patient portals to read your actual reports (not just the letter) and asking questions, collaboratively, so you can be an active partner in your care.

My Density Matters’ annual awareness campaign, Find Out My Breast Density Day, takes place February 18. This year’s focus is “Did You Know?” featuring breast density education plus resources from partner organizations across the breast health journey.

[email protected]

[email protected]

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

My Density Matters Website

https://mydensitymatters.org/programs/my-story-matters/

Find Out My Density Breast Day February 18, 2026

Love the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? Support this work by donating:
👉 https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/
Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Thank you so much for listening!
Ratings, reviews, and shares truly help this podcast reach more people.

Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, and not all information shared on this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers. This content does not replace medical advice. For personalized care, please consult your own healthcare providers and/or the qualified professionals interviewed on this podcast.

Andréa Gonzalez shares her journey before, during, and after breast cancer, highlighting the resilience and strength in survivorship. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy and support in the breast cancer community, showcasing her own experiences and contributions to the cause. The conversation covers topics related to beauty and self-care during cancer treatment, survivorship and advocacy, advice for the undiagnosed, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The importance of early detection and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for cancer survivors is emphasized throughout the conversation.

Takeaways

• Resilience and strength in survivorship
• The importance of advocacy and support Early detection is crucial
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for cancer survivors

Resources: Look Good Feel Better

We share Nancie Steinberg’s path from losing her mother to breast cancer to navigating her own diagnosis, CML management, and a new DCIS finding, translating hard-won lessons into everyday advocacy. Practical guidance on second opinions, seeing a breast surgeon, and building support grounds the whole conversation.

• Why a missed chemo recommendation changed how we view second opinions
• How to interview oncologists and assess fit
• Grief, work, and parenting through treatment
• Opening up about chronic myeloid leukemia after years of silence
• Advocacy that moves policy on screening and access
• Why to see a breast surgeon rather than rely only on OB-GYN exams
• MRI, mammogram and ultrasound roles for high-risk monitoring
• DCIS decisions, reconstruction options, and recovery planning
• Finding therapy, community, and momentum for better days

 Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram  LinkedIn TikTok   Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I  am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers,  therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .