What’s Behind the Bra? – Breast Cancer Stories of Hope & Survival

What happens when a healthcare leader suddenly finds herself on the other side of care—as the patient?

On this episode of What’s Behind The Bra? – Breast Cancer Stories of Hope & Survival, Founder and Host Monique Bass sits down with Kia Harris-Carr, healthcare leader, breast and ovarian cancer survivor, and Founder & Board President of Beautiful Faces Foundation.

Kia shares her personal cancer journey, what she learned navigating healthcare as a patient, the importance of self-advocacy, faith, family, and how her experiences strengthened her commitment to patient-centered care.

She also shares the inspiration behind Beautiful Faces Foundation and her powerful “What Next?” approach: identify the need, build the solution, and invite others to be part of it.

This conversation is about more than surviving cancer—it’s about turning your experience into purpose, service, and impact.

🎀 Every survivor has a story. Every story deserves to be heard.

#WhatsBehindTheBra #KiaHarrisCarr #BeautifulFacesFoundation #BreastCancer #OvarianCancer #CancerSurvivor #PatientAdvocacy #CancerStories #Survivorship

What does it mean to keep living when you’ve been told you have terminal cancer?

Monique Bass, founder and host of What’s Behind the Bra?, sits down with Terlisa Sheppard, a 27-year breast cancer thriver, for a heartfelt conversation about her journey, including a Stage 4 diagnosis.

Terlisa shares her experience navigating medical care, speaking up when something wasn’t right, and finding hope through uncertainty. Her story highlights the importance of being heard and reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a person with a life worth celebrating.

Join us for an honest conversation about resilience, self-advocacy, and life beyond a diagnosis.

This episode shares personal experiences and is not medical advice. Every cancer journey is different.

In this powerful episode of What’s Behind The Bra?, host Monique Bass sits down with Dr. Tiffany Troso-Sandoval, a medical oncologist, educator, and author of Calming the Cancer Chaos: An Oncologist’s Guide for Women to Understand, Organize, and Take Control of Their Cancer Care.

Dr. Tiffany shares valuable insight to help patients feel more informed, organized, and empowered throughout their cancer journey. Together, they discuss navigating a diagnosis, communicating with your medical team, understanding treatment, advocating for yourself, and finding a sense of control during an overwhelming time.

This conversation offers education, encouragement, and hope for patients, survivors, caregivers, and anyone affected by cancer.

Subscribe to What’s Behind The Bra? for more powerful stories of hope, healing, education, and survival.

Male breast cancer happens. 💙🎗️

Monique Bass, Founder of What’s Behind the Pecs?, sat down with breast cancer survivor Tom Wright for an honest and powerful conversation about his diagnosis, treatment and survivorship journey.

The lifetime risk was once commonly shared as 1 in 1,000 men. Today, it is approximately 1 in 755. Men must know their bodies, recognize the warning signs and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

🎥 Watch Tom’s full story on the What’s Behind the Bra? Podcast YouTube channel.

Please like, subscribe and share—this story could help save a life.

#WhatsBehindThePecs #WhatsBehindTheBra #MaleBreastCancerHappens #MaleBreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerSurvivor #MensHealth #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #KnowYourBody #SurvivorStory

🎙️ REAL MEN. REAL STORIES. REAL IMPACT.

On this episode of What’s Behind The Pecs?, I sit down with Ron Rapaport, a two-time male breast cancer survivor, advocate, TBI survivor, lymphedema thriver, and host of the It’s A Wrap With Rap podcast.

Ron joins us to share his powerful journey through breast cancer—not once, but twice—and why speaking openly about male breast cancer is so important.

💙 Men have breasts too. 💗 Men can get breast cancer too. 💙 And their stories deserve to be heard.

Our mission is to continue normalizing the conversation, breaking the stigma, and reminding men to know their bodies and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

📅 August 25 ⏰ 3PM–4PM EST

Awareness. Early Detection. Support. Survival.

#WhatsBehindThePecs #MaleBreastCancer #MenGetBreastCancerToo #MaleBreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerSurvivor #EarlyDetection #MensHealth #CancerAdvocate #RealMenRealStoriesRealImpact

Monique Bass, Founder of What’s Behind The Bra?, had the honor of interviewing Belinda Salley, a true LD20 champion whose powerful advocacy helped lower New Jersey’s mammogram screening age to 35. 💗

Belinda’s story proves that when we speak up, share our experiences and fight for change, our voices can make a difference!

Thank you to Assemblyman Rev. Reginald Atkins for recognizing Belinda’s advocacy and sharing this important legislative update. We also honor the late Kathy Lloyd, whose dedication and legacy will never be forgotten. 🕊️💕

Watch the full episode on the Monique Bass YouTube channel.

Please LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE!

Early detection saves lives—and advocacy creates change!

#MoniqueBass #WhatsBehindTheBra #BelindaSalley #AdvocacyInAction #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #MammogramAccess #BreastCancerAwareness #BillA1679 #WomensHealth #NewJersey

Shabba Don was first diagnosed with Stage 1, Grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma at just 30 years old. After facing recurrence, her diagnosis eventually progressed to Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

In this powerful episode of What’s Behind The Bra?, Shabba joins us from the UK to share the reality of living with metastatic breast cancer, navigating treatment decisions, advocating for herself, and refusing to stop searching for options.

We also discuss her exploration of treatments in Germany, including liver-directed approaches such as TACE, microwave ablation and cryoablation, and why patients should feel empowered to ask their medical teams about available treatments, second opinions and clinical trials.

Shabba’s story is one of determination, advocacy and hope—even while facing an incredibly difficult diagnosis.

🎀 Real stories. Real strength. Real survivors.

Disclaimer: This episode shares one patient’s personal experience and is for educational and awareness purposes only. It is not medical advice. Treatment options vary by individual and should always be discussed with a qualified medical professional.

Subscribe to What’s Behind The Bra? and help us continue sharing the voices and stories behind breast cancer.

In this powerful episode of What’s Behind The Bra?, host Monique Bass sits down with breast cancer survivor Kiki Wooten to discuss a journey that didn’t end when cancer treatment did.

Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma at just 34 years old, Kiki faced a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction complications, chronic pain, and eventually a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Kiki opens up about the challenges of getting answers, how CRPS symptoms can sometimes be confused with other chronic pain conditions, and what it means to live with an often misunderstood and extremely painful condition.

This conversation is about more than breast cancer—it’s about the lasting effects treatment can have on the body, advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right, and finding the strength to keep moving forward.

🎀 What’s Behind The Bra? is committed to keeping breast cancer awareness going all year long by sharing real stories from survivors, thrivers, caregivers, advocates, and medical professionals.

Connect with What’s Behind The Bra? Watch the full video episodes on our YouTube channel and learn more about our mission, programs, and Comfort Care Packages through the What’s Behind The Bra? website.

#WhatsBehindTheBra #KikiWooten #CRPS #CRPSAwareness #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome #BreastCancer #BreastCancerSurvivor #ChronicPain #Neuropathy #SurvivorStories

What happens when breast cancer treatment ends—but the pain doesn’t?

On this episode of What’s Behind The Bra?, I sit down with Dr. Timothy Calvert, MD, my very own orthopedic doctor, for an important conversation about chronic pain after breast cancer treatment.

We discuss why pain can continue long after treatment, how surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, scar tissue, nerve changes, and other factors may affect the body, and why survivors shouldn’t feel like they simply have to “live with it.”

We also talk about recognizing changes in your body, communicating with your healthcare team, and the importance of getting evaluated when something doesn’t feel right.

🎀 Topics include: chronic pain after breast cancer treatment, shoulder and upper-body discomfort, mobility, nerve-related symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and navigating survivorship beyond simply being cancer-free.

Treatment may end, but survivorship continues.

🎧 Tune in, share this episode with another survivor, and help us continue educating and empowering our breast cancer community.

What’s Behind The Bra? Awareness • Education • Advocacy • Survivorship

#WhatsBehindTheBra #BreastCancerSurvivor #LifeAfterBreastCancer #ChronicPain #BreastCancerRecovery #CancerSurvivorship #DrTimothyCalvert

Breast cancer can change your life in an instant—but faith, knowledge, community, and advocacy can help you navigate the journey.

On this episode of What’s Behind The Bra? — Healing Stories, Founder and breast cancer survivor Monique Bass sits down with Ronda A. Brunson, breast cancer survivor, Founder/LeadHER of Tata Tuesdays, Home of the Breastfriends, author, inventor, and patient advocate.

Ronda shares her journey from diagnosis and double mastectomy to turning her experience into a mission to educate and empower others. She discusses the importance of asking questions, advocating for yourself, finding community, navigating life after treatment, and keeping your faith through some of life's most difficult moments.

Her advice to someone newly diagnosed is a powerful reminder: keep your faith in God and hold on through the journey. 🙏🏽🎀

This conversation is filled with information, encouragement, faith, and the kind of lived experience that reminds us why survivor voices matter.

🎥 Watch the full video episode on the What’s Behind The Bra? YouTube Channel.

💗 Learn more about our mission, breast cancer awareness initiatives, and Comfort Care Packages at behindthebra.org.