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At 36 years old, Kiara Prince was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history, no genetic risk, and no warning signs. In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kiara shares how she discovered her lump by accident, what it felt like to hear the words “you have breast cancer” at such a young age, and how she navigated the overwhelming decisions around surgery, treatment, and hormone therapy. Kiara also opens up about the financial realities of treatment, the support of her family and friends, and how she found strength through visibility, sisterhood, and faith. Her story is a wake-up call for young Black women to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and never delay getting checked. This conversation is raw, emotional, and full of hope. Stay tuned as Kiara reminds us that survivorship is more than survival: it’s resilience, advocacy, and choosing joy in the face of fear. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org   🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship KEY POINTS:  - [3:31] Discovering the lump by accident while at home - [8:25] Going through a biopsy alone and getting the diagnosis - [11:07] The whirlwind of appointments, genetic testing, and facing reality - [13:49] Losing her job, navigating COBRA, and the financial strain of treatment - [15:20] Moving back to Texas for family support - [16:29] Surgery decisions: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy - [19:08] Facing the choice of chemotherapy vs. radiation - [22:57] Hormone suppression, side effects, and medical menopause at 37 - [29:58] Long-term medications and living with extreme fatigue - [32:21] Learning the statistics for young Black women with breast cancer - [35:34] How her family, friends, and father’s health guidance supported her - [39:37] The hardest part: telling her family and processing alone - [41:22] The power of visibility and young women sharing their journeys online - [43:53] What “survivor” means to Kiara today - [47:54] Kiara’s advice to young Black women under 40 QUOTES: "No one knows your body like you. If you see, feel anything abnormal that you know was not there a couple weeks ago, a month ago, get it checked out. Do not hesitate." – Kiara Prince "This diagnosis didn't break me, it actually built a new version of me." – Kiara Prince "Survivor means to listen to yourself. Listen to that inner voice – to never give up no matter what your diagnosis is, no matter what they're telling you, no matter what they're recommending or suggesting, to always just listen to yourself, to keep going, to keep a positive attitude – because that's the most important thing." – Kiara Prince "Being young doesn't protect you, but awareness does." – Kiara Prince RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Dr. April Spencer, board-certified breast surgeon and author of Treat It, Beat It, Move On, explains why true healing requires more than surgery or chemo. Dr. Spencer challenges women to become the “surgeons” of their own lives by cutting out toxic people, environments, and habits that no longer serve them. She reframes cancer not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to prioritize mental health, rest, faith, boundaries, and whole-body wellness. This conversation is a must-watch for survivors who feel stuck, exhausted, or pressured to return to “normal” after treatment. Healing is about becoming a better version of yourself and moving forward with intention. RESOURCES Dr. April Spencer Website - draprilspencer.com Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen welcomes Dr. April Spencer, nationally recognized breast surgeon, author, and advocate known as the “praying surgeon.”  With over 20 years of experience in breast oncology, Dr. Spencer blends medical expertise with faith, helping women not only treat breast cancer but also beat it and ultimately move on. She shares the philosophy behind her book Treat It, Beat It & Move On, the importance of prioritizing “best health” beyond breast health, and why survivorship is about reclaiming purpose and power. From addressing the Black breast cancer crisis to the role of faith, rest, and lifestyle changes, Dr. Spencer reminds us that healing is not just physical…it’s actually a mix of spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects, too. Don’t miss this! Tune in and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to treat it, beat it, and move on.  ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  KEY POINTS  - [00:00] Introduction - [2:59] Dr. April Spencer’s 22-year journey as a breast cancer surgeon and her passion for women’s health. - [3:32] Why she embraces being called the “praying surgeon” and the role of faith in healing. - [5:07] The inspiration behind her book, Treat It, Beat It & Move On. - [7:23] Redefining survivorship through mental, physical, spiritual, and financial “best health.” - [8:50] Why self-care and rest are vital for survival. - [9:56] Reframing diagnosis: “You may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have you.” - [12:03] The danger of rejecting full treatment plans. - [13:51] The Black breast cancer crisis with higher mortality rates - [17:01] Why genetic testing matters for young women and high-risk patients. - [21:13] Stronger than ever: Moving forward after treatment. QUOTES  “Treat It, Beat It & Move On is a book that I launched in October of last year, and it was many years in the making. ... I wanted to inspire women to be the surgeons in their life, like the sole surgeon in their life, and cut out anything or anyone that wasn't adding value.” – Dr. April Spencer “You can't take care of anyone if you are not your mental, physical, spiritual, and financial best self.” – Dr. April Spencer “My practice philosophy is led by faith but rooted in facts. What's your diagnosis? What's the treatment strategy? We're not going to deviate from the plan…” – Dr. April Spencer “Healing isn't just about your body. It's believing that you can treat it, beat it, and move on.” – Dr. April Spencer RESOURCES Dr. April Spencer Website - draprilspencer.com Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

When a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer, the fear and overwhelm can be paralyzing. In this segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Dr. Nina Tamarisa, breast surgical oncologist at MD Anderson, breaks down exactly how she helps patients quiet the noise, understand their diagnosis, and make informed decisions about treatment. Dr. Tamarisa shares the key questions every woman should ask her surgeon, why referrals to fertility specialists, plastic surgeons, and integrative medicine matter, and the alarming rise of breast cancer in younger Black women. ✨ A must-watch for anyone navigating a new diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or learning how to advocate for your breast health. RESOURCES:  Dr. Nina Tamirisa Website - mdanderson.org/profiles/nina_tamirisa  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen sits down with Dr. Nina Tamirisa, breast surgical oncologist and associate professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Known for her patient-first philosophy, Dr. Tamirisa breaks down what every woman should know about breast surgery, treatment options, and advocating for yourself. From lumpectomy vs. mastectomy to breast reconstruction, shared decision-making, fertility concerns, and the rise of breast cancer in younger Black women, Dr. Tamirisa offers practical, compassionate insight that could save lives. She explains why listening matters as much as treatment, how lifestyle factors like age and density influence care, and what questions women should be asking their doctors. This conversation is a must for survivors, caregivers, and women who want to understand their choices, reduce fear, and approach their treatment care with confidence. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org KEY POINTS: - [0:00] Introduction - [6:19] Meet Dr. Nina Tamirisa, breast surgical oncologist at MD Anderson - [7:46] The role of breast surgical oncologists vs. medical oncologists - [8:03] Why listening to patients is central to care - [9:07] Lumpectomy vs. mastectomy - [11:02] Options for women with large tumors and reconstruction choices - [14:01] Building trust with patients in moments of fear - [16:06] Questions every woman should ask her surgeon - [17:18] How age, fertility, and lifestyle affect treatment planning - [18:52] The rise of breast cancer in young Black women - [20:11] Treating women with multiple cancers in different breasts - [20:52] “Their outcome is my outcome” – Dr. Tamirisa’s philosophy - [22:22] Challenges after surgery, including lymphedema and healing - [35:34] Dr. Tamirisa’s vision for patient care and reducing disparities QUOTES: “What we're offering to you for treatment is really tailored treatment, so we're taking into account that these are the important things in your life, but we also want to offer the best in the oncologic care.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa “Part of what drew me to surgery, I think, is that I really, really care about my patients. And I think when you make an incision, you kind of own all the things that come with that, so it ties you to that patient forever.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa “I always try to ask what's important to you, what matters to you, and then we were going to do our best to do whatever we can to treat this and make sure it doesn't come back.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa RESOURCES: Dr. Nina Tamirisa Website - mdanderson.org/profiles/nina_tamirisa  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

On today’s episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen sits down with Dee Manuel Cloud, a two-time breast cancer survivor, recovery strategist, and unapologetic truth-teller. Diagnosed first at 35 (and again at 38), Dee shares how stress, suppressed emotions, and “suffering in silence” shaped her journey as well as how she transformed her pain into purpose. From leaving an unhappy marriage, to walking away from a high-stress job, to embracing her truth as a member of the LGBTQ community, Dee opens up about the life changes that helped her not only survive but thrive. Now 17 years in remission, Dee calls herself a breast cancer recovery strategist and equips women to prioritize their health, reduce stress, set boundaries, and live authentically. She also speaks powerfully about why Black women must advocate for themselves, how stress and systemic inequities impact survivorship, and why living boldly is the only way forward. Tune in as this episode is a masterclass in resilience, advocacy, and authenticity. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship! KEY POINTS:  - [0:00] Introduction  - [3:20] Dee’s first breast cancer diagnosis at 35 - [6:43] A second diagnosis at 38 and the wake-up call about stress - [8:42] Treatment decisions: from lumpectomy to mastectomy - [12:05] Alopecia, wigs, and navigating hair loss with humor - [15:15] What she wishes she had done differently the first time - [16:14] The cost of silence and suppressed emotions - [17:30] Divorce, career changes, and coming out authentically - [19:52] Survivorship is more than ringing the bell… - [20:58] Becoming a “breast cancer recovery strategist” - [26:50] Why the Strong Black Woman narrative is dangerous - [30:51] What to say to young women newly diagnosed  - [39:29] Finding joy and purpose in helping women reduce stress QUOTES: "It's easier to live a healthy lifestyle than it is to manage sickness." – Dee Manuel Cloud "Quality of life is just as important as quantity of life." – Dee Manuel Cloud "Some gifts come wrapped in sandpaper, right? That's what breast cancer was for me… It taught me authenticity. It taught me vulnerability. It taught me to not live in fear and to go after the life I want instead of the life I thought I was supposed to want." – Dee Manuel Cloud "We don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the system of our strategies." – Dee Manuel Cloud RESOURCES:  Dee Manuel Cloud  Website - https://www.deemanuelcloud.com/  Website - https://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/  IG -  https://www.instagram.com/sistersnetwork/ 

In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, two-time breast cancer survivor Dee Manuel Cloud breaks down the truth about survivorship and why it doesn’t end when you ring the bell. She explains how stress weakens the immune system, why Black women face higher mortality rates, and how the “Strong Black Woman” narrative leads to burnout, suppressed emotions, and poor health outcomes. Dee shares the strategies that helped her stay in remission — from morning routines to accountability partners — and why boundaries, self-advocacy, and saying no are lifesaving tools for Black women. ✨ A must-watch for anyone navigating stress, survivorship, or high-pressure environments. Presented by Sisters Network Inc. RESOURCES:  Dee Manuel Cloud  Website - deemanuelcloud.com Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

When doctors dismiss your symptoms, it can cost you everything. In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, award-winning journalist and two-time breast cancer survivor Athena Jones shares why Black women must challenge their doctors, push for screening, and ask for proof — not reassurance. She explains how insisting on answers saved a 31-year-old woman’s life, why bringing someone with you to appointments matters, and how sisterhood through Sisters Network Inc. offers life-saving support. ✨ This clip is a must-watch for any woman who’s ever felt dismissed in a doctor’s office. Self-advocacy saves lives. RESOURCES:  Athena Jones IG - @iamathenajones Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

On today's episode, award-winning journalist and former CNN correspondent Athena Jones opens up about her journey as a two-time breast cancer survivor.  Athena shares how early detection, resilience, and advocacy shaped her fight for breast cancer. She discusses the disparities affecting Black women, the urgent need for research and policy change, and her forthcoming documentary, Sisters Keepers, which exposes the racial inequities in breast cancer care. She also highlights some of the survival and systemic barriers, as well as the hope that technology and community can bring.  Here’s the real deal: we don’t just need awareness — we need action. Tune in!  ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  KEY POINTS:  - [00:00] Introduction - [2:59] Athena’s first diagnosis at age 36 - [5:01] On choosing double mastectomy & reconstruction treatment - [6:47] Diagnosed again at 39: Chemo, radiation, and another fight for survival. - [7:50] Athena continues being a White House reporter (while undergoing chemotherapy). - [11:22] How therapy and a support system helped Athena - [12:51] Launching Sisters Keepers documentary - [17:44] Breast cancer risk models rely on white populations, excluding women of color. - [22:13] The gap and crisis in Black Women’s Health - [32:53] Hope in AI Technology: New tool “Mirai” - [39:58] Embracing the journey as a journalist to advocate QUOTES:  “I did a double mastectomy. I was 36 years old… I had no family history I was aware of. This is why it wasn't on my radar.” – Athena Jones “My breast cancer wasn't hereditary. It was something else. But no one can give me a straight answer as to what caused it, which is so true in so many cases.” – Athena Jones “I chose to keep working. I'm a journalist. I had a kind of high-powered job, and I was obsessed with continuing to advance in my career, and I didn't want to pause for this pesky but deadly, potentially health problem.” –  Athena Jones RESOURCES:  Athena Jones IG - @iamathenajones Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

Black breast cancer survivors carry invisible grief - the loss of hair, fertility, mobility, relationships, and life before diagnosis. In this powerful 5-minute segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Dr. John Onwuchekwa reframes grief as a language, not a journey. He explains why joy and sadness can coexist, why “getting over it” is the wrong expectation, and how learning to speak grief brings healing, peace, and connection. ✨ Watch this if you’ve ever felt unseen in your pain. Grief doesn’t end, we just become fluent in it. RESOURCES John Onwuchekwa  Website | johno.co IG | @jawn_o Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

Grief is more than death. Sometimes, it’s seen in the silent ache of lost selves, broken bonds, changing bodies, and futures that never arrived. In this conversation, Dr. John Onwuchekwa helps us reframe grief not as a journey with an end, but as a language we must learn to speak. As an Atlanta-based pastor, author, and entrepreneur, John shares why grief so often feels isolating, how every grief story is also a love story, and how community and safe spaces can transform sorrow into healing. He tells us that, “It's more helpful for us to think of grief not as a journey, but a language. And the goal of a language is not to finish, it's to become fluent.”  Tune in to hear a perspective on grief that will leave you feeling seen, understood, and better equipped to navigate loss. KEY POINTS - [2:01] What is ambiguous grief? - [3:47] The hardest part isn’t the loss itself. - [6:35] How joy and sadness can coexist. - [8:44] Grief is not a journey; it’s a language. - [11:22] Why grief needs safe spaces and connection. - [14:13] Every grief story is a love story. - [16:53] Ways to help survivors process and move forward. - [18:23] How to support someone grieving. - [29:16] There’s no right or wrong way to handle grief. QUOTES “The biggest problem is not the loss, it is the loneliness that comes after that loss.” – John Onwuchekwa “Grief starts, but it does not have an end. And so if we continue to think about grief as a journey and talk through it like that, then what we do is we tend to send folks in search of light at the end of a closed tunnel.” – John Onwuchekwa “The more ambiguous the loss, the more tangible the comfort needs to be. So, the more ambiguous the loss, the more we need to work to create some type of ritual or place or something that people can tangibly come back to…”  – John Onwuchekwa RESOURCES John Onwuchekwa  Website | johno.co IG | @jawn_o Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

When Love & Marriage: Huntsville star Kimberlee Scott faced triple negative breast cancer, she leaned on faith, family, and a village of support to get through. In this powerful clip from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kimberlee opens up about the unexpected blessings that carried her through treatment — from her husband’s unwavering love to friends who showed up on her hardest days. She also shares how fans, strangers, and even social media played a role in her healing, and why she’s now using her platform to support other women walking the same journey. ✨ Watch this if you’ve ever felt alone in your fight — Kimberlee’s story is proof that faith, sisterhood, and community can pull you through anything. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship presented by Sisters Network Inc. RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

On this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen sits down with reality star and breast cancer survivor Kimberlee Scott from Love & Marriage: Huntsville. Known for her transparency and courage, Kimberlee opens up about her 2022 diagnosis with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer that disproportionately impacts Black women. In this emotional and powerful conversation, Kimberlee shares how she first discovered a lump while watching the NBA Finals, the whirlwind journey from diagnosis to treatment, and the role her husband, family, friends, and even her fans played in her survivorship. She also explains why she chose to go public with her story, how she’s using her platform to amplify awareness, and why early detection and self-advocacy are non-negotiable. For women under 40 and for anyone walking this journey: Kimberlee’s story is proof that you are not alone, and survivorship is possible. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  KEY POINTS:  - [0:00] Introduction: - [0:48] Meet Kimberlee Scott of Love & Marriage: Huntsville - [2:25] Discovering a lump at home and getting diagnosed in 2022 - [4:40] Facing triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) - [7:14] Family history and genetic testing results - [9:32] Why Kimberlee chose to share her diagnosis publicly - [12:59] Launching “Bowling for Boobies” and giving back through fundraising - [15:54] The importance of support systems in survivorship - [18:44] Finding strength in faith and navigating treatment with resilience - [22:40] Choosing joy and showing up for life after cancer - [24:27] Proudest moments and giving hope to others through advocacy - [29:36] Encouragement from strangers and the power of small words - [30:28] Kimberlee’s message of faith and hope for every sister QUOTES: "Everything happens for a reason, even if I don't know the reason at the time, everything happens for a reason." – Kimberlee Scott "If I can reach one person and help them. Go get a mammogram. Walk with them. Go with them. Hold their hand. Courage, encourage them. That's my goal." – Kimberlee Scott "Friends raise your spirits. The other caveat I wasn't expecting was fans...the people that reached out to me via fanship were unbelievable." – Kimberlee Scott "We can do it. Life, love, Jesus, just my spirituality gives me hope for everybody, and the fight to keep trying to figure out how we can change the numbers, how we can make this face look different." – Kimberlee Scott RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured 

Why are young Black women being diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates and younger ages? In this eye-opening segment, Dr. Lisa Newman, Chief of Breast Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains the genetic connection between African ancestry and breast cancer risk. Dr. Newman breaks down her groundbreaking research on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), ancestry, and the science of oncologic anthropology — revealing how history, biology, and health inequities intersect. This is essential knowledge for every Black woman, survivor, and caregiver. 🎙️ Watch, learn, and share. Early detection and awareness save lives. RESOURCES: Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Black women, and many sisters are being diagnosed young, late, and even without the care they deserve.  In this powerful episode, world-renowned surgical oncologist Dr. Lisa Newman joins SIS: Sisters In Survivorship to break down the Black breast cancer crisis. Dr. Newman shares decades of research on why Black women face higher risks of aggressive breast cancers like triple negative, how ancestry and genetics play a role, and the urgent need for early detection and self-advocacy. She also opens up about her personal connection to the fight, losing her own sister to triple-negative breast cancer. Every sister deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. This episode is your invitation to join the movement: for better care and better futures. Together, we can stop the silence and start saving lives. Learn more at sistersnetworkinc.org.  KEYPOINTS:  00:00 – Dr. Lisa Newman on the state of Black women and breast cancer today 02:26 – Why triple-negative breast cancer is more common in Black women 05:43 – The role of ancestry, genetics, and environment in breast cancer risk 15:00 – How delayed diagnoses devastate outcomes for young Black women 18:00 – Why early detection and mammograms matter more than ever 20:00 – “Stop the Silence”: the Sisters Network's mission to break stigma 25:00 – Dr. Newman’s personal story of losing her sister to breast cancer 31:31 – The promise of research, AI, and representation in medicine 35:45 – A message of hope and action for every Black woman QUOTES:  “Triple negative breast cancers are twice as common in African-American women… regardless of the age or the stage at diagnosis.” –  Dr. Lisa Newman “Losing my sister to triple-negative breast cancer has made every patient I meet mean that much more to me. That’s why we have to continue this battle.” –  Dr. Lisa Newman “When we look at the data regarding disparities, we can’t just think of them as mysteries. These patterns have been ignored for decades. We cannot ignore them any longer.” –  Dr. Lisa Newman Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured