Advertise on podcast: Breastcancer.org Podcast

In Caitlin Shetterly’s latest novel, the main character has been diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Six months after sending in her draft, Shetterly was diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Breast cancer had broken the fourth wall between Shetterly, her characters, and her readers. Listen to the episode to hear Caitlin explain: how she came up with the idea of her character Alice being diagnosed with breast cancer why she thought Alice would be the only person who could understand what she was going through how breast cancer changed her as a person and as a writer

For some people a breast cancer diagnosis can bring on a rush of feelings: grief, anxiety, fear, hope, resentment, and anger. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags. Listen to the episode to hear Kelly explain: why some people might feel more anxious after treatment is completed why feelings about a cancer diagnosis can be a form of grief how to make space for both/and instead of either/or how to move forward when you have ongoing oncology appointments

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that run to your hands, feet, arms, and legs. Neuropathy can cause burning pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the areas that are affected. Chemotherapy, especially medicines called taxanes – Taxol, Taxotere, and Abraxane – are common causes of neuropathy in people receiving breast cancer treatment. While there are treatments that may help ease the symptoms of neuropathy, there is nothing available that can repair the damaged nerves. So studies are looking at ways to prevent neuropathy in the first place. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, head of breast and gynecological medical oncology at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care in Paramus, New Jersey, is the principal investigator at her institution of the ICE COMPRESS study, which is looking at cooling mitts and socks and compression to prevent neuropathy during chemotherapy. The study is being done at more than 20 sites across the United States. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain: risk factors for neuropathy the rationale for the ICE COMPRESS study her advice to people who want to try icing and compression on their own during chemotherapy

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 is a protein that helps cancers grow by supporting the formation of new blood vessels, stopping cancer cells from dying, and weakening immune cells that should recognize and attack cancer cells. Dr. Nancy Klauber-DeMore is developing an antibody that blocks this protein. Early research suggests the antibody may halt the growth of triple-negative breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Klauber-DeMore explain: what secreted frizzled-related protein 2 does and why she thought blocking it might help treat breast cancer why she’s focusing her work on triple-negative breast cancer the next steps for the antibody she and her team have developed

Twenty years ago, seven people diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer received a cancer vaccine as part of a clinical trial. Today, they’re all still alive. This prompted Zachary Hartman to study the immune systems of the people in the trial to see what was happening. He found that the women had immune cells that continue to recognize the cancer and keep it under control. Now his goal is to make that vaccine even more effective and make it work on other types of breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hartman explain: how the original study was done how he’s working to make the vaccine even more effective how the vaccine might be modified to work on hormone receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer

This bonus episode is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar. There are steps you can take to help prevent treatment-related hair loss, promote hair regrowth, and find confidence again. In this Breastcancer.org webinar, learn how different treatment types affect hair, preventing or reducing hair loss, what to expect for regrowth, tips for coping, and advice for finding and wearing a wig that's right for you. Listen to the webinar to get expert advice from the panelists, including:  Marisa C. Weiss, MD Chief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org  Mario E. Lacouture, MDDirector, Oncodermatology Program, Research Director, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Alicia GiglioChief Experience Officer, Wigs.com Breast cancer advocate, Tirzah Cooper has bravely shared her experience of hair loss. Watch her story and hear about the impact it had on her self-esteem and daily life.

The changes to federal- and state-run health insurance programs can be confusing, especially since some of the changes haven’t been implemented yet and others are being challenged in court. How will these changes affect people with metastatic breast cancer?  This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Support Group featuring guest moderator Joanna Doran. Listen to the episode to hear Joanna explain: what short-term health insurance plans are and what they may not cover what Medigap plans are and how they’re purchased Medicaid work requirements and required documentation differences between Medicare parts A, B, C, and D

This bonus episode is the audio of Breastcancer.org webinar. Exercise could change your life — at any age. Physical activity can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, and it may lower the risk of the cancer coming back if you've been diagnosed. Exercise also has many benefits for people living with metastatic breast cancer. While evidence shows there are many ways exercise can boost your mental and physical health, we know it isn't always easy to do. This webinar will help inform and motivate you to get moving. Patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers can watch this webinar to: Understand how much exercise you really need to get the benefits of working out Learn what types of exercise are safe and recommended Hear the latest guidelines on lymphedema and exercise Discover simple ways to begin or return to physical activity Hear answers to common exercise concerns Get tips on equipment, sneakers, and low cost exercise resources You can also try a free guided workout led by a certified cancer trainer at the end of the webinar. Learn more about exercise and breast cancer, and try our series of workout videos. Featured Speakers: Sami Mansfield Founder, Cancer Wellness for Life Thank you to AstraZeneca for making this program possible.

Bone and joint pain are some of the most common side effects of aromatase inhibitors, medicines for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The official name for this is aromatase inhibitor associated — or sometimes induced — musculoskeletal syndrome, also called AIMSS. Many people report pain in the knees, ankles, and hips while taking an aromatase inhibitor, but the hands and the wrists also might be affected. Hand expert Dr. David Bozentka discusses how AIMSS can affect the wrists and hands, including symptoms such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and tendonitis. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bozentka explain: the theories why aromatase inhibitors cause joint and bone pain, or AIMSS how to decrease the risk of AIMSS how carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and tendonitis are treated

This bonus episode is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar. Follow-up care after breast cancer is essential. Getting good follow-up care can make a big difference in your long-term health and quality of life. In this Breastcancer.org webinar, you’ll find out how often you should see your oncologist after your treatment ends and get other practical advice from our expert panelists and patient advocates. Watch the webinar to get expert advice from the panelists, including:  Marisa C. Weiss, MDChief Medical Officer and Founder, Breastcancer.org Hoda Badr, PhDProfessor, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine Fumiko Chino, MDRadiation Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Evelyn Robles-Rodríguez, DNP, APN, AOCNDirector of Outreach, Prevention, and Survivorship, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Erin Roesch, MDBreast Medical Oncologist, Cleveland Clinic Megan-Claire ChaseBreast Cancer Program Director, SHARE Cancer SupportPatient Advocate Amanda HelmsPatient Advocate Kate RosenblumPatient Advocate Loriana Hernandez-AldamaTwo-Time Cancer Survivor, Award-winning Journalist, Author

The CHALLENGE trial found that a three-year, structured exercise program after chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer reduced the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence risk) and also led to people living longer overall. Dr. Kerry Courneya, the lead researcher, thinks the results can be applied to people with other types of cancer, including breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Courneya explain: why the study asked people to exercise for three years why he thinks the results may spur insurance companies to cover exercise-related costs, like equipment and gym memberships the reasons why the results also could apply to people diagnosed with breast cancer

This podcast is the audio from a Breastcancer.org ⁠webinar⁠. Many people struggle with intimacy during and after breast cancer treatment, but not everyone knows what to expect or how to manage these issues. Watch this webinar to learn about the physical and emotional challenges, and suggestions to improve sexual health. The featured speakers are Marisa Weiss, MD, Jennifer Barsky Reese, PhD, FSBM, and Kristin Emilia Rojas, MD, FACS. The topics they discuss include: Vaginal dryness and irritation Intimacy while in treatment Decreased desire Pain during sex Decreased breast sensation Fatigue Emotional challenges and self-confidence The impact on relationships with partners In the webinar you will also hear about the importance of discussing sexual health with healthcare providers, different methods and treatments to improve sexual health after breast cancer, the role of counseling and communication in dealing with these issues, and how exercise and lifestyle changes can help. Learn more about sexual health and breast cancer.

This podcast is the audio from a Breastcancer.org webinar. In this candid conversation, Marisa Weiss, MD, Michele Ley, MD, FACS, Pamela Munster, MD, and Rachel Swart, MD, PhD share what they each experienced when they went from the role of healthcare provider to patient. Despite their medical training, many years of helping patients, and deep knowledge about breast cancer, they too felt their life come to a screeching halt when they were diagnosed. They spoke honestly about how they managed treatment decisions, returning to work, how the experience changed their interactions with their own patients, what everyone can learn about advocating for yourself, and much more. Their hope is that by sharing their stories, they can help others coping with the same challenges, and empower everyone affected by breast cancer. Featured speakers: Marisa Weiss, MDChief Medical Officer, Breastcancer.org Michele Ley, MD, FACSBoard-Certified Breast Surgical Oncologist and Founder, Tucson Breast Health Specialists Pamela Munster, MDDirector, Early Phase Clinical Trials Unit, Co-leader of the Center for BRCA Research, and Co-Leader, Molecular Oncology Program, University of California San Francisco Rachel Swart, MD, PhDMedical Oncology and Hematology, Arizona Oncology

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Ian Tattersall, an oncodermatologist, was part of a panel focusing on body image, hair loss, and skin health after breast cancer treatment. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Tattersall explain: some of the most common skin issues who is a highest risk for skin issues his advice for people who are experiencing skin issues

The 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured four days filled with new research findings, poster presentations, and educational sessions. Marisa Weiss, MD, founder and chief medical officer of Breastcancer.org, offers her take on the top results. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Weiss explain: how giredestrant, a new oral SERD for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, may change practice a new use for Tukysa (chemical name: tucatinib) in metastatic HER2-positive disease the lifestyle factors that can affect breast cancer risk and steps people can take to keep their risk as low as possible