Breastcancer.org Podcast

Oligometastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that’s spread to parts of the body away from the breast, like the bones or liver, but there are only a few small cancer lesions at the metastatic site. Dr. Jennifer Plichta, of Duke University, was the corresponding author of a paper looking at treatments for oligometastatic breast cancer, including surgery to remove the primary tumor in the breast an...

At the Living Beyond Breast Cancer 2026 Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer, five members of the Breastcancer.org metastatic virtual support groups shared what they’d tell someone who’s just been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. They talked to us about the importance of having hope allowing yourself to grieve, seeking out support, and knowing that you’re never alone.

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting poster session, we asked four scientists to discuss their research. Listen to the episode to hear: Peter Stanfield, of the University of Wisconsin, explains his research on cancer screening rates in transgender and gender-diverse people. Nico Gotera, of the University of Texas Health Science Center, explains research on GLP-1 medicin...

Felicia Marie Knaul, PhD, is a global health researcher whose work focuses on strengthening health systems, advancing gender equity, and improving access to care for those who need it most. She’s also lived through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and that experience informs her efforts to transform health systems around the world. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Knaul discuss: her exper...

Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, is the head of breast and gynecologic medical oncology and Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Paramus, New Jersey, as well as an ASCO breast cancer expert. She explained the most compelling research results on breast cancer presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain: the impo...

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, director of the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, presented early results from the Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) study. The findings showed that among women with early-stage breast cancer, losing weight led to better physical and mental...

Results from the OPTIMA trial suggest that people with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that seems to have a high risk of recurrence based on clinical features — like a high number of positive lymph nodes — may be able to safely skip chemotherapy if they have a low Prosigna risk of recurrence score. The findings were presented at the 2026 American Society of Clini...

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Megan-Claire Chase, known as Warrior Megsie on social media, was one of the speakers at the ASCO Voices session. In her talk, she explained how her views on clinical trials shifted after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Megsie explain: some of the reasons why the Black community distrusts th...

Dr. Michael Stubblefield is a cancer rehabilitation expert and Dr. Joseph Dayan is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has pioneered techniques to ease lymphedema with surgery. They’re both very interested in how the GLP-1 medicines, like Ozempic, Wegovey, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Victoza, and Trulicity — just to name a few — could be used to manage lymphedema. Listen to the episode to hear Drs. S...

Dr. Dipali Sharma and her team published two papers that found links between bacteria, including F. nucleatum, the bacterium that causes periodontal disease, and the development of breast cancer. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sharma explain: her work to figure out how bacteria travel from the gut or mouth to the breast the changes the bacteria cause in breast cells why breast cells with BRCA1...

Dr. Brock Hewitt is a surgeon who specializes in treating cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in the liver and other internal organs. One of the techniques he uses is histotripsy. He’s published a number of papers on the procedure and its effectiveness. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Hewitt explain: how histotripsy works and why it’s only used to treat liver tumors how doctors decide if histotri...

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 charact...

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...

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...

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. L...

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 go...

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...

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 e...

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 m...

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 mi...

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...

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. Co...

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,...

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...

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