Breastcancer.org Podcast

In the THRIVE trial, sexual side effects caused by hormonal therapy led to lower mental quality of life in both Black and white women, but caused lower physical quality of life only in Black women. Sexual side effects were also linked to Black women being less likely to take hormonal therapy as prescribed, but not white women. Dr. Janeane Anderson, who analyzed the THRIVE data, explains why it’s s...

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at any age is frightening and unexpected. But if you’re diagnosed in your 20s – before any type of screening starts – you face different challenges than if you’re diagnosed later in life. LaShae Rolle, who studies cancer disparities, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 at age 26. When she found a lump in her breast she wasn’t concerned because no one in her...

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer; only about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are inflammatory. This type of breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in younger women and has very different symptoms than other types of breast cancer; it can be mistaken for an infection. Dr. Filipa Lynce, director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Cen...

A breast cancer diagnosis is a trauma, both physically and emotionally. You may find yourself wondering why no one is calling you one day and wishing you could just be left alone the next. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags. Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss: navigating through both fear and ho...

A number of breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and some targeted therapy medicines, like Herceptin (trastuzumab), can cause oral side effects, including mouth sores, dry mouth and infections. Dr. Sollecito explains why these side effects happen and how they’re treated. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sollecito explain: why it’s a good idea to see a dentist before starting chemother...

While preparing for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Erica Neubert Campbell was understandably scared and anxious. She also had no idea what her reconstructed breasts would look like. Then a colleague shared that she had been through the same experience and showed Campbell her results. The information gave Campbell hope and strength, and she hopes to offer the same to other women with her...

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its screening mammogram recommendations. Having a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast doesn’t lower the risk of dying from the disease. Certain types of exercise can reduce the risk of metastatic recurrence and neuropathy caused by chemotherapy.  What does all this mean? Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Boar...

Certain breast cancer treatments, including the aromatase inhibitors – medicines that stop the body from making estrogen – and certain chemotherapy medicines can compromise bone health and lead to osteoporosis. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Shahane explain: the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia osteoporosis risk factors how osteoporosis is diagnosed osteoporosis treatments

Carly Fauth was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024. Scheduled to start chemotherapy in May, Carly decided to start a podcast called Chemo Coffee Talk, which she records from her chemo chair during her twice-monthly infusions at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. Listen to the episode to hear Carly discuss: how recording the podcast takes her mind off chemotherapy how she selects her...

Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, but the two are very different. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Dr. Joe Straton. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Straton discuss: the issues palliative care addresses the difference between palliative care and hospice care the appropriate time to request palliative care insurance cove...

In late 2019, Meredith’s routine mammogram showed an area of concern. Both her doctor and AI – an artificial intelligence program -- read her mammogram. Her doctor looked at the images and knew she had cancer, while the AI reading wasn’t so clear. Listen to the episode to hear Meredith explain: how AI is taught to read and interpret a mammogram the factors a doctor considers when making a diagnosi...

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) in June, an entire poster session was dedicated to treatment-related side effects. Listen to the episode to hear: Dr. Miriam Klahr discuss links between high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy :42-2:20 Dr. Ana Ferrigno Guajardo explain her study on sexual function in young Mexican women...

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Fumiko Chino, MD, presented the results of research she conducted with Breastcancer.org on how doctors’ communication skills affected how well breast cancer patients stuck to their treatment plants. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Chino explain: why she wanted to do the study the results how to have good conversations with y...

The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified medical oncologist at the Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Paramus, NJ, summarizes the top breast cancer research. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain: the DESTINY- Breast...

Black women have a higher risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer at a young age than white women. At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Holly Pederson, of the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Elisha Hughes, of Myriad Genetics, presented their research on how a polygenic risk score can help predict the risk of early-onset triple-negative breast cancer in Bl...

At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Brooklyn Olumba was part of ASCO Voices, a program that gives people in the oncology a community an opportunity to tell their stories. Her talk was entitled “Genetic Testing Saved My Life.” Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Olumba explain: how she came to have genetic testing at age 25 when she started breast cancer scree...

There are many reasons women don’t get annual mammograms, including the distance to a mammogram facility, lack of transportation, or not having a primary care doctor.  Licensed, certified genetic counselor Rena Vanzo wants to overcome those barriers. She’s started The Boob Bus, a mobile mammography bus that also offers genetic testing and cosmetic procedures, to make getting a mammogram feel more...

Pain is a common side effect of breast cancer. The cancer itself may cause pain and nearly all breast cancer treatments may cause some type of pain. If breast cancer is metastatic – meaning it’s spread to parts of the body away from the breast, such as the bones or liver – it may cause pain in those areas. There are many medicines that can ease cancer pain. Opioids are narcotic drugs that are comm...

If early-stage breast cancer has a high risk of recurrence – coming back after treatment – nearly all doctors recommend radiation after mastectomy. But when a woman wants to have reconstruction, the timing of radiation after surgery is tricky because radiation can cause changes in the reconstructed breast’s appearance and up the risk of complications, such as delayed healing. So many women have a...

That being diagnosed with breast cancer is stressful is an understatement. It may be difficult to accept the diagnosis. You may feel overwhelmed by making so many decisions at once: Which doctor should you see? Which treatments should you have? Where should you have treatment? You may have concerns about how you’re going to keep up with your responsibilities at home and at work. At the 2024 Living...

After a breast cancer diagnosis, many people want to eat more healthfully. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Hillary Sachs. Listen to the podcast to hear Hillary discuss: how sugar and protein affect cancer cells foods and supplements that can help ease fatigue alcohol and cancer soy and breast cancer

Living with metastatic breast cancer can bring many changes, including to what you find important. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags. Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss: how to live in the “right now” acknowledging and accepting feelings, but not justifying them the importance of being true to...

Many people struggle with being intimate during and after breast cancer treatment. Surgery can change the way you look and feel about yourself, as well as change the sensations your breasts feel. Hormonal therapy can lower your libido and make sex painful. You may be afraid that having your breasts or other areas touched will be painful. And you may be fatigued and feeling exhausted. Talking to yo...

At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2023 Congress, Dr. DeMichele presented results from the CLEVER study, which looked at ways to treat inactive breast cancer cells that remained in people who were previously treated for breast cancer. The results suggest that it might be possible to find and treat these inactive breast cancer cells, which could help prevent breast cancer recurrence (the...

Tai chi is described as meditation in motion. But what does that mean, exactly?  Listen to the podcast to hear Judith explain: what tai chi is and its history what a typical tai chi class consists of the benefits tai chi offers people with breast cancer