Real Pink

Navigating a breast cancer journey can cause feelings of confusion and fear, all of which are normal. There are healthy ways to cope with the stress caused by these fears, such as mindfulness meditation, support groups or finding a creative outlet. Today’s guest has been through quite a journey over the past decade. Having undergone numerous brain surgeries as a result of her breast cancer metasta...

Losing your hair is hard. As with breast surgery, it affects a part of your body often tied to your identity. This can become even more of a challenge when you have young children who have a strong emotional response to a parent's breast cancer diagnosis. Today's guest was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, with three young girls at home. Here today to talk about the emotional impact o...

Breast density is a measure used to describe the proportion of the different tissues that make up a woman's breasts. It compares the area of the breast and connective tissues seen on a mammogram to the area of fat. Women with dense breasts are four to five times more likely to get breast cancer than women with fatty breasts, but it is also not uncommon to get called back for additional screenings...

Today, we're speaking with Dr. Neil Vasan, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology at Columbia University Medial Center. Dr. Vasan is a physician scientist who studies how proteins function in breast cancer cell signaling and how treatments impact breast cancer cell signaling, which is the communication within a cell. His research has been published in...

Everyone can make a difference in the life of someone living with this disease by urging elected officials in Washington DC to pass pending legislation that would directly help this community. Today, we're going to be talking about advocacy and why it's so important to alleviate patient burden through robust public policies that recognize both the financial toxicity of treating breast cancer and t...

Everyone can make a difference in the life of someone living with the disease by donating to breakthrough research. Thousands of families lives will be changed forever by an NBC diagnosis this year. Sadly, 44,000 lives are at risk this year. And the five-year relative survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is only 27%. The Susan G Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer Collaborative Research Initiativ...

Everyone can make a difference in the life of someone living with the disease by donating to breakthrough research. Living with metastatic breast cancer is overwhelming. There's a lot of information to process, emotions to deal with, and a constant balancing act between the reality of dealing with your disease and trying to stay present and live your best life. Although metastatic breast cancer ca...

Everyone can make a difference in the life of someone living with the disease by donating to breakthrough research. Enduring the ongoing treatments necessary when living with metastatic breast cancer can have far reaching physical side effects, including muscle and joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and nausea. Often things you take for granted, such as walking or even standing can b...

People who have their own personal experience with breast cancer often look for ways to give back, to pass on the support that they received during their journey. Today's guest was diagnosed with stage three, triple negative breast cancer at age 30, and is now passionate about being an inspiration to others that are diagnosed. Here to share her story and the ways she is supporting others is Kristi...

The bones are the most common sites of breast cancer metastases, which can damage your bones. This is an issue that effects over 70% of people living with metastatic breast cancer. Fortunately, there are medications that can strengthen and protect your bones, which can reduce this damage. Here today to share her breast cancer journey and how she protects her bones while living with bone metastases...

Special Guest: Sarah Sanders.

Losing your hair is a hard and often emotional part of a breast cancer journey. As with breast surgery, it affects a part of your body often tied to your identity. Today’s guest has an incredibly uplifting perspective as it relates to losing her hair during chemo and she is here today to share how to not only prepare for this side effect, but to embrace it with courage and grace and to allow yours...

Many of us grew up with the philosophy that the relationship between a patient and healthcare provider was very straight forward. The patient presented symptoms, the doctor made a diagnosis and recommended treatment and the patient underwent that treatment. Medicine is changing and patients are beginning to take a more active role in their healthcare, understanding risks and benefits, and choosing...

Sex and intimacy can be difficult for many women after a breast cancer diagnosis. You may feel your body has betrayed you. And, after treatment, you may feel detached or disconnected from the pleasure your body once gave you. Body image issues may also affect how you view your sexuality and some side effects of breast cancer treatment can impact your sex life. Here today to discuss her breast canc...

A breast cancer diagnosis isn’t easy. It’s difficult for the person diagnosed and for the loved ones of that person. Often significant support is needed, but difficult to accept. My guest on the show today is Kelly Wright. Kelly has had cancer twice, but through the support of her family, and broader community is still here with an upbeat personality and a spirit of that just won’t quit. Kelly was...

From Susan G Komen, this is Real Pink, a podcast exploring real stories, struggles, and triumphs related to breast cancer. We’re taking the conversation from the doctor’s office to your living room. Having a family member or friend with metastatic breast cancer is challenging. For people who love and care for the person with the metastatic breast cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say and...

Support for the Real Pink podcast comes from Pfizer's Get It Done initiative. Cancer screenings and follow-up appointments had decreased significantly due to COVID-19, which is why Pfizer created Get It Done, which aims to empower cancer survivors to speak with their doctors and keep their cancer screenings and follow-up appointments by providing resources to help start conversations and prepare f...

Sixteen-year-old Isabel Rosario is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, and that it affects men, too. Her grandfather, Leandro Montalvo, was diagnosed in 2019, and it came as a shock to their family. Since Leandro’s diagnosis, Isabel has worked to educate and create awareness around breast cancer in men. She has been a Girl Scout for 11 years and her Gold Award, the highest recognit...