SIS: Sisters in Survivorship

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 t...

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 o...

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...

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 Tamirisa, 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. Tamirisa shares the key questions every woman should ask...

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 reconstructio...

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 m...

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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 share...

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 thi...

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 oncolo...

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 aggre...

What happens when a diagnosis feels like a death sentence? For Karen Eubanks Jackson, it became the beginning of a movement. In this powerful segment of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Karen shares how she survived breast cancer four times, how she could sense cancer in her body even when tests came back clear, and why early detection is so critical for Black women. She also reveals the moment she r...

The premiere of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship begins with the story that started it all. Host Caleen Allen sits down with her mother, Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder and CEO of Sisters Network, Inc., a four-time breast cancer survivor, and the woman widely known as the pioneer of the Black breast cancer movement. In this intimate mother-daughter conversation, Karen shares her journey from a stage tw...

Welcome to SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, a new podcast brought to you by Sisters Network Inc., the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in America. This show is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black women in navigating breast cancer – especially in educating all women on how to advocate for their breast health. In every episode, host Caleen Allen (Vice Presi...

Welcome to SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, a new podcast brought to you by Sisters Network Inc., the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in America. This show is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black women in navigating breast cancer – especially in educating all women on how to advocate for their breast health. In every episode, host Caleen Allen (Vice Presi...