Real Pink Podcast Episodes

This is a promising time in metastatic breast cancer research. Many new treatments for MBC are under study and treatment is improving, allowing families more time with their loved ones. Today’s guest became a breast cancer researcher after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following her late sister’s MBC diagnosis and passing, she has dedicated her career to research that will help to identify women who are at especially high risk of metastatic breast cancer and to identifying lifestyle changes that may improve quality of life for women living with metastatic breast cancer. Here today to share their story in her sister’s memory and how her family history fuels her passion in searching for cures is Komen Scholar Dr. Julie Palmer.

The loss of a partner or spouse is a traumatic event in the moments leading up to the loss are traumatic as well. While family and friends can be strong sources of support for those with breast cancer, support for their loved ones and caregivers is also crucial. Today’s guest lost his wife, Jennifer, to metastatic breast cancer when he was 38 years old. Here today to share their story a decade later and what his healing process has been like in those years since is Angelo Merendino.

Tara Coppedge never imagined that one of her assignments as a reporter would result in forming a deep bond with Rhonda Howell, who had already been living with metastatic breast cancer for two years when they met in 2017. The two women automatically clicked and forged a deep friendship that continued until Rhonda passed away in January of this year. The impact of losing a friend or loved one is profound and often offers life lessons from the experience, such as how to be brave and to never to take any relationships for granted. Tara is here today to share the story of their friendship and how losing Rhonda changed her life and fueled her inspiration to continue making a difference in the breast cancer community.

This is Real Talk, a new content series where we’re going to break down the stigmas and feelings of embarrassment and talk openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be – from diagnosis, to treatment, to living with metastatic breast cancer, to life after treatment ends. Who better to kick off this series than Paula Schneider, the President and CEO of Susan G. Komen, and a 15-year breast cancer survivor. Paula let’s get real about breast cancer. Welcome to the show.

Patient navigators empower and guide patients to overcome barriers during cancer treatment, helping to ensure a seamless, high-quality breast care journey. In this episode, we are going to learn more about Komen’s Patient Navigation Program, which connects patients to resources and support every step of the way. I am excited to be joined by Tamarah Davis and her patient navigator Roselyn White to learn more about how Komen’s Patient Navigation program is improving outcomes for Black patients.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Hispanic and Latina women and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage than non-Hispanic women. This is why it is so important to empower Hispanic and Latina women in the U.S to understand their breast cancer risk and advocate for themselves to take control of their health. Today’s guest grew up in a Hispanic household where breast health was never really spoken about. She lives a healthy lifestyle and undergoes regular wellness appointments, including annual mammograms, so when she learned she had breast cancer, it came as a shock. Here today to tell us her story and how her diagnosis has made her passionate about educating the Hispanic community about breast health and the need for greater representation in research and clinical trials is Domenica Lagunas. Domenica, welcome to the show!

As with any major illness, breast cancer can have effects beyond the person who is diagnosed and the death of a parent can be one of the most significant losses that someone will ever face. This is particularly true for young adults in their twenties, who are still learning to navigate life and fully transition into an independent adult. Loss, grief and mourning affects everyone in different ways and it can be a challenge to learn how to cope and seek support. Today’s guest was thriving in life and working the job of his dreams when he lost his mother to Inflammatory Breast Cancer. He then found himself shutting down from his family, his faith and even himself in the years that followed. He bravely fought his way back and is now honoring his Mom by running marathons and raising money for Susan G. Komen.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for Hispanic and Latina women in the U.S., a fact that has driven today’s guest to become a passionate advocate for health equity in the Latinx community. After her diagnosis in 2018, Idalia Guzman realized that living with MBC was possible and that she could continue to have a productive life while enduring the treatment’s side effects. In fact, she is fortunate enough that she was able to continue with her doctorate degree studies and work full time while raising two teenagers. Idalia is part of Komen’s newly formed MBC Steering Committee, which seeks to ensure the unique needs of the MBC community are integrated across Komen’s programs and initiatives. She also has provided feedback for the development Komen’s MBC Impact Series focused on the Hispanic/Latinx community and participated in Komen’s Race for the Cure in Puerto Rico. Sharing her experience and knowledge with other patients gives her a sense of purpose, so we are thrilled to have her on the show today to share her experience of living life with MBC in the Latinx community. Idalia, welcome to the show!

Women are often the gatekeepers of the family’s health and the ones responsible for ensuring their family members stay on top of health information and screenings. Because of this, it can be helpful for them to understand that certain inherited gene mutations may increase the risk of breast cancer in both women and men in their family. These inherited gene mutations may also increase the risk of other cancers such as ovarian cancer (in women) and prostate cancer (in men). Therefore, it is important for family members with inherited gene mutations to share their test results with both men and women in their families, since they all may benefit from talking to their doctors about how these mutations impact their risk for breast, prostate and other cancers as well as exploring options for genetic counseling and testing. Here today to help us specifically understand the relationship between breast cancer and prostate cancer is medical oncologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director for the Program for Breast Cancer in Men at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Jose Pablo Leone. Dr. Leone, welcome to the show!

Breast cancer screening can help find breast cancer early when the chances of survival are highest. In this episode, we are going to learn more about Komen’s Screening & Diagnostics Program, which provides no-cost breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for people of all ages and genders who meet income guidelines in select cities. I am excited to be joined by Jade Gibson, a patient navigator at Komen, and Morgan Barnes, a Wellness Program Coordinator at the Center for Black Women’s Wellness in Atlanta, to learn more about the Screening & Diagnostics Program. Welcome to the show, Jade and Morgan!