[00:00:00] Adam Walker: From Susan G. Komen, this is Real Pink, a podcast exploring
[00:00:06] real stories, struggles, and triumphs related to breast cancer. We’re taking the conversation from the doctor’s office to your living room
[00:00:18] This is Real Pink, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the reality patients and survivors face every day. Breast cancer affects everyone differently, but the struggles and challenges this community experiences are real. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult a diagnosis, treatment, and living with metastatic breast cancer can be.
[00:00:41] Yakima and Lexi are here today to share more of their personal breast cancer stories and how that led them to working for Susan G. Komen They’re also featured in Komen’s new Don’t Fail The Girls campaign, which just launched and seeks to make ending breast cancer deaths urgent and front and center for a younger generation.
[00:01:01] Yakima, Lexi, welcome to the show. Lexi, let’s- let’s start with you. Tell- tell us who you are and give us a little overview of your story.
[00:01:08] Lexi: Well, thank you so much, Adam, for having us and for the introduction. My name is Lexi. I was diagnosed last year at 29 years old, so as you can imagine getting breast cancer before I even turned 30 Kind of turned my world completely upside down.
[00:01:28] As- as Yamika, you were also diagnosed very young. Last year, I had found a lump in my armpit while showering. It was probably the size of a pea, and my gut had just told me that it was probably something more than just an ingrown hair or a- a clogged sweat gland. I wanted to believe it was anything but breast cancer, but in the back of my mind, I knew that I should make an appointment with my OBGYN and get their opinion.
[00:01:57] So I made that appointment, and we did a mammogram and an ultrasound. But I had very dense breasts, so the results came back inconclusive, and I’m very grateful that my OBGYN said, “It’s something until it’s nothing,” and ordered the biopsy, given that I was too young for breast cancer. And when I got a phone call at 4:30 on a Thursday while at work that it was breast cancer, I honestly just couldn’t even believe it.
[00:02:29] But it ended up being invasive ductal carcinoma, a grade one, stage one, ER positive, so for my case, I guess that I got very fortunate in catching it as- as early as I did.
[00:02:44] Yamika: Wow, Lexi that story’s so compelling. And just like yourself, I was diagnosed young. So my name is Yakima , and I am a stage three triple negative breast cancer warrior.
[00:03:00] I was diagnosed at 31 years old, so roughly about 14 years ago at this point. So Lexi, I know what that is like, being early 30s and having a cancer diagnosis, and you mentioned about your gut never lying. Our gut never lies. I remember being in my mammogram, because I’ve been getting mammograms since I was 27 years old, because I had a mother who had metastatic breast cancer- So for me, it was always top of mind.
[00:03:30] Yeah. Something that I knew I had to start early with getting mammograms because of my mother’s diagnosis. So I remember being in my mammography and them holding me in the room a little longer. And right then and there, because they said, “Well, hold on, we want to take a deeper dive,” and I … If I remember correctly, I think they biopsied me right then and there.
[00:03:55] Your gut never lies. And I said, ” this is definitely something.” And at the time, I had forgotten to get my mammogram that previous year, I believe, and I said, “Ooh, let me schedule it.” So knowing that staying on top of my health, getting that mammogram and being stage three with triple negative.
[00:04:18] So it’s a very scary time, because at 31 I wasn’t thinking about getting breast cancer. Even though I knew I had a mother who had metastatic breast cancer, it’s not something that I deemed for myself. And at the time, I was in the fashion industry, rocking and rolling, I’m a proud FIT graduate, so I, my career was within the fashion industry.
[00:04:42] But after my journey and just thinking further about life, I wanted to transition over to a meaningful career, right? Something where I could make a difference. So I started pursuing a career within the nonprofit sector, and then coming here to Komen now as a development manager and joining the New Jersey team.
[00:05:09] It’s rewarding. Very rewarding.
[00:05:12] Lexi: Yeah. Absolutely. And just to go off of what you said, being your own advocate is so important, especially for women our age, because though I had breast cancer in my family, I didn’t have the gene. So if you don’t have that knowledge, if you feel a lump and you go to the doctor and you don’t push for further testing a lot of people are told that they’re You’re too young.
[00:05:39] Keep an eye on it. Come back in six months.” And by that point, the cancer has gotten more aggressive, spread to the lymph nodes. So it’s so important to, to really trust your intuition and and be your own self-advocate. Following my breast cancer diagnosis, I I had a lumpectomy in July and then I had to make the very difficult decision of following through with radiation or choosing a double mastectomy, which that ultimately gave me the most peace of mind at the end of the day.
[00:06:15] Because I caught my cancer so early- The survival rates were the same, but I had asked my radiologist, “What are the long-term effects of radiation on somebody my age?” And there just wasn’t enough data. So that, that scared me. And so I chose to have the surgery. Five weeks after my double mastectomy, I got an infection.
[00:06:45] I was one week through all restrictions being lifted. I woke up one day with a fever, and luckily my boyfriend hadn’t left for work yet, and he looks at me and I’m just sitting up crying because I was in so much pain. He was like, ” I can’t go to work and leave you like this.” So he stayed home.
[00:07:04] And then I was burning up, so we actually had to go buy a thermometer because we didn’t have one. And I think my temperature was like 103. So I texted my plastic surgeon, which I travel from Connecticut to New York and New Jersey for and he was just like, “Get here immediately.” so we dropped everything, drove to a hospital in New Jersey Was on IV antibiotics.
[00:07:29] What was supposed to be just, like, a 48-hour stay ended up being a whole week. But it was in that moment that I really like my eyes became wide open to just what I was meant to do. I found my purpose, and I just remember my plastic surgeon coming in to check on me, and I’m sitting there, and as much pain as I’m in, and of course, when I was first diagnosed, I cried from the time I opened my eyes to the time that I closed them.
[00:07:59] But I, after that period, like, I really toughed it out and was like, “I’m gonna get through this. I’m gonna be as positive as I can,” and didn’t cry for a bit. But then I felt, finally broke down while I was hospitalized, and I remember telling my plastic surgeon, ” I’m meant to be here. This is something so much bigger than myself and this is my calling, and I need to take all of this pain, and I really want to…”
[00:08:28] This is before I had known of Susan G. Komen but I was just like, “I really want to get involved with with the breast cancer community.” And at the time, I was just doing healthcare recruiting and I knew that wasn’t, like, my long-term career choice, and I always had this itch for something else.
[00:08:48] But I didn’t have any nonprofit experience, and I had applied to other nonprofits, had interviews, but given, like, surgeries and all of that timing-wise, it didn’t work out, which is honestly a blessing because I kept pushing and trying to get more involved, and Komen had given me a chance. So I’ve been working with Komen since June and it’s been amazing.
[00:09:14] Yamika: Absolutely. And we’re both new to Komen. I really enjoy it. We’re both new to Komen, right? So I started in February. You came along in June. We’re both in this New York Metro area. And while I have gone down this path before, I really wanted to bring my … because after COVID, I was laid off.
[00:09:38] I really wanted to bring my advocacy work- cause I’ve been an advocate for quite some time- Yeah … especially with having a mother who had metastatic breast cancer. I started my advocacy work in high school where I went rogue and displayed pink ribbons all around the high school with no one’s permission.
[00:09:56] And my guidance counselor said, ” was that you?” And I said, “Yes, it was.” And I looked at them like, “And what are you going to do about it?” So I remember that moment and that’s when my advocacy work really started. But fast-forward to when I started looking back at conventional roles and looking back to get into the nonprofit sector I wanted to really have a seat at a national table.
[00:10:25] Because it’s so important for me in my advocacy work to make sure that Black and brown voices are heard- Yeah … and that at the national level they understand what we are up against regarding access to care our death rates being higher. So I wanted to lend my voice and my journey, everything that I’ve been through.
[00:10:51] You mentioned about being your own advocate. I constantly tell everyone, “You have to be your own advocate.” especially when you’re not at the average age- Right … of quote, unquote said typical diagnosis, right? Look at us. You were 29, I was 31. That’s not your average age, right? Nope.
[00:11:13] So if we didn’t speak up and get the doctor’s appointment, get the exams that we needed, who’s to say that we may not have been here today, right?
[00:11:27] Lexi: Right.
[00:11:28] Yamika: So that we can help other women who is in our situation and under 40 years old, under 35 years old, right? So it’s so important that I continue to show up in these spaces.
[00:11:46] It’s my personal purpose in life and we talked about turning your passion into your purpose. Also, too, my profession, right? Turning my pro- my passion into my profession really, right? So I we live and breathe this journey every day. Every day. Yeah. What were you doing what were you doing, like who was Lexi before you got those words, “I have, you have cancer”?
[00:12:17] Lexi: Yeah good question. Lexi before, I mean, not much different than I am today. I’m, today I’m so much stronger and braver, but I think I always had that in me. I just didn’t know how brave and strong I really was prior to a breast cancer diagnosis. I ate healthy. I really enjoyed working out. I love love and prioritize my friends and my family.
[00:12:47] Love to travel. So I still love all of that stuff, but breast cancer has made me have a much deeper appreciation, especially for my support system, because without them, I’m not sure I would be where I am today. They lifted my head up. They were my reason for continuing to try to be positive and just keep going.
[00:13:15] I’m a very empathetic person, so even though I was struggling personally with just having a diagnosis and everything that comes with that, I hated the fact that my friends and family were hurting because of me, and there was nothing I could do to make them feel better. If anything, that hurt me more than what I was going through cause I always said like, “I’m glad it’s me and not my mom, not my sister, not my best friend.
[00:13:44] I can get through this.” Whatever, and before I had any answers or knew what my treatment plan was gonna be, I was like, “I’m strong.” I’m also very stubborn and I know that I’m going to kick cancer in the ass. We’ll get through it and my family and friends, they were right there with me and just were the best support system.
[00:14:09] Yamika: Absolutely.
[00:14:09] Lexi, you are a girl after my own heart, trust me. Everything that you said I resonate with- especially with having that support system. It took me a, it took me a little bit, though, to allow my friends and family to support me, because I didn’t want to be a burden on them. I’m also very hyper-independent from losing parents at a very young age.
[00:14:37] I lost my mother at 13. I lost my father at 16. I moved in with cousins in South Carolina, who became mom, dad, sister, who I cherish every single day. They mean the world to me, because they took me in when my mother succumbed to her metastatic breast cancer. When she earned her wings, they took me in, so forever grateful for that.
[00:15:01] But I always figured it out on my own. I always went through life being resourceful, being independent, so it was very hard for me to lean on my support system, because my support system showed up ready to fight this thing with me, right? And I love them for that, right? I love them for that But it took one moment where I said, “You know what?
[00:15:29] I’m doing them a disservice by not allowing them to help me,” even if that’s bringing breakfast, bringing dinner just sitting with me, because oh, trust me, the girls had a schedule when it came to chemotherapy, okay? We ran that schedule like we were all still in our workplaces, running our Outlook calendars.
[00:15:52] It was like, “No, I’m coming on this day.” “Okay, well, I want to come on this day.” “Well, I want to come…” “Well, I’m spending the night with her on this day after treatment.” So we had a serious calendar going and I loved that, and once I allowed them to support me, it was nothing but love, right?
[00:16:13] They, those that want to be in our corner and want to help us it’s out of love and us, as hyper-independent girlies or strong girlies, right, we have to allow that support in. So I’m so blessed and so grateful that I had that support because I know sometimes others do not, right? Yeah.
[00:16:37] But then that’s why what pops in my head, that’s why there’s support groups, and that’s why there’s people like you and I, right, who can lend a listening ear or shoulder to cry on or a helping hand, right? I love mentoring patients. My friends have definitely sent other young women my way and that, and I take pride in that, right?
[00:17:00] I take pride in helping someone through their journey and really offering up that support because we know what it’s like, right? We know what it’s like being there I had rounds of chemo, rounds of radiation. I had a double mastectomy as well. I remember my research nurse at the time really saying to me, “If I were you,” she was like, “I’m not at liberty to really say this, but if I were you, I would get a double mastectomy.”
[00:17:30] And I said, “Listen, that’s already top of mind for me- Yeah … because I had a mother with metastatic breast cancer, so I don’t want to go through this again,” even though we do know that it could come back. But for me at that time, I said, “Nope. Hands down, double mastectomy. That’s what I’m getting.”
[00:17:49] Lexi: Yeah. And like you said, we know, and it’s scary and traumatic. And for women our age, I think… I guess for me something that was hard in the beginning was because of my age, feeling like I didn’t have anyone to relate to. Cause to my knowledge, most women who got breast cancer, I mean, that was a statistic, one in eight women over 40.
[00:18:18] But the fact that I got it at, before I even turned 30 it was really, I didn’t know anybody who got diagnosed early. So I was struggling to find anybody to relate to. And actually TikTok helped me because I there were other young breast cancer survivors going through that, that were just very brave to take their experience to social media.
[00:18:46] And for me, that was so helpful. And that’s actually how I found my plastic surgeon. I, You know how, like, your phone’s technology listens to you? But that started to be my whole feed, and I had come across a video of a girl my age, same exact diagnosis, except she was stage two. And she was talking about her journey.
[00:19:10] And so I’m going through all of her videos, and she’s showing her… She just had her her exchange surgery, so she was talking about her results and her plastic surgeon. And I had looked him up and saw his, like, portfolio of work. So it’s like, I’m gonna meet him. I’m gonna meet a bunch of doctors and find that right person for me, but being able to relate to another person my age made it feel less lonely.
[00:19:41] Granted it’s never lonely because there’s a whole community, A beautiful community, too. Like it’s so interesting you mention social media, because when I was originally diagnosed, social media wasn’t as vast as it is now. Now it’s booming, right? Our community is out there.
[00:20:02] Yamika: We’re taking action. There’s so many women sharing their stories, and that’s what I always wanted, especially being a Black female and coming from a culture where you keep certain things private, right? You don’t really discuss it. But I’ve always said, “Share your story,” because there’s power in sharing your story, because it can help at least one person.
[00:20:24] Because that one person is looking for someone that looks like them, whether it’s age race, religion, whatever. They’re just looking for someone r- to relate to that can help them. So I’ve always screamed, “Share your story. Share your story.” And just seeing how many women are sharing their stories now through social media, it’s so great to see.
[00:20:47] It’s phenomenal. Because when I was diagnosed I was sharing my story on Facebook. Instagram hadn’t really grown as big as it is now, and TikTok definitely wasn’t around. But I was sharing on Facebook the good, the bad, and the ugly, right? Yeah. Showing up in that chemo chair, sharing a photo because video wasn’t as popular, but sharing those photos, right?
[00:21:13] Because I, I want people to not just see the pretty pink, right? I want people to see all of the pink. Yeah. All that we go through. From the surgeries, to the reconstruction, to the chemotherapy, to the radiation, to just everything the side effects, right? And social media allows that.
[00:21:35] I still to this day share my story. Because just two years ago I actually was faced with a, a decision to decide, because I am BRCA positive, so to decide whether or not I’m going to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. That’s been a decision in the making for the past 14 years, and it was a huge decision for me.
[00:22:00] Now, I will say, Lexi, baby McKenzie is on ice, so I do have eggs frozen. That, that’s my little peanut, little baby McKenzie. But and that definitely helped my decision a little bit more, but it was a long decision to make because- Removing it, I then knew that my option to bear a child would be taken away from me.
[00:22:27] But for me personally, I had to choose myself over my desire to bear a child, yeah. Because I didn’t want to wake up one day and hearing again, “You have ovarian cancer. You have…” so I made the decision. It took a long time.
[00:22:52] Lexi: Those decisions are not easy to make.
[00:22:56] And nobody can help you make them. I- whenever I was going back and forth between radiation and saving one of my breasts or a double mastectomy, like, I kept going back and forth weighing the pros and cons of each, and I could not make a decision. It was so hard because this seems better because it’s less invasive.
[00:23:22] But then this would give me the most peace of mind and when you ask people, your support system, “Do you have any input? What do you think I should do?” And it’s, “I can’t help you make that decision.” but then you do it, and you have to trust that, Yeah, you just have to trust in the plan, the bigger plan
[00:23:48] Yamika: And educate yourself, right?
[00:23:51] I educated myself. I remember being at a a hospital event panel discussion and everything, and this one doctor was actually talking about ovary removal and preventative measures and everything, and I felt like he was talking to me and, like, looking right at me. And I’m like, “Does this man know me, low-key?”
[00:24:12] Like, “Does he know what I’m, like, trying to make a decision on?” And right then and there I said, “There is my answer. That’s my answer.” I had to make the decision for me. And a lot of times with women, right, we hate being selfish because we’re caring for everyone else, we’re thinking about everyone else.
[00:24:35] But in that moment to make that decision, I had to worry about Yakima and Yakima only, no one else. And that was a very tough decision to make, but I made it. And can I… Knowing that I have eggs on ice, 31-year-old eggs, shall we say, on ice knowing that for if I later on would like to have a child, I can.
[00:25:12] And then there’s so many ways of having children, right? Through adoption, foster care. I have a slew of… I have five nieces, one nephew and a slew of godchildren, so those are my children and I look at them as as my children So I get joy in that.
[00:25:34] Lexi: That’s amazing. I have a couple nephews and nieces as well.
[00:25:40] As far as having a baby, that was a big part of my decision-making process as well when choosing to have a double mastectomy. Not being able to breastfeed. For some people that’s very important. And of course something that I would have loved to do, but like you said, you had to think about Yakima.
[00:26:09] And for me, I had to think about me, and again, g- giving me the most peace of mind. And I also knew that I wanted to be here, I want to be here for as long as I can when I do have a baby. And before I had breast cancer, I would say I was probably a little bit more selfish with my time, just not ready for children yet.
[00:26:32] I al- I always knew I wanted to be a mother but I just wasn’t ready. And then getting diagnosed with breast cancer, but after surgery, all of that, and then having to be on tamoxifen for minimum two years. So I think that because the decision wasn’t mine that I have to wait to try to conceive, that it makes me want that so much more.
[00:27:03] My, my little sister’s pregnant. She’s due next month. My brother, they just had a baby last month, so two new little girls. My nephews and I have friends who have babies, so it’s like I just, I can’t wait for that. But I know that It’s in God’s hands and- Absolutely.
[00:27:25] Yamika: I have a lot of friends in this community, a lot of breasties as we call each other, and one just had a baby, and I am so happy for her because her and her husband she really wanted to experience motherhood and be a mother.
[00:27:41] So she’s so happy that after her diagnosis, I do believe she’s probably more than five years out now. So yeah, she had her baby. So I love that. A- another breastie of mine actually wind up having twins, twin boys. Yeah, and they are now 11 years old, so I can’t believe that either.
[00:28:06] At a time where she didn’t think she was going to be able to experience motherhood, and look at her, she has twin boys now. So it is such a blessing I will continue to be the young fly auntie and not mom. But I love my nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
[00:28:31] Love them. It, but motherhood it’s a blessing and it can definitely still happen, so Yeah. So you mentioned earlier you mentioned earlier not knowing about Komen before you came here and started doing the research. It’s interesting because I’ve always known about Komen.
[00:28:57] Lexi: Well, I’d known about Komen, but I wasn’t … I didn’t know a lot. I just remember seeing Komen-branded items, and I’ve heard of it, but that’s really all.
[00:29:09] Yamika: Yeah. I … It’s interesting because I have a story. So I actually have lymphedema in my left upper extremity. Okay. So in the beginning of my journey, I remember calling an organization called CancerCare, and CancerCare actually had a grant, I believe, that was funded by Komen to get lymphedema- Oh
[00:29:33] garments. So I got a free lymphedema garment from CancerCare by a grant that was funded by Komen. I’m going back years. This is probably- Oh, yeah … About 12 to 13 years ago. But lymphedema is just still something that is still doing continued research. I feel like I talk about my lymphedema probably more than my breast cancer because it’s obviously the most noticeable, right?
[00:30:04] I don’t have my compression garments on today, but I’m typically in compression garments, right? Because we know that’s a risk that most breast cancer patients pose. So- Yep … I had 11 lymph nodes removed, with one being cancerous. But right now I’m actually seeing a lymphedema surgeon, so I’m so excited about this journey, and I thought my surgeries were done back in 2024 when we removed the ovaries, but now I am actually Lexi, I’m considering surgery for my lymphedema.
[00:30:39] So I think it’s called, like, a lymphovenous bypass or something like that. Okay. Yeah. So to where it will open up the swelling and the fluid and everything. So I tend to go in and out of treatment with my lymphedema therapist, who I- Yeah … Love. We have … We are in a full-blown relationship. We’ve been together forever.
[00:31:01] But I love her. She is absolutely amazing. So I’ve I’ve learned to accept Over the years, my lymphedema. Yeah. And I am not embarrassed by it. Do I get frustrated with it? Of course, right? But I do a lot of home managed care with my lymphedema. So you know, it’s just something that I’ve taken on and I’ve made it part of my outfit being a fashion girly.
[00:31:27] Made my sleeves a part of my outfit, and that’s just what what it is.
[00:31:34] Lexi: Yeah. Well, that’s great that there is something, a treatment out there that hopefully could help you if that is something that you consider to do. Yeah … anything that could improve your quality of life is-
[00:31:47] Yamika: Absolutely.
[00:31:48] Lexi: Amazing.
[00:31:50] Yamika: Absolutely.
[00:31:52] Lexi: I don’t know if you wanted to hop over to talking about the when, the Party in Pink that we that we get to go to in a couple weeks?
[00:32:05] Yamika: Yes, I am so excited. First off, Lexi, though, let’s talk about this new campaign, right? because this new campaign, Don’t Fail the Girls, is, like, stellar.
[00:32:18] Love it. Love the black and white. It’s so bold. All of the champions that we have I guess partnered with and everything, and then us, right? Being in this new campaign. That bold face Lexi. Lexi, that, that jawline, honey, was giving. That jawline was giving, honey. I loved it. Loved it.
[00:32:47] Lexi: I’m excited to see the other photos and how everything…
[00:32:51] Yamika: Oh my gosh, I know.
[00:32:52] Lexi: All came together.
[00:32:53] Yamika: And it’s just- It’s such a great day.
[00:32:55] Lexi: Yeah, such a great day. And it just makes me so happy being a part of that and knowing just the mission that we’re contributing to, and just u- having the opportunity to really use our voice and speak to the younger generations. And hopefully-
[00:33:15] Yamika: So relatable and so raw.
[00:33:17] I love that, that Komen is taking this approach with their new marketing campaign, right? Because we do know, number one, breast breast cancer isn’t going anywhere, right? So it’s like how can we prevent young women from dying from breast cancer, right? So just getting all of these women together different demographics, and age and race and background and everything, and just telling raw stories and real stories, I loved it.
[00:33:52] And then the black and white, seeing it in black and white just makes it that more impactful it’s funny, I was watching so I’m a big fan of hip hop, so I was watching a Jay-Z special on HBO with Rick Rubin. The whole special is in black and white. And I said, “Ah, check Komen out.
[00:34:13] Komen is on the cutting edge of trend and knowing that the black and white’s gonna hit,” so I loved being, just being a part of it and meeting so many women during the day that we were filming, and just hearing their stories. And it was just so, I was so blessed and grateful to be a part of this new campaign.
[00:34:37] Like, yeah, don’t fail our, don’t fail the girls. Don’t fail our girls, like, we can’t fail them at all Everyone.
[00:34:45] Everyone
[00:34:45] deserves access
[00:34:46] Lexi: And it’s so empowering to be- Yeah … surrounded by other strong women, like you said, sharing their story. It just really makes you feel that we truly are in this together, and every voice matters, and the more voices we have, the more we can do and the more we can accomplish.
[00:35:05] Yamika: Absolutely. Absolutely and it’s so important. It’s also so important to create these spaces for women and for young women who like you and I, who didn’t see us, right during our diagnosis. So it’s so important that your larger organizations like Komen create these spaces to, of inclusivity, right?
[00:35:30] And to let them know they have a place to go. They can get access to care. So i- it’s just so vital.
[00:35:39] Lexi: And you and I, we both started with Komen not that long ago, very recently. So this is just the, the beginning of our journey with Komen, and I’m just so happy to be able to work alongside you in opportunities like this.
[00:35:59] And I just can’t wait to see all that’s accomplished in, you know, one, five, 10 years from now. Yeah … I know I’m gonna, we are, we’re gonna go hard and hopefully put an end to breast cancer.
[00:36:13] Yamika: Hopefully. Hopefully. We have to but I can’t wait to see the campaign launch and all the conversations that are going to come from it, so so excited.
[00:36:24] Adam Walker: Let me let me jump in. This has been really great to, I mean I pr- I should say I appreciate being able to listen to your stories and appreciate you sharing ’em and the vulnerability it takes to do that. I’m wondering looking back on your personal, your professional experience, what’s something or maybe a couple of somethings that you real- that you personally want to change or contribute as a breast cancer survivor at Susan G. Komen?
[00:36:56] Lexi: Well, I mean, that’s a tough question because there’s so many things. I mean- To, to change, I don’t know if you want to jump in Yakima, but I guess just, like, the standard of care for younger women, younger generations. I know Connecticut is working on something right now. There’s a, a step program.
[00:37:21] So I guess just getting cancer patients the medications that they need, that they know work, versus having them try out the trial drugs A, B, and C before they finally get the medicine that is going to work for them.
[00:37:39] Yamika: And for, for myself that was great, Lexi. Access to quality care, ensuring that everyone, no matter where you live, no matter what race you are, that everyone has access to quality care, and that their voices are heard and action is taken.
[00:38:04] Lexi: Yeah. And to piggyback off that, just stop telling women that they’re too young, because the problem is we’re seeing younger and younger women getting diagnosed. And we just need to stop turning them away. If there’s a lump, they’re not too young. Do something more now. Like my OBGYN said, “It’s something until it’s nothing.”
[00:38:29] And I just think that more women should be taken seriously when they feel a lump or have concerns about their breast health.
[00:38:37] Yamika: Absolutely.
[00:38:38] Adam Walker: That’s so true. Well Lexi, Yakima, thank you for the work that you’re doing at Komen for putting, for putting action to that passion and that drive.
[00:38:48] And thank you, I mean, genuinely for sharing your story and just and just being real with us here on Real Pink today. It makes more of an impact than I think you can possibly imagine, and I really appreciate you both and taking the time to do that.
[00:39:02] Yamika: Thank you so much for the invite, Adam. We truly appreciate it.
[00:39:07] Thank you so much, Adam
[00:39:12] Adam Walker: Thanks for listening to Real Pink, a weekly podcast by Susan G. Komen. For more episodes, visit realpink.komen.org, and for more on breast cancer, visit komen.org. Make sure to check out @susangkomen on social media. I’m your host, Adam. You can find me on Twitter @ajwalker or on my blog, adamjwalker.com.