Real Pink

Latest Episodes:

Episode 124: Embracing Your Beauty Despite Hair Loss Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

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 yourself to feel beautiful despite the unwelcomed changes.

Episode 123: You are Your Own Best Advocate Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

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 treatments that fit best for them as individuals. This can also mean demanding more tests when you know that something just isn’t quite right. It is you that knows your body best. As a self-advocate it is important to understand your disease, be involved in medical care decisions, ask questions, and reach out for support. Today’s guest was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age and is here to share the importance that standing up and being heard has played in her breast cancer journey.

Special Guest: Sabrina Wright-Hobart.

Episode 122: Intimacy After Surgery Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

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 cancer experience and to share some tips and insight about this very real survivorship topic is Shangra-La Jones.

Episode 121: Saying yes to support isn't easy Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

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 willing to say yes to support and community, and continues to bring that spirit of support and to others! Kelly, welcome to the show! I’m so glad to have you.

Special Guest: Kelly Wright.

Episode 120: Supporting a Loved One with Metastatic Breast Cancer with Michael Allio - Rebroadcast Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

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 how to help. There is no easy way to adjust to a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Shock, disbelief, anxiety, fear, anger, grief, and a sense of loss of control are common emotions, but there are some things you can do to help. To tell us more I’m happy to introduce Michael Allio. Michael, welcome to the show.

Special Guest: Michael Allio.

Episode 119: A Healthcare Hero's Journey in Keeping Up with Cancer Care Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

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 for their next visit. Learn more at getcancerscreened.com.

Special Guest: Kanesha.

Episode 118: Breast Cancer in Men Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

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 recognition a Girl Scout can earn – is “The One Percent: A Human Race Breast Cancer Awareness Project.” She created a ribbon that is 1% blue, 99% pink. Isabel is also working with the Puerto Rican government to get an official day in October recognized as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

Leandro started treatment in December 2019. It’s included chemotherapy, a right breast mastectomy and radiotherapy. “My grandfather is a warrior and a survivor,” Isabel said.

Special Guest: Isabel Rosario.

Episode 117: HER2-positive Breast Cancer: What You Should Know Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Breast cancer is not just one disease - there are many different types of breast cancer. HER2- positive breast cancer is one of the more common types, making up about 10-20 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancers. Today, we are talking to Dr. Ian Krop, Associate Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Krop is a physician-scientist that treats patients and conducts clinical trial research in breast cancer. He is a leading expert on HER2-positive breast cancer and a Komen Scholar.

Special Guest: Dr. Ian Krop.

Episode 116: Becoming a Badass Advocate Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Advocating for a patient is an integral part of a patient's healthcare journey. However, many family members are unexpectedly thrown into this overwhelming situation with no idea of how to be an influential patient advocate. Not to mention, patients also should understand how to advocate for themselves (when possible). After losing her sister to cancer, today’s guest was determined to make something good come out of something tragic. That is why she spent most of 2019 writing a book called Badass Advocate: Becoming The Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves, which was published in March 2020. Here today to share some of her strategies to become a Badass Advocate for either yourselves or a loved one is Erin Galyean. Erin, welcome to the show!

Special Guest: Erin Galyean.

Episode 115: Addressing Disparities Through Action May 31, 2021

Show notes

BRCA mutations are hereditary cancer mutations that significantly elevate the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. One of the reasons to get undergo genetic testing is when a family member, such as a parent or sibling, is diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. This is the story of today’s guest. Erika Stallings underwent screening for the BRCA genetic mutation and what she learned throughout her journey was both eye opening and life changing. She has become an active patient advocate for increasing awareness of hereditary breast cancer among women of color and is here today to share her story. Erika, welcome to the show!

Special Guest: Erika Stallings.

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