Real Pink

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Episode 374: RERUN: Episode 374: Choices to Lower Breast Cancer Risk Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Everyone is at risk of breast cancer. Some are more at risk than others due to hereditary factors – such as a family history of cancers – and lifestyle choices that affect our overall health. Knowing your risk of breast cancer can help you decide what steps to take to lower your risk.

Joining me today is Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, a Susan G. Komen Scholar and Komen grantee, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Senior Physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an expert on the impact of lifestyle factors, cancer risk and outcomes. Through more than a dozen lifestyle intervention trials, Dr. Ligibel has evaluated the impact of exercise, weight loss, fitness, body composition and quality of life in cancer patients and survivors.

Episode 373: HER: Beyond Biology: How Inequity Drives Breast Cancer Risk for Black Women Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Today, in honor of Black History Month, we’re exploring what happens when inequity itself becomes a risk factor for breast cancer in the Black community — shaping who gets screened, how quickly they’re diagnosed and, ultimately, who survives. Our guest, Dr. Lori Pierce, is a renowned radiation oncologist, former ASCO president and Komen Scholar, and national leader in advancing equity in cancer care. She has dedicated her career to improving outcomes of women with breast cancer, with a focus on the underserved, by transforming not just treatments but the systems that deliver them. Her perspective is rigorous, compassionate and urgently needed.

Episode 372: Breast Cancer at 30 Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Today’s conversation is a deeply personal look at what it means to be diagnosed with breast cancer at just 30 years old. We often hear the statistics that more young women are being diagnosed, but numbers can’t capture the shock of finding a lump before you think you’re even old enough to worry… or the life-altering shift that happens when you are put into medically induced menopause. Caroline McNally knows the struggles of being in the thick of treatment and the isolation of being diagnosed younger than most. But she also knows about strength, hope and learning how to advocate for herself and others.

Episode 371: Real Talk: Having Hope and Faith During Treatment Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Treatment is a significant part of overcoming breast cancer, but what about the mental, physical and emotional challenges this disease presents? Sarah Cipolla and Tawana Davis both relied on their faith to get through breast cancer. Through it all – the ups and downs and good times and setbacks – they had hope for better days and trusted in their faith.

Hope and faith are powerful forces during challenging times. Susan G. Komen leads Worship in Pink, a nationwide program that brings breast health education to faith communities. Through this effort, Komen can reach people who don’t participate in breast health care and people who rely on their faith to overcome life’s challenges.

Thanks to Merck and Novartis for supporting the Worship in Pink Program

Episode 370: Lea’s MBC Story: Living with Purpose Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Three years after finishing treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, Lea learned she had metastatic breast cancer, for which there is no cure today. Even after having to fight for an initial screening, not receiving a recommendation to start tamoxifen and not experiencing transparency from her doctor, Lea Leach kept advocating for herself and making changes be treated as a whole person. Today, she is living her life with purpose and is passionate about advocating for breast cancer awareness, particularly for women of color.

Episode 369: Finding Joi: Grace as Survival Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the Komen Health Equity Revolution podcast series on Real Pink. Each month in this series, we bring together patients, community partners, health care providers, researchers and advocates to talk about real challenges and real solutions driving the health equity revolution. Today, we’re exploring what happens when survival requires more than strength — it requires grace.

Our guest, breast cancer survivor and advocate Joi White, discovered that letting go, softening and advocating for herself became the real pathway to healing. Her story is courageous, culturally resonant and deeply honest.

Episode 368: Breastie Friends Forever Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

No one should face breast cancer alone. Luckily, childhood friends Caryn Siegel Finley and Tammy Leyden didn’t have to. The two grew up together on Staten Island and have been best friends since they were 7 years old. When they both were diagnosed with breast cancer in their early 40’s, just one year apart, they were able to support each other through the process. Caryn and Tammy are here today to share their stories with us and how they are committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer.

Episode 367: Real Talk: Reframing Bad Days Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Lakysha was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. Her cancer was caught early but test results showed there was a high chance of recurrence. She required surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and a hormone blocker for five years. She also had a hysterectomy to minimize her risk of other cancers. Life is a journey for her, filled with ups and downs, new challenges and triumphs.

And Vonya is the friend we all need. She’s the friend who helps you reframe your bad days and encourages you to focus on something that brings you joy. She helped Lakysha normalize what she was going through and accept her emotions as they came. She’s also the friend who reminds you not to let one bad day spill into the next day.

Episode 366: Facing Breast Cancer with Positivity Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

There is no way around it, breast cancer is hard. But as our guest today will tell you, trying to remain upbeat throughout treatment can have a positive impact on your life. Amy Elizabeth Chalmers Hicks brings a unique perspective. She was adopted so she doesn’t know her biological family’s health history, leaving her to navigate two cancer diagnoses without the insights many rely on to understand risk. However, despite these unknowns, when she found a lump, she stayed at ease, started treatment right away, surrounded herself with people who were loving and supportive and made a deep commitment to keeping a positive attitude. She is here today to share her inspiring story with us.

Episode 365: The Guy with Stage 4 Breast Cancer Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Men often don’t think of themselves as having breasts. For men, it’s their chest or their “pecs.” So it may come as a surprise to learn men are at risk of breast cancer. The fact is men have breast tissue and can get breast cancer. In the U.S., less than 1% of all cases occur in men, but it does happen. Today we are joined by Jake Messier, a man living with metastatic breast cancer, after being misdiagnosed twice and finally learning in August 2024 that it had advanced. Jake openly shares his story across active social media platforms and is dedicated to spreading awareness of male breast cancer, as well as the distinct mental and physical health struggles that go largely unaddressed when a man is navigating what is typically seen as a woman’s disease.

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