Real Pink

Latest Episodes:

Episode 407: Real Talk: Breast Cancer Brought Me To Komen Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

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 are 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.

Takeaways

Trust your instincts and advocate for your breast health, regardless of age.
Accept support from friends, family, and others who understand your journey.
Sharing personal stories helps young women feel less alone and find community.
Breast cancer treatment decisions require education, self-advocacy, and personal choice.
Everyone deserves access to quality breast cancer care, regardless of age, race, or location.

Chapters

01:08 – Lexi and Yakima’s breast cancer diagnoses

12:17 – Finding strength through support and community

17:49 – Sharing stories and navigating difficult treatment decisions

28:31 – Living with long-term effects of breast cancer

32:05 – The “Don’t Fail the Girls” campaign and improving access to care

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 406: From Treating Cancer to Living with It: An MBC Story Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Imagine spending more than 30 years working in oncology and then suddenly finding yourself on the other side of that conversation.

Today’s guest, Lily Cabezon, is a senior physician assistant in urologic oncology. After becoming very sick with COVID in 2020 and losing significant weight, Lily discovered a lump in her breast. Her mammogram revealed a mass that led to a Stage 1 diagnosis. Before beginning chemotherapy, staging scans revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her spine. She went on to undergo chemotherapy, spine treatment, a year of immunotherapy, and a bilateral mastectomy with extensive reconstruction.

Lily is here today to talk to us about how she kept going through it all and how breast cancer changed her perspective. After years of telling patients that they had cancer, she suddenly understood what that word meant from the other side—not just for the patient, but for everyone who loves them.

We are thrilled to have Lily on Real Pink and in our Don't Fail the Girls campaign this October. Breast cancer is personal for her, and she knows how much is at stake. She’s using her voice to help make breast cancer impossible to ignore and to help drive the research, support and action needed to end it.

Takeaways

A cancer diagnosis can transform how you understand the patient experience
Healthcare delays and barriers can have a profound emotional impact
Patients deserve to make informed choices about their own treatment
Documenting the difficult parts of treatment can help others feel less alone

Chapters
00:01:44 — Lily’s breast cancer diagnosis

00:04:24 — Going from stage one to stage four

00:07:23 — Seeing cancer from the patient’s perspective

00:11:31 — Documenting reconstruction and recovery

00:21:22 — Living with metastatic breast cancer

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 405: I Was Doing Everything I Was Supposed to Do Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

What if a simple at-home DNA test changed the entire course of your life?

At 28 years old, today’s guest received a call that revealed she had a high probability of carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation. Genetic testing confirmed it, and suddenly, her family's history of cancer took on a deeply personal meaning. Her aunt, who also carried the mutation, was dying of ovarian cancer at the time. This pushed Margot Casino to make a series of decisions to protect her family's future including undergoing preventive surgeries and IVF with genetic screening. While in the process of taking steps to reduce her risk, Margot was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at just 31 years old. As a wife and a mother to two young boys, she’d already been doing everything she believed she could to protect herself from breast cancer, yet she still heard those dreaded words.

Margot is here today to discuss the importance of knowing your family history, understanding your genetics, and paying attention when something feels different in your body.

This October, Margot also decided to be part of Komen’s Don't Fail the Girls campaign because breast cancer is personal for her, and she knows how much is at stake. She’s using her voice to help make breast cancer impossible to ignore and to help drive the research, support and action needed to end it.

Takeaways

Knowing your breast cancer risk can help make an informed decision about your health
Support from family and friends help through treatment and serious complications
Younger women need to take breast cancer risk seriously

Chapters
00:01 — Discovering a BRCA1 mutation

04:40 — Choosing IVF with genetic screening

08:12 — Preventative surgeries and breast cancer diagnosis

16:50 — Treatment, sepsis and recovery

21:47 — Looking forward and helping others

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 404: Know My Body, Know My Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the Komen Health Equity Revolution series on Real Pink — where patients, advocates, researchers and community partners come together to talk honestly about what's standing in the way of breast health equity and what we're doing to change it. I'm your host, Adam Walker. This month is Hispanic Heritage Month, and we're honoring it by talking about something a lot of young women don't expect to be part of their story this early: Needing to have a mammogram as a young adult.

Our guest today is Yaleska Sosa, a senior at Northwestern University studying biological sciences and global health, and a Komen College Ambassador. During a routine appointment, doctors found a mass and referred her for a mammogram — an experience that, combined with her family's history of cancer, turned a scare into a mission: making sure other young women, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community, have the information she wishes she'd had. Yaleska, welcome to Real Pink.

Takeaway

Breast cancer can affect people at any age, even those who consider themselves healthy.
Knowing your body can help you notice changes and take action sooner.
Family history and cultural experiences can shape how people understand their health.
Sharing accessible health information can help young people feel more informed and empowered.
One conversation or small act of awareness can have an impact beyond what we may ever see.

Chapters
00:01 — Yaleska’s unexpected mammogram

06:00 — Deciding whether to tell her mom

06:47 — Knowing your body and your culture

09:39 — Discovering the impact of breast cancer

13:55 — Encouraging young women to know their bodies

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 403: Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care How Young You Are Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

When we think about breast cancer, many of us still picture someone much older. But the reality is that young women can—and do—face this diagnosis, even when breast cancer is the furthest thing from their minds. Today’s guest was just 35 years old when her life changed and she suddenly found herself navigating treatment decisions while raising 3 young children. Amanda Lutricuso’s story is a powerful reminder that you’re never too young to pay attention to your body and to speak up when something is wrong. Cancer may have changed the course of her life, it also changed her perspective on what matters most.

Key Takeaways

Breast cancer can happen at any age, even without family history.
A strong family support system can help manage treatment.
Young women should advocate for themselves when something feels wrong.

Chapters

00:01:19 Finding the lump

00:03:22 Processing the diagnosis

00:08:07 Balancing treatment and motherhood

00:12:29 Chasing every dream

00:16:07 Advocating for your health

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 402: Real Talk: Can AI Improve Breast Health Care? Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Technology is rapidly changing the world around us – and the same is true in women’s health. Artificial Intelligence holds enormous promise in understanding risk, detecting cancers earlier and improving treatment options and outcomes for breast cancer patients – but how do we get there and what should we be aware of along the way?

Today we’re welcoming Jillian Wright, the CEO of Onsite Women’s Health, the leading provider of convenient, in-office breast health imaging services across the U.S., and Jane Perlmutter, a survivor of multiple cancers and devoted member of Susan G. Komen Advocates in Science program, which brings the patient voice to scientific research and clinical decisions.

Takeaways

AI can improve breast cancer detection and diagnosis
AI can make breast imaging more consistent and effective
Patients need a voice in how AI is used in healthcare
AI must be developed with diversity, privacy and equity in mind
Personalized care could reshape the future of breast cancer screening

Chapters

00:00 — The promise of AI in breast health

05:12 — Understanding breast cancer risk

10:29 — How AI is transforming breast imaging

19:28 — The concerns around AI in healthcare

24:40 — The future of AI and cancer care

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 401: Just Diagnosed: The First 30 Days Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

The first 30 days after being diagnosed with breast cancer can feel devastating. You’re processing a lot of information, dealing with emotions and often trying to figure out what to do next. Joining us on Real Pink’s 400th episode today is Jennifer Omholt, a journalist and 24-year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer when her son was just 16 months old. In the wake of her diagnosis, she desperately searched for something to ease her fear and confusion, but found nothing that offered comfort or clarity. Over the next two decades, she set out to create the resource she wished she’d had, so that no one would need to face the shock of a cancer diagnosis alone. Jennifer is here today to share her story and what helped carry her though her breast cancer experience.

Key takeaways:

You don’t have to solve cancer all at once; focus on the next best step.
Finding the right medical team can make a profound difference in your care.
Self-advocacy means asking questions, trusting your instincts, and seeking second opinions.
Letting others help can ease the emotional and practical burden of cancer.
The fear of a diagnosis can fade as you gain knowledge, confidence, and a sense of control.

Chapters

00:01:23 — A stage three diagnosis with a 16-month-old son
00:03:25 — Finding ways to manage fear and uncertainty
00:07:57 — The first 30 days after a breast cancer diagnosis
00:09:59 — Building a medical team you can trust
00:15:07 — Why self-advocacy can change your treatment

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 400: Real Talk: Living One Treatment to the Next Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Metastatic breast cancer cannot be cured but it can be treated. Treatment focuses on disease management while maintaining the best possible quality of life. The unfortunate reality is that a treatment will only work for so long, then another one is needed.

Joining us today are two women living with metastatic breast cancer who are sharing their experiences, living one treatment to the next. They are tireless advocates for research and the breakthroughs that will ensure their next treatment is available, when they need it. They’re sharing how they live life to the fullest and manage their day-to-day care.

Key Takeaways

It’s important to find hope while living treatment to treatment
Recognize the physical and emotional toll of treatment, even when you look well
Advocate for research, clinical trials, and discoveries that lead to better treatments
Live in the present, prioritize quality of life, and give yourself grace

Chapters

00:00 — Living with metastatic breast cancer

03:25 — The reality of treatment after treatment

07:45 — The emotional weight of uncertainty

13:23 — Why metastatic breast cancer research matters

26:34 — Living in the present and finding hope

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 399: Transforming Trauma into Triumph Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

What happens when your life changes in an instant, and then, just when you think you’re beginning to rebuild, you’re faced with another life-altering diagnosis?

Shannon Michelle knows that experience firsthand. After a devastating motorcycle accident left her in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, Shannon had to relearn how to walk, read, speak and navigate a life she no longer remembered. Then, during her recovery, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Today, Shannon joins us to talk about her breast cancer experience, the emotional realities of healing, and how an unimaginable series of events changed the way she sees her life.

Key Takeaways

Stay present, especially when life feels overwhelming
Self-care is essential to recovery
Accepting a new reality can be empowering
Let go of what you cannot control
Give yourself permission to be the best version of yourself today

Chapters

00:00 — Surviving a devastating accident

04:30 — A breast cancer diagnosis

07:57 — The PATCH framework for healing

16:50 — Accepting a new reality

23:50 — Letting go of control

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Episode 398: Men Get Breast Cancer Too: Know Your Normal Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Bret Miller was 17 when he first felt a lump behind his nipple. For seven years, providers told him it was calcium buildup or that it would go away on its own. It didn't. At 24, Bret was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer — a disease most people, including many of the doctors he saw along the way, don't associate with men at all.In this episode, Bret joins his oncologist, Dr. Priyanka Sharma of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, to unpack why male breast cancer is so often missed or overlooked by so many health care providers — and why most men have never been told what normal breast tissue looks or feels like for them in the first place. Together, they talk about what needs to change in clinical training and patient conversations, and what self-advocacy looks like when the system isn't built to catch what you're describing.

This episode is part of the Komen Health Equity Revolution podcast series, which centers the lived experience of communities too often overlooked in breast cancer awareness and care — including men.

5 Key Takeaways

Men need to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
A persistent change in one breast should be investigated
Nipple discharge can be a warning sign of breast cancer
Patients should advocate for themselves and seek second opinions
Healthcare providers should take concerning breast changes seriously

Chapters

03:10 Bret's Seven-Year Journey to a Diagnosis
10:55 Why Male Breast Cancer Gets Missed
15:09 Knowing What Is Normal for Men
17:11 Turning a Diagnosis Into Advocacy
24:39 How Healthcare Providers Can Close the Gap

Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org

Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

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