Breastcancer.org Podcasts: Experts discuss research & issues
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Talking to Children About Metastatic Breast Cancer
Sep 8, 2023
Kelly Grosklags, a licensed clinical social worker and grief counselor, helps Community Director Melissa Jenkins moderate a special Virtual Community Meetup on talking to children about metastatic breast cancer.
Finding the words to talk to children about metastatic breast cancer can be very difficult. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.
Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly explain:
- why it’s important to use words like “cancer” and “medicine” when talking to children
- what children of different ages need to know and hear
- how to discuss death with children and how to reassure them that they’ll be taken care of
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Pregnancy After Breast Cancer: Is It Safe?
Nov 2, 2023
Dr. Ann Partridge discusses the research on pregnancy after breast cancer and the factors women need to consider.
At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, chaired a session titled, “Pregnancy After Breast Cancer: Is It Safe?”
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Partridge discuss:
- why oncologists are concerned about pregnancy after breast cancer
- what the most recent research shows, including results from the POSITIVE trial, which she led
- the things women need to consider if they want to have a child after breast cancer treatment
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Promising New Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Nov 2, 2023
Dr. Aditya Bardia discusses encouraging results from a study on a new medicine for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, presented results from the TROPION-Breast01 trial, which is comparing a new antibody-drug conjugate, datopotamab-deruxtecan (dato-DXd), to doctors’ choice of chemotherapy for inoperable or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that had grown while being treated with hormonal therapy and also had been treated with chemotherapy.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Bardia explain:
- what an antibody-drug conjugate is
- the design of the TROPION-Breast01 study and the first results
- dato-DXd side effects
- how dato-DXd might fit into the current treatment landscape for metastatic breast cancer
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Can Chemotherapy Before Surgery Eliminate the Need for Surgery?
Nov 2, 2023
Dr. Henry Kuerer shares the results of his study looking at whether some women can skip surgery after chemotherapy before surgery.
At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress in Madrid, Spain, Dr. Henry Kuerer presented results from a study looking at whether some women diagnosed with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer or early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer could skip surgery if they had a pathologic complete response to chemotherapy before surgery.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Kuerer explain:
- what a pathologic complete response is
- why no women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive disease were in the study
- the results of the study
- what the next steps are for this research
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Imaging Tests for Lobular Breast Cancer
Nov 9, 2023
Maxine Jochelson, MD, explains the imaging tests for lobular breast cancer, as well as why lobular disease is harder to see on mammograms.
Lobular breast cancer is cancer that starts in the lobules, the glands in the breast that produce milk. Lobular breast cancer is the second most common breast cancer, accounting for about 10% of breast cases in the United States. Lobular breast cancer doesn’t always form a lump and can spread to areas of the body different from ductal breast cancer, such as the abdominal lining or the tissue around the kidneys or the eyes.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Jochelson explain:
- why lobular breast cancer is harder to see on mammograms
- the imaging tests used to figure out if lobular breast cancer has spread
- the difference between a FES PET scan and a FDG PET scan
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I couldn't figure out how to read the transcript, so I listened. I have lobular (Dx 2016) and I have never had a PET/CT scan. Have had conventional CT and bone scans. Makes me wonder about my care.
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@weninwi, thanks for listening!
If you'd like to read the transcript for this podcast (or any others), it's located on the bottom of the page, under the About the Guest blurb, and looks like this:
Clicking the carrot to the right will display the entire transcript for you!
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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The Losses We Feel After a Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Dec 1, 2023
Grief counselor Kelly Grosklags helps Melissa Jenkins moderate a special Virtual Community Meetup on the losses people feel after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Living with metastatic breast cancer can bring many losses: not being able to ride bike, missing events, losing friends, just to name a few. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.
Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:
- how to move away from the “what if” to the “what is”
- what to say to friends that don’t understand your involvement in metastatic support group
- how they learned to live with metastatic disease
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Treatment After CDK4/6 Inhibitors
Dec 5, 2023
Medical oncologist Stephanie Graff explains the treatment options available after a CDK4/6 inhibitor stops working.
CDK4/6 inhibitors are used to treat both early-stage and advanced-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
The CDK4/6 inhibitors are:
- Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib)
- Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib)
- Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)
At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Stephanie Graff moderated an educational session to help people and their doctors decide on treatments after a CDK4/6 inhibitor has stopped working.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Graff explain:
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What You Need to Know About Lymph Node Radiation After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Dec 6, 2023
Dr. Marisa Weiss explains the results of the practice-changing study showing that node-positive breast cancer that becomes node-negative after chemotherapy likely doesn’t need nodal radiation.
Breast cancers that are lymph node-positive are usually treated with chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). If those cancers become lymph node-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, there’s been a debate about whether to treat the nodes or not.
A new study has practicing-changing results: Nodal radiation isn’t needed.
Dr. Marisa Weiss, Breastcancer.org chief medical officer and founder, and radiation oncologist, explains the findings.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:
- why there has been debate about how to treat this type of breast cancer
- the study results
- what the results mean for patients
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Paxman Scalp Cooling Patient Assistance Programs
Dec 6, 2023
Richard Paxman explains how his company helps people pay for scalp cooling during chemotherapy.
Scalp cooling can help people keep some or quite a lot of their hair when receiving a chemotherapy regime that can cause hair loss.
At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Richard Paxman, CEO of Paxman Scalp Cooling, explained the updated patient assistance programs his company offers.
Listen to the podcast to hear Richard explain:
- the Paxman Patient Assistance Program
- other resources Paxman offers
- where to get more information on scalp cooling if your medical oncologist doesn’t have any
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ART Doesn’t Increase Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk
Dec 7, 2023
Dr. Hatem Azim explains his new analysis of data from the POSITIVE trial.
At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Hatem Azim presented a new analysis of information from the POSITIVE trial, which found that younger women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer could safely pause hormonal therapy to try to become pregnant. His new analysis looked at whether the women could use fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) without increasing the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence).
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Azim discuss:
- the types of fertility preservation and ART used
- which techniques were the most successful
- the results of his analysis
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Breast Cancer Vaccine Update
Dec 7, 2023
Dr. Justin Johnson explains early results from three small studies on a vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer.
Dr. G. Thomas Budd, an oncologist, and Dr. Justin Johnson, an immunologist, are collaborating on research looking at a vaccine to prevent triple-negative breast cancer. At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, they presented a poster on the encouraging first results from three small studies.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Johnson explain:
- how the people in the study are responding to the vaccine
- why having an immune response to the vaccine is important
- the protein the vaccine targets
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The Benefits of Exercise for People Living With Metastatic Disease
Dec 8, 2023
Dr. Anne May explains how exercise helps ease metastatic breast cancer side effects.
In 2022, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released guidelines on exercise for people being treated for early-stage cancer. But when those guidelines were developed, there wasn’t enough research on exercise in people with metastatic cancer. So Dr. Anne May decided to do that research.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. May explain:
- the design of the study
- the type of exercise the people did
- what the people thought about exercising
- her advice for people with metastatic disease who want to start exercising
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Genomic Test Helps Decide Which DCIS Needs Radiation
Dec 8, 2023
Dr. Seema Khan explains her research looking at the ability of a genomic test to help make radiation decisions for DCIS.
The Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score test is used to help people and their doctors make decisions about whether radiation after lumpectomy surgery to remove DCIS would offer more benefits than risks.
At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Seema Khan presented results from the E4112 study, evaluating the ability of the Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score to accurately predict which women would benefit from radiation after DCIS surgery and which women could safely skip radiation.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khan explain:
- the design of the study, including why a prospective study is important
- the results
- how the results fit into the current context of DCIS care
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Being in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinical Trial
Dec 7, 2023
Metastatic breast cancer advocate Dr. Kelly Shanahan shares what it’s like to be part of a clinical trial.
Dr. Kelly Shanahan, trained as an OB/GYN, has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 10 years. For many years, she tried to join a clinical trial. In 2021, she finally did. At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she told us about her experience.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shanahan explain:
- why and how she joined a trial
- what she’s experienced while being in the trial
- why clinical trials are important to her personally
- why clinical trials are important for everyone
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Research With Immediate Impact at 2023 SABCS
Dec 8, 2023
Dr. Matthew Goetz tells us about the research that will change the way he talks to his patients.
The 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and advocacy meetings.
Dr. Matthew Goetz, noted breast cancer researcher at the Mayo Clinic, explained the top research presented that will make an immediate difference for people diagnosed with breast cancer.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Goetz explain:
- a study on inavolisib, a promising new treatment for advanced-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that’s stopped responded to tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor
- how the immunotherapy medicines Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (chemical name: nivolumab) can be used to treat early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer
- overall survival results from the MONARCH-3 study on Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)
- why overall survival is such an important study end point
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Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Dec 22, 2023
Dr. Kristin Rojas explains the collection of symptoms that genitourinary syndrome of menopause encompasses, as well as treatments.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the preferred term for many of the symptoms that menopause can cause, including vaginal dryness and irritation, urinary tract infections, and incontinence.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Rojas explain:
- why many people still use the term vaginal atrophy rather than genitourinary syndrome of menopause
- the symptoms GSM encompasses
- treatments for GSM symptoms
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Bringing Breastcancer.org to the Spanish-Speaking Community
Jan 5, 2024
Marián Castanondo talks about her role as a moderator for the Breastcancer.org Spanish community.
Marián has been with Breastcancer.org since the Spanish language discussion forums launched 11 years ago.
Listen to the podcast to hear Marián discuss:
- how she came to be a moderator
- what she’s learned from community members
- why it’s important for Breastcancer.org to have a Spanish site and a Spanish community
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Tai Chi for People With Breast Cancer
Jan 19, 2024
Judith Sachs, an experienced tai chi teacher, explains what tai chi is and the benefits it offers people with breast cancer.
Tai chi is described as meditation in motion. But what does that mean, exactly?
Listen to the podcast to hear Judith explain:
- what tai chi is and its history
- what a typical tai chi class consists of
- the benefits tai chi offers people with breast cancer
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Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells
Feb 2, 2024
Dr. Angela DeMichele explains her research on treating inactive breast cancer cells to prevent recurrence.
At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2023 Congress, Dr. DeMichele presented results from the CLEVER study, which looked at ways to treat inactive breast cancer cells that remained in people who were previously treated for breast cancer. The results suggest that it might be possible to find and treat these inactive breast cancer cells, which could help prevent breast cancer recurrence (the cancer coming back).
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DeMichele explain:
- how inactive breast cancer cells survive chemotherapy
- how the inactive cells wake up and cause a recurrence
- the results of the CLEVER study
- next steps for the research
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Talking To A Partner About Sex After Breast Cancer
Feb 16, 2024
Dr. Stephanie Ross offers tips on how to overcome some of the barriers people face when talking to their partners about sex during and after breast cancer treatment.
Many people struggle with being intimate during and after breast cancer treatment. Surgery can change the way you look and feel about yourself, as well as change the sensations your breasts feel. Hormonal therapy can lower your libido and make sex painful. You may be afraid that having your breasts or other areas touched will be painful. And you may be fatigued and feeling exhausted. Talking to your partner about all this can feel overwhelming.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ross discuss:
- how people can get more comfortable talking about sex
- tips on overcoming some of the most common issues, including body image, painful sex, loss of libido
- the best time to bring up the topic
- different professionals that can help with sex and intimacy issues
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The podcast/article "Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells" is very interesting and promising. Hydroxychloroquine is very affordable.
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@weninwi We appreciate your feedback, and we agree! We love that you're listening to our podcasts and sharing your thoughts — could we encourage you to create a conversation specifically on the podcast thread that we start so that the conversation can stay on topic? We're afraid if others weigh in on your comment here, the conversation could get lost and important discussion could get silenced. Posting on the podcast's thread will also bring it back to the attention of other members so they can weigh in. You can find our post for this podcast here:
Thank you for your help! We look forward to seeing how the discussion evolves.
—The Mods
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Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells podcast was fascinating to listen to and gave me hope! Thank u for sharing!
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@snm we appreciate your feedback ❤️
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Embracing What Matters Most After a Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Mar 1, 2024
Grief counselor Kelly Grosklags helps Melissa Jenkins moderate a special Virtual Community Meetup on embracing what matters after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Living with metastatic breast cancer can bring many changes, including to what you find important. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Kelly Grosklags.
Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly and Community members discuss:
- how to live in the “right now”
- acknowledging and accepting feelings, but not justifying them
- the importance of being true to yourself and letting go of things that don’t make you feel good
- celebrating what brings you joy
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Mar 22, 2024
Registered dietitian and oncology nutrition specialist Hillary Sachs helps Melissa Jenkins moderate a special Virtual Community Meetup on nutrition and breast cancer.
After a breast cancer diagnosis, many people want to eat more healthfully. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Hillary Sachs.
Listen to the podcast to hear Hillary discuss:
- how sugar and protein affect cancer cells
- foods and supplements that can help ease fatigue
- alcohol and cancer
- soy and breast cancer
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Apr 12, 2024
Dr. Pamela Ginsberg offers tools and tips on how to ease stress and anxiety after a breast cancer diagnosis.
That being diagnosed with breast cancer is stressful is an understatement. It may be difficult to accept the diagnosis. You may feel overwhelmed by making so many decisions at once: Which doctor should you see? Which treatments should you have? Where should you have treatment? You may have concerns about how you’re going to keep up with your responsibilities at home and at work.At the 2024 Living Beyond Breast Cancer Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer, Dr. Ginsberg will be discussing the psychological effects of metastatic breast cancer. During this podcast, she talked about tools anyone who’s been diagnosed with any type of breast cancer, as well as caregivers, can use to manage stress and anxiety.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Ginsberg explain:
- the most stress-inducing aspects of a breast cancer diagnosis
- the factors that make caregivers stressed
- how to tell the difference between stress and anxiety and depression
- strategies and tools to manage stress and anxiety
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Radiation Before Mastectomy: Switching Treatment Order Allows for Immediate Reconstruction
Apr 26, 2024
Dr. Benjamin Smith discusses his research on giving radiation before mastectomy, which allows for immediate reconstruction during mastectomy surgery.
If early-stage breast cancer has a high risk of recurrence – coming back after treatment – nearly all doctors recommend radiation after mastectomy. But when a woman wants to have reconstruction, the timing of radiation after surgery is tricky because radiation can cause changes in the reconstructed breast’s appearance and up the risk of complications, such as delayed healing. So many women have a tissue expander placed during mastectomy surgery and then receive radiation. Once the area has recovered from radiation, reconstruction surgery is done, usually about six or 12 months after radiation is completed.
In the April 5, 2024, issue of JAMA Network Open, Dr. Benjamin Smith and colleagues published the results of the SAPHIRe trial, which studied whether giving radiation before mastectomy was safe.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Smith explain:
- how the idea for the trial came about
- the benefits and risks of giving radiation before mastectomy
- why women having implant reconstruction aren’t good candidates for radiation before mastectomy
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