Breastcancer.org Podcasts: Experts discuss research & issues
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Easing Cancer Pain in People With a History of Addiction
May 10, 2024
Dr. Natalie Moryl discusses how she works to control pain in people with a history of addiction.
Pain is a common side effect of breast cancer. The cancer itself may cause pain and nearly all breast cancer treatments may cause some type of pain. If breast cancer is metastatic – meaning it’s spread to parts of the body away from the breast, such as the bones or liver – it may cause pain in those areas.There are many medicines that can ease cancer pain. Opioids are narcotic drugs that are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by breast cancer or its treatments. While effective, opioids can be habit-forming, which can be a problem for people with a history of addiction.
Listen to the episodes to hear Dr. Moryl discuss:
- the difference between chronic and acute pain
- the difference between withdrawal symptoms and addiction
- pain control options for people with a history of substance abuse disorder
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May 24, 2024
Rena Vanzo started The Boob Bus to make mammograms more personalized and fun.
There are many reasons women don’t get annual mammograms, including the distance to a mammogram facility, lack of transportation, or not having a primary care doctor.
Licensed, certified genetic counselor Rena Vanzo wants to overcome those barriers. She’s started The Boob Bus, a mobile mammography bus that also offers genetic testing and cosmetic procedures, to make getting a mammogram feel more like going to a spa.
Listen to the podcast to hear Rena discuss:
- how she came up with the idea for The Boob Bus
- the services offered on The Boob Bus
- why screening mammograms are so important
- how she wants to grow the business
Listen now or read the transcript.
Photo courtesy of Master of Business Creation, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah
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May 31, 2024
Dr. Brooklyn Olumba explains how discovering she had a BRCA2 mutation led to earlier breast cancer screening and detection.
At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Brooklyn Olumba was part of ASCO Voices, a program that gives people in the oncology community an opportunity to tell their stories. Her talk was entitled “Genetic Testing Saved My Life.”
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Olumba explain:
- how she came to have genetic testing at age 25
- when she started breast cancer screening
- how she advises young women about screening
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Predicting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Risk in Young Black Women
Jun 1, 2024
Drs. Holly Pederson and Elisha Hughes explain their research on polygenic risk scores.
Black women have a higher risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer at a young age than white women. At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Holly Pederson, of the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Elisha Hughes, of Myriad Genetics, presented their research on how a polygenic risk score can help predict the risk of early-onset triple-negative breast cancer in Black women.
Listen to the episode to hear Drs. Pederson and Hughes explain:
- what a polygenic risk score is
- the results of their research
- how the results are being used
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Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2024
Jun 2, 2024
Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky explains the results with the most immediate implications for people with breast cancer.
The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified medical oncologist at the Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Paramus, NJ, summarizes the top breast cancer research.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Teplinsky explain:
- the DESTINY-Breast06 study on Enhertu compared to chemotherapy for metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer
- how circulating tumor DNA may help predict recurrence
- deescalating treatment to reduce the risk of side effects
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How Are Your Oncologist’s Communication Skills?
Jun 4, 2024
Dr. Fumiko Chino discusses her research on doctor-patient communication.
At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Fumiko Chino, MD, presented the results of research she conducted with Breastcancer.org on how doctors’ communication skills affected how well breast cancer patients stuck to their treatment plans.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Chino explain:
- why she wanted to do the study
- the results
- how to have good conversations with your doctor
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Research on Side Effects at ASCO 2024
Jun 21, 2024
Five researchers discuss their research on the side effects of breast cancer treatment.
At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June, an entire poster session was dedicated to treatment-related side effects.Listen to the episode to hear:
- Dr. Miriam Klahr discuss links between high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy :42-2:20
- Dr. Ana Ferrigno Guajardo explain her study on sexual function in young Mexican women with breast cancer 2:21-4:44
- Dr. Mingxiao Yang talk about how acupuncture and yoga may help ease chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy 4:45-5:56
- Erin Hong detail the results of a study on the Amma, a scalp cooling cap to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy 5:57-9:52
- Dr. Laila Agrawal report the results of an online survey on sexual health after breast cancer 9:53-11:50
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Jul 16, 2024
What happens when AI reads a mammogram? Data journalist Meredith Broussard discusses her experience and diagnosis.
In late 2019, Meredith’s routine mammogram showed an area of concern. Both her doctor and AI — an artificial intelligence program — read her mammogram. Her doctor looked at the images and knew she had cancer, while the AI reading wasn’t so clear.Listen to the episode to hear Meredith explain:
- how AI is taught to read and interpret a mammogram
- the factors a doctor considers when making a diagnosis versus the factors an AI considers
- how bias is introduced into AI
- why she wants a doctor to read her mammogram rather than AI
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What Is Palliative Care and When Do You Use It?
Jul 26, 2024
Palliative care focuses on pain and symptom relief. Dr. Joe Straton explains why it’s appropriate for anyone with breast cancer.
Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, but the two are very different. This podcast is the audio from a special Virtual Community Meetup featuring guest moderator Dr. Joe Straton.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Straton discuss:
- the issues palliative care addresses
- the difference between palliative care and hospice care
- the appropriate time to request palliative care
- insurance coverage for palliative care
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Podcasting From the Chemo Chair
Aug 9, 2024
“I started the podcast to show people that you can live through cancer,” Carly Fauth.
Carly Fauth was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024. Scheduled to start chemotherapy in May, Carly decided to start a podcast called Chemo Coffee Talk, which she records from her chemo chair during her twice-monthly infusions at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.
Listen to the episode to hear Carly discuss:
- how recording the podcast takes her mind off chemotherapy
- how she selects her guests
- what she plans to do with the podcast when her chemotherapy regimen ends
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Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer
Aug 16, 2024
Osteoporosis can be a side effect of several breast cancer treatments. Rheumatologist Dr. Anupama Shahane outlines treatment options.
Certain breast cancer treatments, including the aromatase inhibitors – medicines that stop the body from making estrogen – and certain chemotherapy medicines can compromise bone health and lead to osteoporosis.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Shahane explain:
- the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia
- osteoporosis risk factors
- how osteoporosis is diagnosed
- osteoporosis treatments
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Summer 2024 Breast Cancer Research Round Up
Aug 30, 2024
What does the latest breast cancer research mean for you? Dr. Holly Pederson explains.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its screening mammogram recommendations. Having a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast doesn’t lower the risk of dying from the disease. Certain types of exercise can reduce the risk of metastatic recurrence and neuropathy caused by chemotherapy.
What does all this mean? Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board member Dr. Holly Pederson discusses the details of these studies and how they may affect you.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Pederson discuss these studies:
- updated U.S. Preventive Services Task Force breast cancer screening recommendations
- double mastectomy after a cancer diagnosis in one breast reduces the risk of cancer in the other breast, but doesn’t decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer
- neuromuscular training reduces chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
- exercise reduces the risk of metastatic recurrence of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer
- hormonal therapy doesn’t increase dementia risk
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The Mastectomy I Always Wanted
Sep 13, 2024
Erica Neubert Campbell discusses her memoir about her breast cancer diagnosis, double mastectomy, and reconstruction.
While preparing for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Erica Neubert Campbell was understandably scared and anxious. She also had no idea what her reconstructed breasts would look like. Then a colleague shared that she had been through the same experience and showed Campbell her results. The information gave Campbell hope and strength, and she hopes to offer the same to other women with her new book, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted.
Listen to the episode to hear Campbell discuss:
- why she wrote the book
- how the book was a release, but also brought up a lot of the raw emotions she was feeling when she was first diagnosed
- how she hopes the book, including the more than 50 photos, will help other women
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Oral Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment
September 27, 2024
Suffering from mouth sores or dry mouth? Dr. Thomas Sollecito offers solutions.
A number of breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and some targeted therapy medicines, like Herceptin (trastuzumab), can cause oral side effects, including mouth sores, dry mouth and infections.Dr. Sollecito explains why these side effects happen and how they’re treated.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sollecito explain:
- why it’s a good idea to see a dentist before starting chemotherapy
- the type of dental check-up schedule someone receiving breast cancer treatment should consider
- what to do if you develop a cavity or need a root canal during treatment
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Transitioning to a Different Normal After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
October 11, 2024
Grief counselor Kelly Grosklags helps Melissa Jenkins moderate a special Virtual Community Meetup on moving to a different normal after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
A breast cancer diagnosis is a trauma, both physically and emotionally. You may find yourself wondering why no one is calling you one day and wishing you could just be left alone the next. 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:
- navigating through both fear and hope
- how to stay grounded in what exists today
- giving yourself grace for living a different life
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What You Need to Know About Inflammatory Breast Cancer
October 25, 2024
Dr. Filipa Lynce discusses the symptoms and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer; only about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are inflammatory. This type of breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in younger women and has very different symptoms than other types of breast cancer; it can be mistaken for an infection.
Dr. Filipa Lynce, director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Center at Dana-Farber, explains what you need to know about inflammatory breast cancer.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Lynce explain:
- the signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
- how inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed
- how inflammatory breast cancer is treated
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Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 26
November 8, 2024
When cancer researcher LaShae Rolle found a lump in her breast at age 26, she didn’t think it could be cancer, but decided to have a check-up just to be safe. She’s glad she did.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at any age is frightening and unexpected. But if you’re diagnosed in your 20s – before any type of screening starts – you face different challenges than if you’re diagnosed later in life.
LaShae Rolle, who studies cancer disparities, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 at age 26. When she found a lump in her breast she wasn’t concerned because no one in her family had ever had breast cancer. But a mammogram and ultrasound found at least eight cancer tumors in different quadrants of her breast.
Listen to the episode to hear LaShae explain:
- why she decided to have a check-up after she found the lump
- how powerlifting helped ease some side effects
- how her diagnosis changed the focus of her research
- her advice to other people who are too young to start cancer screening
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Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects
November 22, 2024
Hormonal therapy is more likely to affect physical quality of life for Black women than white women. Dr. Janeane Anderson discusses her research on the topic.
In the THRIVE trial, sexual side effects caused by hormonal therapy led to lower mental quality of life in both Black and white women, but caused lower physical quality of life only in Black women. Sexual side effects were also linked to Black women being less likely to take hormonal therapy as prescribed, but not white women.
Dr. Janeane Anderson, who analyzed the THRIVE data, explains why it’s so important for anyone who’s received breast cancer treatment to talk to their doctors about any and all sexual health problems they’re having.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Anderson discuss:
- Why sexual health is one of the most significant unmet needs among breast cancer survivors, regardless of race.
- The most common sexual health side effects of hormonal therapy.
- Her advice to women who aren’t comfortable talking about sex and sexuality with their oncologists.
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Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Dec 6, 2024
Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer.
New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells; it also makes immunotherapy medicines, like Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab), less effective. Dr. Donald McDonnell, senior author of the study, explains the results and how they might make a difference for people with breast cancer.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McDonnell explain:
- what eosinophils are and how he started studying them in connection with breast cancer
- how estrogen in the body affects the immune system
- how a hormonal therapy medicine, like tamoxifen, can make an immunotherapy medicine, like Keytruda, more effective
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Sexual Health After Breast Cancer
Dec 10, 2024
Noted sexpert Dr. Don Dizon explains why sexual health after cancer treatment should be more than an afterthought.
At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Dr. Don Dizon, professor of medicine and professor of surgery at the Brown University Cancer Institute, was part of a panel entitled “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll.” His presentation focused on sexual health after breast cancer.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Dizon discuss:
- the highlights of his presentation
- why sexual health after cancer treatment is important
- his advice on how to discuss sexual health with a provider, especially for people in the LGBTQ+ community
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Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarships
Dec 11, 2024
What does it take to be an Alamo Breast Cancer Scholar? Andrea Hans explains.
Andrea Hans was diagnosed with stage II triple-negative breast cancer when she was 28. With expertise in public health and health policy, she began working as an advocate to empower young women to understand their breast cancer risk factors. Andrea received an Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Advocate Scholarship to attend the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Listen to the episode to hear Andrea explain:
- how she transitioned from patient to advocate
- the scholarship application process
- what being a scholar entails
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Breast Cancer in Young Women: What We Know and Reducing Risk
Dec 11, 2024
Dr. Matteo Lambertini discusses current research on breast cancer in women 40 and younger.
Cases of breast cancer in young women have been increasing dramatically in the last eight years. Dr. Matteo Lambertini, whose research focuses on breast cancer in young women, especially fertility and pregnancy after a breast cancer diagnosis, chaired a session on breast cancer in the young at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
He also presented the results of a study that found young women with a BRCA mutation and a history of breast cancer had better survival and a lower risk of recurrence – the cancer coming back – if they had risk-reducing surgery to remove their healthy ovaries and fallopian tubes, as well as the remaining healthy breast, and any breast tissue left if they had had lumpectomy.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Lambertini explain:
- possible reasons why breast cancer rates are rising in young women, even though researchers aren’t exactly sure yet
- some of the most troublesome issues young women with breast cancer face
- how he plans to use the results of his study with his patients
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Enhertu for HER2-Low and -Ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer
Dec 12, 2024
Dr. Aditya Bardia discusses Enhertu for metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-low and -ultralow breast cancer and explains those terms.
At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Aditya Bardia, director of the Breast Oncology Program and Translational Research Integration at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented results from the DESTINY-Breast06 study, showing that Enhertu (chemical name: fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki), also called T-DXd, was better than chemotherapy for metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-low or -ultralow breast cancer that grew after one or more hormonal therapy medicines.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Bardia explain:
- results of the study
- what HER2-low and -ultralow breast cancer is
- whether people diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer should have additional HER2 testing
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Dec 13, 2024
What were the hot topics at the 2024 SABCS? Dr. Marisa Weiss details the highlights.
The 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and advocacy meetings.
Dr. Marisa Weiss, founder and chief medical officer of Breastcancer.org, breaks down the research that will have the most immediate impact for people diagnosed with breast cancer.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Weiss discuss:
- results from the PATINA study showing that adding Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) to first treatments for metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer improved outcomes
- research on the benefits of risk-reducing surgery for young women with a BRCA mutation and a history of breast cancer
- the importance of moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating breast cancer and personalizing treatments for each unique person
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Advocates’ Thoughts on SABCS 2024
Dec 13, 2024
What are patient advocates excited about at SABCS 2024? Five tell us.
Five patient advocates share what they like and what they’re excited about at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The advocates are:
- Antoinette Greer, of My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support
- Gitte Joergensen, of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
- Joan Mancuso, of Theresa’s Research Foundation
- Barbara Bigelow, of Metavivor and the MBC Alliance
- Christine Hodgdon, of GRASP
Listen to the episode to hear the advocates:
- explain the research they’re most interested in, including circulating tumor DNA research
- what they like most about the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
- what the symposium has inspired them to do
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