“The Power of Knowing: A Mother Daughter BRCA Journey," with Melissa’s Mom, Barbara
Release Date: 09/12/2024
Turning Clinical Trials into a First Choice for Care with LaToya Bolds-Johnson, Physician Associate, Breast Cancer Survivor and Clinical Trials Advocate
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Host Melissa Berry sits down with LaToya Bolds-Johnson — Physician Associate, triple negative breast cancer survivor, and passionate clinical trials advocate. With her experience as both a healthcare provider and a patient, Latoya offers a meaningful and insightful perspective on clinical trials and how they can transform cancer treatment. In this episode, LaToya shares her personal journey navigating breast cancer treatment and the challenges of finding the right clinical trial. They discuss the critical need for greater diversity in clinical trial participation, and how her involvement...
info_outline
Reclaiming Pleasure After Cancer with CBD Intimacy Products with Melissa Eppard, Cancer Thriver, Coach, and Upstate Mary Co-Founder
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Host Melissa Berry sits down with Melissa Eppard, a triple negative breast cancer survivor and co-founder of Upstate Mary, a wellness brand focused on CBD-infused intimacy products. They talk about Melissa’s personal breast cancer experience and the challenges many patients face with intimacy during and after treatment. Their conversation highlights the importance of addressing issues like vaginal dryness and the need for lubrication, which are often misunderstood, overlooked, and surrounded by shame. Melissa shares how CBD can help improve comfort and sexual wellness, while normalizing...
info_outline
How Genetic Testing Can Help You and Your Family Prevent Breast Cancer with Kathy Baker, Patient Advocate and Founder of My Faulty Gene
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode, we continue with a special series close to my heart: Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight. I’m joined by Kathy Baker, patient advocate and founder of My Faulty Gene to explore the power of genetic testing—particularly cascade testing—and how it can help both you and your family take control of your breast cancer risk. Kathy shares her compelling personal story and how it inspired her to launch My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit organization that provides education, emotional support, and financial assistance for genetic testing. You’ll learn all...
info_outline
How Diversity in Clinical Trials Can Save Lives with Dr. Sara Horton, Strategic Clinical Trials Access and Partnerships, Lead - Quantum Leap Healthcare
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Today is Clinical Trials Awareness Day, making it the perfect time to spotlight a powerful conversation about access, equity, and the future of cancer research. Host Melissa Berry is joined by Dr. Sara Horton, Strategic Clinical Trials Access and Partnerships Lead at Quantum Leap Healthcare to have an insightful and empowering conversation about clinical trials. Dr. Horton is deeply committed to improving access to clinical trials and ensuring diversity in cancer research—an essential step toward creating treatments that truly work for everyone. In this episode, we explore why representation...
info_outline
From Survivor to Founder: Redefining Swimwear with Post Swim with Lauren Yerkes, Breast Cancer Survivor and Founder of Post Swim
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
From Survivor to Founder: Redefining Swimwear with Post Swim with Lauren Yerkes, Breast Cancer Survivor and Founder of Post Swim In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, host Melissa Berry sits down with Lauren Yerkes, a triple negative breast cancer survivor and founder of Post Swim, a new swimwear brand designed to solve the difficult challenges we face when finding the right swimsuit after a mastectomy. Lauren shares her personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, and how her struggles with swimwear post-surgery inspired her to create a line that combines comfort, style, and...
info_outline
Beauty With A Purpose: Inside Thrive Causemetics with Karissa Bodnar, CEO and Founder of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, we’re talking about beauty, confidence, and self-care with Karissa Bodnar, CEO and Founder of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare. Her mission goes way beyond makeup—Karissa has created a brand that champions clean beauty, uplifts those affected by cancer, and helps women feel like themselves again. As a breast cancer survivor, I know how powerful beauty and self-care can be during and after treatment. Karissa opens up about the deeply personal reason she started Thrive Causemetics: her friend Kristy, while undergoing cancer...
info_outline
Breaking the Silence: Cancer Stigma and Cultural Barriers in South Asian Communities with Harjeet Kaur, Stage 4 Cancer Survivor, Patient Advocate & Influencer
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this special episode, host Melissa Berry is joined by Harjeet Kaur, a Stage 4 cancer survivor, patient advocate, speaker, influencer, and founder of Chai and Hope, a support community for South Asian cancer patients. Harjeet is dedicated to breaking the stigma around cancer, fertility loss, and hair loss due to treatment—especially within the South Asian community. After her cancer diagnosis and stem cell transplant, Harjeet turned her pain into purpose by breaking down barriers within her own family. While she received love and support, the topic of cancer was never discussed. Harjeet...
info_outline
The Life Saving Power of Self Breast Exams with Jessica Baladad, Founder of Feel For Your Life
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
The Life Saving Power of Self Breast Exams with Jessica Baladad, Founder of Feel For Your Life In this episode, host Melissa Berry welcomes Jessica Baladad, a 6-year breast cancer survivor and passionate advocate for self-breast exams. After a practitioner dismissed a malignant lump as “normal,” Jessica discovered it herself during a routine self-exam—an act that may have saved her life. She went on to create Feel For Your Life, an app designed by a breast cancer survivor to educate and empower women with tools for self-exams, tracking changes, and getting screened. Tune in for a...
info_outline
“The Ultimate Guide To Oral Care During Cancer Treatment,” with (un) cancer Founders Dr. Robyn Lesser and Dr. Abida Taher
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, we discuss an often-overlooked aspect of cancer care: oral health. Onco-Radioligist Dr. Abida Taher and Pediatric Dentist Dr. Robyn Lesser, the experts behind (un) cancer, join the show to explain why oral care is so important during cancer treatment, how to protect your teeth and gums, and their unique products designed to help maintain oral health. We explore the impact of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy on oral health, covering common issues like mouth sores, dry mouth, infections, and long-term dental complications. Dr. Taher and...
info_outline
"Flat, Fierce and Feminine” with Style Expert and Breast Cancer Survivor Erica Deligne
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful!, I’m joined by Erica Deligne, style expert, breast cancer survivor, and creator of the Flat, Fierce, and Feminine guide. After opting for aesthetic flat closure,Erica became a passionate advocate for helping women embrace their bodies with confidence and style without reconstruction. Erica shares her personal breast cancer story, the decision to go flat, and the importance of being fully informed about all surgical options. She also offers fashion tips for those who have gone the flat aesthetic closure route, discusses the need for more...
info_outlineIn this episode of the new series "Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight," host Melissa Berry and her mother share a heartfelt conversation on the profound impact of genetic testing. From the decision to undergo BRCA testing to the discovery that both Melissa and her brother Matt carry the BRCA gene, they explore the power of knowledge, the strength of family, and the vital role of early intervention. This episode underscores the importance of proactive healthcare and family support in navigating life-changing decisions. Thank you to Merck and AstraZeneca for making this episode possible!