Turning Clinical Trials into a First Choice for Care with LaToya Bolds-Johnson, Physician Associate, Breast Cancer Survivor and Clinical Trials Advocate
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Real Solutions for Intimacy After Breast Cancer with Dr. Laila Agrawal, Board-Certified Breast Oncologist
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Melissa sits down with Dr. Laila Agrawal, a board-certified breast oncologist who leads a sexual health clinic dedicated to the breast cancer community. As part of the "Empowered Intimacy: Getting Your Sexy Back After Breast Cancer" series, they talk about how to restore sexual comfort, pleasure, and connection after a breast cancer diagnosis. Dr. Agrawal offers practical guidance on vibrators, lubricants, vaginal estrogen, and pelvic floor therapy, while clearing up common misconceptions and stressing the importance of open communication with both partners and providers. This episode focuses...
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Breast Cancer Pre-Hab: Own Your Recovery with Dr. Rebecca Knackstedt, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Duke University and a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode, host Melissa Berry sits down with Dr. Rebecca Knackstedt, a dedicated and compassionate plastic surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Duke University to discuss the transformative power of breast pre-habilitation. Specializing in microsurgical breast reconstruction and certified in Functional Medicine, Dr. Knackstedt has cared for thousands of women preparing for breast cancer surgery. She is passionate about helping patients use evidence-based strategies, including nutrition, supplementation, stress management, and sleep optimization, to take an active role in...
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Am I Even Dateable After Breast Cancer? with Dani Trops, Breast Cancer Advocate and her husband Aaron Myers-Walls
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of "Empowered Intimacy: Getting Your Sexy Back After Breast Cancer," host Melissa Berry opens up an important conversation about dating, intimacy, and meaningful connection after a breast cancer diagnosis. She is joined by Dani Trops, breast cancer advocate, a young survivor and content creator known for her honesty, humor, and empowering approach to sharing life after cancer, and her husband, Aaron Myers-Walls, who offers the perspective of a partner navigating love, connection, and intimacy through survivorship. Together, Dani and Aaron talk about why honesty, communication,...
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How Do I Talk to My Oncologist About My Sexual Health? with Deltra, Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocate, and Dr. Laila Agrawal, Board-Certified Medical Oncologist
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of, "Empowered Intimacy: Getting Your Sexy Back After Breast Cancer," we open up an important conversation about sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis. Melissa is joined by her friend Deltra, a mom of five living with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, and Dr. Laila Agrawal, a board-certified medical oncologist dedicated to putting sexual health at the forefront of cancer care. Many carry these concerns silently, but intimacy is an important part of quality-of-life care. Together, they share personal stories, explore why this topic is often overlooked, and offer...
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AI’s Role in Insurance Denials — Friend, Foe, or Game Changer? with Erin Bradshaw, EVP for Patient Services & Navigation, Patient Advocate Foundation
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode, Melissa sits down with Erin Bradshaw, EVP for Patient Services & Navigation at the Patient Advocate Foundation, to explore the complex world of insurance denials and step therapy. Together, they discuss the surprising ways AI is already impacting patient advocacy, from helping navigate appeals to streamlining the process of getting the care you need. They explore whether AI is a helpful ally, a potential challenge, or a true game changer for patients navigating insurance barriers. Erin shares expert insights, clarifies common misconceptions about AI in healthcare, and...
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Realistic Areola Tattoos That Make You Feel Like You Again with Ivonne Jimenez, Restorative Medical Tattoo Artist and Founder of Zyanya Beauty
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this inspiring episode of, “Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful,” Melissa sits down with Ivonne Jimenez, Restorative Medical Tattoo Artist and Founder of Zyanya Beauty. Inspired by her mother’s breast cancer journey, Ivonne helps survivors reclaim confidence through realistic areola tattooing. They discuss both permanent and temporary designs, the importance of consulting with plastic surgeons and researching artists, and how Ivonne’s artistry supports healing, empowerment, and a sense of wholeness. Personal stories highlight the transformative impact her work has on clients.
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Breast Cancer and Weight Gain: What the Scale Doesn’t Tell You with Dr. Krystle Zuniga, Board Certified Oncology Dietician
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this very informative episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, Melissa sits down with Dr. Krystle Zuniga, a Board Certified Oncology Dietitian, to talk about a concern many breast cancer patients face: weight gain during treatment. Dr. Zuniga sheds light on why the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story and shares why nutrition combined with resistance training is key to overall health and well-being. Tune in as they explore Dr. Zuniga’s path into oncology nutrition, her research on diet’s impact on cancer prevention and treatment, and practical tips to support muscle health...
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Beyond the BRCA Gene: A Story of Risk Awareness and Breast Cancer Prevention, with Krista Brown, Oncology Nurse Navigator
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this compelling episode, host Melissa Berry continues the series "Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight" with a heartfelt conversation with Krista Brown, also known on Instagram as the Cancer Prevention Coach. Krista, an oncology nurse navigator and breast cancer survivor, shares her journey of living with an ATM gene mutation and the empowering role of genetic testing in her life. Together, they explore the importance of education, nutrition, and self-advocacy in managing hereditary cancer risks. Tune in to discover how Krista's personal experiences have shaped...
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Step Therapy and the Financial Burden: Navigating Co-Pays, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Financial Aid with Monica Bryant, Esq. Chief Operating Officer of Triage Cancer
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of, “Your Voice. Your Health”, we take a closer look at step therapy but this time through a financial lens. I sat down with Monica Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer of Triage Cancer, to talk about how step therapy can create unexpected financial obstacles—from rising co-pays and delayed treatment to challenges with insurance coverage and staying employed during treatment in your health plans, navigating appeals, and accessing financial aid. She also shares practical tips for choosing insurance plans, minimizing out-of-pocket costs, and using tools like Triage...
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The Critical Role of Genetic Counseling in Breast Cancer Prevention with Dena Goldberg, Board Certified Genetic Counselor
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode of Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight, I’m joined by Dena Goldberg, board-certified genetic counselor and founder of Malibu Genetics. We talk about the critical role genetic counselors play in assessing breast cancer risk, and how genetic testing can guide treatment and preventive care. Dena also shares how she supports patients through the emotional impact of receiving test results—and how understanding your genetic risk can be both empowering and life-saving. We also look ahead at the future of genetic testing, including the promise of...
info_outlineHost 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 created a “medical trust fund” for her daughters’ futures.
LaToya also discusses how we can shift the mindset around clinical trials from being seen as a last resort to a standard of care, helping patients advocate for themselves and make informed choices.
If you’re newly diagnosed, considering treatment options, or want to learn how clinical trials can offer hope and opportunity, this episode is a must-listen!