Breast Cancer and Weight Gain: What the Scale Doesn’t Tell You with Dr. Krystle Zuniga, Board Certified Oncology Dietician
Release Date: 08/20/2025
SABCS 2025: What a Stage 4 Breast Cancer Thriver Wants You to Know with Annie Bond, Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocate
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Join Melissa Berry as she welcomes Annie Bond, metastatic breast cancer thriver, advocate, and comedian, to share her first-time experience at SABCS 2025. Together, they explore the moments, conversations, and insights that matter most for metastatic patients and advocates, focusing on advocacy, representation, and the power of patient voices. This episode highlights the urgent need for more data and research in metastatic breast cancer and shows how patient advocacy can drive meaningful change. As part of the “Your Guide to SABCS” series, produced with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer...
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How to Change Your Lifestyle After Breast Cancer with Jen Delvaux, Breast Cancer Survivor & Certified Integrative Health Practitioner
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
Life after a breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming with so many “must-dos,” advice, and pressure to find a new normal. In this episode, Melissa Berry sits down with Jen Delvaux, breast cancer survivor and Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, to explore a practical, sustainable approach to resetting your lifestyle after breast cancer without burnout or overwhelm. Jen shares her personal story and the lessons she’s learned about real healing after treatment. She discusses how to focus on what matters most, make lifestyle changes that are realistic and sustainable, and create...
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The Impact of Breast Cancer on LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Relationships with Patient Advocate Chelsey Pickthorn and Dr. Don Dizon, Chief of Hematology and Oncology, Tufts Medicine
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
This episode is part of the special series Empowered Intimacy: Getting Your Sexy Back After Breast Cancer, where getting your sexy back is about reclaiming confidence, connection, and desire after a breast cancer diagnosis. Melissa Berry sits down with Chelsey Pickthorn, a patient advocate living with stage four triple-negative breast cancer, and Dr. Don Dizon, Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Tufts Medicine and a national leader in sexual health and inclusive cancer care. They explore the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face with intimacy, dating, body image, and relationships after a...
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Mastectomy Prep 101: What to Ask, Know and Understand with Dr. Anne Peled, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Breast Cancer Survivor
Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful
In this episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Anne Peled, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast cancer survivor, to answer the questions patients often wish they had asked before their mastectomy. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal experience, Dr. Peled guides listeners through the emotional and physical considerations that can be overlooked before surgery. This conversation is essential for anyone preparing for a mastectomy, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, offering the insights needed to feel informed, confident, and ready for a...
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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.
info_outlineIn 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 and metabolism. Together, they debunk common diet myths and emphasize how proper nutrition paired with exercise helps patients take control of their recovery and quality of life.
Join Melissa and Dr. Zuniga for a candid, hopeful conversation that goes beyond weight to what truly matters throughout the cancer experience.