According to The American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer affects roughly 22,240 women as of 2018. Unfortunately, more than half of those women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die. Ranking fifth in cancer deaths among women, ovarian cancer accounts for the most deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. However, in the past 20 years, the rate at…
You are so brave and quiet, I forget you are suffering. -Ernest Hemingway Being brave and strong is what is expected of us, but we can’t let them forget. We must be vulnerable, visible, and vocal. We will tell our stories to anyone who will listen, for they will know us all better for it. I’ll start. Hi, my name…
World, what’s good?! In this episode, I interview Emily Hopper, founder and CEO of Empowerhaus, a women’s breast cancer empowerment apparel company. Listen in as we discuss how Emily channeled the pain of a cancer diagnosis into helping others cope with smart, uplifting shirts, mugs, and bags. All while forgoing reconstruction, which has led her to represent women affectionately known as “flatties.” This…
Creating the BRCA Strong platform has lead to creating valuable, close connections for previvors and survivors. Just a few weeks ago I came across Amy Neighbors, the creator of Brick Betty, and right away we hit it off. Brick Betty creates athletic wear and post-surgical bras for women. The bras in the Violet collection are tailored to meet the needs…
World, what’s good?! In this episode, I interview my friend, mentor, and “Arizona Dad,” Kirk Busch. In just a few months of finishing chemotherapy in 2015, I lost my father. Growing up, he wasn’t always in my life. My maternal grandfather stepped in where he didn’t, but when I moved to Phoenix in 2008, we weren’t able to see one…
The most apparent and supposedly “defining” feature of a woman’s femininity is her breasts and for each woman, her relationship with them can be quite complex, especially after receiving a BRCA mutation or breast cancer diagnosis. Some women think theirs are too small, others think theirs are too big. Imagine having breasts (whether you thought they were too small or…
World, what’s good?! In this episode, I break down seven ways I incorporate self-care into my daily life. Unfortunately, my self-care routine came out of some painful past experiences. Resilient?! You betcha! #MeToo Self-care became my focus recently, and I am still learning what works. Self-care isn’t just for survivors, it’s for all of us! How can you improve your…
I was born in Toronto, Canada and received my PhD in Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto. I came to the United States in 1985 and never left, and am now an American citizen. My work has always been about detecting and characterizing DNA damage caused by environmental exposures, and how this damage is involved in human disease, primarily…
World, what’s good?! In this episode, I interview Dr. Tracey Stokes. Dr. Stokes is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Dr. Stokes has a very special relationship with cancer, as you will hear in our interview. Knowledge is power and Dr. Stokes stresses the importance of being your own advocate. Listen in as we discuss…
I’m a certified genetic counselor and the Founder and CEO of My Gene Counsel. Before starting this company I was the founder and director of the Cancer Genetic Counseling Program at Yale for 18 years, and I was also a plantiff in the 2013 BRCA gene patent case that went to the Supreme Court. Why did you start My Gene…
