Breastcancer.org Podcast

Dr. Peter Schmid is chair in cancer medicine at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University London and also serves as clinical director of the Breast Cancer Centre at the St. Bartholomew Cancer Centre and honorary consultant medical oncologist at Barts Hospital. His research focuses on breast cancer, cancer immune therapy, and early drug development. At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, he presented results from the KEYNOTE-522 study showing that the combination of the immunotherapy Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and chemotherapy before surgery to remove early-stage triple-negative breast cancer led to a better pathologic complete response than chemotherapy alone. This is the first phase III study using immunotherapy to treat early-stage breast cancer. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Schmid discuss: the design of the KEYNOTE-522 study side effects related to both chemotherapy and Keytruda what these results mean for patients Running time: 9:27

Dr. Monique Gary is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health-Penn Cancer Network Cancer Program in Sellersville, Penn., where she also serves as director of the Breast Program. As a physician, advocate, and expert on health and healthcare disparities, she is passionate about developing integrative, holistic, and innovative approaches to cancer treatment, prevention, and general wellness. Dr. Gary joined us to talk about oncoplastic lumpectomy surgery, which is lumpectomy to remove the breast cancer followed by immediate breast reconstruction. In many cases, lumpectomy and reconstruction are done during the same surgery. The goal is to have the best possible cosmetic outcomes, without the need for any additional surgery to correct any dents or asymmetry. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Gary explain: how and why oncoplastic lumpectomy was developed who is and isn’t a good candidate for oncoplastic lumpectomy the benefits and drawbacks of oncoplastic lumpectomy things to consider when deciding between lumpectomy and mastectomy Running time: 25:05 Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board-certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is also vice president of clinical research. The 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting was held virtually June 4-8, and there were a number of studies on breast cancer presented. Dr. Litton joined us to talk about some of the most notable research. Listen to the episode to hear her explain: results from the OlympiA trial, showing that Lynparza (chemical name: oliparib) offered benefits for early-stage breast cancer in people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation results from the NEOTALA trial showing that Talzenna (chemical name: talazoparib) offered benefits for early-stage breast cancer in people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation when given before surgery updated results showing continued better overall survival when advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer is treated with the CDK4/6 inhibitors Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib) or Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) Running time: 23:19Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Saundra Pelletier is the CEO and founder of Evofem Biosciences. Saundra was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer while her company was conducting phase III clinical trials on Phexxi, a nonhormonal contraceptive gel for women. She describes herself as a mother, daughter, CEO, and trailblazer. She has more than two decades of experience of executive leadership at companies and nonprofits focusing on women’s health. Listen to the episode to hear Saundra discuss: how she led her company without taking a leave of absence while being treated for breast cancer how breast cancer changed her how Phexxi, a nonhormonal birth control gel, was developed, how it works, and why it's safe for women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer her advice for women who’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer See full product information at Phexxi.com. Do not use if you have a history of repeated urinary tract problems. Side effects include vaginal burning, itching, discharge, genital discomfort, yeast infection, urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis. Phexxi does not protect against STIs. Running time: 47:05

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer. One of the goals of treatment for DCIS and early-stage breast cancer — which is stage I, II, or stage III cancer — is to stop the cancer from coming back, called recurrence by doctors. Dr. Wojciechowski joined us to talk about recurrence risk and how it’s estimated. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski discuss: the factors used to determine each breast cancer’s risk of recurrence the steps a person can take to help keep the risk of recurrence as low as it can be how tests called tumor genomic assays can help estimate the risk of recurrence Running time: 16:39

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. He is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer. Medical and oncology organizations disagree on the value of breast self-exam. The American Cancer Society, for example, doesn’t recommend breast self-exam, while Breastcancer.org believes they are part of a comprehensive screening plan. Dr. Wojciechowski joined us to talk about the role of breast self-exam in screening and why it’s controversial. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain: why organizations stopped recommending breast self-exam the benefits and drawbacks of breast self-exam how he talks to his patients about breast self-exam Running time: 12:02

Dr. Hana El Sahly is associate professor of molecular virology and microbiology in the Vaccine and Treatment and Evaluation Unit at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. El Sahly is the chairperson of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the committee that makes vaccine recommendations to the FDA, and was also the lead investigator for the phase III trial for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Because of her role in studying the Moderna vaccine, Dr. El Sahly recused herself from the committee’s review of COVID-19 vaccines. In this podcast, she talks to us about both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency authorization by the FDA. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. El Sahly explain: how mRNA vaccines work the differences between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines for people with weakened immune systems why someone who’s been vaccinated still needs to wear a mask and practice social distancing Running time: 19:22 Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Marcia Beck is a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Kansas Health System. Marcia is certified in adult health and breast health and also certified as a lymphedema therapist by the Lymphology Association of North America. Listen to the episode to hear Marcia explain all aspects of lymphedema, including: what lymphedema is and where it can develop risk factors for lymphedema how lymphedema is treated steps people can take to reduce their risk of lymphedema or lymphedema flare-ups Running time: 28:48Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control have recommended that use of the Johnson & Johnson-Janssen COVID-19 vaccine be paused because six cases of what’s called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia have been diagnosed after people received the vaccine. Basically, a blot clot was found in the veins that drain blood from the brain, and the people also had very low levels of platelets, a type of cell that helps the blood to clot. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain: what these rare clots are and how they happen what people who’ve received the J&J vaccine should know how he’s advising his patients with breast cancer Running time: 22:08Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Joanna Fawzy Morales is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization providing free education on the legal and practical issues that may affect people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. Joanna has spent more than 27 years working on behalf of people with cancer, including 5 as an adjunct professor of law at Loyola Law School, teaching a seminar in cancer rights law, and 8 years at the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s Psychosocial Care Program. Currently, she’s also an adjunct law professor at Wayne State University. Listen to the episode to hear her explain the American Rescue Plan and the benefits it may offer to people diagnosed with breast cancer, including: additional economic impact payments for individuals who make up to $75,000 or couples who make up to $150,000 the increase in health insurance marketplace subsidies when the benefits begin and how long they will last Running time: 27:27

Dr. Steven Isakoff is a medical oncologist who serves as associate director for clinical research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and also as director of the Mass General Scalp Cooling Program and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Program. He is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Isakoff explain what scalp cooling is and how it works, including: the differences between automated scalp cooling systems and manual cold caps the factors that influence how effective scalp cooling can be at preserving hair during chemotherapy the biological mechanism of how scalp cooling works his tips for anyone who wants to try scalp cooling Running time: 25:33Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Dr. Halle Moore is director of breast medical oncology and co-director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at the Cleveland Clinic. Her research focuses on breast cancer treatment and issues related to cancer survivorship. Since the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved, she has been advising people diagnosed with cancer about what they need to know about being vaccinated. In this episode, she gives us an update on COVID vaccines, as well what people with allergies to polyethylene glycol and polysorbate should consider before being vaccinated. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Moore explain: how the technology of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine differs from the technology of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines why the vaccines can’t be compared head-to-head how she is advising people with polyethylene glycol and polysorbate allergies about the COVID vaccines what people currently being treated for breast cancer need to consider before being vaccinated Running time: 18:14Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Dr. Jennifer Litton is a board-certified medical oncologist and professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, where she is vice president of clinical research. She also is a member of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Litton joins us for this episode to talk about the side effects that may be caused by the two immunotherapy medicines approved for breast cancer: Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab) and Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab). Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Litton explain: how these two immunotherapy medicines work the side effects that are unique to the immunotherapy medicines how doctors monitor immunotherapy side effects tips how people can monitor themselves for side effects Running time: 20:44Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.

Dr. Deanna Attai is associate clinical professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Attai was an early adopter of social media for professional and patient education. She serves as the social media editor for the Journal of Oncology Practice and is a member of the Annals of Surgical Oncology editorial board. She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Social Media Working Group and co-chair of the Collaborative for Outcomes in Social Media in Oncology research group. Much of her recent research has focused on going flat and how satisfied women are with this decision, as well as whether surgeons support women who want to go flat. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Attai explain: the reasons why a woman may opt to go flat why she decided to study how satisfied women were with their decision to go flat how a woman should talk to her surgeon to ensure she gets a truly flat chest that she is happy with cosmetically after mastectomy, with symmetrical scars and no dog ears Running time: 29:15

Dr. Neil Iyengar is a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center whose practice focuses on people with breast cancer. His research is looking at the links between metabolic health and cancer, specifically looking at how diet, exercise, and medicines can prevent cancers tied to obesity, such as breast cancer, and improve outcomes for people with inflammation in fatty tissues. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Iyengar explain: what intermittent fasting is and how it was developed why some people think intermittent fasting could be a tool to prevent breast cancer the research done so far the risks of intermittent fasting and what people who want to try it should consider Running time: 21:40Thank you for listening to the Breastcancer.org Podcast. Please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To share your thoughts about this or any episode, leave feedback on the podcast episode landing page on our website.