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My Breast Cancer Advocate

My Breast Cancer Advocate

Yazan: Jill Frank
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Hosted by breast cancer advocate Jill Frank, this podcast offers real conversations, expert insights, and practical support for anyone navigating breast cancer—whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or supporting a loved one. Honest, human, and here for you. Each week, I talk with patients, doctors, nurses, caregivers, and experts about the human side of breast cancer. We’ll cover the conversations you’ll have with your care team, how to make informed decisions, and the small things that can make a big difference during a hard time. This show is here for real talk, calm in the chaos.Jill Frank Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
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  • Know Before It Grows: Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Genetic Testing & Clinical Trials

    Know Before It Grows: Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Genetic Testing & Clinical Trials
    17 Aug 2026

    What if you knew your breast cancer risk before you were ever diagnosed? Dr. Melissa Frey, gynecologic oncologist and director of the Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, joins host Jill Frank for a deep dive into where cancer risk assessment stands today — and where it desperately needs to go. They cover cascade genetic testing and why only a third of at-risk relatives ever get tested, the genes beyond BRCA1/2 that doctors are missing (like PALB2), a surprising new statistic on genetic risk in the Ashkenazi Jewish community, and the real-world hurdles — imaging wait times, insurance, access — standing between patients and prevention. Jill also shares her own two-decade journey with breast cancer and genetic testing, including a cascade story that went the opposite direction: from daughter to mother. A candid, information-packed conversation for anyone who wants to be their own best advocate.

    Chapters

    00:00 — Welcome, Dr. Melissa Frey
    00:32 — From Duke to Gynecologic Oncology
    01:12 — The Moment Cancer Genetics "Clicked"
    02:32 — Are We Actually in a Prevention Era Yet?
    04:07 — The Data Gap: Why Risk Assessment Isn't Reaching Patients
    06:14 — Are Risk Assessment Tools Available Nationwide?
    08:38 — How Far Off Is Seamless Risk Assessment?
    09:38 — An Already-Taxed System: Imaging Wait Times
    11:19 — A Real Patient Story: Risk Assessment Catching Two Cancers
    12:41 — The Cost-Effectiveness Case for Early Detection
    13:44 — Breast MRI vs. Whole-Body MRI: Clearing Up Confusion
    14:47 — What Is Cascade Genetic Testing?
    17:01 — Jill's Own BRCA Story & What a Negative Result Really Means
    18:29 — When Family Won't Engage: The Emotional Barrier
    20:28 — Clinical Trials for Risk Assessment & Cascade Testing
    22:39 — Lynch Syndrome, BRCA1/2, and Beyond: PALB2 and Other Genes
    25:14 — Are Expanded Gene Panels Available Everywhere?
    26:21 — Ashkenazi Jewish Founder Mutations: What the Research Shows
    28:50 — A First Visit After a Positive Genetic Result
    30:55 — Should People With No Family History Get Tested?
    32:45 — Just How Actionable Is This Information?
    34:15 — Delivering Hard News Without Leaving Patients to Google It
    35:50 — What Personalized Prevention Actually Looks Like
    37:55 — New Frontier: Cancer Testing During Pregnancy
    41:28 — One Tool Every OB/GYN in the Country Should Have
    44:15 — Where to Actually Go for Risk Assessment Today
    46:44 — Liquid Biopsy and the Future of Early Detection
    48:17 — The Patient Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into a Career
    50:32 — Jill's Family Story: When Cascade Testing Goes Upward
    52:09 — Closing Thoughts
    Daha fazlasını göster Daha Az Göster
    54 dk.
  • How Immunotherapy is Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment Right Now

    How Immunotherapy is Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment Right Now
    28 Jul 2026
    Most breakthrough advances in breast cancer right now are happening through immunotherapy — treatments that teach your immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. In this episode, Dr. Heather MacArthur of UT Southwestern shares how research like cryoablation plus immune therapy is helping change the future of care, with more promising options for preventing recurrence and improving outcomes.Key Topics Covered:The evolution of breast cancer immunotherapy from experimental to standard care, especially for triple negative breast cancerHow cryoablation (tumor freezing) can work synergistically with immune therapies to teach the body to fight cancerThe critical role of timing in administering immunotherapy pre- or post-surgeryCurrent success stories in metastatic and early-stage breast cancer trialsThe challenges and importance of developing predictive biomarkers for treatment responseHow to access clinical trials and advocate for personalized treatment optionsFuture directions: expanding immunotherapy to more breast cancer subtypes and improving quality of lifeChapters:00:00 - Introduction: The rapid advancement of breast cancer immunotherapy00:31 - Dr. Heather McArthur’s background and pioneering research in cryoablation and immune therapy01:28 - Overview of immunotherapy in breast cancer today and its impact on treatment guidelines04:04 - Why immunotherapy initially struggled in breast cancer and what changed that success07:08 - Significance of giving immune therapy before surgery for better outcomes12:25 - Results from key phase 3 trials combining immunotherapy with chemo for ER-positive breast cancer16:39 - How cryoablation works and its potential as an immune-stimulating therapy22:26 - Long-term follow-up and durability of responses seen with cryoablation and immune therapies26:30 - Managing side effects of immunotherapy and the importance of personalized treatment plans31:20 - The role of genomic tools like oncotype scores and KI-67 in tailoring therapy37:25 - The meaning of "cure" in breast cancer and how long-term remission is achieved41:14 - How to discuss clinical trials with your healthcare team and access new treatments46:32 - The current state of biomarkers to predict immunotherapy response and ongoing research49:23 - Biggest unanswered questions and future outlook for breast cancer immunotherapy52:13 - Key questions to ask your doctor about immunotherapy options and clinical trialsResources & Links:C⁠UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center⁠⁠Jim Allison - Nobel Laureate for Immune Checkpoint Research⁠⁠KEYNOTE Trials for Breast Cancer⁠⁠Open Evidence Platform for Clinical Trials⁠⁠Liquid Biopsies and Genomic Testing in Breast Cancer⁠Details:How Immunotherapy Is Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment Right NowIn this episode of My Breast Cancer Advocate, Jill Frank speaks with Dr. Heather McArthur, Clinical Director of the Breast Cancer Program at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center, about how immunotherapy is transforming breast cancer care.Dr. McArthur explains why immunotherapy, once thought ineffective in breast cancer, is now improving outcomes for patients with triple-negative disease and showing promise in ER-positive cancers. She discusses why giving immunotherapy before surgery, combined with chemotherapy, helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer more effectively.The conversation also explores cryoablation, an innovative approach that freezes tumors to expose cancer cells to the immune system, potentially creating long-lasting immune memory. Dr. McArthur reviews current clinical trials, who may benefit most from immunotherapy, possible side effects, and why biomarkers are key to more personalized treatment.She encourages patients to ask their doctors if immunotherapy or a clinical trial may be appropriate, emphasizing that today's research is shaping tomorrow's standard of care and offering new hope for people living with breast cancer.
    Daha fazlasını göster Daha Az Göster
    53 dk.
  • The First 7 Days After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Step-by-Step Guide

    The First 7 Days After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Step-by-Step Guide
    1 Jul 2026

    Jill Frank shares a compassionate, step-by-step guide for navigating the first week after a breast cancer diagnosis, emphasizing understanding, organization, and confidence in decision-making.

    Key Topics:

    • Initial emotional response to diagnosis
    • Importance of gathering information and asking questions
    • Building your medical team and understanding roles
    • Deciding who to tell and managing support
    • Questions to ask your healthcare team
    • Managing online information and resources
    • Preparing for upcoming appointments and logistics
    • The difference between urgency and panic in decision-making


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and overview of the first week after diagnosis

    00:30 The emotional impact of diagnosis and initial reactions

    01:28 The importance of giving yourself time to process

    02:26 Understanding that timely does not mean rushed

    02:57 Day 1: Processing and obtaining reports

    04:26 Organizing your medical information and questions

    06:51 Understanding your diagnosis and specific tumor factors

    07:48 Key medical terms and what they mean

    09:15 Genomic testing and personalized treatment options

    10:11 The importance of gathering complete information

    11:07 Building your care team and understanding roles

    13:09 Choosing the right doctors and seeking second opinions

    14:38 Deciding who to tell and managing emotional support

    19:01 Preparing questions for your healthcare team

    21:26 Managing online information and avoiding overwhelm

    22:12 Protecting your peace and trusting credible resources

    25:04 Preparing for upcoming appointments and logistics

    27:03 Confidence over urgency: making thoughtful decisions

    28:20 Reassurance: You don’t have to do this alone

    29:27 Final thoughts: Confidence is understanding
    Daha fazlasını göster Daha Az Göster
    30 dk.
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