Why Your Mammogram Might Be Lying to You: Leslie Ferris Yerger’s Fight

We're joined by women’s health advocate and author Leslie Ferris Yerger, founder & CEO of My Density Matters. Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer just two months after a “clear” mammogram and ultrasound, Leslie uncovers how dense breast tissue can hide cancer, why current screening standards fail many women, and what you can do to protect yourself.Leslie’s mission: make sure her story doesn’t become someone else’s. Her nonprofit empowers women to check their breast density, ask the right questions, and push for additional screening when needed.✅ Listen to learn:What breast density is — and why it mattersHow dense tissue affects mammogram accuracyWhen to ask for MRI or advanced imagingPatient advocacy: how and when to push your doctorReal steps you can take todayChapters:00:00 – Intro & background01:17 – Clear mammogram → diagnosis journey05:13 – Why dense breast tissue matters12:58 – Understanding density categories & reports18:47 – What to ask your doctor next22:15 – Insurance, screening access & advocacy26:54 – Leslie’s takeaways & how to take actionGuest Bio:Leslie Ferris Yerger is a Tedx speaker, author of Probably Benign, and a women’s advocate with a laser focused mission. Leslie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in November 2017 after an ‘all clear’ mammogram and ultrasound, experiencing firsthand the failings of our current breast cancer screening standards. As Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit My Density Matters, Leslie is determined to empower women to find out their breast density, learn their options, and advocate for themselves to get the additional breast cancer screening they need, so that her story doesn’t become their story. Leslie lives in Hawthorn Woods, IL with her husband John. She has 3 grown children: Evan, Julia, and Megan.Resources:My Density Matters → https://mydensitymatters.org/Purchase her book “Probably Benign” → https://probablybenign.com/Trigger warning: This episode covers breast cancer and screening challenges.If you found this helpful, please like, subscribe, and share this with the women in your life. Your next mammogram might just end up different.#BreastCancer #BreastDensity #WomenHealth #PatientAdvocacy #ScreeningFailureEnjoyed this episode? Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Linkedin @MantaCares and visit our website at MantaCares.com for more episodes and updates. All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.