A Breast Cancer Diary
by Kathleen Moss
A Breast Cancer Diary is a deeply personal podcast where women tell the stories of breakthroughs, connections and paths to overcoming the challenges of Breast Cancer. It's for women who are facing decisions in the near future, as well as those who remain in this world years after diagnosis. It explores themes of body positivity, reframing of family, relationships, lifestyle, work, and it also explores recurrence, metastasis and the sacrifices that we don't normally talk about.
Episodes
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Tools for Survivorship with Dr. Elenora Teplinsky
I'm back for a short season interviewing my personal favorite oncologist friends... the first of which has published a wonderful book that goes on sale today! I'm sure you've heard of Dr. Teplinsky if you've been on the breast cancer end of Instagram. She's an amazing collaborator with some…
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Season Two Finale on ACTIVISM
I'd hoped to make season two an even 20 episodes again, but there's more important work to be done right now.... Transcript: Well, I had hoped to have three more episodes before closing for the summer, but I had a long month and a half off after my dad's passing, and I didn't get back on until...
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Yoga for Breast Cancer with Nanette Labastida
My colleague and friend Nanette has been leading yoga for breast cancer survivors for the past few years in her community of Austin Texas, even as she's navigated the tough journey of recurrent metastatic disease in her bones. I think you'll love her spirit as she shares her story... Link to...
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Reflecting on Integrative Oncology
Just a quick episode reflecting on Heather's story and the difference between "functional" or "integrative medicine" and "alternative" medicine. Subscribe on: APPLE PODCASTS - SPOTIFY Join my Newsletter List here: https://abreastcancerdiary.substack.com Heather's web site is:...
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26 Year Metastatic Thriver, Heather Jose
My guest Heather has been thriving with metastatic breast cancer for nearly 27 years! How did she do it? She feels that it's a combination of things--not necessarily the trial on stem cell therapy combined with high-dose chemo. She feels that her long-term drug, Faslodex, as well as lifestyle...
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Giving Back Through Breast Cancer Advocacy
Today's episode is part two of my advocacy series. I hope it's helpful, but if volunteerism and advocacy isn't your thing, I'll have more stories from guests coming up in the next two weeks! Subscribe on: APPLE PODCASTS - SPOTIFY - AMAZON Join my Newsletter Mailing List:...
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The ABC's of Breast Cancer Advocacy
Today I'm just talking from my own experience about some of the simpler ways to "stay in" the breast cancer community as an active advocate. Here are some of the organizations that came up: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis gives and trains mentors here: https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/ Stand…
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Good News--No Recurrence! and a New Substack
Subscribe on: APPLE PODCASTS - SPOTIFY - AMAZON Join my Newsletter List here: https://abreastcancerdiary.substack.com Transcript: Hello friends and happy Spring. I do not have a guest today, and that might be shocking to some of you who've just started listening to this podcast because for the…
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Fashion Model Gone Flat: Christine Handy
My friend Christine joins me on this week's podcast to tell her story of explant and continued success as a model after her second "mastectomy," going flat and embracing her concave chest publicly on the runway. Her new biopic is coming out on April first in LA and she's invited us breast cancer...
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Asking Ellyn about Breast Cancer
My guest today is a breast cancer advocate who uses her voice and her writing to walk alongside new patients in so many ways--she has a blog, a memoir, and now she's got an AI companion for those who haven't found a human connection yet, to process their breast cancer experience with. Her web…
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Dragon Boat Paddling after Breast Cancer
My new friend Lori is an amazing advocate for the power of exercise oncology and she's a wonderful hostess and educator here in the Northwest for those who want to try dragonboat paddling. As a 17 year survivor of breast cancer, she's met a lot of other breast cancer patients and her insights are...
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Warrior Portraits After Breast Cancer
My friend Danyel takes photos of breast cancer survivors in her studio on Hillsboro Oregon. In this episode she describes what that's been like, and she also talks about her recent diagnosis with stage four breast cancer. Don't forget to rate and review the show and if you want to enter for a…
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My Friend Brenda, a True Survivor
This and next week I'll be interviewing some friends close to home. I live in Oregon Wine Country, and there are a few breast cancer survivors who live in my part of the woods that I've gotten close to over the past two years. Brenda is one. We talk just about every week and see each other…
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What's Capsular Contracture?
Today I'm reflecting on the science related to last week's episode talking to Christina Miner about her Capsular Contracture and Breast Implant Rupture. Lot's of good resources linked below about this.... Links: Another great podcast episode on the history of implant mis-regulation is here. The...
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Unexpected Outcomes and Showing our Scars
This episode's guest is Christina Miner, host of Our Scars Speak Podcast. Today Christina shares about her experience with capsular contracture and her openness in sharing her scars publicly. Don't forget to rate and review the show and if you want to enter for a prize for doing so, email a...
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A Corporate Professional going through Breast Cancer
My new friend and fellow podcaster, Tina Conrad, is this week's guest and I couldn't wait to hear how she did it. She maintained a high pressure job as a manager in a fast paced fashion corporation right through breast cancer treatment and recovery. She is truly a warrior woman and I'm so…
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A Diary Entry about Recurrence Scares
This episode is an update from my personal story. I had a recurrence scare in November/Dec/January of 2024 and 2025, and this is the way it's sorting itself out. Always something to learn! --Kathleen Transcript: Welcome back to season two. Today's episode is episode three of this new season. And…
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Breast Surgeons, Flat Denial and BRCA2
The topic of breast surgery and skin conserving surgery has been a real trigger for me in the past since my first plastic surgeon kept refusing to take the extra skin off of my chest as I requested. The fact that I could talk to Lisa about this without getting emotionally worked up was one good...
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STILL Ourselves after Mastectomy
My instagram friend, Lisa, had a vision less than a year ago for a visual way to show the how the flat community has become a healing movement for women who don't want the usual reconstruction options post-mastectomy, and this week it is coming out into the breast cancer space as a work of art! I...
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Just Checking in with a Resource
I'm jumping in here with a quick holiday tip in between seasons. I highly recommend "After Breast Cancer Diagnosis" if you're in need of a mentor... or if you're feeling ready to offer a mentoring ear to a newer patient. Find them at https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org . Transcript: I'm checking…
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Reflecting on Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer
Last week's interview with my fellow advocate Leslie brought up a few things that make Metastatic Breast Cancer Unique. In today's episode I'll reflect on things like "lines of treatment," "progression" and "dormancy" when it comes to mets and I'll also talk about some of the ways that science is...
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Thriving with Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer: Leslie Pifer-Pien
My friend and fellow lobular breast cancer awareness advocate, Leslie Pifer-Pien joined me on the podcast this week to talk about her first seven years as a metastatic invasive lobular breast cancer patient. Leslie was diagnosed de-novo, which means, she didn't start with the mild kind of cancer...
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Reflecting on Pinktober 2024
Today I'm just reflecting on how Breast Cancer Awareness month has gone for me personally this year. I hope it's been a good one for you! Email me a screenshot of your rating or review of my podcast to be entered in a fun giveaway! [email protected] is the place to send it! Listen and...
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Marinia Blackford: Mom and Cancer Coach
In this episode I got to interview a fellow youtube/breast cancer recovery coach and influencer, Marina Blackford! I'm so honored that Marina has been willing to spend this time with me. We talk about her story of lumpectomy AFTER mastectomy, her desire to run the NYC Marathon, and her insights...
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Reflecting on Keytruda: Risks and Benefits
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/agbu6QjDiXs Support my work by making a donation here: https://liberapay.com/abreastcancerdiary/ Links from today's episode: Meryl's Instagram Accounts: @merymeryl; @thestoryofcaptaincharlotte; and @rompandrollick Meryl's business email address for parent...
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When Triple Negative Feels Toxic
In earlier episodes with stories like Marquita's we've seen ways that Triple Negative Breast Cancer can be "not so bad" but in younger patients it's often the reverse. Meryl Opsal is my guest today, and she's got a harder story to tell about the effects of her immunotherapy. Meryl is a powerful...
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Reflecting on Breast Implant Illness and Going Flat after Explant
Today I'm reflecting on last week's interview with Anna Hopkins, who spoke of Breast Implant Illness and the experience of going flat after 18 years with implants. Support my work by making a donation here: https://liberapay.com/abreastcancerdiary/ Watch this episode on YouTube here:...
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Anna Hopkins, The Closet Lady
My friend Anna Hopkins tells her story on today's podcast episode--a story of Breast Implant Illness that ends in her fully embracing her new breastless and flat chest as a flat fashionista. Please see the links below to learn more about BII and its auto-immune disorders, common among women with...
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Burning Man - Big Medicine for Big Loss
This is a solo episode where I'm reflecting on my week at Burning Man--a place I wouldn't normally be drawn to except that it offers an exceptional way to be with loss and say goodbye. I would have never ended up at Burning Man this year if it weren't for the podcast project--the opportunity came...
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A Reflection on Self Advocacy for Young Survivors
This is a very short recap of stirred thoughts and feelings after talking to Miriam last week about her amazing self advocacy as a young breast cancer survivor with complicated hormonal needs. Catch this podcast on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VDPM9RH5KJo Support my work by making a donation...
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Young Breast Cancer Survivor and "Unicorn Breastie," Miriam Janove
My dear friend Miriam has a lot to say in this interview about work and breast cancer. She also makes a really good argument for getting a second opinion. Thank you for rating and reviewing the podcast! You can now watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/agbu6QjDiXshttps://youtu.be/_99HYBvjFTo Support...
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Reflecting on TRAM Flap and Self Blame
There are some terms to define from the last episode, but mainly I want to talk more about the idea of self blame and "I must have done something wrong" raised by Avena last week. This is a topic worth discussion. Support the podcast here: https://liberapay.com/abreastcancerdiary/ Watch the…
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Claim your Power, With Guest Avena Ward
My friend Avena had never told me her breast cancer story before this interview, so I'm hearing it fresh right along with you, and of course, her insights blew me away. Transcript: K: Today's guest is my friend, Avena Ward. She has been in my life just a short time, and she's been a writing…
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A Breast Cancer Terminology Primer
This week I've decided to define some terms that came up in my interview with April Stearns last Sunday, for the sake of those new to breast cancer culture. Hope this is useful to you! Transcript: Welcome back. Today, I'm going to be doing another one of my reflection episodes. This is going to…
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April Stearns - Telling Your Breast Cancer Story
The work that April does at Wildfire Magazine has been one of my biggest comforts in breast cancer recovery, because the stories told by her writers provide comfort and solidarity. I see April as an activist on many levels but mostly for the themes that she chooses for her magazine. Themes like...
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Reflecting on Triple Negative and its Gray Areas
This is a follow up podcast episode to last week's in which I spoke to my friend Marquita Bass about her triple negative breast cancer diagnosis. I felt there was a little more to say on this subject before moving on. Links: In the podcast, I promised to provide resources in the show notes for...
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Triple Negative, Double Tricky! with Guest Marquita Bass
This episode gets into some murky medical territory so it's important to note that your doctor is the only expert on whether chemo is for you. Personalized cancer treatment is still being tested in clinical trials at this time, but Marquita is one example among triple negative (TNBC) early stage...
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A Breast Cancer Diary Reflection on Flat Denial
Today I'm reflecting on how far I've come since my first mastectomy--the one in which I was denied flatness. Thanks for listening as I process my own anger and regret and allow them to officially become softer. Transcript: Welcome back. Today in episode three of the podcast, I just want to…
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"You Are Whole" with Image Activist Michaela Raes
Whether you're flat or reconstructed, if you've had a mastectomy you have scars on your chest, and the natural tendency for most of us is to hide them. What happens when we encounter someone who isn't as interested in hiding? For me, it's been magic each time a person shows a lack of shame to…
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Meet Host Kathleen Moss
Thanks for checking out my new podcast! This episode is a super short intro to my story just in case you haven't heard it before. Thanks for listening! -Kathleen Episode One Transcript: [00:00:00] June 26, 2024. Dear diary, Wait.... Are you my diary? My name is Kathleen Moss. Welcome to my…
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A Breast Cancer Diary, Season One Trailer
Welcome to my new podcast. The release date for the first episode is June 30th. Subscribe now so that you can listen then! Recognize this voice? Kathleen's youtube page is called "Estrogen Diaries with Kathleen Moss" where you'll find about 75 videos that you can check out while you're waiting to...
About this show
A Breast Cancer Diary is a deeply personal podcast where women tell the stories of breakthroughs, connections and paths to overcoming the challenges of Breast Cancer. It's for women who are facing decisions in the near future, as well as those who remain in this world years after diagnosis. It explores themes of body positivity, reframing of family, relationships, lifestyle, work, and it also explores recurrence, metastasis and the sacrifices that we don't normally talk about.
Hosted by
Kathleen Moss