Real Pink

Susan G. Komen
  • 4.8 (98)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Real Pink, a podcast by Susan G. Komen, is taking real conversations about breast cancer from the doctor's office to your living room. Hosted by Adam Walker, episodes feature candid conversations with survivors, researchers, physicians, and more. Find answers to your toughest questions and clear, actionable steps to live a better life, longer. At Real Pink, compassionate storytelling meets real inspiration and real support.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 404: Know My Body, Know My Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month

    Welcome to the Komen Health Equity Revolution series on Real Pink — where patients, advocates, researchers and community partners come together to talk honestly about what's standing in the way of breast health equity and what we're doing to change it. I'm your host, Adam Walker. This month is Hispanic Heritage Month, and we're honoring it by talking about something a lot of young women don't expect to be part of their story this early: Needing to have a mammogram as a young adult. Our guest today is Yaleska Sosa, a senior at Northwestern University studying biological sciences and global health, and a Komen College Ambassador. During a routine appointment, doctors found a mass and referred her for a mammogram — an experience that, combined with her family's history of cancer, turned a scare into a mission: making sure other young women, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community, have the information she wishes she'd had. Yaleska, welcome to Real Pink. Takeaway Breast cancer can affect people at any age, even those who consider themselves healthy. Knowing your body can help you notice changes and take action sooner. Family history and cultural experiences can shape how people understand their health. Sharing accessible health information can help young people feel more informed and empowered. One conversation or small act of awareness can have an impact beyond what we may ever see. Chapters 00:01 — Yaleska’s unexpected mammogram 06:00 — Deciding whether to tell her mom 06:47 — Knowing your body and your culture 09:39 — Discovering the impact of breast cancer 13:55 — Encouraging young women to know their bodies Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  2. Sep 21

    Episode 403: Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care How Young You Are

    When we think about breast cancer, many of us still picture someone much older. But the reality is that young women can—and do—face this diagnosis, even when breast cancer is the furthest thing from their minds. Today’s guest was just 35 years old when her life changed and she suddenly found herself navigating treatment decisions while raising 3 young children. Amanda Lutricuso’s story is a powerful reminder that you’re never too young to pay attention to your body and to speak up when something is wrong. Cancer may have changed the course of her life, it also changed her perspective on what matters most. Key Takeaways Breast cancer can happen at any age, even without family history. A strong family support system can help manage treatment. Young women should advocate for themselves when something feels wrong. Chapters 00:01:19 Finding the lump 00:03:22 Processing the diagnosis 00:08:07 Balancing treatment and motherhood 00:12:29 Chasing every dream 00:16:07 Advocating for your health Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  3. Sep 14

    Episode 402: Real Talk: Can AI Improve Breast Health Care?

    Technology is rapidly changing the world around us – and the same is true in women’s health. Artificial Intelligence holds enormous promise in understanding risk, detecting cancers earlier and improving treatment options and outcomes for breast cancer patients – but how do we get there and what should we be aware of along the way? Today we’re welcoming Jillian Wright, the CEO of Onsite Women’s Health, the leading provider of convenient, in-office breast health imaging services across the U.S., and Jane Perlmutter, a survivor of multiple cancers and devoted member of Susan G. Komen Advocates in Science program, which brings the patient voice to scientific research and clinical decisions. Takeaways AI can improve breast cancer detection and diagnosis AI can make breast imaging more consistent and effective Patients need a voice in how AI is used in healthcare AI must be developed with diversity, privacy and equity in mind Personalized care could reshape the future of breast cancer screening Chapters 00:00 — The promise of AI in breast health 05:12 — Understanding breast cancer risk 10:29 — How AI is transforming breast imaging 19:28 — The concerns around AI in healthcare 24:40 — The future of AI and cancer care Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  4. Sep 7

    Episode 401: Just Diagnosed: The First 30 Days

    The first 30 days after being diagnosed with breast cancer can feel devastating. You’re processing a lot of information, dealing with emotions and often trying to figure out what to do next. Joining us on Real Pink’s 400th episode today is Jennifer Omholt, a journalist and 24-year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer when her son was just 16 months old. In the wake of her diagnosis, she desperately searched for something to ease her fear and confusion, but found nothing that offered comfort or clarity. Over the next two decades, she set out to create the resource she wished she’d had, so that no one would need to face the shock of a cancer diagnosis alone. Jennifer is here today to share her story and what helped carry her though her breast cancer experience. Key takeaways: You don’t have to solve cancer all at once; focus on the next best step. Finding the right medical team can make a profound difference in your care. Self-advocacy means asking questions, trusting your instincts, and seeking second opinions. Letting others help can ease the emotional and practical burden of cancer. The fear of a diagnosis can fade as you gain knowledge, confidence, and a sense of control. Chapters 00:01:23 — A stage three diagnosis with a 16-month-old son 00:03:25 — Finding ways to manage fear and uncertainty 00:07:57 — The first 30 days after a breast cancer diagnosis 00:09:59 — Building a medical team you can trust 00:15:07 — Why self-advocacy can change your treatment Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  5. Aug 31

    Episode 400: Real Talk: Living One Treatment to the Next

    Metastatic breast cancer cannot be cured but it can be treated. Treatment focuses on disease management while maintaining the best possible quality of life. The unfortunate reality is that a treatment will only work for so long, then another one is needed. Joining us today are two women living with metastatic breast cancer who are sharing their experiences, living one treatment to the next. They are tireless advocates for research and the breakthroughs that will ensure their next treatment is available, when they need it. They’re sharing how they live life to the fullest and manage their day-to-day care. Key Takeaways It’s important to find hope while living treatment to treatment Recognize the physical and emotional toll of treatment, even when you look well Advocate for research, clinical trials, and discoveries that lead to better treatments Live in the present, prioritize quality of life, and give yourself grace Chapters 00:00 — Living with metastatic breast cancer 03:25 — The reality of treatment after treatment 07:45 — The emotional weight of uncertainty 13:23 — Why metastatic breast cancer research matters 26:34 — Living in the present and finding hope Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  6. Aug 24

    Episode 399: Transforming Trauma into Triumph

    What happens when your life changes in an instant, and then, just when you think you’re beginning to rebuild, you’re faced with another life-altering diagnosis? Shannon Michelle knows that experience firsthand. After a devastating motorcycle accident left her in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, Shannon had to relearn how to walk, read, speak and navigate a life she no longer remembered. Then, during her recovery, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, Shannon joins us to talk about her breast cancer experience, the emotional realities of healing, and how an unimaginable series of events changed the way she sees her life. Key Takeaways Stay present, especially when life feels overwhelming Self-care is essential to recovery Accepting a new reality can be empowering Let go of what you cannot control Give yourself permission to be the best version of yourself today Chapters 00:00 — Surviving a devastating accident 04:30 — A breast cancer diagnosis 07:57 — The PATCH framework for healing 16:50 — Accepting a new reality 23:50 — Letting go of control Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  7. Aug 17

    Episode 398: Men Get Breast Cancer Too: Know Your Normal

    Bret Miller was 17 when he first felt a lump behind his nipple. For seven years, providers told him it was calcium buildup or that it would go away on its own. It didn't. At 24, Bret was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer — a disease most people, including many of the doctors he saw along the way, don't associate with men at all.In this episode, Bret joins his oncologist, Dr. Priyanka Sharma of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, to unpack why male breast cancer is so often missed or overlooked by so many health care providers — and why most men have never been told what normal breast tissue looks or feels like for them in the first place. Together, they talk about what needs to change in clinical training and patient conversations, and what self-advocacy looks like when the system isn't built to catch what you're describing. This episode is part of the Komen Health Equity Revolution podcast series, which centers the lived experience of communities too often overlooked in breast cancer awareness and care — including men. 5 Key Takeaways Men need to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer A persistent change in one breast should be investigated Nipple discharge can be a warning sign of breast cancer Patients should advocate for themselves and seek second opinions Healthcare providers should take concerning breast changes seriously Chapters 03:10 Bret's Seven-Year Journey to a Diagnosis 10:55 Why Male Breast Cancer Gets Missed 15:09 Knowing What Is Normal for Men 17:11 Turning a Diagnosis Into Advocacy 24:39 How Healthcare Providers Can Close the Gap Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

  8. Aug 10

    Episode 397: From Self-Advocacy to Survivorship: Choosing to Thrive After Breast Cancer

    Breast cancer treatment has a beginning and an end, but healing is often a much longer journey. Today, we are joined by Katie Wasserman, a remarkable mother of four who shares how trusting her instincts and advocating for herself led to her breast cancer diagnosis. She will talk about navigating treatment decisions, the impact it had on her body, and the physical and emotional healing that continues today into survivorship. From managing the fears that linger after treatment ends to intentionally choosing a life focused on thriving instead of simply surviving, Katie’s story is a powerful reminder that no one knows your body better than you do. Key Takeaways Trust your instincts when something feels wrong Self-advocacy can lead to life-saving care Asking for help strengthens recovery Small daily habits support healing and resilience Survivorship is about thriving, not just surviving Chapters 00:00 – Trusting your instincts 05:09 – The power of self-advocacy 07:51 – Recovery, support, and staying active 15:04 – Sharing the journey through Instagram 18:27 – Thriving beyond survivorship Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

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About

Real Pink, a podcast by Susan G. Komen, is taking real conversations about breast cancer from the doctor's office to your living room. Hosted by Adam Walker, episodes feature candid conversations with survivors, researchers, physicians, and more. Find answers to your toughest questions and clear, actionable steps to live a better life, longer. At Real Pink, compassionate storytelling meets real inspiration and real support.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan G. Komen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    405
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 2019 Susan G. Komen
  • Show Website
    Real Pink

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