Let's Talk About Your Breasts

Dorothy Gibbons, CEO & Cofounder
  • 4.8 (25)
  • Non-Profit
  • Weekly

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons. Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

  1. 2d ago

    Beyond Surgery: The Breast Cancer Recovery Nobody Prepared Her For

    Her first mammogram at 40 changed the course of her life. Diane Feng joins Roxann Hayford to share how a mobile screening through The Rose and I’ll Have What She’s Having led to a breast cancer diagnosis. She talks about navigating insurance, facing surgery, and finding help when medication side effects made recovery harder than expected. She also explains why looking well doesn’t mean feeling well—and why speaking up matters. Share this episode with family and friends, and consider making a donation at therose.org. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Ten Key Questions Answered 1. How did I’ll Have What She’s Having connect Diane with her first mammogram on a Rose mobile coach? 2. What did The Rose’s technologists do to make her first screening experience less intimidating? 3. How did encouragement from Chef Christine Ha help Diane stop postponing her appointment? 4. What was it like to receive unexpected breast health news while her husband and daughter were in the car? 5. How did Diane navigate unfamiliar medical terms and determine which doctors her insurance would cover? 6. Why did her surgical plan change from a lumpectomy to a mastectomy, and what did the final pathology reveal? 7. How did trusted medical friends and fellow survivors help her understand information without becoming overwhelmed? 8. How did breast cancer influence Diane’s priorities around work, family, and her eventual move to Taiwan? 9. What did Diane learn about seeking help for difficult tamoxifen side effects and knowing which doctor to contact? 10. Why does she want people to understand that looking well does not mean someone has finished recovering physically or emotionally? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 3d ago

    Julia Morales on Baseball, Motherhood, and Breast Cancer in the Family

    Baseball built Julia’s career, but it’s the people behind the game who keep her in Houston. She traces her path from small‑town athlete to Astros broadcaster, then opens up about 2020, when pregnancy, COVID, and her mother’s breast cancer collided, pushing her to start mammograms early and speak candidly about family history and early detection. Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key questions answered 1. How did a sports‑obsessed kid from Crandall, Texas, work her way from tiny markets and tomahawk tournaments to the Houston Astros broadcast team? 2. What did Julia learn in minor league ballparks with the Round Rock Express that made her the right hire for a full‑time traveling baseball role? 3. How did legendary play‑by‑play announcer Bill Brown help introduce her to Astros fans and give her space to be herself on air during losing seasons? 4. Why did Julia decide to drop the “buttoned‑up” reporter persona and let fans see the same person on TV that they’d meet in H‑E‑B? 5. What toll did early years of bad baseball, five‑hour games, and constant travel take on her, and how did those years actually make her a better reporter? 6. How did the arrival of stars like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Lance McCullers change her job and the way the broadcast told stories? 7. In what ways does Julia see herself as a trailblazer for women in sports media, and how did little girls in the stands with “I’m here to see Julia” signs change her perspective? 8. How did she balance becoming a visible role model with raising her own young daughter, knowing her child is watching how she treats people on and off camera? 9. What exactly happened in 2020 when Julia was navigating pregnancy, a shutdown baseball season, and the discovery that her mother was already deep into breast cancer treatment? 10. How has her mother’s diagnosis and double mastectomy shaped her own screening habits, her views on early detection, and her message to fans about mammograms? Timestamped overview 00:30 Julia explains what she actually is on air: sideline reporter, field reporter, broadcaster, and sometimes “Ms. Astro” 01:37 First jobs after college as a small‑market sports reporter, covering everything from football to tomahawk throwing in Sherman, Texas 04:01 Learning the business side of baseball: players being optioned, designated for assignment, and the stories that never make the big‑league broadcast 06:50 Adjusting from local news schedules to life on the road with a Major League team and learning live, in‑game broadcasting 09:39 Julia’s decision to stop playing the “hard‑news” sideline role and instead be fully herself for 162 games a season 11:20 The grind of 2013: bad team, long games, coast‑to‑coast travel, wardrobe stress, and quietly hitting a wall by May 22:01 Staying in the role long‑term when many women cycled out after a couple of years; growing up on camera and putting down roots in Houston 24:19 How deep ties to players, alumni, and Astros legends made Julia a lifelong fan of people like Jose Altuve and Nolan Ryan 25:58 The moment she realized she was inspiring girls: signs in the stands, little fans calling her name, and seeing herself in them the way she once heard Pam Oliver 29:02 Dorothy shifts the conversation to breast cancer and asks about Julia’s mom’s diagnosis coinciding with her pregnancy in 2020 31:32 Returning home, camping out on her mom’s couch during early COVID, and missing the signs that something was wrong 32:31 Mom’s later visit to Houston in a baseball cap, the quiet reveal that she’d already started breast cancer treatment, and Julia’s guilt at not knowing 33:28 Processing that her mother had been doing chemo and appointments alone while Julia was focused on pregnancy and job uncertainty 34:00 The double mastectomy scheduled three days before Julia’s delivery, scrambling to give her mother time to recover and still meet her grandbaby 35:03 Her mom’s lump, finding it on a mammogram, getting treated despite the pandemic, and being “all good” now 35:32 Why Julia started mammograms three years early, at 37, and how her mother’s estrogen‑sensitive cancer changed the way she thinks about her own stress and hormones 38:06 Fears and conversations about risk for her daughter Valerie, hereditary questions, and how often she thinks about their shared future See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 4d ago

    When Both Parents Face Cancer: A Family’s Story of Support and Recovery

    Cancer changed their family twice, and recovery took more than surgery. Breanne and Michael Thomas join Angie Lane to share how they supported each other and their three children through separate cancer diagnoses. They discuss telling their kids, organizing meals and carpools, asking friends for specific help, and why healing doesn’t end when treatment does. Their message: make room for recovery, accept support, and give yourself time to live beyond survival. Share this episode with family and friends, and consider making a donation at therose.org. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Ten Key Questions Answered 1. How did Michael’s earlier understanding of cancer shape his first reaction to his diagnosis? 2. What helped Michael move from fear toward understanding his prognosis and treatment options? 3. Why did the couple wait until they understood Michael’s care plan before telling their children? 4. How did Breanne prepare the family for Michael’s treatment through childcare, therapy, and other support? 5. What delayed Breanne’s mammogram follow-up, and how did fear influence those decisions? 6. Why did Breanne choose a double mastectomy, and what surprised her about recovery? 7. How did a therapist help the couple understand that each parent’s diagnosis could affect the children differently? 8. How did a carpool app, meal train, and communication with teachers help keep the children’s lives moving? 9. Why does Michael encourage partners to identify the everyday household responsibilities that often go unnoticed? 10. What does Breanne mean when she says surviving is not enough—and why does she encourage survivors to give themselves time and grace? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Oct 22

    She Made a Film About Breast Cancer, Then Received Her Own Diagnosis

    A film about breast cancer became personal before its release. Producer Erin E. Mitchell joins Roxann Hayford to discuss Outriding the Devil and her own recent breast cancer diagnosis. She shares why she initially delayed having a lump checked, how the woman featured in her film became a source of strength, and what her first chemotherapy treatment taught her about asking questions, reporting symptoms, and accepting support. Share this episode with family and friends, and consider making a donation at therose.org. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What story does Outriding the Devil tell, and how does it connect rodeo, breast cancer, and a return to competition? 2. What did Erin’s role as senior producer involve in bringing the film to audiences? 3. How did watching a young barrel racer at the Tucson Rodeo draw Erin into the sport? 4. Why did Erin initially delay getting a breast lump checked, and what finally prompted her to seek care? 5. How did having no family history and no previous mammograms influence her perception of breast cancer risk? 6. What diagnosis did Erin receive, and why did she choose to share her experience only six weeks into the journey? 7. How did the woman featured in her film become a source of encouragement and a “map” for facing treatment? 8. What surprised Erin about her first chemotherapy cycle and the connection between her medication and the film’s title? 9. How did family and friends provide practical support in ways she had not anticipated? 10. How did speaking up about symptoms, medication questions, and her family’s cardiac history influence her care? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Oct 20

    From Diagnosis to Purpose: A Media Leader Reflects on Breast Cancer and Advocacy

    A small lump led to a life-changing diagnosis, but early action, excellent care, and a strong circle of support helped Nancy Meyer become a 25-year breast cancer survivor. In this episode, Houston Chronicle President and Publisher Nancy Meyer joins The Rose CEO Angie Lane to share the personal story behind her public leadership. Nancy recalls hearing the words “breast cancer,” going through chemotherapy and radiation, and learning that no job, family obligation, or busy schedule should come before your health. She talks about screening, self-advocacy, compassion in the workplace, Houston’s generous spirit, and why every woman deserves access to early detection and treatment. Share this episode with family and friends who need a reminder to put their health first. Consider making a donation at therose.org. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What inspired Nancy Meyer’s lifelong career in newspapers and media leadership? 2. How did Nancy go from working in classified advertising to becoming president and publisher of the Houston Chronicle? 3. What brought Nancy to Houston, and why does she describe the city as a “big small town”? 4. How did Nancy discover the lump that eventually led to her breast cancer diagnosis? 5. Why did the request to see her doctor at 7:30 the next morning make Nancy realize the situation was serious? 6. What helped Nancy process the shock of a stage one breast cancer diagnosis and a six-month course of chemotherapy and radiation? 7. Why does Nancy encourage women to bring someone with them to appointments and ask questions about both immediate treatment and long-term decisions? 8. How did ongoing screening, genetic counseling, exercise, advocacy, and support from others become part of Nancy’s life after treatment? 9. What does Nancy want uninsured or underinsured women to know about asking for help and finding breast health care resources? 10. How did breast cancer shape Nancy’s leadership style, deepen her compassion, and influence the way she checks in on colleagues? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Oct 19

    Mobile Mammograms: How The Rose Brings Breast Cancer Screening to Women, with CEO Angie Lane

    *This episode originally aired on The Hairy Chin Podcast with Spencer Moore Learn more about The Hairy Chin Podcast: https://thehairychin.substack.com/ Support The Rose: https://therose.org/ A mammogram takes about 10 minutes. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I talk with Angie Lane, CEO of The Rose in Houston, about everything it takes to get women to those 10 minutes, and what happens after. With its Pink Fleet of mobile mammography units, The Rose finds 75 percent of the breast cancers it detects at stage zero or 1A. The Rose has spent 40 years taking down the barriers to breast cancer screening. Its five mobile units travel across 45 Texas counties and park at places like schools, where a woman can be screened in about 10 minutes. We also get into what happens after the mammogram: what a callback does and doesn’t mean, and how The Rose’s patient navigators guide women through diagnosis, treatment, and the scary question of cost. I share my own early-stage diagnosis, found on my first mammogram, and we talk about why your past mammograms matter every time you’re screened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mobile Mammograms: How The Rose Brings Breast Cancer Screening to Women, with CEO Angie Lane

  7. Oct 15

    Dr. Raz Breaks Down Breast Health: Screening, Risk, and Early Detection

    Breast health gets less scary when you know what to expect. In this episode, Dr. Raz breaks down breast health basics: when to start mammograms, what happens during a screening, why 3D mammography matters, and how dense breast tissue can affect both risk and imaging. He also explains the difference between a screening mammogram, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, and biopsy—plus what breast cancer stages actually mean. Dr. Raz shares why early detection can mean less invasive treatment, a lower chance of recurrence, and more time living your life. He also looks ahead at how AI, risk models, blood-based testing, and personalized screening may help doctors better understand a woman’s individual breast cancer risk. Share this episode with family and friends, especially anyone who has been putting off a mammogram. Consider making a donation at therose.org. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What should women do at different ages to protect their breast health and understand their individual breast cancer risk? 2. Why should most women begin annual screening mammograms at age 40, and when might earlier screening be appropriate? 3. What symptoms—including lumps, skin changes, and bloody nipple discharge—should prompt a woman to contact her doctor or a breast center? 4. Will The Rose see women under 40, including teenagers and young adults with breast concerns? 5. What happens during a screening mammogram, and why does it involve four images and breast compression? 6. How does 3D mammography improve cancer detection and reduce false-positive findings compared with traditional 2D imaging? 7. What is the difference between a screening mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, callback, and biopsy? 8. Is mammogram radiation dangerous, and how does the exposure compare with normal background radiation or air travel? 9. What do stages zero through four mean in breast cancer, and why does finding cancer early often lead to less invasive treatment and lower recurrence risk? 10. What are dense breasts, how do they affect breast cancer risk and imaging, and how could AI and emerging blood-based tests help personalize future screening? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Oct 13

    Early Detection, Big Love: A Breast Cancer Journey With Southern Smoke Foundation

    A breast cancer diagnosis changes everything, but no one should have to face it alone. In this episode, Southern Smoke Foundation Executive Director Lindsey Brown shares what it was like to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in the middle of the organization’s busiest season. Chef Chris Shepherd joins her to talk honestly about being the caregiver, showing up for every appointment, navigating uncertainty, and learning when to talk about cancer and when to focus on living. Lindsey shares how regular mammograms and ultrasounds helped catch her cancer, what aggressive treatment looked like, and why the anticipation often felt worse than the treatment itself. Together, she and Chris talk about community support, a pink wig, a porch full of pumpkins, giant pink balloons, ringing the bell after chemotherapy, and the small rituals that helped them find joy along the way. They also share how Southern Smoke Foundation supports food and beverage workers facing medical crises, including cancer, through emergency relief funding and access to mental health care. Share this episode with the advocate, caregiver, survivor, or friend in your life. Consider making a donation at therose.org. Learn more about the Southern Smoke Foundation (southernsmoke.org). Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What was it like for Lindsey to receive a breast cancer diagnosis just weeks before the Southern Smoke Festival? 2. How did regular mammograms and follow-up ultrasounds help detect Lindsey’s cancer early? 3. Why did Lindsey’s cancer require aggressive treatment even though it was detected early? 4. What did Chris do when he first learned about Lindsey’s diagnosis, and why was it important for him to be present at appointments? 5. How did Lindsey and Chris cope with the uncertainty of waiting for testing, pathology, treatment decisions, and a full care plan? 6. What was Lindsey’s chemotherapy treatment plan, and how did frozen mittens, booties, extra ice packs, and a good cooler help during treatment? 7. Why did Lindsey decide not to use cold capping, shave her head on her own terms, and wear a pink wig instead of trying to look like her pre-cancer self? 8. How did friends, family, neighbors, fellow survivors, and the MD Anderson team create a powerful support system throughout treatment? 9. What can caregivers, friends, and loved ones do to support someone facing cancer without making every conversation about cancer? 10. How does Southern Smoke Foundation support food and beverage workers facing medical emergencies, mental health challenges, and the financial impact of cancer? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons. Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

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