Live from Stage 4: MBC News for Us, by Us

Victoria Goldberg
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Medicine

Could a cure for breast cancer be closer than you think? Welcome to "Live from Stage 4" — a bold, hopeful podcast where people living with metastatic breast cancer, clinicians, and researchers take center stage. We share real stories, decode the science, and spotlight the ideas and breakthroughs that matter — for patients, caregivers, and anyone who believes progress is possible. This podcast is for us, by us, and all about us.

  1. 3d ago

    Symptoms Spotlight: Blood Clots with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

    In this episode of Symptoms Spotlights, hosts Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk, a metastatic breast cancer patient and a registered nurse living with MBC, dive deep into one of the most serious yet underdiscussed risks facing cancer patients: blood clots (thrombus). Melanie breaks down the science behind how blood clots form, where they can occur in the body including the lungs, brain, heart, and legs, and what terms like DVT, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke actually mean for patients. Abigail shares her own experience being diagnosed with two blood clots in her heart, discovered during a routine echocardiogram while on Enhertu, and what she wishes she had known earlier. In this episode, you'll learn why cancer patients face a 3 to 4 times higher risk of blood clots than the general population, how treatments like tamoxifen, CDK4/6 inhibitors, and chemotherapy increase clot risk, the signs and symptoms to watch for and when to seek immediate care, how ports can be an unexpected risk factor, practical prevention tips including compression stockings and movement breaks during travel, and when to ask for a hematology specialist rather than relying solely on your oncologist. Whether you're newly diagnosed or years into your MBC journey, this episode will help you understand your risk, advocate for yourself, and know when something feels off. Nothing shared in this episode is medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Symptoms Spotlight: Blood Clots with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

  2. Jul 17

    Developing Story: Your Cancer's DNA and the Trial Using It to Cure You with Dr. Pedram Razavi

    What if metastatic breast cancer didn't have to mean a lifetime of treatment? For a subset of HER2-positive patients, that question is no longer hypothetical. In this episode of Live from Stage 4, hosts Victoria Goldberg and Dr. Ellen Landsberger sit down with Dr. Pedram Razavi, breast oncologist, translational researcher, and principal investigator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to discuss his groundbreaking Phase 2 clinical trial, the HERizon Breast Trial. Dr. Razavi breaks down how liquid biopsy and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are changing what's possible in metastatic breast cancer, from detecting microscopic disease invisible to scans, to setting a new gold standard for treatment response: molecular complete response, sensitive enough to find one cancer cell among a million. This is one of our most science-heavy episodes, so we've built in plain-language explainers throughout, covering liquid biopsy, ctDNA, tumor-informed assays, epigenomics, the blood-brain barrier, CNS metastasis, and antibody drug conjugates. No medical degree required. The HERizon Breast Trial is currently enrolling. If you or someone you know has HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, this episode could be directly relevant to your care. 🔬 Topics covered: What is liquid biopsy and ctDNA?The difference between panel testing and tumor-informed (bespoke) assaysWhat "molecular complete response" means and why it's a higher bar than a clean scanThe HERizon Breast Trial: design, goals, and who qualifiesCould treatment de-escalation become a reality for metastatic breast cancer?Share this one. Someone out there needs to hear it. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Developing Story: Your Cancer's DNA and the Trial Using It to Cure You with Dr. Pedram Razavi

  3. Jul 7

    Symptoms Spotlight: Vaginal Dryness with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

    In this episode of Symptoms Spotlight, hosts Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk take an honest and personal look at one of the most common yet least talked about side effects of metastatic breast cancer treatment: vaginal dryness. Both living with MBC, Abigail and Melanie share what has worked for them, from water-based lubricants and coconut oil to topical lidocaine cream and low-dose estradiol. They talk openly about the emotional toll of painful intimacy, the importance of a supportive partner, and the challenge of finding the right provider to have these conversations with. The episode also explores a question many MBC patients wrestle with: is vaginal estrogen safe when your cancer is estrogen receptor positive? Podcast team member and retired OB-GYN Dr. Ellen Landsberger weighs in with the latest clinical evidence, including findings from a 2025 systematic review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, offering cautious reassurance along with practical guidance on recommended formulations. Whether you are newly navigating these symptoms or have been managing them for years, this episode reminds you that you are not alone, that options exist, and that talking about it is the first step. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Symptoms Spotlight: Vaginal Dryness with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

  4. Jun 30

    Developing Story: The Trial That Dares to Say Cure with Dr. Lior Braunstein

    We've always been told that metastatic breast cancer can't be cured, only managed. But what if that's no longer the whole story? In this episode of Live from Stage 4, hosts Victoria Goldberg and Dr. Ellen Landsberger sit down with Dr. Lior Braunstein, a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to talk about the ARCHER trial, a first-of-its-kind clinical study asking a bold question: can surgery and radiation, added on top of standard HER2-targeted therapy, eradicate every last cancer cell in patients with oligometastatic HER2-positive breast cancer? Dr. Braunstein breaks down what "oligometastatic" really means, why HER2-positive disease is uniquely positioned for this kind of approach, what ablative radiation to the liver or lungs actually involves, and why the word "cure" makes oncologists nervous, even when it might be warranted. We also cover: What the ARCHER trial is looking for in eligible patientsWhy previous trials failed to answer this questionHow cancer develops resistance and why treating visible disease early may be the keyThe role of AI in matching patients to clinical trialsWhat comes next if the trial succeedsWho should listen: Anyone living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, their caregivers, oncology professionals, and anyone who believes patients deserve to hear the hard questions asked out loud. 🔗 Find the ARCHER trial: search "ARCHER trial breast cancer" at clinicaltrials.gov 📝 Show notes and resources at https://www.livefromstage4.org/ Nothing in this episode constitutes medical advice. Please consult your own medical team before making any decisions about Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Developing Story: The Trial That Dares to Say Cure with Dr. Lior Braunstein

  5. Jun 23

    Developing Story: CureWise Goes Live - The AI Platform Built by Cancer Patients, for Cancer Patients

    Last time, we had a front row seat to a vision. This time, that vision has a launch date. On June 20th, CureWise officially launched, and for every cancer patient who walks into an oncologist's office with ten minutes and no idea what to ask, it couldn't come at a better time. In this episode of Live From Stage 4, Victoria Goldberg sits down with Steve Brown (founder & CEO of CureWise) and Lisa Booth (metastatic breast cancer advocate and CureWise's patient #2) to talk about what it actually means to have an AI platform that knows your full medical history, speaks your language, and helps you show up to your appointments prepared and empowered. Also joining us: Beta users Lynda Weatherby (MBC patient and Live From Stage 4  team memberr) and her husband Todd Weatherby (CEO of Siemens Advanta, former VP at AWS), bringing the real-world patient and caregiver perspective to the conversation. In this episode: How CureWise pulls your medical records from multiple institutions automaticallyThe Cross-Check feature: asking ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini the same question simultaneouslyWhy 60% of cancer patients have an actionable mutation, but only 15% are being treated for itHow to prepare for your oncology appointment using AIThe caregiver experience and what's coming next on the roadmapPricing, the 7-day free trial, and how to get startedImportant note: CureWise is not a doctor. It is a powerful tool to help you understand your medical records and have better conversations with your care team. All medical decisions should be made with your physician. 🔗 Sign up at www.curewise.com Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Developing Story: CureWise Goes Live - The AI Platform Built by Cancer Patients, for Cancer Patients

  6. Jun 16

    Developing Story: Beyond Camizestrant — The Evolving Landscape of ER+/HER2- MBC with Dr. Sarah Premji

    The field of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer is moving faster than ever, and in this episode, we go beyond SERENA-6 to map the full picture of what's changing. Joining hosts Victoria Goldberg and Abigail Johnston is Dr. Sarah Premji, Assistant Director of Breast Cancer Research at Sarah Cannon in Nashville, for a comprehensive deep dive into the new wave of endocrine therapies reshaping treatment for the most common subtype of breast cancer. Together, they cover the evolution from CDK4/6 inhibitors to the era of oral SERDs, FDA approvals of elacestrant, imlunestrant, and vepdegestrant and what makes each unique, the emerging mechanisms of PROTACs and CERANs, and how ESR1 mutations drive treatment decisions at progression. Dr. Premji also shares her real-world approach to sequencing therapy, weighing tumor profiling, prior treatment history, sites of disease, and each patient's individual lifestyle and priorities. The conversation closes with a look at the growing role of AI in oncology, from clinical trial matching to pathology and imaging. Whether you are a community oncologist navigating an increasingly complex algorithm or a patient advocate trying to stay current, this episode is your guide to where ER+ breast cancer treatment stands today and where it is headed. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Developing Story: Beyond Camizestrant — The Evolving Landscape of ER+/HER2- MBC with Dr. Sarah Premji

  7. Jun 9

    Symptoms Spotlight: Neutropenia with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

    In this episode of the Symptom Spotlight Series, hosts Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk are joined by Dr. Jill Tirabassi, this podcast's team member, to break down neutropenia. It is one of the most common and important side effects of cancer treatment. Dr. Tirabassi explains what neutropenia actually means, why neutrophils matter, and how chemotherapy and CDK 4/6 inhibitors can deprive your body of these critical infection-fighting white blood cells. The conversation covers what happens when your absolute neutrophil count (ANC) drops too low, when your oncology team might delay or reduce your dose, and what medications like bone marrow stimulators (and the auto-injectors that deliver them) can do to help. The hosts also share their own personal experiences: from managing bone pain with loratadine (Claritin), to navigating a hospital admission with a dangerously low ANC, to learning what questions to ask your doctor before a fever or infection hits on a weekend. Topics covered: What neutropenia is and why it's a concern during cancer treatmentThe ANC number your care team watches and what happens when it's too lowBone marrow-stimulating drugs: how they work, timing, and side effectsLifestyle tips (diet, masking, sleep) when your counts are lowCDK 4/6 inhibitors and dose reductionsWhen to call your doctor vs. go to the ER, and why that conversation mattersThanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Symptoms Spotlight: Neutropenia with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

  8. Jun 2

    Developing Story: The Camizestrant Vote, Doctors Weigh In with Dr. Sarah Sammons & Dr. Neil Vasan

    Two weeks ago, we broke down the ODAC vote on camizestrant and SERENA-6 with seven patient advocates. This week, we go deeper — bringing in the clinical and regulatory perspectives from two of the most qualified voices in the field. We're joined by Dr. Sarah Sammons, newly appointed Co-Leader of Breast Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and former faculty at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Neil Vasan, Director of Translational Research in Breast Cancer at NYU Langone Health — and the Acting Chair of the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee who sat in that room and cast a vote. Plus, patient advocates Janice Cowden and Abigail Johnston are back to ask the questions the rest of us are thinking. We cover: What SERENA-6 actually proved — and what it didn'tWhy the ODAC voted 6–3 against the ctDNA-guided switching strategyThe four FDA critiques that drove the voteWhat the quality of life data showed — and why regulators couldn't act on itThe persevERA trial and where oral SERDs actually fit right nowWhat the vote means for the future of biomarker-driven trialsThe HERizon-Breast trial and ctDNA-guided scanning on the horizonBreaking news: The FDA has extended the camizestrant review deadline to August 14, 2026, after AstraZeneca submitted a Major Amendment with additional SERENA-6 data. This story isn't over. Show notes and resources at livefromstage4.org This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your oncologist about your individual situation Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    Developing Story: The Camizestrant Vote, Doctors Weigh In with Dr. Sarah Sammons & Dr. Neil Vasan
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About

Could a cure for breast cancer be closer than you think? Welcome to "Live from Stage 4" — a bold, hopeful podcast where people living with metastatic breast cancer, clinicians, and researchers take center stage. We share real stories, decode the science, and spotlight the ideas and breakthroughs that matter — for patients, caregivers, and anyone who believes progress is possible. This podcast is for us, by us, and all about us.

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