SIS: Sisters in Survivorship

Sisters Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

SIS: Sisters In Survivorship amplifies the voices of Black women navigating breast cancer and gives every sister the tools to advocate, heal, and thrive. Presented by Sisters Network Inc., the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization, SIS: Sisters In Survivorship is where truth meets healing. Each episode amplifies real stories from survivors, caregivers, and advocates while bringing expert insight from leading doctors and researchers. Together, we break the silence on the Black breast cancer crisis and give you the tools to take action. From early detection and mammograms, to genetic risk, triple negative breast cancer, mental health, motherhood, and survivorship, SIS provides culturally relevant insight, resources, and sisterhood that speak directly to our community. Hosted by Caleen Allen, SIS is not just a podcast - it’s a lifeline. Because too many sisters are being diagnosed young, too many are being dismissed by the system, and too many are being lost before their time. Every sister deserves to be seen. Every sister deserves to be heard. Every sister deserves to be supported. Subscribe now and join the movement to stop the silence, amplify the voices, and save more lives.

  1. 1D AGO

    11: Your Rights After a Cancer Diagnosis: Monica Bryant on Insurance, Work & Financial Protection

    In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen sits down with Monica Bryant, Esq - lawyer, Chief Mission Officer of Triage Cancer, and national advocate for cancer patients’ rights. Monica breaks down the complicated but critical issues every cancer patient and caregiver needs to understand, from health insurance and job protection to medical leave, COBRA, disability benefits, and financial assistance programs. She shares how patients can protect their privacy at work, avoid costly mistakes with insurance, and access resources that can make the difference between financial ruin and survivorship with dignity. This conversation is equipped with knowledge and confidence to ask the right questions, understand your options, and advocate for yourself at work, in treatment, and in life. ✨ Learn more: triagecancer.org  | sistersnetworkinc.org  🔔 Subscribe for more empowering episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship KEY POINTS:  - [0:00] Introduction - [3:39] What Triage Cancer does and how it helps survivors and caregivers - [4:32] Free resources, legal navigation, and financial education available online - [6:09] How patients can slow down and gather information - [9:22] Understanding your health insurance and avoiding costly mistakes - [10:48] Privacy at work: Do you have to disclose a cancer diagnosis? - [13:15] Job protection, FMLA, ADA, and medical leave explained - [15:41] How FMLA works, its 12-week limit, and misconceptions - [18:28] Advocacy to expand leave laws and improve protections for patients - [23:31] COBRA vs. Marketplace plans: what to know in treatment transitions - [26:13] Medicaid, Medicare, and supplemental insurance options - [28:43] Training healthcare professionals on financial toxicity and advocacy - [30:22] Post-treatment costs: screenings, surveillance, and hidden expenses - [33:18] Social Security disability benefits and why most claims are denied - [35:51] Why you shouldn’t take “no” for an answer in disability appeals - [36:02] Advice for newly diagnosed patients feeling overwhelmed - [39:37] The future of insurance, Medicaid, and patient advocacy QUOTES: "Triage Cancer is a national nonprofit that I co-founded over 13 years ago to provide free education on all of the legal and practical issues that can arise after a cancer diagnosis." – Monica Bryant, Esq. "Our goal is to provide people with enough information so that they can figure out what needs to be dealt with right now and what can maybe wait until later. Which, of course, is the definition of triage." – Monica Bryant, Esq. "Access to accurate legal information isn't a luxury, it's something that every single person should have access to." – Monica Bryant, Esq. "Whether we're talking about someone's job, their insurance or their medical care, I want people to understand that they have options." – Monica Bryant, Esq. RESOURCES:  Monica Bryant, Esq. Website - https://triagecancer.org/staff  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    45 min

  2. FEB 25

    Reclaiming Your Body with Reconstruction After Breast Cancer | Dr. Aisha Baron

    Breast reconstruction after cancer is not about vanity. In this powerful segment, Dr. Aisha Baron explains how reconstruction plays a critical role in healing, dignity, and body autonomy after treatment. Drawing from both her medical expertise and lived experience, Dr. Baron breaks down why many women, especially Black women, are not given full information about their options and why reconstruction should be viewed as essential care, not cosmetic. This conversation empowers survivors to ask questions, seek referrals, and make informed choices that align with their bodies, values, and long term healing. RESOURCES Dr. Aisha Baron  Website breastbodybeauty.com/meet-dr-baron  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    5 min

  3. FEB 18

    10: Breast Reconstruction After Cancer: What You Need to Know | Dr. Aisha Baron

    Breast reconstruction after cancer is not about vanity - it’s about healing, dignity, and choice. In this powerful episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen sits down with Dr. Aisha Baron, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and breast cancer survivor, to break down what Black women need to know about breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Dr. Baron explains the full range of breast reconstruction options, including implants, tissue expanders, flap reconstruction, lumpectomy reconstruction, and choosing to go flat. She addresses why many Black women are not offered reconstruction early enough, what patients are legally entitled to under insurance, and how reconstruction plays a critical role in emotional healing, body image, and quality of life after cancer. This conversation reframes reconstruction as a medical and emotional necessity, not a cosmetic choice. Dr. Baron empowers women to advocate for referrals, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions that align with their bodies, values, and healing journeys. If you are newly diagnosed, navigating survivorship, or supporting a loved one, this episode provides clarity, confidence, and permission to choose what healing looks like for you. ✨ Because surviving breast cancer is not the end; and your body, your choice, and your healing matter. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship! KEY POINTS  [1:05] Why Dr. Baron chose women’s health and plastic surgery  [2:24] Representation matters: Black women make up less than 0.2% of plastic surgeons! [5:07] Comprehensive reconstruction options, from implants to advanced microsurgery. [7:28] Tissue expanders: what they are, how they work, and less painful techniques. [9:12] Understanding oncoplastic surgery after lumpectomy [10:52] Why early consultation with a plastic surgeon matters (before any cancer surgery). [12:24] Recovery timelines: implants vs. DIEP flap and what patients can expect. [14:41] Emotional healing: support groups, survivor connections, and mental health resources. [16:51] Importance of mammogram screenings before cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. [22:41] Reclaiming your body: How reconstruction restores power, choice, and dignity. QUOTES  “I don't just rebuild bodies. I help women believe in themselves again.” – Dr. Aisha Baron “Patients are allowed to care about how they look after cancer. It's not shallow or vain, it's survival with dignity.” – Dr. Aisha Baron “As a cancer survivor, I don't take a single patient's journey lightly. I've walked that path too.” – Dr. Aisha Baron “You can grieve what you've lost and still fight for what you deserve.” – Dr. Aisha Baron “The reconstructive process; it can be a beautiful experience. It doesn't mean that it's without complications. Sometimes, some patients may go through complications, but I think as long as you have a surgeon that's really there with you, every step of the way, and you can develop that relationship of trust, then I think it makes it all the more easy.” – Dr. Aisha Baron RESOURCES Dr. Aisha Baron  Website breastbodybeauty.com/meet-dr-baron  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    35 min

  4. FEB 11

    The Loneliest Part of Breast Cancer | Kiara Prince on Being a Young Survivor

    Breast cancer can be isolating especially for young Black women. In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kiara Prince opens up about the hardest parts of her diagnosis: telling her family, carrying the physical and emotional weight alone, and navigating treatment while the world keeps moving. Kiara shares how visibility on social media became a lifeline, why seeing other young survivors helped her heal mentally, and how sisterhood through platforms like TikTok and Sisters Network Inc. reminded her that cancer is not the end of the story. This clip is a reminder that survivorship is deeply personal and that listening to yourself, staying mentally strong, and finding community can change everything. RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    6 min

  5. FEB 4

    9: Young Doesn’t Mean Safe: Kiara Prince on Being Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 36

    At 36 years old, Kiara Prince was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history, no genetic risk, and no warning signs. In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kiara shares how she discovered her lump by accident, what it felt like to hear the words “you have breast cancer” at such a young age, and how she navigated the overwhelming decisions around surgery, treatment, and hormone therapy. Kiara also opens up about the financial realities of treatment, the support of her family and friends, and how she found strength through visibility, sisterhood, and faith. Her story is a wake-up call for young Black women to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and never delay getting checked. This conversation is raw, emotional, and full of hope. Stay tuned as Kiara reminds us that survivorship is more than survival: it’s resilience, advocacy, and choosing joy in the face of fear. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org   🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship KEY POINTS:  - [3:31] Discovering the lump by accident while at home - [8:25] Going through a biopsy alone and getting the diagnosis - [11:07] The whirlwind of appointments, genetic testing, and facing reality - [13:49] Losing her job, navigating COBRA, and the financial strain of treatment - [15:20] Moving back to Texas for family support - [16:29] Surgery decisions: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy - [19:08] Facing the choice of chemotherapy vs. radiation - [22:57] Hormone suppression, side effects, and medical menopause at 37 - [29:58] Long-term medications and living with extreme fatigue - [32:21] Learning the statistics for young Black women with breast cancer - [35:34] How her family, friends, and father’s health guidance supported her - [39:37] The hardest part: telling her family and processing alone - [41:22] The power of visibility and young women sharing their journeys online - [43:53] What “survivor” means to Kiara today - [47:54] Kiara’s advice to young Black women under 40 QUOTES: "No one knows your body like you. If you see, feel anything abnormal that you know was not there a couple weeks ago, a month ago, get it checked out. Do not hesitate." – Kiara Prince "This diagnosis didn't break me, it actually built a new version of me." – Kiara Prince "Survivor means to listen to yourself. Listen to that inner voice – to never give up no matter what your diagnosis is, no matter what they're telling you, no matter what they're recommending or suggesting, to always just listen to yourself, to keep going, to keep a positive attitude – because that's the most important thing." – Kiara Prince "Being young doesn't protect you, but awareness does." – Kiara Prince RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    43 min

  6. JAN 28

    Survival Isn't The End: Dr. April Spencer on How to Move Forward With Intention

    In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Dr. April Spencer, board-certified breast surgeon and author of Treat It, Beat It, Move On, explains why true healing requires more than surgery or chemo. Dr. Spencer challenges women to become the “surgeons” of their own lives by cutting out toxic people, environments, and habits that no longer serve them. She reframes cancer not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to prioritize mental health, rest, faith, boundaries, and whole-body wellness. This conversation is a must-watch for survivors who feel stuck, exhausted, or pressured to return to “normal” after treatment. Healing is about becoming a better version of yourself and moving forward with intention. RESOURCES Dr. April Spencer Website - draprilspencer.com Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    4 min

  7. JAN 21

    8: Treat It, Beat It & Move On: Dr. April Spencer on Thriving After Breast Cancer

    In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen welcomes Dr. April Spencer, nationally recognized breast surgeon, author, and advocate known as the “praying surgeon.”  With over 20 years of experience in breast oncology, Dr. Spencer blends medical expertise with faith, helping women not only treat breast cancer but also beat it and ultimately move on. She shares the philosophy behind her book Treat It, Beat It & Move On, the importance of prioritizing “best health” beyond breast health, and why survivorship is about reclaiming purpose and power. From addressing the Black breast cancer crisis to the role of faith, rest, and lifestyle changes, Dr. Spencer reminds us that healing is not just physical…it’s actually a mix of spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects, too. Don’t miss this! Tune in and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to treat it, beat it, and move on.  ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org  KEY POINTS  - [00:00] Introduction - [2:59] Dr. April Spencer’s 22-year journey as a breast cancer surgeon and her passion for women’s health. - [3:32] Why she embraces being called the “praying surgeon” and the role of faith in healing. - [5:07] The inspiration behind her book, Treat It, Beat It & Move On. - [7:23] Redefining survivorship through mental, physical, spiritual, and financial “best health.” - [8:50] Why self-care and rest are vital for survival. - [9:56] Reframing diagnosis: “You may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have you.” - [12:03] The danger of rejecting full treatment plans. - [13:51] The Black breast cancer crisis with higher mortality rates - [17:01] Why genetic testing matters for young women and high-risk patients. - [21:13] Stronger than ever: Moving forward after treatment. QUOTES  “Treat It, Beat It & Move On is a book that I launched in October of last year, and it was many years in the making. ... I wanted to inspire women to be the surgeons in their life, like the sole surgeon in their life, and cut out anything or anyone that wasn't adding value.” – Dr. April Spencer “You can't take care of anyone if you are not your mental, physical, spiritual, and financial best self.” – Dr. April Spencer “My practice philosophy is led by faith but rooted in facts. What's your diagnosis? What's the treatment strategy? We're not going to deviate from the plan…” – Dr. April Spencer “Healing isn't just about your body. It's believing that you can treat it, beat it, and move on.” – Dr. April Spencer RESOURCES Dr. April Spencer Website - draprilspencer.com Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    24 min

  8. JAN 14

    Newly Diagnosed & Overwhelmed? Here’s What to Ask Your Doctor

    When a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer, the fear and overwhelm can be paralyzing. In this segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Dr. Nina Tamarisa, breast surgical oncologist at MD Anderson, breaks down exactly how she helps patients quiet the noise, understand their diagnosis, and make informed decisions about treatment. Dr. Tamarisa shares the key questions every woman should ask her surgeon, why referrals to fertility specialists, plastic surgeons, and integrative medicine matter, and the alarming rise of breast cancer in younger Black women. ✨ A must-watch for anyone navigating a new diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or learning how to advocate for your breast health. RESOURCES:  Dr. Nina Tamirisa Website - mdanderson.org/profiles/nina_tamirisa  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

    6 min
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SIS: Sisters In Survivorship amplifies the voices of Black women navigating breast cancer and gives every sister the tools to advocate, heal, and thrive. Presented by Sisters Network Inc., the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization, SIS: Sisters In Survivorship is where truth meets healing. Each episode amplifies real stories from survivors, caregivers, and advocates while bringing expert insight from leading doctors and researchers. Together, we break the silence on the Black breast cancer crisis and give you the tools to take action. From early detection and mammograms, to genetic risk, triple negative breast cancer, mental health, motherhood, and survivorship, SIS provides culturally relevant insight, resources, and sisterhood that speak directly to our community. Hosted by Caleen Allen, SIS is not just a podcast - it’s a lifeline. Because too many sisters are being diagnosed young, too many are being dismissed by the system, and too many are being lost before their time. Every sister deserves to be seen. Every sister deserves to be heard. Every sister deserves to be supported. Subscribe now and join the movement to stop the silence, amplify the voices, and save more lives.

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