Toks Olagundoye didn’t just survive breast cancer. She became one of the people helping others figure out how the hell to survive the experience, too. In Episode 9 of Big C Energy, actress Toks Olagundoye joins Alison Haislip for an especially personal conversation. A year before this episode, Toks was one of the first breast cancer survivors Alison spoke with after her own diagnosis, becoming an early mentor and showing her what life on the other side could look like. Toks opens up about being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after finally scheduling a mammogram she had planned to postpone. In just the two weeks surrounding her diagnosis, her cancer progressed from stage zero to stage one, reinforcing a lesson she now shares whenever she can: the earlier you know, the better. She also discusses multiple lumpectomies, chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, fertility, menopause, ADHD, mental health, and continuing to work through treatment. Together, Toks and Alison get candid about everything from choosing doctors who actually listen to you and navigating breast reconstruction to losing nipple sensation, the healthcare system, insurance, and the very different realities patients face depending on the support and resources available to them. And because this is Big C Energy, somehow there is also a breast surgeon, a poodle, a Rottweiler, and a medical metaphor neither of them will ever forget. Topics discussed: • Toks Olagundoye’s triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis • Why early detection matters • Lumpectomies, chemotherapy and double mastectomy • Fertility decisions during cancer treatment • Menopause, ADHD and women’s health • Mental health during and after cancer treatment • Finding doctors who listen and make you feel seen • Racial disparities and representation in healthcare • Breast reconstruction and life after mastectomy • The financial realities of cancer care • Working on Fatal Attraction and Frasier during treatment • Why Toks became a cancer advocate and mentor • The importance of community and support during treatment 🏆 Big C Energy is a Signal Awards finalist! Vote at vote.signalaward.com Voting ends October 15! ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/nCGFzvdhjR0 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #ToksOlagundoye #BreastCancer #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #CancerSurvivor #AlisonHaislip #CancerPodcast
