Let's Talk About Your Breasts

Dorothy Gibbons, CEO & Cofounder
  • 4.8 (25)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED 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. 4D AGO

    Why Early Mammograms Matter: Insights from a Legendary Breast Surgeon and Speaker at This Year's Everything's Coming Up Roses Luncheon

    Being a doctor has its challenges, but imagine starting out when women weren't always accepted in medicine. Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas built a practice, stood up for her patients, and guided many through tough breast cancer battles. Dr. Bonefas is the Speaker at this year's Everything's Coming Up Roses Luncheon; you don't want to miss this episode! - She helped care for our youngest ever diagnosed breast cancer patient at The Rose (listen to that episode here)  - She saw surgical and health care changes over the years, from radical treatments to new options. - She shares why women’s health care access is still a struggle, especially for the uninsured. 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 Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas start her medical career and practice? 2. Did Dr. Bonefas always want to be a doctor? 3. Why did Dr. Bonefas choose to specialize in breast surgery? 4. How has breast cancer surgery changed from the early days of Dr. Bonefas’ career? 5. What challenges do uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients face? 6. How does insurance status impact access to breast cancer care and treatments? 7. Are younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently now? 8. What are the current recommendations for breast cancer screening? 9. How has radiation treatment for breast cancer evolved? 10. What barriers still exist for women seeking reconstructive surgery after mastectomy? 11. What additional obstacles do women in Texas, particularly uninsured women, face regarding breast health? 12. Why is pharmacy access and drug costs a significant issue for breast cancer patients? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas  05:20 From General Surgery to Breast Specialist 07:38 Evolution of Surgical Education 09:58 Evolving Lymph Node Biopsy Techniques 13:29 High Biopsy Costs and Insurance Issues 16:47 Healthcare Access Challenges 20:52 Healthcare Affordability Concerns 24:21 Breast Reconstruction Access Issues 28:41 Critique on Patronizing Reassurance See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  2. 6D AGO

    From Plastics to Patient Advocate: Honoring Shelley Cooper at This Year's Everything’s Coming Up Roses Luncheon

    Shelley didn’t see herself as “an honoree.” She saw herself as a working mom in a male‑dominated industry who just wanted to stay ahead of breast cancer. In this conversation, she walks us through the mammogram she almost didn’t get, receiving the news of a Stage 0 DCIS diagnosis, and the 10 years of follow‑up, skin checks, and colonoscopies that followed. Her story reminds us that early detection, asking questions, and having access to care—like the care The Rose offers uninsured and underinsured women—can change everything. She also shares why she’s using her role at this year's Everything’s Coming Up Roses Luncheon to spotlight access to mammograms and diagnostics for women who can’t afford them. 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 What led Shelley to push for her first 3D mammogram at 41 instead of waiting until 50? How did her history—friends with breast cancer in their 30s and a family member who died—shape her sense of urgency? What does a stage zero DCIS diagnosis mean, and why did she wrestle with whether it “counted” as breast cancer? How did Shelley decide on a shorter, more intense “Canadian” radiation regimen, and what side effects did she experience? How did she talk to her husband and young son about her diagnosis without overwhelming them? In what ways did her workplace support her through biopsy, lumpectomy, and radiation so she could keep working? How did ringing the bell—and seeing her mother there—change how she processed the whole experience emotionally? Why did she become more assertive with doctors about mammograms, Pap smears, and other screenings after cancer? How did later health scares—melanoma on her back and her husband’s colon cancer—reinforce her commitment to early detection? What does Shelley hope listeners understand about The Rose’s role in providing mammograms, diagnostics, and treatment navigation for uninsured and underinsured women? Timestamped overview 03:30 Honoree at Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Shelley’s background as a mom and plastics industry leader, and her mother’s role as a business owner. 07:30 Pushing for an early mammogram at almost 40, getting delayed, then insisting at 41 on a 3D mammogram because of friends and family lost to breast cancer. 10:00 Calcifications, biopsy, lumpectomy, and hearing “stage zero DCIS”; becoming a “Google doctor” and wrestling with whether stage zero “counts” as cancer. 14:30 Choosing a four‑week Canadian radiation regimen, handling side effects, staying organized with questions for every doctor, and finishing treatment. 18:30 Ringing the bell, being surprised by her mom, finally breaking down, and how her kids processed “Mommy is sick but getting treated.” 22:30 Work support, flexible leave, staying on the job through treatment, and the relief of not having to fight employers while fighting cancer. 26:00 Living as a pragmatic, matter‑of‑fact patient, annual anxiety around scans, pushing for Pap smears and colonoscopies, and learning to question doctors. 29:00 Melanoma diagnosis, yearly (now more frequent) skin checks, taking her kids for annual skin exams, and teaching them why preventative care matters. 30:16 Her husband’s colon cancer, why “cancer” is both a scary and hopeful word in their home, and what it means to step into the honoree role to support The Rose’s mission of early detection and access to care for women who can’t afford it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  3. FEB 26

    The Road Less Traveled: From Biker to Breast Health Champion

    Road grit meets breast cancer courage in this wild ride from Daytona to Homer that turns one biker into a full‑on breast health champion for his fiance Kathy and uninsured women at The Rose. - Why one long‑distance biker took on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to honor his fiancée Kathy and support uninsured women with breast cancer at The Rose. - The brutal, beautiful 11,000‑mile route from Florida through Hurricane Debby, the Keys, the red rocks, Canada, and into Homer, Alaska—and what those miles revealed about people’s kindness. - How a “subset of the biker community nobody hears about” quietly raises over a quarter‑million dollars for charity and reminds us that health, dignity, and access to breast cancer care matter more than anything we own. 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 What is the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, and why do riders call it a spiritual challenge instead of just an endurance ride? How did Mike’s 11,000‑mile ride from Daytona to Homer work, and what did it take to earn “elite rider” status in 14 days? What was it like to ride the Florida Keys in the middle of Hurricane Debby on a loaded bike? How did small‑town strangers—like “Swamp Rat” in Georgia and Gayleen in Taos—step in to help exhausted riders and restore Mike’s faith in people? How did turn‑by‑turn paper directions, back roads, bad signage, and constant detours change the way Mike experienced the country and its communities? What kind of preparation, bike choice, and vetting does it take to even get a spot in Hoka Hey, and why is the field limited to about 100 new riders? How did Kathy’s metastatic breast cancer diagnosis push Mike to turn his love of riding into fundraising for The Rose? In what ways did this ride shift Mike’s beliefs about what matters more: money and stuff, or people, health, and community? How did the ride help Mike process anger about healthcare priorities and inspire him to speak out for women facing breast cancer? Why does Mike say it’s “not about the miles, it’s about what’s in those miles,” and how does that connect to living with and caring through breast cancer? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Dorothy introduces Mike and the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge; Mike explains the event’s purpose, its origin with Jim Red Cloud, and the charity focus for indigenous communities and riders’ chosen causes. 04:45 Earning “elite rider” status, riding 11,017 miles in 14 days, and what it felt like to hit the Homer finish at midnight with his best friend. 07:40 Florida and the Keys in Hurricane Debby: sideways rain, flooded roads, soaked gear, and pushing through when you can’t even use a kickstand. 09:48 Sleeping by the bike, “Swamp Rat” opening the fire station, a Jamaican officer letting him ride on after a red light, and Gayleen in Taos handing out treats and directions. 13:30 Logistics, road confusion, unlabeled highways, extra detours, and the constant puzzle of staying on route while exhausted and chasing time. 17:32 Why Mike rode for Kathy and The Rose: their breast cancer story, her metastatic diagnosis, and turning frustration and helplessness into a fundraiser that reached 27,000 dollars. 21:43 What the journey taught him about people, poverty, food insecurity, generosity, and how stepping away from news and politics reframed what really matters. 23:05 The rules of the ride: American‑made bikes only, relentless back roads, long days in the saddle, sleeping in wet clothes, and learning to read paper directions while riding. 28:30 Dorothy frames Mike’s story as a story of America and of charity: the goodness of strangers, the power of bikers riding for breast cancer care, and why these miles matter for women they’ll never meet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  4. FEB 24

    A Seat at the Table: How One Luncheon Changes Lives – And Mindsets

    Personal connections the Everything’s Coming Up Roses Luncheon. Mitra Woody shares how her story led her to champion The Rose and its mission to save lives through early detection. She draws on her healthcare law background to explain why access to preventive breast care remains out of reach for many uninsured and underinsured patients. She points to mobile mammography and patient navigation as the most critical lifelines The Rose offers in vulnerable communities. During this episode, she lays out clear goals for the Everything’s Coming Up Roses Luncheon: raise serious funds, recognize longtime volunteers and spread the word about the work happening every day at The Rose. 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. Why did Mitra Woody decide to chair the Everything's Coming Up Roses luncheon? 2. What has Mitra Woody’s experience been attending previous Rose luncheons? 3. Where is Mitra Woody from, and what is her background? 4. How does Mitra Woody’s experience relate to healthcare and access issues? 5. Does Mitra Woody think access to healthcare in Texas will improve? 6. Why is having health insurance important, even if it doesn’t guarantee good health? 7. Has Mitra Woody known anyone who went through breast cancer? 8. What are some myths about breast cancer that the speakers address? 9. What community and volunteer work has Mitra Woody been involved in? 10. What does Mitra Woody believe are the most important services The Rose provides? 11. How does patient navigation help those diagnosed with breast cancer? 12. What are Mitra Woody’s personal goals for the upcoming luncheon? 13. What message does Mitra Woody want to share with women regarding their health? Timestamped Overview 00:00 From Tulsa to Law Career 03:57 Access to Preventative Health Care 07:48 Early Breast Cancer Awareness 11:23 Impact of Writing in Education 15:38 Support and Guidance After Diagnosis 17:36 Importance of Patient Navigation 20:53 Celebrating the Rose's Impact 24:29 Building Support Through Events 27:11 Everyone Welcome Anytime See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  5. FEB 19

    Hugs, Hope, and Health: A Woman’s Battle Cry Against Breast Cancer

    Why is community support crucial during health crises? In this episode, Dorothy and Nancy Strohmer delve into the significance of showing support and care for others during tough times. Nancy shares her journey through a health crisis, highlighting the importance of receiving support from friends, family, and the community. This experience inspired her mission to help others through awareness and resources.  The conversation underscores the role of faith and community in coping during a crisis. Dorothy stresses the importance of annual mammograms for early detection of breast cancer, recounting a story of a daughter's proactive approach to her health. Nancy's story of her stage two breast cancer diagnosis, caught through a mammogram, emphasizes the importance of early detection. Her successful treatment journey serves as a powerful testament to the advancements in cancer care and the role of regular screenings. 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.) Why is community support crucial during health crises? 2.) Why is it important to show support and care for others during difficult times? 3.) How did Nancy Strohmer's community support her during her health crisis? 4.) What role did Nancy's faith play during her health crisis? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Active leader, sold business, focused on family. 04:28 Radiologist predicted breast cancer, chose treatment immediately. 06:41 Grandsons surprise grandmother with get well card. 10:10 Mammogram confusion and importance for older women. 15:38 New passion to raise breast cancer awareness. 16:21 2 critical messages: mammograms save lives, exercise prevents cancer. 20:53 30% city lacks health coverage, women and children disproportionately affected. 24:34 Support and positivity crucial in facing cancer. 26:09 Human connection and thoughtfulness are important. 29:23 Supportive friend aids through tough times in Houston. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  6. FEB 17

    Breaking Barriers: How The Rose Brings Life-Saving Mammograms to Rural Texas

    Barriers shape the path to care. Emily Reis describes her role as a community engagement navigator for the Rose, connecting rural and urban communities to breast cancer screening resources. She covers Brazos Valley’s counties, teaches early detection, and works with clinics and facilitators to organize mobile mammogram days. Service relies on partnerships and word of mouth. 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. What does a Community Engagement Navigator do? 2. How does The Rose address barriers to breast cancer screening in the community? 3. What territory does Emily Reis cover as part of The Rose? 4. How does The Rose serve women in rural areas without imaging centers? 5. How do women make appointments for mobile mammogram days? 6. What role do local facilitators and clinics play in mobile screening events? 7. Why is it important for Community Engagement Navigators to be part of the communities they serve? 8. How does The Rose ensure ongoing support after a mammogram and diagnosis? 9. What motivates Emily Reis personally in her role? 10. How does The Rose promote regular annual mammograms and reach rural areas effectively? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Community Engagement for Life-Saving Connections 04:00 Mobile Imaging Access in Rural Areas 07:11 Building Community Through Public Health 09:34 Community Partnerships for Mobile Mammograms 15:48 Ensuring Cancer Care Access 17:20 Support Through Health Challenges 20:03 Breast Cancer Scare While Pregnant 24:18 Reaching Communities Through Mammograms 27:52 From Awareness to Action 30:03 Gratitude for Dedicated Partnerships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  7. FEB 12

    Cold Caps and Warm Hearts: Two Friends Versus Breast Cancer

    How do you respond when a friend faces a diagnosis that changes everything? What does real support look like during breast cancer treatment? In this episode, you’ll hear how friendship, early detection, and self-advocacy made a difference. You’ll also learn about the challenges of treatment, the role of caregivers, and ways communities rally when it’s needed most. - Discover what it takes to face fear and make critical decisions. - Hear two friends describe finding strength and asking for help. - See why early action and support networks can impact recovery. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered How did Anne-Laure discover her breast cancer? How old was Anne-Laure when she was diagnosed with breast cancer? What was Anne-Laure’s experience with her initial diagnosis? How did Anne-Laure finally receive an accurate diagnosis? What type of breast cancer was Anne-Laure diagnosed with? How soon after diagnosis did Anne-Laure begin treatment? Did Ann-Laure use cold caps to try to keep her hair during chemotherapy? What was the role of friends and support in Anne-Laure’s journey? How did Anne-Laure and her husband communicate about her diagnosis and treatment? How did Anne-Laure handle the emotional impact and fear during her breast cancer journey? How did Anne-Laure and Rochelle support each other as friends through the process? What advice does Anne-Laure offer about early detection and self-advocacy? How did the experience change Anne-Laure’s approach to accepting help? How did Anne-Laure process and talk to herself through her treatment? How did Anne-Laure and her community celebrate treatment milestones? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Self-Discovery of Unusual Growth 03:25 Considering a Second Opinion 09:06 "Princess Diana's Influence on Cold Caps" 11:23 Hair Perception and Dry Ice Delivery 15:52 Hospital Freezers: Aiding Neuropathy Treatment 17:00 Finding Humor in Cold Caps 22:59 "Embracing Limits and Early Detection" 24:01 Early Detection Saved My Life 29:25 "Caregiver Struggles and Attention" 32:07 Support Network Eases Transition 35:37 Proactive Help and Support 38:20 Overcoming Fear Through Understanding See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min

  8. FEB 11

    Su Salud Importa: Hablando Claro Sobre el Cáncer de Mama

    En este episodio, el Dr. Fernando Angarita conversa con las mujeres de la comunidad hispanohablante sobre el cáncer de mama, desmitificando creencias comunes y resaltando la importancia de la detección temprana. Con un mensaje claro y esperanzador, explica cómo los avances médicos y el tamizaje adecuado pueden marcar la diferencia y salvar vidas. Un episodio informativo y motivador que invita a cuidar la salud y tomar acción a tiempo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min
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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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