Real Pink

Susan G. Komen
  • 4.8 (98)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real Pink, a podcast by Susan G. Komen, is taking real conversations about breast cancer from the doctor's office to your living room. Hosted by Adam Walker, episodes feature candid conversations with survivors, researchers, physicians, and more. Find answers to your toughest questions and clear, actionable steps to live a better life, longer. At Real Pink, compassionate storytelling meets real inspiration and real support.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 386: The State of Women's Health

    It’s Women’s Health Month — which means a lot of awareness messaging and a lot of conversation about why women’s health matters. But today, we’re going a level deeper. Because awareness doesn’t save lives. Action does. Infrastructure does. Investment does. And honest conversations about why the system isn’t working equally for everyone — those matter too. My guest today is Jenica Patterson — a neuroscientist turned health systems architect who is doing the hard work of figuring out why women’s health is so chronically underinvested and what it will take to fix it. She leads the Women’s Health Network at the Milken Institute, one of the most powerful cross-sector coalitions in this space. Before that, she built a $113 million federal program at ARPA-H (the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health) specifically designed to fast track innovation in women’s health. Komen is focused on breast health access — and the sobering reality that where you live and what you look like still determine whether you get a timely mammogram, an accurate diagnosis or the best possible care. Jenica has the research, the relationships and the conviction to tell us exactly why that is — and what’s possible. Key Takeaways: Women’s health inequities are systemic, not individual. Nearly 30% of U.S. counties do not have a mammography machine. Women’s health has historically been underrepresented in research and clinical development. Innovation alone is not enough without integration. Momentum in women’s health is growing. Chapters 00:00 Jenica Patterson’s journey from neuroscience to women’s health systems leadership 05:45 Why women’s health is at a major inflection point 08:40 The shocking mammography access gaps across the United States 14:02 Why solving women’s health requires system-wide integration 20:03 Where momentum and hope are growing in women’s health equity Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org breastcancer #survivorship #womenshealth #cancersupport #realpink Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

    26 min

  2. MAY 18

    Episode 385: Real Talk: Oh Joy, It’s Menopause

    Menopause – it may be the most unwanted time in a woman’s life. It arrives with a vengeance, forcing all kinds of emotional, hormonal and bodily changes onto women as they approach their 50s. But for women going through breast cancer treatment, it can arrive even earlier and be even more unwanted. The good news is no one has to suffer in silence. Today's guests are Dr. Makeba Williams, the incoming president of The Menopause Society, and Claudia McConnell, a breast cancer survivor who was forced into menopause during breast cancer treatment at age 37. Key takeaways Breast cancer treatment can trigger sudden and emotionally overwhelming early menopause Menopause symptoms after cancer treatment are real, serious, and treatable. Mental health support is a critical part of breast cancer survivorship care. Open conversations help reduce stigma and empower women to seek support. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to breast cancer and menopause realities 04:29 Claudia’s breast cancer diagnosis and sudden menopause at 37 15:42 Why survivors shouldn’t suffer through menopause symptoms alone 19:20 New menopause treatments and advances for breast cancer survivors 21:07 Sleep disruption, insomnia, and menopause management strategies 24:07 Estrogen creams, vaginal health, and treatment decision-making 30:19 BRCA2, talking to children about cancer risk, and family support 39:05 Final advice for women navigating menopause after breast cancer Learn more at realpink.komen.org and komen.org breastcancer #menopause #survivorship #womenshealth #cancersupport #realpink Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

    41 min

  3. MAY 11

    Episode 384: Holding Onto Hope: Fertility, Menopause, and Life After Diagnosis

    While menopause is often associated with aging, many women facing breast cancer experience it suddenly and much earlier than expected—bringing a wave of physical and emotional changes. From managing intense symptoms to confronting fears about future family-building, the journey can feel overwhelming. On today’s episode, we are joined by Melody Johnson, a nurse practitioner who specializes in caring for women navigating these exact challenges. She will help us understand how treatment-induced menopause differs from natural menopause and the strategies available to cope with side effects while already carrying so much. We’ll also take a closer look at fertility—an especially emotional and complex issue for younger women diagnosed before they’ve had the chance to start or grow their families. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this critical aspect of women’s health, this conversation is here to inform, support, and remind you: you are not alone on this journey. What You’ll Learn: • The difference between treatment-induced and age-related menopause • Common symptoms and why they can feel more severe during cancer treatment • How to manage menopause side effects alongside a breast cancer diagnosis • Fertility preservation options, including egg freezing and when to consider them • Why self-advocacy is critical when discussing fertility with your care team Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to treatment-induced menopause 01:29 Melody Johnson’s background in oncofertility 02:45 What to expect from menopause symptoms 05:05 Key differences between induced and natural menopause 06:24 Managing symptoms during treatment 08:29 Fertility concerns for younger women 10:25 Is treatment-induced menopause permanent? 11:53 Questions to ask your doctor 13:24 Why these conversations matter 14:48 Final advice for women navigating fertility after diagnosis Learn more at komen.org and realpink.komen.org BreastCancer #Fertility #Menopause #WomensHealth #Oncofertility #CancerSupport #ReproductiveHealth #RealPink Real Pink, by Susan G. Komen, shares real stories and expert insights to support people navigating breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.

    19 min

  4. MAY 4

    Episode 383: In the Middle of Motherhood, Everything Changed

    Today’s conversation is one that so many mothers will feel deep in their bones because it talks about what happens when life asks you to be the one who needs care. Our guest today has lived that shift in a profound way. In the midst of raising her young children, navigating the everyday chaos and fiercely advocating for her youngest daughter, Nylah, who was born with congenital heart disease, Nisha Jaime was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. There is an emotional whiplash to being the strong one for your child and then suddenly needing that same strength for yourself. Nisha will talk to us about what that was like and how she balanced it all with the help of her village. We’ll talk about the ongoing realities of survivorship, including things like scanxiety and continued care and how her children are involved in her journey. Most importantly, we’ll hear how she has turned her experience into support for other mothers walking a similar path and why that mission matters so deeply to her.

    23 min

  5. APR 27

    Episode 382: Faith. Survival. Purpose. The Journey from Survivor to Advocate

    What does it take to turn the most terrifying moment of your life into a movement? For Yvonne McLean Florence, it started with discovering a lump she acted on right away. Yvonne is a HER2-positive breast cancer survivor, ordained minister, Worship in Pink Ambassador, former founder of Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors (SRUCOS) and is currently the reigning Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America 2025. But before all of that, she was a wife, a mother, a grandmother — and suddenly, a patient. In this powerful episode of Real Pink, Yvonne joins host Adam Walker to talk about what it felt like to receive a life-changing diagnosis, how her faith in God, family and friends carried her through chemotherapy and Herceptin infusions, and why she didn’t stop when treatment ended. She’ll share how she’s bringing the conversation about breast health into churches across Philadelphia through Worship in Pink, what it means to build a Cancer Survivorship Resource Nook inside a congregation, and why she would like every survivor to discover how they can also reach back. This episode is part of our Health Equity Revolution series, which lifts up the voices, stories and solutions of the communities most impacted by breast cancer disparities.

    27 min

  6. APR 20

    Episode 381: Knowledge is Power: Living at High Risk of Breast Cancer

    People who had radiation treatment to the chest area for certain types of cancer early in life have an increased risk of breast cancer later in life. Today, we welcome a special guest back to the show, Amy Colver. Amy is Manager of Health Information & Publications at Komen and an oncology certified, licensed independent social worker who has worked in the oncology space, so she knows more about cancer from an educational standpoint than most. Today, she is here to share that she’s also a cancer survivor and lives with the reality that a treatment she had for lymphoma in young adulthood put her at a higher risk of breast cancer. She’ll talk to us about how to process risk and what ongoing care, screening and emotional resilience really looks like. Above all, Amy knows the power of turning awareness into action, and how understanding your risk factors can become more of a source of empowerment than fear.

    25 min

  7. APR 13

    Episode 380: Komen’s Leading Efforts to Make Breast Imaging Accessible

    Millions of women in the U.S. can access no cost screening mammograms, but if the patient is at a higher risk of breast cancer or the mammogram reveals an abnormality, the cost of imaging makes it unattainable for many. Komen has worked with state legislature to eliminate the patient’s out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, not all states have passed such laws, and federal legislation is still pending. Susan G. Komen’s Center for Public Policy is championing legislation that addresses this significant flaw in health care insurance coverage and ensuring all people have access to high-quality, affordable care. Here today to discuss Komen’s public policy is Deandrea Newsome, Regional Manager of State Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. Learn more about how you can support the ABCD Act here: https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/advocacy/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f128891%2frespond%3f_gl%3d1*3b3ivi*_gcl_au*MTk3NTA1Mjk2My4xNzcwMDU5MTYy*_ga*MjUzMDUxNzk3LjE3NTYyMzI0NjI.*_ga_HGS8BJYTKQ*czE3NzU3NTExODEkbzkkZzEkdDE3NzU3NTExOTgkajQzJGwwJGgxMTE2ODQ1MzE2*_fplc*WTlIZnY0dVc3ZEpvZFZmQWElMkJpNUh6T2lNUlhTOHJWJTJGV3RyckU5OFJ0b0k5WkhJamh0RjE2c2JoVkRwbjVNcDE1SnB6d0ZnVDBTYUxhZnRwYmluZm1QSlU1bElSU05JY2ZudWZZMmd4TmxJRkROYVB6RWF1SzhNZmEwZ1FGdyUzRCUzRA..

    14 min

  8. APR 6

    Episode 379: Real Talk: Together, One Test At A Time

    We’re excited today to welcome Dina Farris and her husband, Caleb, to the podcast. Dina and Caleb navigated her breast cancer diagnosis, together, one test at a time, and just weeks before their wedding. We know that breast cancer disproportionately affects the patient, but it also deeply affects the loved ones and family members who are among the biggest supporters.

    23 min
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4.8
out of 5
98 Ratings

About

Real Pink, a podcast by Susan G. Komen, is taking real conversations about breast cancer from the doctor's office to your living room. Hosted by Adam Walker, episodes feature candid conversations with survivors, researchers, physicians, and more. Find answers to your toughest questions and clear, actionable steps to live a better life, longer. At Real Pink, compassionate storytelling meets real inspiration and real support.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan G. Komen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    387
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 2019 Susan G. Komen
  • Show Website
    Real Pink

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