Real Pink

Real Pink

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.

Episodes

August 18, 2025 22 mins
Donna Wentz is marking a remarkable milestone: 10 years of no evidence of breast cancer. Her journey began at just 39 years old, when she received the life-changing diagnosis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Donna leaned on the unwavering support of her family, friends, and colleagues. Their encouragement carried her through the challenges of surgery, treatment, and recovery, helping her...
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Life changes in a split second when you hear the words, “you have breast cancer.” Shawna Bramel and Marian Santos know this personally. Shawna was diagnosed after having her first child, completely upending her family’s plans for more children. Marian was diagnosed at a time when she should have been thinking about her future, planning a family and focusing on preserving her reproductive health. Both ladies struggled mentally, emot...
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You may have heard in the news that younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates than before. While women under 40 only account for 4% of breast cancer cases in the U.S., even a modest rise in breast cancer incidence is a call to action for young women to understand their personal risk and to know what’s normal for their breasts so they can be aware of any changes that should be reported to a health care pro...
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How can you be a full-time mom to your children while also facing breast cancer? Can you do both? Today’s guests share how they navigated two demanding roles – mom and patient – at the same time. Young women face even greater challenges when diagnosed young with breast cancer, as many are also raising young kids. Jennie Smythe had a 2-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed, and Siana Bennett had a 1-year-old so...
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People with disabilities —especially women of color —face unique, often invisible, barriers when it comes to accessing breast health care. From physically inaccessible mammography machines to bias and misinformation among providers, the breast cancer experience can look vastly different for women with disabilities. In this powerful conversation, disability advocate Monique Stamps opens up about the systemic inequities faced by peo...
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When Inside Edition reporter, Alison Hall, was assigned to cover Olivia Munn’s breast cancer story, she agreed to use the same Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool that Munn used – and to do it onscreen. Not only was this part of her research for the story, but it would also help raise awareness. What she did not expect was that her risk score ultimately would lead to her own breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 32. Alison bravely ...
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Today, we're joined by Karen Powell, a nurse practitioner who not only supports patients through breast reconstruction—but has also walked the journey herself. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Karen gained a new perspective on early detection, the emotional weight of treatment decisions, and the power of having a strong support system. In this episode, she shares how informed choices and personal stories can empower others...
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Today, we’re joined by Sherry Easter, who shares her powerful and uplifting journey through breast cancer—from the moment of diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Sherry opens up about the lifestyle changes she embraced, the incredible support she received from loved ones, and how laughter became one of her greatest tools in healing. Her resilience and optimism shine as she offers heartfelt advice for others facing similar challenges....
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What happens when your gender journey and a breast cancer diagnosis collide? In this special Pride Month episode of Real Pink, our guests are Ash Davidson, a trans masculine activist who went in for gender-affirming top surgery and left with a breast cancer diagnosis and Scout, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. They’ll help us dive into the challenges and care gaps trans and nonbinary people face when navigati...
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When a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer, the journey touches every corner of life —especially for caregivers. In honor of Black Family Cancer Awareness Week, for this powerful episode of Real Pink, we sit down with two incredible Black men of faith, Kenneth White, spiritual adviser and group facilitator for a national addiction treatment center, and John K. Conner of Praise Is the Cure, a nonprofit focused on breast cancer...
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If your doctor is recommending that you get a mastectomy, you will likely have some choices about how the surgery is performed. Your breast cancer treatment, your body, your breast shape and your lifestyle affect not only your options, but also the pros and cons of your options. There’s no one method that works best for everyone because each person is unique. Today we are going to be exploring one specific type of mastectomy – the...
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Susan G. Komen stands alongside the rest of the cancer community with deep concern about proposed cuts in the federal budget in addition to significant policy changes which could impact access to high-quality, affordable health care. It is hard to weed through the information and to know where things stand at any moment in time so joining us on the show today is Molly Guthrie, Komen’s Vice President of Policy and Advocacy. Molly ha...
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Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women — but far too often, cultural stigma, language barriers and a lack of tailored education prevent early detection and timely care. To celebrate AANHPI Month, we’re joined by Dr. Judy Wang, a national leader in cancer prevention and behavioral science at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr....
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Caregiving can be a very personal role on many levels - assisting a loved one through their cancer diagnosis, helping with daily activities, providing support and helping to make treatment decisions may all be a part of their responsibilities. When young adults are the caregiver taking care of a parent, they face many unique challenges, such as having more duties to juggle and managing their own growing relationships and careers. H...
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Laurel Pointer always knew that breast cancer was a possibility, with a strong family history and a confirmed CHEK2 gene mutation. In July 2024, Laurel was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive lobular carcinoma and immediately knew that she wanted a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Shannon Michaelson has been Laurel’s co-worker and close friend for the past 6 years. As soon as Laurel got the news of an irregular mammogram, the ...
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Today’s guest is Mallory Tucker, a mother of four and breast cancer survivor from Georgia. She shares her experience with her diagnosis, how she approached the conversation with her children, and the role therapy played in helping her navigate treatment.
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What if one call could help change not just your future, but your family’s too? In this episode of Real Pink, we're joined by Fanny Jackson, a compassionate and experienced Komen Patient Navigator, who walks us through how she helps callers to the Komen Patient Care Center understand and access genetic counseling and testing. Fanny shares how knowing your genetic risk for breast cancer—especially for those in Black, Latino and othe...
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If you’re struggling with issues affecting your sexuality, you’re not alone. Sex and intimacy can be difficult for many women after a breast cancer diagnosis. Joining us today is Amy Rowan, a Certified Clinical Sexologist and Intimacy Coach. She’s known as the Suburban Sexologist because she is just like so many of you – a busy, working mom and breast cancer survivor who just gets it. She makes talking about sex seem like the most ...
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Brett Heins went through breast cancer in her late 30s. Kristin Goodman was in her early 40s when she was diagnosed. Both women are well below the average age at diagnosis – 62 – leading them to wonder what caused their cancer to develop. A growing body of research shows lifestyle choices – everything from drinking alcohol to following a healthy diet – influences one’s risk of breast cancer.
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Everyone is at risk of breast cancer. Some are more at risk than others due to hereditary factors – such as a family history of cancers – and lifestyle choices that affect our overall health. Knowing your risk of breast cancer can help you decide what steps to take to lower your risk. Joining me today is Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, a Susan G. Komen Scholar and Komen grantee, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Senior Physic...
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