Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful artwork

Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful

135 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 38 ratings

Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful is the first podcast of its kind to bridge the gap between life-saving cancer treatment and fashion, beauty and wellness advice.

Host Melissa Berry is a veteran fashion and beauty publicist, eight-year Triple Negative Breast Cancer thriver and founder of CancerFashionista.com. She’s on a mission to help you reclaim your inner and outer beauty, and welcomes you to listen in as she chats with nipple tattoo artists, post-mastectomy lingerie designers, clean beauty gurus and everyone in between, because cancer isn’t beautiful…..but YOU are.

Fashion & Beauty Arts Health & Fitness cancer breastcancer fashion healthwellness
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Episodes

Breast Cancer Support On Wheels With Paula Flory Founder Of Move Over Breast Cancer

December 22, 2021 10:00 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MB

Imagine a Barbie camper for breast cancer patients….introducing Move Over Breast Cancer! This incredible non-profit organization was founded by breast cancer thriver Paula Flory and is an incredible mobile lounge and salon bringing safe, compassionate and stylish support services straight to the patient’s doorstep. Hear all about her inspiring story and how it led to the creation of this truly unique service!

An Interview With My Gynecologist About Bone Health, Breast Cancer and Menopause With Dr. Tracy Scheller

December 15, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MB

Melissa sits down with her very own gynecologist, Dr. Tracy Scheller for a bone health deep dive as it relates to breast cancer and menopause. Dr. Scheller is the Medical Director of the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health, and is board certified in obstetrics, gynecology and integrative medicine. So she knows her stuff! Not sure when to get a DEXA scan? How to prevent bone loss? What kind of impact menopause has on your bone health? Then this episode’s for you!

Introducing Sips With Survivors! With Founders Vicki Campana and Randalynn Vasel

December 08, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutes - 69 MB

Melissa had so much fun on the Sipps With Survivors podcast that she decided to invite founders Vicki Campana and Randalynn Vasel to join her right on Dear, Cancer I'm Beautiful! These ovarian cancer survivors and breast cancer previvors share their stories and AND offer up tons of great advice about starting your own podcast.

When Hip Hop Meets Breast Cancer Advocacy With Trish + Tiffany - Founders of Hip Hop Happy Hour

November 24, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 61.9 MB

Join Melissa and her good friends Trish and Tiffany, founders of Hip Hop Happy Hour. Since the start of the pandemic, they've hosted this coveted virtual gathering every Friday night on Instagram Live. The weekly show supports and celebrates those in the cancer community and beyond, through their shared love of community, advocacy and hip hop. They discuss the debut of #ReclaimOctober, their plans for the upcoming year and so much more!

Chest Confessions: The Story Of A Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis With Christina Wilson - Author of Chest Confessions

November 17, 2021 10:00 - 39 minutes - 54.4 MB

Melissa sits down with breast cancer thriver and Chest Confessions author Christina Wilson who very candidly shares her story about being misdiagnosed and treated, as well as all of the sexual health, body image and relationship issues that came along with it. If you're looking for some solid guidance about being your own advocate with a side of sex ed for cancer thrivers, then this episode's for you!

Breast Reconstruction: Real Life Conversations With Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank

November 15, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MB

Host Melissa Berry sits down with top plastic surgeons and breast reconstruction experts Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank. In an effort to shift the narrative surrounding breast reconstruction, the two doctors collaborated to create a new project called Restored. Restored is a book and art exhibit that tells the stories of twelve breast reconstruction patients from different walks of life. The project includes images, lifecasts, and words from each woman that convey the physical and emo...

I Never Had A DEXA Scan: Bone Health Mini Series Part 2 With Breast Cancer Thriver & Physician Dr. Alexea

November 03, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MB

Never had a DEXA scan? That’s ok! It’s never too late to learn about the importance of bone health, especially if you’re a breast cancer survivor, or are currently in treatment. Join Melissa in Part 2 of this special mini-series as she interviews breast cancer thriver and physician Dr. Alexea. Thank you Dr. Alexea for stepping forward and welcoming us to join you on her very own bone health journey! Learn all about Dr. Alexea's DEXA scan results, her emotions surrounding the test, her next s...

"Help! I'm Not Happy With My Breast Reconstruction!" With Dr. Sommer and Susan Danenberger

October 27, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.7 MB

Melissa has a very candid and informative conversation with Dr. Sommer, Professor of SIU Medicine Institute of Plastic Surgery and breast cancer advocate (and superstar winemaker) Susan Danenberger.  Susan was very unhappy with her initial breast reconstruction, and openly shares her struggle as well as the path that led her to Dr. Sommer and her successful revision. Learn about insurance coverage relative to breast reconstruction, what you should ask your plastic surgeon before heading into...

"Thank You AiRS For Helping Us With Our Breast Reconstruction!" With Founding Member Morgan Hare

October 20, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MB

Breast reconstruction brings with it many challenges, so thank goodness for the AiRs Foundation! The Foundation works in partnership with health care providers, offering the resources necessary to make this surgery an option for women who would not otherwise have access to it. During this informative interview with Founding Member, Morgan Hare, learn about the organization’s mission, how to apply for a grant, and the importance of being your own advocate.

"I Never Had A DEXA Scan: Bone Health Mini Series Part 1" With Breast Cancer Thriver & Physician Dr. Alexea

October 13, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutes - 53 MB

Never had a DEXA scan? That’s ok! It’s never too late to learn about the importance of bone health, especially if you’re a breast cancer survivor, or are currently in treatment. Join Melissa in Part 1 of this special mini-series as she interviews breast cancer thriver and physician Dr. Alexea. Thank you Dr. Alexea for stepping forward and welcoming us to join you on her very own bone health journey! Learn why Dr. Alexea hasn’t had her DEXA scan yet, her emotions surrounding the test and more!

"When A Fashionista Gets Breast Cancer" With Host and Cancer Fashionista Founder Melissa Berry

October 06, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 37.8 MB

You don’t want to miss this episode! Melissa flies solo and very candidly shares her breast cancer story with you, including her first-hand knowledge about the importance of knowing your family history and genetic testing. She walks you through her journey that led her to the creation of Cancer Fashionista, and how she went from playing with Barbies as a little girl to becoming a full-time breast cancer advocate...with some really fun anecdotes in between!

What Is Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Anyway? With Hayley Dinerman, Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation

September 29, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 40.2 MB

Melissa sits down with her dear friend and colleague, Hayley Dinerman, Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. They talk about Hayley’s unique career path, the mission of the Foundation, what makes Triple Negative Breast Cancer different from other types of breast cancers, the biggest challenges that this disease faces, and the importance of community which is at the heart of this incredible organization.  

Living Beyond Breast Cancer - Celebrating 30 Years of Trusted Support for the Breast Cancer Community With CEO Jean Sachs

September 22, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MB

Melissa has the unique opportunity to interview Jean Sachs, the CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Learn about Jean’s career path, the organization’s mission, the profoundly positive effect that community has upon breast cancer patient and thrivers, what distinguishes Living Beyond Breast Cancer from other non-profit organizations in the breast cancer space, and the powerful impact that they’ve made over the past 30 years.

How to be a Bone Health Prevention Rock Star With Karen Sock

September 08, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MB

Melissa has a very informative yet real conversation with breast cancer and bone health prevention advocate, Karen Sock. Karen shares her breast cancer story and how it led to her being super-proactive about her bone health with a focus on preventative measures. Karen is a shining example of taking bone health into your own hands, knocking down financial barriers to treatment, and living your best life despite the challenges that breast cancer brings!

Let's Talk About Sex....And Cancer With Dr. Lyndsey Harper

September 01, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MB

Melissa sits down with Dr. Lyndsey Harper, Founder and CEO of Rosy, a women’s health technology company that connects women who have sexual health concerns with hope, community, and research-backed solutions. They have a candid conversation about cancer and sexualtity, answering all of the questions you may be afraid to ask!  From surgical menopause and painful sex to advice about talking to your partner about sexual issues during and after cancer treatment, this is one episode you won’t wan...

Dancing Into Preventative Bone Health Treatment with Maggie Kudirka

August 25, 2021 09:00 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MB

Melissa sits down with patient advocate and ballerina Maggie Kudirka for an eye-opening discussion about preventative bone health treatment options as it relates to metastatic breast cancer. Learn all about Maggie’s career as a dancer, her breast cancer story, and why she is so passionate about preventative bone health treatment.

Taking A Diep Flap Deep Dive with Dr. Neumeister of SIU Plastic Surgery

August 18, 2021 09:00 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MB

Join host Melissa Berry for a very informative conversation about diep flap surgery with Dr. Neumeister, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at SIU Medicine and Chief for the Institute for Plastic Surgery. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about diep flap surgery, including the history behind it, what makes it a good option, who the best candidates are, the recovery time, and much more!

Navigating Osteoporosis After Breast Cancer Treatment: A Young Survivor’s Story With Christy Greenleaf

July 28, 2021 09:00 - 37 minutes - 51 MB

Patient advocate Christy Greenleaf was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 43 as a result of chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer. This powerful conversation is a must listen for anyone about to begin cancer treatment. What Christy wishes she knew about protecting her bones then, and the questions that you should be asking your oncologist about your bone health before treatment even begins.

The Power of Touch Through The Eyes Of A Breast Cancer Surgeon With Dr. Monique Gary

July 21, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MB

Melissa joins breast cancer surgeon Dr. Monique Gary to discuss the power of touch, and the positive impact that it has on breast cancer patients. This lighthearted yet informative conversation includes Dr. Gary's incredible career path to becoming a breast cancer surgeon, why she's so passionate about the power of touch, how to achieve resilience and balance in the midst of treatment, the importance of the mind and body connection, coping skills for “scan-xiety” and much more!

Everything You Need To Know About Breast Cancer & Nutrition With Rachel Beller

July 14, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MB

Melissa joins Rachel Beller, MS, RDN, breast health expert, 3x best-selling author and celebrity weight management specialist for an informative yet compelling conversation about breast health and nutrition. They discuss Rachel's career path, what "Power Spicing" is, the most common weight loss issues and solutions for women undergoing chemotherapy and much more!

You Lost Your Hair To Chemo, Now What? With Trichologist Lisa Caddy of Philip Kingsley

July 07, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MB

Melissa joins trichologist Lisa Caddy of Philip Kingsley to discuss her path to becoming a hair and scalp expert, how to navigate hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, what to expect when your hair begins to grow back in, and how to care for your scalp and hair throughout the entire process. Several Philip Kingsley products are highlighted, and the offerings of the NYC based Philip Kingsley hair clinic are discussed. This is an essential for anyone who is about to begin chemotherapy treatme...

Cancer & Fertility: You Have Options! With Chick Mission founders Tracy Weiss & Amanda Rice

June 30, 2021 09:00 - 37 minutes - 51 MB

Join Melissa and Chick Mission founders Tracy Weiss and Amanda Rice as they discuss the story behind their mission to ensure every young woman newly diagnosed with cancer has the option to preserve fertility through direct financial support, educational programs, and advocacy for legislative change. They refuse to let the emotional, physical, and financial cost of a cancer diagnosis stand between young women and a full life after beating this disease. Tune in to learn more about protecting y...

The Mindset Toolbox For Cancer Thrivers with Meg Hirshberg

June 23, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MB

Melissa sits down with former Inc. magazine journalist, breast cancer thriver, author and founder of the Anticancer Lifestyle to discuss the power of mindset, and the profound, beneficial impact that lifestyle has on your overall health. 

When A Miss America Contestant Becomes A Previvor With Allyn Rose

June 16, 2021 09:00 - 48 minutes - 67 MB

As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with the controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother and great aunt to breast cancer. Melissa sits down with Allyn to discuss her decision and her path to becoming founder of The Previvor.

Taking Beautiful Risks With Patricia Fox

June 09, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 96.7 MB

Melissa sits down with Patricia Fox and has a very candid conversation about the discovery of her breast cancer at the young age of 26, her breast cancer story and its impact on her significant career shift, how she became a Sephora ambassador and her favorite beauty tips for women of color.

The 411 On Osteoporosis And Breast Cancer

June 02, 2021 09:00 - 39 minutes - 53.9 MB

Melissa has an informative conversation about bone health as it relates to cancer with special guest Claire Gill, CEO For the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Claire shares her knowledge, expertise as well as her own family history to ensure we all have optimal bone health.

A Thriver On A Mission To Eradicate Black Breast Cancer With Ricki Fairley

May 26, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 75.3 MB

Join Melissa Berry and her special guest Ricki Fairley, Founder and CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. Ricki shares her Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis, discusses the prevalence of Triple Negative Breast Cancer among Black women, talks about her career path from powerhouse marketing executive to Founder of TOUCH, and how she plans to eradicate Black breast cancer with her tireless patient advocacy efforts.

The Sassy Sisters Behind SaltyGirl Beauty With Sarah Kelly and Leah Robert

May 19, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 57.8 MB

Join Melissa Berry and her special guests Sarah Kelly and Leah Robert, the sassy sisters and founders behind the Maine based clean beauty brand SaltyGirl Beauty. Oncology nurse (Leah) and Triple Negative breast cancer thriver (Sarah) share the story behind SaltyGirl beauty including the discovery of Sarah’s Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis during her pregnancy, why they decided to create SaltyGirl Beauty, how they empower and inspire the breast cancer community, and how makeup...

When Boudoir Meets Breast Cancer With Jen Rozenbaum

May 12, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MB

Melissa sits down with breast cancer thriver boudoir photographer and author Jen Rozenbaum for a not-to-miss conversation about the power of phototherapy, and how to be the best version of yourself after your breast cancer diagnosis and initial treatment.

How To Stay Beautiful To The Bone During Cancer Treatment With Cheryl Hostinak

May 05, 2021 09:00 - 35 minutes - 48.3 MB

Join host Melissa Berry and her special guest Cheryl Hostinak, Executive Director of American Bone Health as they discuss navigating optimum bone health during cancer treatment and beyond into thrivership. Key topics covered in this episode include lifestyle choices that impact your bone health, fracture prevention, the American Bone Health mission, and the importance of discussing your bone health with your oncologist. 

Breast Cancer, It's a Family Affair with Barbara Berry, Melissa's Mom

April 28, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MB

Melissa sits down with her Mom, Barbara Berry who is also a breast cancer thriver to have a real-life discussion about their mother/daughter relationship and breast cancer, the importance of knowing your family history, getting tested for the BRCA gene, how to support your daughter through treatment and the power of sharing your story to help others. 

When Life Gives You Lemons, Strut Through It With Lolita Frazier

April 21, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes - 56.1 MB

Melissa and special guest Lolita Frazier have a raw, emotional intimate conversation about how to walk gracefully through life, no matter what trauma comes your way.  Lolita is the founder of Strut Talk Runway Therapy, runway expert, and confidence coach with over 20 years of experience helping models, producers, and fashion gurus "strut their stuff." Lolita shares the basic principles of confidence coaching, the definition of strut therapy, how she became the runway coach for post-mastectom...

Beautiful To The Bone: A Crash Course In Bone Health & Cancer With Dr. Keith Crawford

April 14, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MB

Host Melissa Berry and her special guest Dr. Keith Crawford discuss bone health as it relates to cancer. Dr. Crawford is the Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education for the Prostate Health Education Network, has over 20 years experience in Life Sciences, and completed his graduate and post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School. Topics include bone density, the meaning behind your T-score, the importance of discussing bone health with your oncologist, and how to maintain good ...

Ep 1: Bringing Sexy to Post Mastectomy Lingerie

April 07, 2021 09:00 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MB

Welcome to the very first episode of Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful! Please join Dana Donofree, Founder of AnaOno Intimates and the host of this show, Melissa Berry as they discuss bringing sexy to post-mastectomy lingerie. In this episode, Dana talks about her inspiring breast cancer story, how breast cancer led to AnaOno Intimates, the importance of a post-mastectomy bra, how she created a community of thrivers and the WHY behind her new and very sexy lingerie collection.  

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