Let's Talk About Your Breasts

How do you talk about breast cancer when it’s something your community rarely discusses, sometimes because of culture, sometimes because of faith, and sometimes just because it’s hard?  Salima Hirani faced breast cancer not just as a patient, but as a mother, a daughter, and someone who knew the taboos around speaking up. In this episode: - You’ll hear how Salima found her own voice in a world that often keeps silent. - You’ll learn how faith and culture shape conversations about cancer in the family. - You’ll find out how sharing your story can help break stigma and help someone else feel less alone. 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 Salima first discover her breast cancer and when was she diagnosed? 2. What was Salima’s initial reaction upon being told she had breast cancer? 3.How did Salima share her diagnosis with her children and what were their reactions? 4. What was Salima’s treatment journey for breast cancer? 5. How did Salima’s children support her during her cancer journey? 6. What taboos or social challenges did Salima encounter in her community regarding breast cancer? 7. Why do some women in Salima’s community avoid breast cancer screening or mammograms? 8. How does Salima recommend supporting other women facing a breast cancer diagnosis? 9. What advice does Salima offer to her community about breast cancer awareness and prevention? 10. How does Salima view the importance of forming support groups and community awareness initiatives? Timestamped Overview 00:00 "Breaking Taboos on Breast Cancer" 06:05 Cancer Chart Reviewer Experience 07:59 Quick Errand Across Street 10:19 Single Parent's Concerns for Kids 13:26 Sibling Misunderstanding Spurs Emotions 17:48 "Nurse Overcomes MRI Anxiety" 21:06 "Personal Choice for Peace" 26:10 Private Strength Amid Diagnosis 29:23 "Prioritize Health Screenings Now" 31:12 Silent Support Network 34:41 Engaging Older Generations in Health Conversations 38:38 Addressing Health Concerns Early 39:51 Silent Struggle: Family's Cancer Journey 43:42 Breast Cancer: Treatable at Any Stage 49:08 Empowering Dialogue for Women's Health 52:58 Breast Cancer Warriors UniteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marilyn is an attorney, CPA, and president of the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation, the private foundation whose generosity helped build The Rose's podcast studio. She has been a Rose patient since the late 1970s, when she came in for her very first mammogram after moving to Houston. Decades later, she found herself in a very different role, as a Stage III HER2 positive breast cancer patient. Her advice is simple and direct: check yourself between mammograms, get second opinions, take care of yourself first, and know that The Rose and organizations like it exist so that every woman, insured or not, has a path to care. 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 1. How can a woman with a clean mammogram and ultrasound develop stage three breast cancer within eight months? 2. What does HER2 positive breast cancer mean and how does it affect treatment options? 3. What does a full 18-month breast cancer treatment plan look like, from the Red Devil through post-op chemo? 4. What are the visible side effects of aggressive chemo, including hair, nail, and eyebrow loss, and how do women manage them while working? 5. How did Marilyn continue working through 18 months of treatment and what did that decision do for her mentally? 6. What is the cold cap and why do some patients choose not to use it? 7. What are the stakes of declining post-op treatment, and how should a woman weigh a 45 percent recurrence risk? 8. How does a very private, high-achieving career woman learn to accept help, say no, and make herself the priority? 9. What role does the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation play in supporting The Rose's mission, including the podcast studio? 10. How does self-exam between annual mammograms save lives, and why does Marilyn emphasize it so strongly? 11. What practical advice does Marilyn offer to women facing a breast cancer diagnosis for the first time? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Dorothy introduces Marilyn Sims: attorney, CPA, president of the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation, and the donor behind the podcast studio. She previews Marilyn's stage three HER2 positive diagnosis, 18 months of treatment, and her evolution from private person to open advocate. 00:52 Dorothy describes Marilyn's treatment arc and the shift in her willingness to talk publicly. Episode CTA delivered. 01:49 Dorothy welcomes Marilyn on air and thanks the Crowder Foundation for the studio gift. 02:22 Marilyn gives the history of the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation: established in 1998 under Bill's will, started with $3.5 million, has given away $6 million over 28 years, and still has millions remaining. 03:36 Marilyn explains Bill's passion for children's charities throughout his life, how the foundation was structured to give in perpetuity, and why Helen carried on that mission after his passing. 04:46 Marilyn explains why The Rose, while not a children's charity, fit the foundation's values. Children are affected by breast cancer, and the studio would carry Bill and Helen's legacy forward. 05:36 Dorothy reflects on the studio's impact, including young mothers sharing stories that reach other young women who don't know they could be at risk. 06:25 Marilyn shares that she first came to The Rose for her very first mammogram after moving to Houston in the late 1970s. 06:55 Dorothy asks about Marilyn's background. Marilyn traces her path from a small town to Pasadena, through night school, a business associate's degree at San Jacinto College, an accounting degree at UH Clear Lake, and ultimately to the University of Houston Law Center. 08:30 Marilyn explains how she chose estate planning over bankruptcy and litigation, combining her CPA credentials with her law degree at Ernst and Young before joining her current firm in 1993. 10:43 Dorothy moves to Marilyn's breast cancer story. Marilyn says she was shocked. She ate right, exercised, had no family history, and never anticipated a diagnosis. 11:24 Marilyn describes her screening history: annual mammograms, ultrasounds in recent years, and a clean scan in October 2023. 11:47 In August 2024, she felt a lump just before Labor Day. She made an appointment immediately. On September 13, 2024, she received her confirmed diagnosis. 12:47 Dorothy notes the cancer was particularly aggressive. Marilyn explains: HER2 positive, stage three, with lymph node involvement under the arm and in the neck, within eight months of her last clean scan. 13:30 Marilyn describes her treatment sequence: eight aggressive Red Devil chemo infusions every two weeks starting October 2nd, then mastectomy with same-day reconstruction on the right side, then 30 rounds of daily radiation. 14:58 Marilyn describes the post-op decision point. Scans came back clear, but declining the 14 lower-grade post-op chemo treatments carried a 45 percent recurrence risk. She chose to continue. She finished February 15th of this year. 15:50 Dorothy congratulates her. Marilyn reflects on the predictable rhythm of the later treatments: okay on day one, fine on day two, flu-like on day three, and cumulative fatigue over time. 16:56 Marilyn describes how she emailed her fellow shareholders the day she was diagnosed, asked to keep her routine, and worked through the full 18 months. Her colleagues' support gave her stamina and purpose. 18:00 Dorothy asks how many organizations Marilyn stays active in. Marilyn says staying busy and giving back, particularly to young women and girls, kept her mind off how serious things were. 18:55 Marilyn shares that she has no biological children but has long mentored young women. Her motivation for philanthropy is giving others the opportunity and role models she had access to. 19:35 Dorothy asks about Marilyn's support system. Marilyn credits her husband, who attended every single treatment, sometimes napping in the chair beside her, and her fully supportive office colleagues. 20:37 Marilyn describes the physical side effects of the Red Devil: hair loss, eyebrow and eyelash loss, fingernail and toenail loss, and varying neuropathy. She notes no two patients react the same way. 21:43 Marilyn explains the cold cap option, its time commitment of five to seven hours per treatment session, and the lack of guarantees. She chose wigs instead. 22:29 Dorothy notes that Marilyn's wig was convincing throughout treatment. Marilyn explains she had a custom wig made to match her hair before it fell out, then transitioned out of the wig after 18 months. Her hair grew back curly for the first time in her life. 23:41 Marilyn acknowledges the ongoing anxiety about recurrence and scans. She manages it with a deliberately positive mindset and a carry bag someone gave her early in treatment that reads "You Got This." 24:23 Marilyn describes how talking with other patients, even those with different symptoms and reactions, helped relieve anxiety and provided perspective. 24:59 Dorothy notes that Marilyn was once extremely private. Marilyn reflects on how treatment gradually opened her up, partly because of the sheer volume of medical appointments and people involved in her care. 26:41 Dorothy recalls watching the shift happen in real time. Marilyn explains the difference between being at the beginning of the tunnel versus the end, and how the inability to plan ahead was one of the hardest parts of treatment. 28:08 Dorothy observes that treatment forced Marilyn to stop being Superwoman. Marilyn agrees and names the lesson directly: career women push themselves to be everything to everyone, but you have to make yourself the priority first. 29:34 Dorothy asks if Marilyn sees herself as stronger now. Marilyn says not stronger exactly, but with a clearer sense of priorities, especially the importance of time and quality over constant activity. 30:09 Marilyn delivers her most direct advice: check yourself between mammograms. A year is a long time, and her cancer went from undetectable to stage three in eight months. 30:55 Marilyn advises listeners to explore all treatment options, get second opinions, and be clear with their care team about whether the goal is cure or minimal intervention. 32:20 Marilyn reflects on her insurance advantage and acknowledges how many women raising families and working jobs do not have the same options. She names The Rose's mobile units and reach across Texas as a critical resource. 33:04 Dorothy thanks Marilyn for the foundation's support and for coming on the show. Marilyn expresses genuine relief at being finished with treatment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Events Manager Shannon McNair takes us behind the scenes of The Rose’s annual Shrimp Boil, a nearly 40‑year tradition where fresh Gulf shrimp, auctions, raffles, and desserts turn a casual Saturday with 800 of your closest friends and family into a lifeline for breast health for women in our 45-county service area. 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 1. What is The Rose’s Shrimp Boil and how did it begin?2. Why does the event feel more like a family reunion than a formal gala?3. How do silent and live auctions, raffles, and kids’ activities all contribute to fundraising?4. What food is served besides shrimp, and how do desserts and kid‑friendly options fit in?5. How does the mobile bidding system make it easy to participate in the auction from anywhere?6. What roles do volunteers, committee members, and staff play in making the event a success?7. How can local businesses, families, and individuals donate items for the auction or dessert table?8. How are tickets, tables, sponsorships, and underwriting structured so both families and companies can join?9. Why are unrestricted dollars from this event so important for covering unexpected needs throughout the year?10. What is new this year in terms of date, theme, and logistics, and how can people get involved? Timestamped overview 00:00 Dorothy opens the show with the standard introduction to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts and The Rose’s mission. 00:49 Roxann welcomes Shannon and asks her to describe her role as special events manager. 01:01 Shannon explains overseeing signature events and third‑party fundraisers that support The Rose’s mission. 01:34 They introduce the Shrimp Boil as The Rose’s longest‑running and largest event, approaching its 40th year. 01:41 Shannon shares the origin story of a community‑driven boat raffle that evolved into a major annual fundraiser. 02:41 She describes the atmosphere as casual, indoors at the Pasadena Convention Center, with a family reunion feel and 600 or more attendees. 02:59 Roxann notes there is more than food involved; Shannon adds details about DJ, emcee, and auction. 03:08 Shannon outlines the silent auction: dozens of items ranging from small baskets to big experiences like trips and electric bikes. 03:48 She describes the live auction and the energy brought by the auctioneer, as well as a cash bar supported by beverage sponsors. 04:16 They detail photo booths, popcorn, kids’ games, and adult games like the liquor toss, emphasizing fun for all ages. 05:23 Shannon highlights that survivors, their families, staff, and supporters all mingle, creating generational participation. 05:36 They discuss past themes and introduce this year’s 60s‑inspired Peace, Love and The Rose theme. 05:50 Shannon encourages attendees to dress up as much or as little as they like, from flower crowns to full costumes. 06:42 Roxann asks about donating auction items; Shannon explains that anyone can contribute goods, services, or gift cards. 08:06 Shannon explains the mobile bidding system, how guests register, receive outbid alerts, and check out without long lines. 11:20 They talk about 50/50 raffles staffed by roller‑derby volunteers who sell tickets throughout the room. 12:20 Shannon describes the volunteer and committee structure behind the event, with different leaders owning specific areas like desserts, bar, and kids’ zone. 14:16 They dig into desserts: long tables of homemade and bakery‑donated treats, from sheet cakes to famous pineapple upside‑down cakes. 17:01 Shannon notes that hot dogs and kids’ meals are available for those who do not or cannot eat shrimp. 17:48 Roxann notes the date change; Shannon explains moving to August 8 this year and mentions fresh Gulf shrimp as a highlight. 18:49 Shannon outlines pricing for individual tickets, tables, and sponsorship levels, plus underwriting options for specific elements like the photo booth. 19:56 They discuss buying tickets in advance versus at the door, as well as curbside pickup and why reserved tables work best for groups. 21:41 Roxann asks how the money is used; Shannon emphasizes the importance of unrestricted funds that help ensure no woman is turned away from care. 22:21 They recap the essential details and invite listeners to attend, volunteer, or donate to support the mission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A casual night watching sports, a quick breast self-exam, and a lump that did not belong there. Faced with no insurance and four months of not knowing what to do, Felicia Kent walked into a neighborhood clinic, received a referral to The Rose, and heard the three words that changed everything: you have cancer. In this episode, she talks about choosing a treatment center, using research and strict adherence to medication to blunt chemo side effects, and learning to live with radiation fatigue, lymphedema, neuropathy, and a body that will never be the same. She also shares how faith, a determined daughter, an emotional support dog, and a calling to serve other survivors led her to start a nonprofit, finish her psychology degree, and focus on practical support and early mammograms in the African American community. 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 1. How did Felicia find her lump and what kept her from seeking help immediately? 2. How does someone without insurance get from a neighborhood clinic to The Rose for diagnostic care? 3. What does it feel like to hear “you have cancer,” and how did Felicia share that news with her family? 4. How did she choose a treatment center and manage chemo, surgery, and radiation side effects day to day? 5. What practical strategies helped her reduce chemo side effects like nausea, mouth sores, and nosebleeds? 6. How is she now supporting other patients through a nonprofit, church outreach, and peer-to-peer work? 7. Why are mindset, faith, and social support so critical during and after breast cancer treatment? 8. How is she raising awareness about mammograms and access within the African American community? 9. What long-term issues like lymphedema, neuropathy, and fear of recurrence does she still live with? 10. How does an emotional support dog, movement, and counseling help manage post-treatment anxiety? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Episode opens, Felicia’s story as an uninsured survivor who reached The Rose through a neighborhood clinic is introduced.01:20 Guest host Shannon McNair welcomes Felicia and asks how she discovered her lump and used self-exams.01:40 Felicia describes finding the lump by chance, lacking insurance, and remembering The Rose from boutique work.02:40 She visits a nearby clinic, receives an immediate referral to The Rose, and later credits the team with saving her life.04:30 Telling her sister, leaning on prayer, and deciding early to be a testimony for others facing cancer.06:20 What she wishes she had known about treatment, side effects, and why she followed medication instructions exactly.07:40 Lesser-discussed chemo and radiation side effects like mouth sores, nosebleeds, and fluid issues, and how she managed them.08:40 Birth of her nonprofit work, finishing a psychology degree during treatment, and pursuing community health worker training.09:50 Current advocacy: blogs, peer-to-peer conversations, holiday outreach, and small gifts to patients during treatment.10:40 Common questions she hears about insurance, alternatives, and staying positive through harsh treatments.12:10 How to support someone with cancer when you do not know what to say, including quiet presence and simple statements of love.13:40 Encouraging friends and family to show up with meals, learning, and practical help, while survivors learn to express what they need.16:30 Holiday and year-round programs for patients, including Christmas deliveries, Valentine outreach, and church-based change collections for donations to The Rose.19:10 Focus on education and early detection in the African American community, especially for younger women and those wary of treatment.20:30 Balancing chemo, lumpectomy, graduation, radiation, and then managing fluid buildup and other late effects.23:50 How an emotional support dog, daily walks, and therapy help manage anxiety and fear of recurrence after treatment.26:00 Decision to delay reconstruction, experiences losing a young niece and a church member to breast cancer, and why that fuels her advocacy.27:20 She reflects on cancer as an ongoing learning experience, the importance of mental health care, and continuing in support groups.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some women clear their calendar for a mammogram. Others step onto a 40-foot pink coach in their office parking lot. As director of mobile services at The Rose, Shelly Kot oversees a five-coach fleet that delivers the same 3D screening you’d get in a center to women across 45 counties in Southeast Texas. During this conversation, she talks about the moving parts that keep those rolling clinics on the road, the sick feeling when a generator or quality check shuts a day down, and why she still puts on a badge and does mammograms herself. She also shares how being raised by her grandparents, working inside both nonprofit and for-profit systems, and parenting a daughter shapes the way she teaches women to push for answers when something feels wrong. 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 1. How does The Rose’s mobile mammography program work for workplaces, churches, and schools? 2. What is the difference between screening on a coach and services at a breast center? 3. How far do The Rose’s five mobile coaches travel across Southeast Texas? 4. What happens when a mobile coach or critical equipment breaks down on screening day? 5. How do quality checks on the road protect patients and keep standards high? 6. Why did Shelly choose radiology and then specialize in mammography? 7. What did she learn working in both nonprofit and for-profit breast centers? 8. How does she support fearful patients during mammograms and biopsies? 9. What life lessons from her grandmother guide how she works and leads? 10. What does it mean for women to advocate for themselves when something feels wrong in their bodies? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Episode begins, mobile mammography program introduced.02:00 Role overseeing five mobile coaches and 45 counties.03:00 How workplaces, schools, and partners schedule a mobile coach.03:30 Same 3D technology on coaches as in The Rose’s centers.05:00 Breakdowns, generators, and failed quality checks that can cancel a full day.06:00 Daily quality control on moving coaches and why it matters.07:30 Choosing radiology, then focusing on mammography and caring for women.11:00 Seeing the difference between nonprofit and for-profit breast centers.13:00 A typical mobile day, early starts, and full screening schedules.14:00 Why she still performs mammograms as a director to stay close to patients.17:30 The Rose’s mission to serve insured and uninsured women alike.19:30 Life with a police officer husband and their “no work talk” rule.20:30 Being raised by her grandparents and lessons from her grandmother.23:00 Hopes for her daughter’s health and self-advocacy.24:30 Core life lesson about kindness and the lasting impact of words.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

En este episodio, conversamos con la Dra. Cotes, radióloga experta en salud mamaria, para aclarar muchos de los mitos y preocupaciones comunes que existen sobre la mamografía. Desde la temida radiación hasta los diferentes tipos de exámenes disponibles, la Dra. Cotes nos explica de manera sencilla cómo la mamografía es una herramienta segura y crucial para detectar el cáncer de mama en etapas tempranas. Además, hablamos sobre el impacto de la densidad mamaria y la importancia de los exámenes anuales, así como las últimas innovaciones tecnológicas, como la resonancia magnética y los ultrasonidos, que ayudan a mejorar los diagnósticos. Si tiene duda sobre su salud mamaria o la mamografía, este episodio es para usted.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Pareya's support for The Rose spans more than twenty years and it all started with her mom’s breast cancer experience. Jennifer’s mom, Judy, was diagnosed at The Rose and after beating breast cancer, she insisted on the family giving back. And they’ve done so tenfold. From fundraisers at the Lighthouse Pub to Bikers Against Breast Cancer, they’ve spent many years advocating on behalf of uninsured women in Texas. Now, she champions the adult beverage stand at the iconic Shrimp Boil. But it’s more than that. Jennifer understands the life-saving importance of mammograms and encourages insured women to schedule their mammograms at The Rose so that uninsured women can be seen as well. It's a simple act that makes a big impact. Learn more at therose.org/shrimpboil. Key Questions Answered 1.) How has Jennifer Pareya and her family supported The Rose for over two decades? 2.) Why is it important for Jennifer to bring two insured women with her to her mammogram appointments? 3.) What are Jennifer’s favorite moments from past Shrimp Boils? Chapters 00:00 Jennifer's Fundraising Journey 02:44 The Shrimp Bowl: A Fun and Successful Fundraiser 03:40 Giving Back to the Rose 07:06 Jennifer's Strategy for Fundraising 09:29 The Impact of the Rose and Paying It Forward 10:53 Special Memories at the Shrimp BoilSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dorothy sits down with Dr. Wei Yang, a renowned professor and breast radiologist. Dr. Yang emphasizes the significance of mammography, recommending annual screening starting at age 40 for women at average risk. During this conversation, you’ll hear about the benefits of digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) and breast MRI for women at elevated risk, highlighting the positive outcomes associated with early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. Dr. Yang underscores the importance of early detection and the role of emerging technologies, such as contrast-enhanced mammograms and artificial intelligence, in improving breast imaging, and more. Her personal story is as interesting as the work she is doing to level the playing field for all women, insured or uninsured. 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 1. What is the importance of breast cancer screening, and what are Dr. Yang's recommendations for mammography screening? 2. How do digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) and breast MRI benefit women at elevated risk of breast cancer? 3. What are the positive outcomes associated with early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, and why is early detection so crucial? 4. What new technologies, such as contrast-enhanced mammograms and artificial intelligence, are emerging to improve breast imaging? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 Choosing Radiology and Specializing in Breast Imaging 05:40 Different Screening Modalities in Breast Cancer 07:00 Understanding Digital Breast Tomosynthesis 09:55 The Role of Breast MRI in High-Risk Women 14:11 Diagnostic Workup for Abnormal Mammograms 18:50 Exploring New Technologies in Breast Imaging 20:42 Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Medicine 21:09 Navigating Gender Asymmetry in Medicine 22:36 Supporting Patients and Delivering Clear Communication 25:31 The Importance of Forgiving Self and Taking One Step at a Time 28:23 Hopes for the Future and the Importance of Passion 30:14 Encouraging Women to Prioritize Their HealthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diagnosed with breast cancer while living a health-conscious lifestyle, Nancy Martch aggressively battled her Stage 3B diagnosis head-on. Now, leveraging her yoga expertise, Nancy empowers others through personalized yoga therapy, blending acceptance and self-awareness into her healing approach. 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 1. How did Nancy discover her breast cancer? 2. What kind of lifestyle was Nancy leading when she was diagnosed with cancer? 3. How has yoga helped Nancy cope with her cancer diagnosis and treatments? 4. Which specific yoga poses does Nancy find beneficial for relaxation and stress reduction? 5. What is the importance of self-assessment in yoga according to Nancy? 6. What is the role of non-competitive self-acceptance in Nancy's yoga practice? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Yoga therapy is personalized; classes are generalized. 05:04 Yoga integrates body awareness and lifelong practice. 07:37 Advocate for yourself; misdiagnosis taught me. 12:50 Acceptance and awareness: adapting self-care through challenges. 13:57 Breathing techniques helped manage panic effectively. 20:03 Teaching relaxation and breath exercises for self-use. 22:33 Yoga is adaptable and tailored to individual needs. 26:12 Diagnosis doesn't define us; posture can improve. 28:22 Self-love empowers us to support ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does one man's dedication to community health reshape cancer prevention efforts in Texas? Carlton Allen's passion for public health and population health, sparked during his academic years, led him to an influential role in the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Through his guidance, CPRIT addresses significant cancer burdens and health disparities statewide. Meanwhile, Allen champions the Texas Cancer Plan as a comprehensive roadmap for continued progress in cancer prevention and care. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Carlton Allen get into public health? 2. What differentiates public health from direct patient care according to Carlton? 3. Where did Carlton Allen complete his education? 4. How did Carlton Allen integrate community health workers (CHWs) into clinical operations? 5. What are the challenges in obtaining funding for community health workers? 6. What is the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and what roles does it play? 7. How does CPRIT impact cancer prevention and research in Texas? 8. What frustrations does Carlton Allen face in his role at CPRIT? 9. What was Carlton Allen’s role in the Texas Cancer Plan? 10. What values does Carlton hope to instill in his children based on his community work? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Community Health Workers' Impact 03:42 Healthcare Worker Reimbursement Challenge 07:46 Expanding Healthcare Outreach with Grants 10:07 Visiting Texas Prevention Grantees 13:27 Advancements in Cancer Prevention 16:51 Cancer Secrecy in Males 21:14 Inclusive Cancer Care Guidelines 25:57 Community Engagement and Volunteerism 27:56 Raising Hardworking, Community-Minded Children Learn more about CPRIT here. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diagnosed with DCIS while underinsured and between jobs, Ayanna Wilcher found compassionate biopsy care at The Rose and chose her own path through mastectomy and multiple opinions. Now, she leads survivor work and Rising in Grace, delivering post mastectomy comfort kits and community. 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 1. How Ayanna’s life and work shifted in the year leading up to her diagnosis, including job loss and a move back into higher education. 2. How she first felt a lump, what her recent mammogram history was, and which steps her doctor friend urged her to take. 3. What it was like to be underinsured when a biopsy was recommended and how she was referred to The Rose for care. 4. How Ayanna experienced her biopsy at The Rose, including the provider’s communication, pain control, and overall respect. 5. What happened the day she received her cancer diagnosis while traveling, and how she coped emotionally during her conference responsibilities. 6. Why she and her team named the cancer “Beulah” and how humor and mindset helped her face decisions about surgery. 7. How insurance battles over imaging, multiple oncology opinions, and differing chemo recommendations led her to choose a non chemo maintenance path with Texas Oncology. 8. How her husband’s decision to take a lower paying out of state job for health insurance, and her children’s responses, shaped the family’s experience of her cancer. 9. What specific challenges women face after mastectomy, from drains and lack of rest to the cost of pillows, bras, and other comfort items. 10. How Rising in Grace and Ayanna’s work with Angels Surviving Cancer and patient navigation training aim to make post mastectomy life less isolating and more supported. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Introduction, background, and 2026 as a rebuild year02:00 Clean mammogram, new lump, and fast follow up03:30 Job loss, underinsurance, and biopsy denial03:45 Referral to The Rose and compassionate biopsy experience05:00 DCIS diagnosis on a flight and initial shock06:30 Humor, naming “Beulah,” and building a care plan07:50 Meeting oncology team and facing mastectomy decision09:30 Moomoo mastectomy party and surgery day12:30 Pathology results, nine invasive sites, and chemo debate13:40 Second and third opinions, choosing no chemo, “bet on yourself”15:15 Impact on husband, children, and mother; caregiver burden20:00 Angels Surviving Cancer, patient navigator training, leadership21:30 Launching Rising in Grace and creating post mastectomy kits23:30 Realities of drains, rest, and the cost of comfort items26:00 Body image, bras, and emotional recovery after mastectomy29:00 Final message: act early, seek support, and remember it is not the endSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interim CEO Katherine Parsley brings decades of courtroom, nonprofit, and judicial experience to The Rose. As a longtime patient and daughter of a survivor, she centers early mammograms, steady leadership, and practical encouragement for a largely women led team in transition. 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 1. How did a legal and nonprofit career lead to serving as interim CEO at The Rose? 2. What lessons come from moving from the courtroom to Crime Stoppers and other mission-driven organizations? 3. How does being both a Rose patient and the daughter of a breast cancer survivor shape one’s perspective on early detection? 4. What are the primary responsibilities of an interim CEO in a healthcare nonprofit? 5. How can an interim leader best support the team during the search for permanent leadership? 6. Why does women’s tendency to put themselves last make breast health messaging especially important? 7. How can prioritizing relationships, travel, and downtime with family contribute to personal wellbeing? 8. What does it take to lead a workplace of more than 100 employees, most of whom are women? 9. How do deep Houston roots and an extended family network influence a commitment to local service? 10. How can a career of service leave a lasting impact, and what legacy can leaders aim to build in each role? Timestamped Overview 02:00 Legal and nonprofit background, prosecutor to judge to CEO04:00 Personal breast cancer connection and being a Rose patient08:00 Family life, Houston roots, and love of community10:00 Women’s self neglect, modeling consistent healthcare, self care14:00 Leading as an interim, stabilizing the team and mission17:00 Open door leadership style and message to staff19:00 Legacy, impact, and making a difference through each roleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty years at The Rose taught our co-founder and CEO Dorothy Gibbons this: you don’t walk away from women, even when the system does. In this farewell episode, Dorothy share the stories that shaped her, why she's stepping back, and why your support and your stories still matter.  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 1. How were Dorothy and Dr. Dixie received as two women creating a new breast health nonprofit in the mid‑1980s? 2. What kind of resistance did Dorothy encounter from male‑dominated leadership when she pushed for mammograms and a place for uninsured women? 3. Who were early patients and volunteers like Annabelle and Diana, and how did they shape The Rose’s culture? 4. Why does Dorothy believe patient stories—and hearing “someone else has been there”—still matter just as much as technology? 5. What does it mean for The Rose to be a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, and why was that accreditation such a milestone? 6. Which values at The Rose are non‑negotiable for Dorothy, especially around how women and working mothers are treated? 7. What has truly improved in breast cancer imaging, awareness, and treatment in 40 years—and what has barely changed for uninsured and low‑income women? 8. How did gifts ranging from one dollar at a gas station to a surprise million‑dollar donation keep The Rose going? 9. After four decades, how does Dorothy keep her passion for women’s health, and what unfinished business does she believe belongs to the next generation? 10. What advice does she give anyone starting a nonprofit today—and why does she insist real change requires policy change, not just good programs? Timestamped Overview 1:00 Dorothy reflects on starting The Rose and how little the world understood mammograms and uninsured women in the mid‑1980s. 02:00 Stories of early skepticism, male‑dominated rooms, and how Dr. Dixie’s trailblazing surgical career gave them cover to push forward. 05:30 Remembering first patients and volunteers like Annabelle and Diana, their opposite personalities, and how they taught Dorothy there’s no one “right” way to live with cancer. 08:30 Why sharing patient stories on the podcast still matters: faith, courage, and the power of hearing your own experience in someone else’s words. 10:20 What becoming a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence required from staff, physicians, and equipment—and why that recognition mattered. 12:40 Dorothy’s non‑negotiables: valuing women, backing employees as whole people, and the day a tone‑deaf salesman lost a contract with one sexist comment. 15:40 What has improved in imaging, awareness, and treatment over 40 years—and what remains broken for uninsured and low‑income women. 18:00 The emotional toll of fundraising shortfalls, policy stagnation, and why closing the doors never felt like an option. 19:30 How advocacy and policy wins like Texas’s Cancer Prevention and Research Institute funding changed the landscape for prevention and research. 21:30 The unforgettable million‑dollar donor in overalls and the equally powerful one‑dollar gift at a gas station in El Paso. 24:00 Sponsored patients who gave back, like the woman who saved for years to fund another biopsy, and how those gifts shaped Dorothy’s view of generosity. 25:30 Keeping passion after four decades, why 40 years went by in a blink, and the stories that still fuel Dorothy’s work. 26:30 Letting The Rose “grow up,” what kind of energy Dorothy hopes to leave behind, and why she believes in the quiet power of “you can do it.” 28:00 Life after pink: how Dorothy imagines her next chapter and her advice for anyone bold enough to launch a nonprofit today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.