The Power of Community: A Conversation with Allie and Trish of The Breasties

The Power of Community: A Conversation with Allie and Trish of The Breasties

In this episode, Allie Brumel and Trish Michelle of the nonprofit organization The Breasties share how community, connection, and peer support can transform the cancer experience. Drawing from their personal experiences as survivors, advocates, and community leaders, Allie and Trish discuss why life after a cancer diagnosis is not simply about “getting back to normal.” Together, they explore how community can become a powerful source of support, information, advocacy, and healing, helping people feel less alone, ask better questions, prepare for treatment, manage side effects, and connect with others who truly understand. They also share the story behind the start of The Breasties, a nonprofit created to fill a gap in cancer care by building inclusive spaces and programs for people impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers. This conversation is a reminder that peer support, self-advocacy, and community are not “extras” in cancer care. They are essential parts of healing, recovery, and living well beyond a diagnosis. . Well Beyond Breast Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the breast cancer community by expanding access to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation through a Financial Assistance Program, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at WellBeyondBreastCancer.org [http://WellBeyondBreastCancer.org]

Navigating Sexual Health After Breast Cancer: Guidance from Oncology PT Alexandra Hill

In this episode, Dr. Alexandra Hill, PT, DPT, OnCS, PWCS, CLT-LANA, a dual Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pelvic & Women’s Health and Oncologic Physical Therapy, brings light to one of the most overlooked topics in breast cancer recovery: sexual health. Drawing from her clinical experience supporting people after cancer treatment, Alex explains why sexual wellness is often left out of survivorship conversations, even though up to 70% of survivors experience sexual dysfunction.  Alex discusses how hormonal therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy can affect sexual health after breast cancer, leading to concerns such as vaginal dryness, pain with intimacy, changes in libido, and body image challenges. She also shares treatment options that can help individuals address these side effects and feel more comfortable in their bodies, including pelvic floor physical therapy, vaginal moisturizers, dilators, education, partner support, and self-advocacy. This conversation helps normalize a topic that is too often met with silence and highlights why access to breast cancer rehabilitation must be included as an essential part of cancer care. . Well Beyond Breast Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the breast cancer community by expanding access to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation through a Financial Assistance Program, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at WellBeyondBreastCancer.org [http://WellBeyondBreastCancer.org]

Working in Breast Cancer, Then Facing It at 36: Sadia Zapp on Young Survivorship

In this episode, Sadia Zapp, Managing Director of Communications and Content at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), shares what it was like to go from working in the breast cancer field to becoming a breast cancer patient herself. Diagnosed at 36, Sadia brings a unique perspective to the conversation, reflecting on how her professional knowledge helped her understand parts of the process, while also making some moments even more overwhelming.  She shares the realities many young women face after diagnosis, including fertility concerns, treatment-induced menopause, body image changes, and the emotional weight of navigating cancer at a younger age. Sadia also discusses how her diagnosis reshaped her view of survivorship and why she now advocates for more comprehensive care, including better mental health support, exercise prescription, menopause guidance, and access to a community that understands what they are going through. . Well Beyond Breast Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life of the breast cancer community by expanding access to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation through a Financial Assistance Program, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at WellBeyondBreastCancer.org [http://WellBeyondBreastCancer.org]

How Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Can Transform Lives: Insights from Amanda Grilli, Founder of WBBC

In this episode, Amanda Grilli, founder of Well Beyond Breast Cancer, shares how Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can be a powerful and life-changing part of recovery.  She shares what Breast Cancer Rehabilitation is, the common challenges it can help with, and why it should be a standard part of whole-person survivorship care. Amanda also speaks to the misconceptions surrounding recovery after breast cancer and offers guidance on how survivors can advocate for the care and support they need. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can improve function, reduce side effects, and enhance quality of life, as well as how Well Beyond Breast Cancer is working to make this care more accessible to all. Chapters * 1:50 Amanda’s Journey into Breast Cancer Rehabilitation  * 3:09 Breast Cancer Rehabilitation * 5:36 What Can Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Help With  * 7:40 Aspects of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation * 13:35 Advocating for Rehabilitation * 18:30 Myths About Breast Cancer Recovery * 21:03 Well Beyond Breast Cancer: The Nonprofit * 28:33 The Future of Breast Cancer Care . Well Beyond Breast Cancer (WBBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the breast cancer community by expanding access to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation through a Financial Assistance Program, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at WellBeyondBreastCancer.org [http://WellBeyondBreastCancer.org]

Trailer

Welcome to the Well Beyond Breast Cancer Podcast, where we make space for the conversations so many people need but rarely get to have after breast cancer. Through untold stories and expert guidance, each episode explores the often-overlooked side effects of breast cancer treatment, helping listeners better understand what they’re experiencing and navigate recovery with more support. With expert insight from oncology and rehabilitation professionals, you’ll find practical tools, hope, and trusted guidance for recovery and long-term well-being, whether you’re in treatment or years beyond diagnosis. This podcast is brought to you by Well Beyond Breast Cancer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life of the breast cancer community by expanding access to breast cancer rehabilitation. Visit wellbeyondbreastcancer.org [http://wellbeyondbreastcancer.org] to learn more.