Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful

In this episode, we continue with a special series close to my heart: Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight. I’m joined by Kathy Baker, patient advocate and founder of My Faulty Gene to explore the power of genetic testing—particularly cascade testing—and how it can help both you and your family take control of your breast cancer risk. Kathy shares her compelling personal story and how it inspired her to launch My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit organization that provides education, emotional support, and financial assistance for genetic testing. You’ll learn all about the importance of cascade testing for families, how genetic knowledge can lead to proactive screenings and preventive health measures, and how advocacy is truly paving the way for more accessible care. Whether you’re facing a BRCA-positive diagnosis, considering genetic testing, or looking for support navigating hereditary cancer risk, this is one conversation that you’ll want to listen to - and share with your entire family.  Thank you to Merck and AstraZeneca for making this episode possible!

Today is Clinical Trials Awareness Day, making it the perfect time to spotlight a powerful conversation about access, equity, and the future of cancer research. Host Melissa Berry is joined by Dr. Sara Horton, Strategic Clinical Trials Access and Partnerships Lead at Quantum Leap Healthcare to have an insightful and empowering conversation about clinical trials. Dr. Horton is deeply committed to improving access to clinical trials and ensuring diversity in cancer research—an essential step toward creating treatments that truly work for everyone. In this episode, we explore why representation matters in clinical trials, what barriers still exist, and how her work is helping to break them down. We also discuss the groundbreaking Wisdom Study, how to find and join clinical trials, and how they can be a vital part of improving treatment options. Overall, we talk about the importance of clinical trials and why they’re so essential—not only to advance research, but also to getting an upgrade to your own care.

From Survivor to Founder: Redefining Swimwear with Post Swim with Lauren Yerkes, Breast Cancer Survivor and Founder of Post Swim In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, host Melissa Berry sits down with Lauren Yerkes, a triple negative breast cancer survivor and founder of Post Swim, a new swimwear brand designed to solve the difficult challenges we face when finding the right swimsuit after a mastectomy. Lauren shares her personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, and how her struggles with swimwear post-surgery inspired her to create a line that combines comfort, style, and thoughtful features tailored specifically to breast cancer survivors. The conversation explores how difficult it can be to find swimwear that meets the unique needs of those who’ve had mastectomies. Lauren explains how Post Swim’s designs offer options for scar coverage, nipple smoothness, and implant rippling coverage, with removable waterproof molded cups to help even out nipple imperfections. Some styles are designed for those who have gone fully flat, ensuring a flattering fit without compromising comfort. Lauren also discusses how community feedback has played a vital role in shaping the designs and how the swimsuits help us feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in our own skin. Lauren shares how Post Swim’s mission is about empowering us to feel strong, confident, and in control, offering options that make us feel beautiful during and after cancer treatment. This is one episode you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful, we’re talking about beauty, confidence, and self-care with Karissa Bodnar, CEO and Founder of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare. Her mission goes way beyond makeup—Karissa has created a brand that champions clean beauty, uplifts those affected by cancer, and helps women feel like themselves again. As a breast cancer survivor, I know how powerful beauty and self-care can be during and after treatment. Karissa opens up about the deeply personal reason she started Thrive Causemetics: her friend Kristy, while undergoing cancer treatment, was advised by her oncologist to avoid wearing makeup.   That moment sparked the creation of the now-iconic Kristy Faux lashes— perfect for women who’ve lost their lashes and want to regain a sense of confidence and normalcy. We’ll celebrate the 10-year anniversary of those lashes, talk about why clean beauty matters (especially for those of us going through treatment), how to spot harmful ingredients, and the incredible ways that Thrive Causemetics is giving back to the cancer community—including naming products after survivors. To learn more, follow: @karissabodnar @thrivecausemetics @biggerthanbeautyskincare   Use code CANCERFASHIONISTA at checkout for 20% off your first Thrive Causemetics order.

In this special episode, host Melissa Berry is joined by Harjeet Kaur, a Stage 4 cancer survivor, patient advocate, speaker, influencer, and founder of Chai and Hope, a support community for South Asian cancer patients. Harjeet is dedicated to breaking the stigma around cancer, fertility loss, and hair loss due to treatment—especially within the South Asian community. After her cancer diagnosis and stem cell transplant, Harjeet turned her pain into purpose by breaking down barriers within her own family. While she received love and support, the topic of cancer was never discussed. Harjeet found a way to open up that conversation with her own family and now helps others do the same. We explore the emotional and familial challenges of fertility and hair loss—issues deeply significant in South Asian culture—and how Harjeet overcame these obstacles. She shares how founding Chai and Hope has created a supportive space for South Asian cancer patients. This conversation is about breaking stigma, overcoming family barriers, and finding strength through shared stories.