Ep. 115: Emotional Healing After Cancer: Depression, Anxiety, & Support w/ Paula Berry

Ep. 118: The “And Then” of Cancer: Jake Messier on Stage 4 Male Breast Cancer (Pt. 2)

In Part 2 of my conversation with Jake Messier, we go deeper into the realities of living with stage 4 male breast cancer. Jake opens up about metastatic breast cancer, scanxiety, survivorship, mental health, and the emotional rollercoaster of receiving good news… followed by an “and then.” We talk honestly about toxic positivity, advocacy, purpose, and what it means to keep moving forward when cancer doesn’t follow a straight path. Jake also shares how he turned his own diagnosis into a platform for awareness and support, using social media to educate others about the reality that men get breast cancer too—and why inclusion in breast cancer conversations matters. We also discuss: • Living with stage 4 breast cancer and the uncertainty of scans • The emotional toll of “scanxiety” and survivorship • Toxic positivity vs. allowing yourself to feel hard emotions • Supporting caregivers and family during cancer • Why men are still left out of many breast cancer conversations • Jake’s advocacy work and role in changing awareness around male breast cancer • Inclusion, representation, and underserved voices in cancer spaces • Susan G. Komen’s metastatic steering committee and national advocacy work • Why awareness matters: men get breast cancer too Jake Messier: 📧 theguywithstage4breastcancer@gmail.com [theguywithstage4breastcancer@gmail.com] 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @theguywithstage4breastcancer 🌐 Website: www.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com [http://www.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com] Male Breast Cancer Organizations Mentioned: • Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance: https://mbcglobalalliance.org/ [https://mbcglobalalliance.org/] • Male Breast Cancer Happens: https://malebreastcancerhappens.org/ [https://malebreastcancerhappens.org/] • HIS Breast Cancer Awareness (for men with hereditary/genetic risk): https://www.hisbreastcancer.org/ [https://www.hisbreastcancer.org/]

Ep. 117 (Part 1) Breaking the Silence Around Male Breast Cancer w/ Jake Messier

In this powerful first part of my conversation with Jake Messier, we discuss the reality that men get breast cancer too, and why so many people still don’t know it. Jake shares his personal diagnosis story, the emotional impact of navigating a disease often viewed as “only for women,” and the isolation many men experience in breast cancer spaces. We also talk about: * Male breast cancer awareness * Feeling excluded in pink-centered spaces * Advocacy and representation * The emotional side of diagnosis * Support groups and community * Why language and inclusion matter * The need for more awareness, research, and education for men This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and incredibly important. Part 2 will continue Jake’s story as we discuss treatment, stage 4 breast cancer, mental health, survivorship, and finding purpose through advocacy. Jake Messier: theguywithstage4breastcancer@gmail.com [theguywithstage4breastcancer@gmail.com] @theguywithstage4breastcancer on TikTok and Instagram www.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com [http://www.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com]

Ep. 116: Mammogram Myths, Breast Cancer Misinformation & Screening Guidelines with Dr. Robyn Roth

In this episode of Test Those Breasts, Jamie Vaughn sits down with board-certified breast radiologist Dr. Robyn Roth, founder of The Boobie Docs, to discuss some of the biggest misconceptions and controversies surrounding breast cancer screening, mammograms, dense breast tissue, and early detection. Together, they tackle misinformation spreading online about mammograms causing cancer, confusion around new breast screening recommendations, self-advocacy in healthcare, and the increasing number of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer. Dr. Roth also shares insight into AI and the future of breast imaging, why annual mammograms matter, and how women can better understand their own breast health and risk. The conversation also explores: • Dense breast tissue and supplemental screening • Breast self-awareness and self-exams • Why younger women need breast health education • The emotional weight of guilt after diagnosis • Patient advocacy and using your voice in healthcare • The importance of evidence-based information online Dr. Robyn Roth is also the creator of The Boobie Docs educational platform, host of The Girlfriend’s Guide to Breast Cancer podcast, and author of the children’s book Everyone Has Boobies. For more information, resources, books, podcast links, and contact information, visit: TheBoobieDocs.com [http://TheBoobieDocs.com]

Ep. 115: Emotional Healing After Cancer: Depression, Anxiety, & Support w/ Paula Berry

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Paula Berry, a licensed clinical social worker, trauma specialist, and cancer survivor, to talk about the emotional side of cancer that often goes unspoken. Paula shares her personal experience with colorectal cancer, including treatment, life-altering surgery, and the unexpected mental health challenges that followed. Together, they explore what emotional survivorship really looks like, navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressure to “get back to normal.” They also discuss the importance of community, how to find the right therapist, and why support beyond medical treatment is essential. Paula introduces psychedelic-assisted therapy, including psilocybin, and explains why it’s being studied as a potential tool for addressing cancer-related distress. It's a reminder that healing after cancer is not just physical, it’s emotional, too. ---------------------------------------- * research * The difference between recreational and therapeutic use ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Sierra Psychedelic Society: https://www.sierrapsychedelic.org/ [https://www.sierrapsychedelic.org/] * Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicine: https://www.nevadacpm.org/ [https://www.nevadacpm.org/] * Johns Hopkins University (psychedelic research): https://www.hopkinspsychedelic.org/ [https://www.hopkinspsychedelic.org/] * In Waves and War (documentary): https://www.inwavesandwarfilm.com/ [https://www.inwavesandwarfilm.com/] ----------------------------------------

Episode 114: Transforming Breast Imaging with Dr. Margaret Bredehoft

What if early detection didn’t just mean finding cancer sooner, but completely transforming how women move from diagnosis to care? In this episode of the Test Those Breasts Podcast, Jamie Vaughn sits down with Dr. Margaret Bredehoft of Gnosis for Her [https://gnosisforher.com/]to talk about the future of breast imaging and why innovation in this space is so important. Together, they explore how emerging technologies like dedicated breast CT could: * Detect tumors at incredibly early stages * Reduce the time between detection and treatment * Create a more compassionate, dignified experience for women This conversation highlights the importance of giving women more options, more clarity, and more control over their care journey. ---------------------------------------- IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * The importance of early detection * Advances in breast imaging * Improving the patient experience * Expanding options in women’s healthcare * The role of education and advocacy ---------------------------------------- CONTACT & CONNECT Dr. Margaret Bredehoft 📧 margaret@gnosisforher.com [margaret@gnosisforher.com] 📞 888-311-5220 🌐 www.gnosisforher.com [http://www.gnosisforher.com] Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / X: @gnosisforher YouTube: @gnosisforher LinkedIn: company/gnosisforher Pinterest: @gnosisforher RESOURCES * https://www.koninghealth.com/pdfs/Koning_%20Brochure_full.pdf [https://www.koninghealth.com/pdfs/Koning_%20Brochure_full.pdf] * https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf13/P130025b.pdf [https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf13/P130025b.pdf] * https://www.koninghealth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258&Itemid=692 [https://www.koninghealth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258&Itemid=692] * https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00330-018-5376-4 [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00330-018-5376-4] * https://www.ejradiology.com/article/S0720-048X(15)30172-8/abstract [https://www.ejradiology.com/article/S0720-048X(15)30172-8/abstract] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20651210/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20651210/] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28217404/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28217404/] ----------------------------------------