Episode 121: The Sisterhood Wouldn’t Let Me Play: Dave Catron’s Male Breast Cancer Story

Episode 121: The Sisterhood Wouldn’t Let Me Play: Dave Catron’s Male Breast Cancer Story

For most people, breast cancer starts and ends as a women’s conversation. But for Dave Catron, it became deeply personal. In this powerful and deeply important conversation, Jamie sits down with Dave, a firefighter, husband, father, and male breast cancer survivor, to talk about what it’s like to face a diagnosis that so few men ever see coming and even fewer talk about openly. Dave shares the story of finding a lump and the uncertainty that followed. Like many men, breast cancer wasn’t on his radar. The path to diagnosis came with confusion, delayed answers, and the hard reality that awareness around male breast cancer is still dangerously low. But what came after diagnosis was just as eye-opening. From treatment to survivorship, Dave opens up about navigating a world of breast cancer support largely built for women, and what that felt like as a man trying to find his place in it. One of the most unforgettable moments in this episode comes when Dave shares the now-famous line he uses when people ask about the pink bracelet on his wrist: "If someone sees my pink bracelet and asks, ‘Does your wife have breast cancer?’ I say, ‘No… her husband does.’" That one sentence captures the assumptions so many people still make. Dave also shares a moment that stopped Jamie in her tracks: being invited to a Tai Chi class for breast cancer patients, only to arrive and be told it was for women only. His response? "The sisterhood wouldn’t let me play." It’s a line that is both humorous and heartbreaking, and it shines a light on the very real gaps male survivors face when it comes to inclusion, support, and visibility. Jamie and Dave talk openly about: • The signs and symptoms Dave noticed • Why men often don’t think breast cancer can happen to them • The delays and disbelief that can come with a male diagnosis • How breast cancer impacts marriage, family, and identity • The emotional isolation of being a man in female-centered cancer spaces • Why education and awareness must include everyone • The importance of knowing your body and speaking up early

Episode 120: Katelyn Armstrong – Breast Cancer, Mental Health, and Finding Yourself Again

At 34 years old, Katelyn Armstrong was living what many would consider a healthy lifestyle. As a wellness influencer, she exercised regularly, prioritized nutrition, and focused on overall well-being. Breast cancer was the last thing she expected to hear. In this powerful conversation, Katelyn shares her journey through a triple-positive breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and the often-overlooked mental health challenges that follow. She opens up about advocating for herself when she knew something wasn't right, navigating the impact cancer had on her marriage, and making the deeply personal decision to remain flat after a double mastectomy. Katelyn also discusses how social media became a lifeline during treatment, helping her find connection, community, and ultimately a new purpose. Today, she uses her experience as both a survivor and mental health professional to support others facing the emotional realities of cancer. This episode is an honest conversation about identity, healing, survivorship, self-acceptance, and why mental health deserves a seat at the table in every cancer journey. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: • Being diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at age 34 • The importance of trusting your instincts and advocating for yourself • Mental health challenges during and after treatment • How cancer impacted her marriage and relationships • Choosing to remain flat after a double mastectomy • Finding connection and community through social media • The realities of survivorship and identity after cancer • Supporting other survivors through mental health coaching • Why young women should pay attention to breast health • The importance of open conversations and early detection Find Kate on TikTok and IG: @k8armstr0ng/

Episode 119: Mammotech,Ashley Flurry :Why Knowing Your Breast Cancer Risk Matters

What if you’re considered “too young” for breast cancer… but your risk says otherwise? In this episode of Test Those Breasts, Jamie sits down with Ashley Flurry, registered mammography technologist and founder of Breast Imaging Matters Outreach, to talk about one of the biggest gaps in breast health: helping women understand their breast cancer risk before age 40. Together, they discuss: 🍋 Why family history isn’t the whole story 🍋 Breast cancer risk assessments — and why most women don’t know they exist 🍋 Why younger women need breast health education and advocacy 🍋 Mammogram myths, radiation fears, and what’s actually true 🍋 How to advocate for yourself when it comes to screening and prevention If you’ve ever thought: “I’m too young.” “No one in my family has breast cancer.” “My doctor would tell me if I was high risk.” …this episode is for you. 📍 Connect with Ashley Flurry 📧 ashley@breastimagingmatters.org [ashley@breastimagingmatters.org] 🌐 https://www.breastimagingmatters.org [https://www.breastimagingmatters.org] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyflurry [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyflurry] Bridging gaps in breast cancer risk awareness through education and guided assessment.

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]