One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime—a statistic that underscores the importance of advocating for breast health year-round. This was the driving force behind a recent Flow Space event, titled “Beyond October: Advocating for Breast Health Year-Round.”
Moderated by Flow Space editor-in-chief Galina Espinoza, the event brought together a powerful group of voices to discuss breast health and breast cancer awareness. Featuring Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, a breast surgeon at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center; Trish Michelle, a cancer survivor and chief community officer for The Breasties, a nonprofit organization that creates community for anyone impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers; and Kristen Klasey, director of marketing strategy for breast cancer and women’s health at global healthcare company Novartis, the panel delved into common breast cancer misconceptions, the challenges of survivorship, and the critical role of community.
Debunking the myths about breast cancer
Espinoza began by asking each panelist to name a common misconception about breast cancer they felt had persisted for too long. Klasey was quick to point out the belief that family history determines one’s risk.
“I think we’ve heard it today, and it’s that if you don’t have a family history, you’re immune to breast cancer,” she said. “‘It can’t happen to me.’ And we know that’s not true. We know that 80% of breast cancer cases are not genetic from family. And I think that’s [a misconception] we have to continue to break.”
Michelle, speaking as a survivor, highlighted a different misconception about life after cancer.
“I’m getting fired up,” she said with passion. “It’s the fact that when you ring the bell and someone is cancer-free, people think their experiences with cancer are over. Breast cancer awareness is year-round, and for many of us, living in this cancer space is a lifetime journey. I often say that survivorship is a lifetime. If you’re lucky, you get to live a long life, but it’s fraught with challenges.”
Michelle hoped the panel would help make clear that the journey doesn’t end when treatment does.
Joseph added her perspective as a surgeon, noting that she could list countless misconceptions but chose to spotlight one in particular: the myth that radiation from mammograms can cause cancer.
“I have patients who come in and try to negotiate with me, saying, ‘I don’t want a mammogram, can I have an ultrasound instead?’ But I tell them, ‘No, the mammogram is the test for screening.’ Radiation fears are often overblown, and we have to make sure people are getting the right screenings,” she said.
Knowing your body
Espinoza went on to note that the women’s health space is indeed “ripe with misinformation,” and asked Klasey for a practical checklist of screenings and touchpoints to help women stay informed. Klasey acknowledged the overwhelming amount of information on breast cancer and advised women to rely on a trusted healthcare professional.
“First and foremost, have a great relationship with your doctor,” she said. “Find someone you can trust and rely on them for your care. That’s critical.”
Espinoza then turned to Michelle, asking her to share a personal experience about advocating for herself in the face of medical resistance. Michelle recalled a time when her relationship with her healthcare provider was “quite adversarial.”
“I felt the lump. I had a physical. Everything was ‘great.’ My doctor just told me to take some iron and go live my life,” she explained. “Two weeks later, I knew something was off. When I went back, I was met with rolled eyes and sighs, like I was wasting his time.”
Pushing through roadblocks
Michelle said she had to push back and demand a mammogram because her doctor kept putting roadblocks in her way. She was right to push because she was later diagnosed with stage three invasive carcinoma.
Joseph, on the other side of these experiences, emphasized the importance of patients advocating for themselves.
“Unfortunately, I see this too often,” she said. “Younger women, especially Black and brown women, get dismissed because primary care doctors think they’re too young to have breast cancer. By the time they come to me, they’re often already diagnosed, and it’s months later.”
Joseph said this is why she tells women to be their best advocate and listen to their own bodies.
“If you hit a roadblock, go around it. If your doctor won’t order a mammogram, find another,” she said.
Espinoza then raised the issue of breast cancer diagnoses in younger women, asking Joseph what she’s observed. Joseph confirmed an increasing number of diagnoses in women under 40, which she finds concerning.
“We’re not screening women under 40,” she explained. “So, you have to know your body. Follow the USPSTF (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) guidelines, even though they don’t recommend self-breast exams or clinical exams in younger women. But you have to know what’s normal for you,” Joseph said.
Klasey, building on the importance of body awareness, encouraged women to consider the broader health impacts of breast cancer.
“It’s breast cancer and it’s life beyond that,” she said. “Are we having conversations about fertility, about freezing eggs, about menopause under 40, sexual health? These topics need to be part of the conversation.”
The power of community
Michelle emphasized just how vital community is in navigating the challenges of survivorship. She shared that while family and friends offer essential support, there’s a unique understanding and comfort that only comes from connecting with others who’ve been through similar experiences.
“We say that community is treatment. Yes, you have family, friends and hopefully a great medical team. But there’s that missing piece for the times you’re doom-scrolling at 2 a.m., looking for someone who can relate and help you feel seen,” she said. “Community is treatment, and it has helped me in ways that nothing else could.”
The discussion then shifted to recent advancements in breast cancer treatment, and Espinoza asked Joseph to highlight breakthroughs she’s seen in recent years. Joseph shared her optimism about more targeted therapies that go beyond chemotherapy.
Breakthroughs in treatment
“When I first started, we were all excited about tamoxifen and AI, but now we’re looking at the tumor’s signature, seeing how it expresses itself and tailoring treatments accordingly,” she said. “Even in surgery, we’re moving toward oncoplastic techniques [surgical procedures that combine breast cancer surgery with plastic surgery to treat breast cancer while preserving the breast’s natural shape], which can sometimes allow us to avoid mastectomies.”
Klasey noted that recent advancements in breast cancer care reach far beyond just new treatments. She pointed out that changes in diagnostics, technology and even health policy have all contributed to a rapidly evolving landscape that offers more hope and better outcomes for patients.
“It’s not all doom and gloom,” she said. “It’s moving fast, and we’re headed in the right direction.”
The panel wrapped up with a sense of hope and empowerment, leaving attendees with a clear message: know your body, advocate for yourself, build a supportive community and stay informed. Breast cancer awareness must be a year-round effort, and each small step toward knowledge and advocacy can make a lasting difference.