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What does it really mean to be diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)—often called “stage zero” breast cancer?

In this in-depth episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfang is joined by a breast surgical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a patient advocate to unpack why DCIS can be both reassuring and deeply complex. While survival rates are excellent, treatment decisions often involve difficult trade-offs between reducing recurrence risk and preserving long-term quality of life.

The panel explores how advances in tumor biology, radiation techniques, and genomic testing—particularly the DecisionRT test—are helping clinicians and patients personalize care. Together, they discuss when radiation may meaningfully reduce recurrence risk, when it may be safely avoided, and how shared decision-making empowers patients to choose treatment paths based on information rather than fear.

Guests:

Dr. Erica Giblin, a breast surgical oncologist in Indianapolis and Director of Breast Surgical Oncology at Ascension, who brings a surgeon’s perspective on balancing effective treatment with long-term survivorship.

Dr. Fleure Gallant, a nationally recognized leader in breast radiation oncology and Radiation Medicine Lead for the Breast Disease Management Team at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, whose work focuses on delivering highly personalized, quality-of-life-centered care.

And Dr. Leona Hamrick, Vice President of Global Medical Affairs at PreludeDx, a board-certified physician associate with decades of experience in internal medicine and oncology diagnostics—and an 11-year stage III breast cancer survivor who brings the patient voice into every scientific conversation.

Topics Discussed:

• What DCIS is—and why it’s considered non-invasive breast cancer
• Why DCIS is classified as stage zero, regardless of size
• How DCIS differs from invasive breast cancer and LCIS
• Why a DCIS diagnosis can still be emotionally traumatic
• Standard treatment approaches: lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, and hormone therapy
• When and why radiation therapy is recommended after DCIS
• How radiation schedules have evolved (5 days vs. 3–6 weeks)
• What DecisionRT measures and how it helps predict recurrence risk
• Why tumor biology matters more than age alone
• Shared decision-making vs. fear-based decision-making
• Quality-of-life considerations, especially for younger patients
• Why more options can sometimes feel more overwhelming
• The importance of second opinions and patient self-advocacy
• How DCIS care is moving toward personalization and de-escalation

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What happens when breast cancer comes back — even after doing “everything right”?

In this deeply honest conversation, Laura Carfang sits down with Teresa Baglietto, a four-time cancer survivor, author, and podcast host, to talk about what it really means to live with cancer recurrence, fear, and long-term survivorship.

Teresa shares what it felt like to discover her first breast cancer lump (“it was like a block of cement”), how she navigated a recurrence after bilateral mastectomy, and the treatment decisions that ultimately saved her life — including why she chose not to take chemotherapy or tamoxifen.

Together, Laura and Teresa explore the emotional and practical realities of survivorship: fear of recurrence, making medical decisions without complete information, balancing career and health, and finding purpose after cancer.

This episode is for anyone newly diagnosed, living with metastatic or recurrent disease, or learning how to live after cancer — when the world expects you to “move on,” but your body and mind remember everything.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• What a breast cancer lump can actually feel like
• Being diagnosed after delaying a mammogram
• Breast cancer recurrence after mastectomy
• Radiation vs chemotherapy and treatment decision-making
• Oncotype DX testing and personalized care
• Saying no to tamoxifen after severe side effects
• Fear of recurrence and how it shows up years later
• How cancer reshapes career, identity, and purpose
• Why having a plan can help you survive the unknown
• Finding meaning and community after diagnosis
  
  

About Our Guest
Teresa Baglietto is a four-time cancer survivor, author of The Ripple Effect, and host of the podcast InShok. Her work focuses on resilience, leadership, and navigating life’s hardest moments with intention and courage.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

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Breast Cancer Stopped My Life—Music and Meditation Helped Me Breathe Again: How Music and Meditation Support Healing During Breast Cancer Treatment

A breast cancer diagnosis can abruptly stop life in its tracks—canceling plans, disrupting careers, and forcing an unfamiliar stillness. In this deeply moving episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfang, Ed.D. sits down with Elizabeth Borowsky, a professional pianist and composer, and Jesika Harmon, a meditation coach and wellness guide, to explore how music and meditation became powerful tools for healing during cancer treatment.

Together, they tell the story of an unexpected reconnection that led to a creative collaboration: Sonisah Meditation—a unique fusion of live piano music and guided meditation designed to help people move through illness, grief, and life’s hardest moments with greater clarity and compassion.

This conversation is a reminder that healing is not only physical—it’s emotional, spiritual, and creative. Whether you’re living with breast cancer, supporting someone you love, or navigating another season of uncertainty, this episode offers permission to slow down, listen inward, and discover new ways to heal beyond medicine.

Resources:

Elizabeth Borowsky and Jesika Harmon co-created Inner Harmony, a meditation album combining live piano composition with guided mindfulness practices. Their work introduces Sonisah Meditation—from sonus (sound) and niseion (experience through trial)—a new approach to healing through sound and stillness.

📍 Available on:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6KmlM20xrcRU9qQfGnkXEb?referral=labelaffiliate&utm_source=1011lBVpP95B&utm_medium=Indie_Distrokid&utm_campaign=labelaffiliate
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/inner-harmony/1846165188?uo=4
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-JylYyr_EE

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
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