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When you're diagnosed with breast cancer, your first thought is often survival.

But what about everything that comes after?

For many young adults diagnosed with breast cancer, questions about fertility, family planning, hormone health, identity, and future possibilities quickly become part of the conversation. Yet too many patients never learn about their options until after treatment has already begun.

In this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, Laura Carfang sits down with Kara Bendle, RN, MSN, CPN, CNL, Fertility Preservation and Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Program Manager at Cleveland Clinic, to discuss why fertility conversations matter from the very beginning of a cancer diagnosis.

Together, they explore:

• When fertility preservation conversations should happen
• How breast cancer treatments can affect fertility and hormone health
• The difference between fertility preservation and family building
• Egg freezing, embryo preservation, and ovarian tissue preservation
• The emotional impact of infertility and loss of choice
• Dating, relationships, and family planning after cancer
• Fertility considerations for hormone-positive breast cancer patients
• Insurance barriers and access to care
• Why patients deserve information—even when options are limited
• The importance of keeping future possibilities open

This conversation goes far beyond fertility. It explores identity, grief, survivorship, and the power of informed decision-making after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whether you are newly diagnosed, in treatment, navigating survivorship, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers compassionate and practical guidance for understanding your options and advocating for your future.

Love this episode? Send us a text through the link in the show notes. Messages are completely anonymous. If you'd like a response, include your email address so we can follow up directly.

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Listener Feedback

If this episode resonated with you, we invite you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

You can also click the link in the show notes that says "Love this episode? Send us a text" to share feedback.

Messages are completely anonymous.

If you would like us to follow up directly, please include your email address in your message so we can respond.

Latest News:

• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
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• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the podcast? Send us a text!

Getting a mammogram should not feel complicated.

Yet many women face delays, confusion, long wait times, and unanswered questions when navigating breast cancer screening and follow-up care.

In this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, Laura Carfang and William Laferriere sit down with Dr. Ryan Polselli, radiologist, entrepreneur, and founder of Mammolink, a mobile breast cancer screening company designed to bring mammography directly to women while reducing barriers to care.

Dr. Polselli shares how his own experience as a medical student facing a potential cancer diagnosis inspired him to rethink how healthcare is delivered. Together, they explore the realities of delayed diagnoses, dense breast tissue, same-day results, mobile mammography, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and what it will take to create a more patient-centered screening experience.

Topics we discuss:

• Why women often face delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
• The growing concern of breast cancer in younger women
• What dense breast tissue means and why it matters
• Mammograms vs. ultrasound: understanding the differences
• How mobile mammography is improving access to screening
• Why same-day results can reduce anxiety and improve follow-up care
• The role of AI in breast cancer screening and patient navigation
• How employers and healthcare systems can help close screening gaps
• What patients need to know about advocating for themselves

Whether you are newly diagnosed, living with breast cancer, navigating survivorship, or simply due for your next screening, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of breast cancer care.

Learn more about Mammolink: https://mammolink.com

Love this episode? Send us a text through the link in the show notes. Messages are completely anonymous. If you'd like a response, include your email address so we can follow up directly.

Support the show

Listener Feedback

If this episode resonated with you, we invite you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

You can also click the link in the show notes that says "Love this episode? Send us a text" to share feedback.

Messages are completely anonymous.

If you would like us to follow up directly, please include your email address in your message so we can respond.

Latest News:

• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources from SurvivingBReastCancer.org!
• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the podcast? Send us a text!

What happens when breast cancer survivors and thrivers come together to celebrate 300 episodes of Breast Cancer Conversations?

In this special milestone episode, host Laura Carfang welcomes members of the SurvivingBreastCancer.org community for an honest, heartfelt discussion about diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, metastatic breast cancer, advocacy, and finding connection after cancer.

Together, they reflect on the stories that shaped them, the support that carried them through difficult moments, and what they wish every newly diagnosed patient knew.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, living with metastatic breast cancer, supporting a loved one, or navigating survivorship, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone.

💜 Topics include:

• Finding community after diagnosis
• Support groups and survivorship
• Living with metastatic breast cancer
• Storytelling and emotional healing
• Life after treatment
• Patient advocacy and self-advocacy
• Managing long-term side effects
• What breast cancer survivors wish they knew sooner

Thank you for helping us reach 300 episodes.

Support the show

Listener Feedback

If this episode resonated with you, we invite you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

You can also click the link in the show notes that says "Love this episode? Send us a text" to share feedback.

Messages are completely anonymous.

If you would like us to follow up directly, please include your email address in your message so we can respond.

Latest News:

• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources from SurvivingBReastCancer.org!
• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.