In this deeply moving episode of "Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful," I sit down with Dr. Liz O'Riordan, a former breast surgeon who has faced breast cancer three times and emerged as a powerful voice in the community. Dr. O'Riordan shares her personal battle with depression during her cancer treatment, a struggle that many patients face but few openly discuss.

Learn how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) became a beacon of hope in her darkest hours. Dr. O'Riordan explains how CBT provided her with the tools to manage her fears, process her emotions, and ultimately reclaim her life. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of mental health support for those battling cancer.

This episode sheds light on the mental health challenges of breast cancer and offers valuable insights for those facing similar struggles.

In this episode of the new series "Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight," host Melissa Berry and her mother share a heartfelt conversation on the profound impact of genetic testing. From the decision to undergo BRCA testing to the discovery that both Melissa and her brother Matt carry the BRCA gene, they explore the power of knowledge, the strength of family, and the vital role of early intervention. This episode underscores the importance of proactive healthcare and family support in navigating life-changing decisions. Thank you to Merck and AstraZeneca for making this episode possible!

As part of my special podcast series, "Your Voice. Your Health." focusing on step therapy, we're joined by Maxine Miller, a dedicated advocate and Coordinator of Policy & Advocacy at Cancer Support Community. 

With a strong commitment to championing equity and access in healthcare, economics, and society, Maxine shares some advocacy efforts as well as groundbreaking research shedding light on the detrimental effects of step therapy protocols on patient health and well-being. Thank you to my sponsors Amgen, Merck and Daiichi-Sankyo for making this episode possible!

Want to hear an inspiring story about a rock star triple negative breast cancer thriver? Meet Kelly Thomas. She's a content creator, founder of @tnbc_thrivers, as well as the virtual host for the @tnbcfoundation's monthly zoom chats for women living and thriving with triple negative breast cancer.  When she's not supporting the TNBC Community, she's encouraging cancer survivors to move their body with #exercise4survival. Tune in to learn more and get ready for a serious dose of high energy and valuable information about TNBC!

Host Melissa Berry has a reunion with Claire Gill, CEO of the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. This is a dynamic yet very informative follow up to the last conversation that they had about the impact that cancer can have on bone health....and what you can do to prevent bone loss and fracture with a focus on drug prevention. Don't miss this one!

Melissa sits down with Hayley Dinerman, Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation and Ricki Fairley, Founder of TOUCH, The National Breast Cancer Alliance to recap some of the most important takeaways from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Learn how breast cancer advocacy groups, pharmaceutical companies and doctors are partnering to find a cure for Triple Negative Breast Cancer while keeping the patient community informed.

Not only is model Alissa Jo Caputo beautiful on the outside, but she's also a true beauty on the inside. She shares her entire journey with us in the hopes of informing and inspiring the newly diagnosed, beginning with her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 31, her decision to conserve her fertility, how she navigated her reconstruction choices, and everything in between. This episode is part of a special series called, "Breast Reconstruction: Real Life Conversations," and is brought to you by Allergan Aesthetics.

In this episode of "Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful,"  I have the pleasure of introducing you to Y, the compassionate force behind the Women's Hair Loss Project. Join us as Y shares her personal journey through hair loss, shedding light on all of the emotional complexities that come with it. 

With 17 years of dedication to empowering women, Y offers invaluable insights into reclaiming femininity and confidence despite the challenges of hair loss. 

From practical advice on wig shopping to profound reflections on self-acceptance, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating similar experiences. Tune in as we celebrate beauty in and honor the resilience of the human spirit.

Need a crash course in bone health? Look no further. Your host Melissa Berry aka Cancer Fashionista shares the most important facts about bone health that she learned last year when interviewing top experts and patient advocates for her special series, "Beautiful To The Bone."

Put your seatbelts on for this one. A Yale graduate, family nurse practitioner, breast cancer thriver AND the President of The Pink Agenda, Nicole's passion for philanthropy is contagious, so listen here to learn more! The Pink Agenda is a nonprofit organization committed to raising money for breast cancer research and care, as well as awareness of the disease among young professionals.

Can I get a woot woot for EMME?! Not only is Emme a dear friend of mine, but she's the world's first curvy supermodel and has dedicated her life to body image. In this truly special episode, she shares her own cancer story and challenges, how to love your body no matter what you're going through, and some really great ways to navigate the tough emotions that come along with losing your breasts.

Imagine a Barbie camper for breast cancer patients….introducing Move Over Breast Cancer! This incredible non-profit organization was founded by breast cancer thriver Paula Flory and is an incredible mobile lounge and salon bringing safe, compassionate and stylish support services straight to the patient's doorstep. Hear all about her inspiring story and how it led to the creation of this truly unique service!

Melissa sits down with her very own gynecologist, Dr. Tracy Scheller for a bone health deep dive as it relates to breast cancer and menopause. Dr. Scheller is the Medical Director of the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health, and is board certified in obstetrics, gynecology and integrative medicine. So she knows her stuff! Not sure when to get a DEXA scan? How to prevent bone loss? What kind of impact menopause has on your bone health? Then this episode's for you!

Melissa had so much fun on the Sipps With Survivors podcast that she decided to invite founders Vicki Campana and Randalynn Vasel to join her right on Dear, Cancer I'm Beautiful! These ovarian cancer survivors and breast cancer previvors share their stories and AND offer up tons of great advice about starting your own podcast.

Join Melissa and her good friends Trish and Tiffany, founders of Hip Hop Happy Hour. Since the start of the pandemic, they've hosted this coveted virtual gathering every Friday night on Instagram Live. The weekly show supports and celebrates those in the cancer community and beyond, through their shared love of community, advocacy and hip hop. They discuss the debut of #ReclaimOctober, their plans for the upcoming year and so much more!

Melissa sits down with breast cancer thriver and Chest Confessions author Christina Wilson who very candidly shares her story about being misdiagnosed and treated, as well as all of the sexual health, body image and relationship issues that came along with it. If you're looking for some solid guidance about being your own advocate with a side of sex ed for cancer thrivers, then this episode's for you!

Host Melissa Berry sits down with top plastic surgeons and breast reconstruction experts Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank. In an effort to shift the narrative surrounding breast reconstruction, the two doctors collaborated to create a new project called Restored. Restored is a book and art exhibit that tells the stories of twelve breast reconstruction patients from different walks of life. The project includes images, lifecasts, and words from each woman that convey the physical and emotional restoration that breast reconstruction can provide. 100% of the proceeds of the Restored book will be donated to the AiRS Foundation. A special thank you to our sponsor Allergan Aesthetics for making this special episode possible.

Never had a DEXA scan? That's ok! It's never too late to learn about the importance of bone health, especially if you're a breast cancer survivor, or are currently in treatment. Join Melissa in Part 2 of this special mini-series as she interviews breast cancer thriver and physician Dr. Alexea. Thank you Dr. Alexea for stepping forward and welcoming us to join you on her very own bone health journey! Learn all about Dr. Alexea's DEXA scan results, her emotions surrounding the test, her next steps for maximizing her bone health and more!

Meet my new friend Ali, the founder of Lost and Found Tattoo in Cranford, NJ. In this episode of "Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful," we're going to delve into Ali's journey as a tattoo artist specializing in both illustrative designs as well as nipple and areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors.

Join us as we uncover Ali's passion for empowering women through her art and gain valuable insights into finding inspiration for meaningful tattoo designs.

Whether you're considering a nipple tattoo or seeking a meaningful post-mastectomy design, Ali's expertise and compassion shine through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone who's considering either option.

Melissa has a very candid and informative conversation with Dr. Sommer, Professor of SIU Medicine Institute of Plastic Surgery and breast cancer advocate (and superstar winemaker) Susan Danenberger.  Susan was very unhappy with her initial breast reconstruction, and openly shares her struggle as well as the path that led her to Dr. Sommer and her successful revision. Learn about insurance coverage relative to breast reconstruction, what you should ask your plastic surgeon before heading into the OR, the importance of getting that second opinion and much more!

Breast reconstruction brings with it many challenges, so thank goodness for the AiRs Foundation! The Foundation works in partnership with health care providers, offering the resources necessary to make this surgery an option for women who would not otherwise have access to it. During this informative interview with Founding Member, Morgan Hare, learn about the organization's mission, how to apply for a grant, and the importance of being your own advocate.

Never had a DEXA scan? That's ok! It's never too late to learn about the importance of bone health, especially if you're a breast cancer survivor, or are currently in treatment. Join Melissa in Part 1 of this special mini-series as she interviews breast cancer thriver and physician Dr. Alexea. Thank you Dr. Alexea for stepping forward and welcoming us to join you on her very own bone health journey! Learn why Dr. Alexea hasn't had her DEXA scan yet, her emotions surrounding the test and more!

You don't want to miss this episode! Melissa flies solo and very candidly shares her breast cancer story with you, including her first-hand knowledge about the importance of knowing your family history and genetic testing. She walks you through her journey that led her to the creation of Cancer Fashionista, and how she went from playing with Barbies as a little girl to becoming a full-time breast cancer advocate...with some really fun anecdotes in between!

Melissa sits down with her dear friend and colleague, Hayley Dinerman, Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. They talk about Hayley's unique career path, the mission of the Foundation, what makes Triple Negative Breast Cancer different from other types of breast cancers, the biggest challenges that this disease faces, and the importance of community which is at the heart of this incredible organization.  

Melissa has the unique opportunity to interview Jean Sachs, the CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Learn about Jean's career path, the organization's mission, the profoundly positive effect that community has upon breast cancer patient and thrivers, what distinguishes Living Beyond Breast Cancer from other non-profit organizations in the breast cancer space, and the powerful impact that they've made over the past 30 years.

Melissa has a very informative yet real conversation with breast cancer and bone health prevention advocate, Karen Sock. Karen shares her breast cancer story and how it led to her being super-proactive about her bone health with a focus on preventative measures. Karen is a shining example of taking bone health into your own hands, knocking down financial barriers to treatment, and living your best life despite the challenges that breast cancer brings!

Melissa sits down with Dr. Lyndsey Harper, Founder and CEO of Rosy, a women's health technology company that connects women who have sexual health concerns with hope, community, and research-backed solutions. They have a candid conversation about cancer and sexualtity, answering all of the questions you may be afraid to ask!  From surgical menopause and painful sex to advice about talking to your partner about sexual issues during and after cancer treatment, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

Melissa sits down with patient advocate and ballerina Maggie Kudirka for an eye-opening discussion about preventative bone health treatment options as it relates to metastatic breast cancer. Learn all about Maggie's career as a dancer, her breast cancer story, and why she is so passionate about preventative bone health treatment.

Join host Melissa Berry for a very informative conversation about diep flap surgery with Dr. Neumeister, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at SIU Medicine and Chief for the Institute for Plastic Surgery. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about diep flap surgery, including the history behind it, what makes it a good option, who the best candidates are, the recovery time, and much more!

Join me and Dr. David Charles, Chief Medical Officer of the Alliance for Patient Access and a distinguished neurologist, for a dynamic discussion. In this episode, Dr. Charles sheds light on step therapy, fail-first protocols, and care pathways, revealing their impact on patient care. Explore how the Alliance champions patient education and advocates for healthcare policy improvements. Tune in to delve into the intersection of patient advocacy and healthcare reform with Dr. Charles and the Alliance. Thank you to Amgen, Merck and Daiichi Sankyo for making this episode possible!

Patient advocate Christy Greenleaf was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 43 as a result of chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer. This powerful conversation is a must listen for anyone about to begin cancer treatment. What Christy wishes she knew about protecting her bones then, and the questions that you should be asking your oncologist about your bone health before treatment even begins.

Melissa joins breast cancer surgeon Dr. Monique Gary to discuss the power of touch, and the positive impact that it has on breast cancer patients. This lighthearted yet informative conversation includes Dr. Gary's incredible career path to becoming a breast cancer surgeon, why she's so passionate about the power of touch, how to achieve resilience and balance in the midst of treatment, the importance of the mind and body connection, coping skills for "scan-xiety" and much more!

Melissa joins Rachel Beller, MS, RDN, breast health expert, 3x best-selling author and celebrity weight management specialist for an informative yet compelling conversation about breast health and nutrition. They discuss Rachel's career path, what "Power Spicing" is, the most common weight loss issues and solutions for women undergoing chemotherapy and much more!

Melissa joins trichologist Lisa Caddy of Philip Kingsley to discuss her path to becoming a hair and scalp expert, how to navigate hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, what to expect when your hair begins to grow back in, and how to care for your scalp and hair throughout the entire process. Several Philip Kingsley products are highlighted, and the offerings of the NYC based Philip Kingsley hair clinic are discussed. This is an essential for anyone who is about to begin chemotherapy treatment that will lead to hair loss!

Join Melissa and Chick Mission founders Tracy Weiss and Amanda Rice as they discuss the story behind their mission to ensure every young woman newly diagnosed with cancer has the option to preserve fertility through direct financial support, educational programs, and advocacy for legislative change. They refuse to let the emotional, physical, and financial cost of a cancer diagnosis stand between young women and a full life after beating this disease. Tune in to learn more about protecting your fertility prior to cancer treatment, the importance of being your own advocate and how to apply for a Chick Mission grant.

Melissa sits down with former Inc. magazine journalist, breast cancer thriver, author and founder of the Anticancer Lifestyle to discuss the power of mindset, and the profound, beneficial impact that lifestyle has on your overall health. 

As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with the controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother and great aunt to breast cancer. Melissa sits down with Allyn to discuss her decision and her path to becoming founder of The Previvor.

Melissa sits down with Patricia Fox and has a very candid conversation about the discovery of her breast cancer at the young age of 26, her breast cancer story and its impact on her significant career shift, how she became a Sephora ambassador and her favorite beauty tips for women of color.

Melissa has an informative conversation about bone health as it relates to cancer with special guest Claire Gill, CEO For the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Claire shares her knowledge, expertise as well as her own family history to ensure we all have optimal bone health.

Join Melissa Berry and her special guest Ricki Fairley, Founder and CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. Ricki shares her Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis, discusses the prevalence of Triple Negative Breast Cancer among Black women, talks about her career path from powerhouse marketing executive to Founder of TOUCH, and how she plans to eradicate Black breast cancer with her tireless patient advocacy efforts.

Join me and my incredible friend, celebrity hairstylist Chelsey, for an intimate conversation about navigating life with metastatic breast cancer. Discover her powerful journey of resilience, creativity, and finding purpose beyond the salon chair. This episode offers inspiring insights into living life to the fullest, despite the challenges we face. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of courage, community, and embracing every moment.

Join Melissa Berry and her special guests Sarah Kelly and Leah Robert, the sassy sisters and founders behind the Maine based clean beauty brand SaltyGirl Beauty. Oncology nurse (Leah) and Triple Negative breast cancer thriver (Sarah) share the story behind SaltyGirl beauty including the discovery of Sarah's Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis during her pregnancy, why they decided to create SaltyGirl Beauty, how they empower and inspire the breast cancer community, and how makeup can positively impact how you feel about yourself during cancer treatment and beyond into thrivership.

Melissa sits down with breast cancer thriver boudoir photographer and author Jen Rozenbaum for a not-to-miss conversation about the power of phototherapy, and how to be the best version of yourself after your breast cancer diagnosis and initial treatment.

Join host Melissa Berry and her special guest Cheryl Hostinak, Executive Director of American Bone Health as they discuss navigating optimum bone health during cancer treatment and beyond into thrivership. Key topics covered in this episode include lifestyle choices that impact your bone health, fracture prevention, the American Bone Health mission, and the importance of discussing your bone health with your oncologist.