In this powerful episode, host Lisa Malia sits down with Leslie Ferris Yerger, CEO and founder of My Density Matters, for an intimate and eye-opening conversation about breast density, advocacy, and early detection of breast cancer. If you've ever wondered why breast density is such a critical, yet often overlooked, part of the breast cancer conversation, this episode is a must-listen. Lisa and Leslie share their personal stories as breast cancer survivors and passionate advocates, revealing how their own experiences with missed diagnoses due to dense breast tissue ignited their mission to empower women with crucial information.

Leslie recounts her shocking diagnosis of stage four metastatic breast cancer just two months after an “all clear” mammogram and ultrasound—a story that highlights the urgent need for better awareness and screening options. Together, they discuss what women should know about lobular cancer, the limitations of traditional screenings, why advocacy is so important, and what steps everyone can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.

They also touch on barriers to care, tips on understanding your risk and screening reports, and the grassroots power of women supporting one another. Tune in for a moving and educational conversation that might just change how you think about breast health—and give you exactly the tools you need to advocate for yourself and others.

Timestamps:

00:00 Empowering Women on Breast Density

06:04 Unexpected X-Ray Discoveries 09:51 "Invisible Lobular Breast Cancer"

12:10 Breast Density Diagnosis Challenges

13:42 Forming Alliances for Breast Density Awareness

16:59 Bridging Gaps in Cancer Care

20:06 Dense Breasts: Ultrasound Limitations

23:06 Metastatic Cancer and Osteoporosis Medications

28:54 Family Support and Open Conversations

30:24 "Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Guide"

Learn more about The Clear Pathways Program, Walk, Summit, App and Initiative powered by For The Love Of Cups and join our task force or advisory board: https://www.breastdensitysummit.org/

Leslie Ferris Yerger is a Tedx speaker, author of Probably Benign, and a women’s advocate with a laser focused mission. Leslie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in November 2017 after an ‘all clear’ mammogram and ultrasound, experiencing firsthand the failings of our current breast cancer screening standards. As Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit My Density Matters, Leslie is determined to empower women to find out their breast density, learn their options, and advocate for themselves to get the additional breast cancer screening they need, so that her story doesn’t become their story.

Leslie lives in Hawthorn Woods, IL with her husband John. She has 3 grown children: Evan, Julia, and Megan.

My Density Matters: https://www.mydensitymatters.org

LinkedIn: ttps://www.linkedin.com/company/my-density-matters

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydensitymatters/