In our final Tit Talk episode for Season 3, Rosalina explores an intriguing (but small) study exploring how breast milk might aid early breast cancer detection using ctDNA. Published through Cancer Discovery, she discusses how this study uncovered a potential noninvasive screening method for pregnant and postpartum women. Rosalina unpacks the study's findings, discussing their implications for early detection and their possible influence on healthcare practices and insurance coverage. Join us as we uncover the fascinating potential of breast milk in breast cancer screening.

Resources:

The study: https://aacrjournals.org/cancerdiscovery/article/13/10/2180/729382/Early-Stage-Breast-Cancer-Detection-in-Breast

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky’s Instagram reel about this study: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0QRzeAgi9N/

Oncology Central article about the study:

https://www.oncology-central.com/how-a-maternal-instinct-led-researchers-to-the-latest-breast-cancer-detection-tool/

Cristina Saura interview with Oncology Central: https://www.oncology-central.com/could-breast-milk-hold-the-secret-to-early-breast-cancer-detection-an-interview-with-cristina-saura/

VHIO article about the study:

https://vhio.net/2023/09/14/vhio-discovers-potential-use-of-breast-milk-liquid-biopsy-for-the-early-diagnosis-of-breast-cancer/

2020 cancer cell in breast milk study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7642166/

For this season 3 finale, we've saved the best episode for last. Rosalina and Shauna explore the intricate relationship between cancer and personal identity. They reflect on how the perception of being a "cancer patient" evolved from diagnosis to different life stages. The discussion spans how others perceive them, the challenges of disclosure, and the balance of embracing cancer as part of their story while maintaining separate personal spaces.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:02:09] Is Cancer a Part of Your Identity

[00:10:25] From Cancer Patient to Advocate

[00:11:26] Cancer Labels

[00:13:28] Cancer Survivor or Cancer Patient?

[00:26:03] It’s OK to Take a Break

[00:28:56] Feeling Like a Cancer Veteran

[00:31:30] Who is Shauna and Rosalina?

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In the third episode of Tit Talk, Rosalina guides us through a study featured in JAMA Oncology in November 2023. Examining data from nearly 50,000 women in the UK, the study investigates the potential link between vaginal estrogen therapy and breast cancer-related mortality. The study's findings reveal no evidence of an elevated risk. As always, Rosalina encourages listeners to stay informed, seek advice from healthcare professionals, and feel empowered to make decisions that align with their well-being.

In this third season of the podcast, we had a dedicated episode on sexual health, where we spoke to medical oncologist and sexual health expert Dr. Laila Agrawal on a misconception about hormone-positive breast cancer and the use of vaginal estrogen. It's an episode worth catching up on, especially since discussions about women's sexual health are often overlooked.

Resources:

Main study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2811413

Dr. Agrawal analysis of the main study: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0HTzb2Ad9k/

More info on the model used in the study: https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/bs/bs704_survival/BS704_Survival6.html

ASCO 2018 recommendation: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2017.75.8995

Medical study general analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsdpg1OOf0

North American Menopause Society recommendation: https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf

Recurrence study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37535961/

Dr. Agrawal’s post re: recurrence study: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0P9wdsg1nf/