Cancer Fashionista

It’s the first of the month and the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it feels like the perfect time for this reminder. ❤️

4 out of 10 diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump themselves, which is why knowing your own body is so important.

is a simple reminder to take a few minutes each month to check your breasts and become familiar with what’s normal for you.

If something changes, you’re more likely to notice it.

Self breast exams don’t replace mammograms or other recommended screening. They’re simply one more important way to stay connected to your breast health.

This past weekend, I attended my first MBC Alliance Unity Summit as a new member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance.

The Summit brought together people living with MBC, patient advocacy organizations and industry partners to share perspectives, build on the work already happening across the MBC community and explore how we can work together more effectively.

From access to care and clinical trials to quality of life, patient education and disparities, we asked important questions and heard many different perspectives - all with the goal of better supporting people living with MBC and improving outcomes.

We also talked about the resources and expertise that already exist across the MBC community, how to better connect them and make sure they’re reaching the patients who need them.

There is important work ahead - continuing to listen to people living with MBC, building on what’s already working and keeping their needs at the center of what comes next.

A breast cancer diagnosis can change so much. Your body, your relationships, your confidence, your priorities, and the way you see yourself.

And sometimes, you might find yourself missing the person you were before all of this, but you don’t have to get back to who you were before breast cancer.

You’re allowed to get to know who you are now.

To grieve what’s changed. To hold onto the parts of yourself that still feel like you. To discover new ones. And to take your time figuring out what life looks like from here.

There’s no timeline for feeling like yourself again. And “yourself” doesn’t have to mean the person you were before.

Save this for the days when you need the reminder.

Today, on World Menopause & Cancer Awareness Day, we’re helping to .

Cancer treatment can bring on menopause suddenly and too often, the conversation about what comes next is missing. Women are left navigating symptoms, changes to their bodies, intimacy, emotional wellbeing and long-term health without the information or support they deserve.

Menopause care should be part of cancer care.

Menopause and Cancer is calling on patients, healthcare professionals, employers, policymakers, charities and advocates to help close the gaps between cancer care and menopause care, so no one has to navigate menopause after cancer alone.

More awareness. Better conversations. Better support.

Learn more + get involved at https://menopauseandcancer.org/

Intimacy after breast cancer can change in so many ways - and sometimes the hardest part is not knowing what’s normal, what can help, or even who to ask.

That’s why I’m so happy to once again partner with ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis for Part 3 of our Intimacy After Breast Cancer webinar series.

I’ll be joined by Dr. Laila Agrawal, a board-certified oncologist who teaches s*xual health in cancer care, for an honest conversation about the impact treatment can have on intimacy, desire and s*xual wellness.

We’ll talk openly about painful s*x, low libido, early menopause, and other ways treatment can affect s*xual health and intimacy - along with practical strategies, treatment options and resources that may help.

📅 Tuesday, September 29
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM CT | 1:00–2:00 PM ET

The webinar is FREE and open to everyone.

If you joined us for Parts 1 or 2, you’re already registered! If not, we’d love to have you join us.

🔗 Register here

https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/intimacy-after-breast-cancer-a-3-part-webinar-webinar-series-on-connection-relationships-and-identity-with-cancer-fashionista-melissa-berry/

Thank you to our media supporter Wildfire Magazine

Sexual health after breast cancer matters.

From menopause and painful s*x to low libido, body image and changes in breast sensation, knowing where to turn for trusted information and support can make all the difference.

In honor of Day, I’m sharing some of my go-to experts and resources to help you find the support you need and deserve.

Save this guide for yourself or share it with someone who may need it. ❤️