On this deeply personal episode of SHE MD, co-host Mary Alice Haney sits down with her lifelong best friend, Stacey Hunt, to share the story of how listening to the podcast led Stacey to advocate for herself, and ultimately, catch her breast cancer early enough to save her life.

After hearing the Olivia Munn episode and learning about lifetime breast cancer risk assessments, dense breast tissue, and the importance of MRIs for high-risk women, Stacey decided to take action. Despite having a recent “clear” mammogram and no symptoms, she pushed for additional testing after learning her lifetime risk score was 28%. That MRI revealed a tiny invasive lobular breast cancer hidden beneath extremely dense breast tissue; something her mammogram missed entirely.

Together, Stacey, Mary Alice, and Thais Aliabadi have an emotional and eye-opening conversation about self-advocacy, early detection, dense breasts, genetic testing, the realities of a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, reconstruction options, menopause after cancer, and the emotional toll that comes with survivorship. This episode is both a powerful reminder that early detection saves lives and a call for every woman to know her lifetime risk of breast cancer.

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Sponsors

Myriad: Go to GetMyRisk.com to learn more about hereditary cancer testing and how you can use Myriad’s virtual care option for fast, at-home testing - no office visit required.

What You’ll Learn

Why every woman should know her lifetime breast cancer risk score
The difference between 2D and 3D mammograms
Why women with dense breasts may need ultrasounds and MRIs
What the Myriad genetic test measures
The difference between ductal and lobular breast cancer
Why invasive lobular cancer can be harder to detect
How to advocate for yourself when a doctor dismisses your concerns
The emotional reality of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis
The connection between menopause, breast cancer, and hormone replacement therapy
Non-hormonal options for managing menopause symptoms after breast cancer
Why repetition and education empower women to take control of their health

Key Timestamps

00:00 Why You’re Tired Even When You’re Doing Everything Right

01:40 The Random Phone Call That Changed Everything

02:30 This Story Honestly Scared Me

03:29 The Podcast Episode That Literally Saved Her Life

04:14 The Breast Cancer Test Nobody Told Her About

05:42 She Got Her Results Back… And Freaked Out

09:16 Her Doctor Basically Said “You’re Fine”

11:58 When Your Doctor Makes You Feel Dramatic

13:26 The MRI That Found What Everyone Missed

14:11 The Type Of Breast Cancer That Hides

16:49 The Call Nobody Ever Wants To Get

19:18 What Having Cancer Actually Feels Like

22:50 Why She Removed Both Breasts

30:44 The Hormone Question Everyone is Asking

41:58 How Cancer Completely Changed Her Perspective

43:49 The Advice Every Woman Needs To Hear

Key Takeaways

Early detection can dramatically improve breast cancer outcomes, especially for aggressive or hard-to-detect cancers.
Dense breast tissue can make mammograms less effective, which is why additional imaging may be necessary.
A normal mammogram does not always mean you are cancer-free.
Knowing your lifetime risk of breast cancer can help determine the right screening protocol for you.
Self-advocacy can save your life, even when medical professionals initially dismiss your concerns.
Invasive lobular breast cancer is often more difficult to detect than ductal breast cancer.
Every woman’s treatment journey is personal, and mental health and peace of mind matter when making decisions.
There are non-hormonal ways to manage menopause symptoms after breast cancer.
Community, education, and shared experiences can empower women to take action for their health.
The “SHE MD effect” is real: informed women help save other women’s lives.

Guest Bio

Stacey Hunt is a breast cancer survivor, mother, and longtime friend of Mary Alice Haney whose life was changed after listening to SHE MD. Inspired by the podcast’s conversations around breast cancer risk assessments and early detection, Stacey advocated for additional screening despite having a recent negative mammogram and no symptoms. Her persistence led to the discovery of an early-stage invasive lobular breast cancer hidden beneath extremely dense breast tissue; a diagnosis that may have otherwise gone undetected for years.

In this powerful episode, Stacey shares her deeply personal journey through diagnosis, self-advocacy, treatment, and recovery, offering an inspiring reminder of the importance of knowing your risk, trusting your instincts, and speaking up for your health.

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