🎧 Listen to this episode of Chatting with Betsy about Breast Cancer Advocacy Pioneers who inspired change and transformed women’s health. ✨ Click here to listen…
In this powerful episode of Chatting with Betsy, Betsy Wurzel speaks with author Judy Pearson about Breast Cancer Advocacy Pioneers who changed women’s health forever. Judy explains how women once had little say in their treatment, often being pushed into radical mastectomies that left them devastated physically and emotionally.
Judy shares how Shirley Temple Black, a beloved child star turned diplomat, became the first public figure to openly discuss breast cancer. She invited the press into her hospital room to raise awareness and encourage women to talk about their own health, helping remove the stigma and silence surrounding the disease.
Rose Kushner, a fearless journalist, became a strong advocate for women understanding their treatment options. She wrote “Why Me? What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Cancer”, empowering women to ask questions and be involved in their medical decisions at a time when that was rarely encouraged.
Evelyn Lauder, daughter-in-law of Estée Lauder, envisioned a one-stop place for women to have access to multiple services and support. That vision became the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast and Imaging Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City. Evelyn also created the now-iconic Pink Ribbon Campaign, a symbol of breast cancer awareness recognized around the world.
Betsy and Judy discussed how important it is to be an advocate for ourselves, to speak up, ask questions, and seek second or even third opinions. Physicians work for us, and understanding treatment options can change outcomes.
They also highlighted that men can get breast cancer, the importance of yearly mammograms, and the benefits of new AI-enhanced mammograms. Betsy shared a story from AARP Magazine about a woman whose cancer was detected early because she chose an AI-enhanced screening, which cost only $40 out of pocket.
Judy and Betsy touched on how Ashkenazi women are more prone to breast cancer due to the BRCA gene mutation, and how sons in these families may also face increased cancer risks. Awareness and testing can provide valuable information for treatment and prevention.
Betsy strongly believes that the Alzheimer’s and Dementia community can learn from the advocacy showcased in this book. Speaking up, asking questions, and understanding treatment options can influence care, research, and education. Sharing our stories helps others feel less alone and can lead to better outcomes.
Betsy was deeply inspired by “Radical Sisters” and encourages support groups and book clubs to explore the lives of these remarkable women who broke barriers for future generations while facing their own health battles.
✨About the Guest:
Judith L. Pearson is an award-winning, best-selling author, historian, and inspiring speaker making her third appearance on Chatting with Betsy. She is the author of “Radical Sisters: Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, Evelyn Lauder, and The Dawn of The Breast Cancer Movement.”
Purchase the book and learn more at:
https://judithlpearson.com/
Amazon: Purchase on Amazon
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/judithpwrites?igsh=MXVsaXY3OGRzeTllYw==
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