BRCA & Beyond

What happens after the diagnosis… when life around you starts moving again, but internally everything feels permanently changed?In this deeply honest episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa Stachelski opens up about the emotional loneliness that can follow a BRCA diagnosis, hereditary cancer risk, genetic mutations, cancer, preventative surgeries, and medical trauma. This conversation goes beyond the physical recovery and into the emotional reality so many people quietly carry after diagnosis.Marisa shares personal experiences navigating changing relationships, emotional isolation, tissue expander recovery, motherhood after surgery, survivorship, and the pressure to appear “strong” while mentally struggling underneath it all. From friendships becoming distant to feeling disconnected in everyday life, this episode explores how hereditary cancer and life-altering diagnoses can impact identity, relationships, mental health, and the way you experience the world around you.This episode is for anyone navigating:BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutationsLynch syndromehereditary cancer syndromespreventative mastectomy or reconstructionsurvivorship or previvorshiplife after cancer diagnosisemotional recovery after surgeryrelationship changes after trauma or illnessmedical anxiety and isolationIf you’ve ever felt lonely after diagnosis, struggled with feeling misunderstood, or wondered why relationships can feel different after cancer or genetic testing, this episode will likely resonate deeply.🎙️ BRCA & Beyond is a podcast about hereditary cancer, survivorship, previvorship, emotional healing, advocacy, and navigating life after diagnosis with honesty, vulnerability, and real conversation.

What happens after the diagnosis… after the genetic test… after the doctor’s appointment ends?In this powerful episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa sits down with Elana Silber, CEO of Sharsheret, to discuss how the organization is transforming support for individuals and families navigating BRCA mutations, hereditary cancer risk, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, preventative surgeries, IVF with PGT-M, and survivorship.Elana Silber has spent more than two decades leading Sharsheret’s life-saving support and education programs for women, men, and families facing cancer. Under her leadership, Sharsheret has grown from a small grassroots initiative into an internationally respected organization serving thousands each year across the United States, Israel, and beyond.Together, Marisa and Elana explore the emotional realities that often go unspoken after a BRCA diagnosis — including fear, family planning, difficult medical decisions, motherhood, mental health, and the gap between clinical care and real-life support.In this episode, they discuss: • BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer • Genetic testing and understanding family history • Preventative mastectomy and prophylactic surgery • IVF with PGT-M and family planning options • Peer support, grief, and mental health resources • Mastectomy recovery kits and Sharsheret’s Busy Boxes for children • How hereditary cancer impacts the entire family • Why emotional support matters just as much as medical careElana also shares how Sharsheret provides free and confidential culturally relevant support, financial assistance, educational resources, genetic counseling, social work services, peer mentorship, survivorship support, and customized care kits for individuals and families navigating hereditary cancer and cancer treatment.This conversation is filled with honesty, education, compassion, and hope for anyone navigating hereditary cancer risk, considering genetic testing, supporting a loved one, or searching for trusted resources after a BRCA diagnosis.Learn more about Sharsheret at Sharsheret.orgOr follow on Instagram @SharsheretOfficial🎙️ BRCA & Beyond is a podcast dedicated to hereditary cancer awareness, genetic mutations, previvorship, survivorship, advocacy, and the emotional realities of life before, during, and beyond genetic risk.

What happens when you move over 1,000 miles away… and suddenly realize rebuilding your medical team means more than finding new doctors—it means confronting the reality that many parts of the healthcare system still lack basic education around what it means to care for a previvor.In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa shares the emotional and practical realities of starting over medically after relocating—leaving behind trusted specialists, navigating new insurance, rebuilding care from scratch, and coming face-to-face with a difficult truth: many primary care providers are not adequately equipped with even foundational knowledge about hereditary cancer syndromes, BRCA, or the long-term needs of previvors.This conversation dives into the grief of losing a carefully built medical team, the exhaustion of retelling your story, and the larger systemic gaps that often leave patients with genetic mutations doing far too much of the educating themselves.Inside this episode: • The emotional toll of leaving behind specialists who knew your history • Why moving with BRCA or hereditary cancer risk can feel medically overwhelming • The healthcare system gaps previvors often face • Why many primary care doctors lack basic education on hereditary cancer syndromes • The burden of self-advocacy when providers don’t fully understand your risk • How genetic counselors can help bridge critical gaps in care • Building a strategic medical roadmap after relocationThis episode is not about blaming individual doctors—it’s about exposing a bigger issue: patients with BRCA, hereditary cancer syndromes, and complex medical histories deserve broader awareness, better physician education, and more informed care pathways.Because previvors should not have to be the ones teaching the healthcare system how to protect them.If you’ve ever felt like your medical complexity was bigger than the system designed to support it… this conversation is for you.

What if one conversation, one decision, could change the way you think about your health forever?In this episode of BRCA and Beyond, I’m joined by Kathy Baker, founder and executive director of My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit focused on helping people access genetic testing and better understand their hereditary cancer risk.Kathy shares her personal journey through breast and ovarian cancer, the role BRCA testing played in her life, and how her experience led her to create an organization that is now helping others make more informed, empowered decisions. Her story is honest, thoughtful, and a reminder of how much clarity can come from simply having the right information.We talk about what genetic testing actually looks like, who should consider it, and how understanding your risk can open the door to proactive, personalized care.In this episode, we cover:• BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations and hereditary cancer risk• When and why to consider genetic testing• Navigating decisions around screening and preventative care• The impact of hereditary cancer on families• How My Faulty Gene is helping expand access to testing and educationKathy is also a cancer survivor and national advocate who serves on multiple advisory boards, using her voice to help others better understand their options and feel supported in the process.If you’ve ever wondered whether genetic testing is something you should explore, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start.Connect with My Faulty GeneInstagram @my_faulty_genewww.myfaultygene.orgThis podcast is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal decisions.

What happens when cancer risk isn’t just a possibility… but a pattern in your family?In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, I’m joined by Vanessa Federico, also known as the BRCA Babe, who shares what it’s really like to grow up knowing hereditary cancer is part of your story.Vanessa is a BRCA1 carrier and one of three sisters, where she and one sister carry the gene and the other doesn’t. That alone brings a layer of complexity that so many families quietly navigate but rarely talk about out loud. We talk about what it feels like to sit at that crossroads, knowing your family history, understanding your risk, and having to make decisions that don’t come with clear answers.From starting surveillance in her twenties, to choosing a risk-reducing mastectomy at 30, to becoming a mom after her surgery, Vanessa shares her experience in a way that feels honest, grounded, and real. Vanessa Federico stepped into previvorhood with resilience and purpose after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. As a mother and runner, she uses her voice to shed light on hereditary cancer risk and the emotional realities that come with it, while also embracing the messy, beautiful balance of family life. Through her platform, Vanessa shares her journey with honesty, vulnerability, and a dose of humor, helping to normalize the previvor experience and make difficult conversations feel a little less heavy. Her mission is to create a space where women feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way. You can follow her journey on Instagram at @brcababeboston.This conversation isn’t about having all the answers.It’s about what it looks like to live through the questions.If you’ve ever felt the weight of family history, struggled with what decision is right, or wondered what life actually looks like on the other side of these choices, this one will stay with you.

What does it actually feel like to live with a genetic mutation like BRCA, Lynch syndrome, or other hereditary cancer risks?Not the medical side. Not the statistics.In this episode, I’m talking about the space in between — the place where you’re not sick, but you’re not untouched either.Living with a genetic mutation or high cancer risk changes how you think, how you make decisions, and how you move through your life… even when everything looks completely normal on the outside.We talk a lot about prevention and cancer. But we don’t talk enough about what it feels like to live in the middle of it.In this conversation, I’m opening up about:the feeling of not fitting anywhere — not in the cancer world, but not outside of it eitherthe internal “imposter” feeling of questioning whether your experience is validthe quiet, constant “what if” that lives in the backgroundhow this impacts your body, identity, relationships, and everyday lifethe weight of making preventative decisions that permanently change your bodyand why this experience can feel so isolating, even when you’re surrounded by supportIf you’ve ever felt like: “I’m not sick… but I’m not okay either” this episode will put words to that feeling.Whether you are BRCA positive, living with Lynch syndrome, CHEK2, ATM, or navigating any form of hereditary cancer risk — this conversation is for you.BRCAgenetic mutationhereditary cancer riskprevivorBRCA anxietyLynch syndromehigh cancer riskpreventative surgeryliving with BRCAcancer risk anxiety

Will I Ever Feel Normal Again? Healing and Finding a New NormalAfter a cancer diagnosis, genetic mutation discovery, or life-changing medical news, one question quietly sits in the back of so many minds:Will I ever feel normal again?In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa shares an honest conversation about the emotional reality that often follows a diagnosis. Beyond the appointments, decisions, surgeries, or surveillance plans, there is a deeper journey happening — one that involves identity shifts, grief, healing, and learning how to live in a body that suddenly feels different.After being diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer at 37 and discovering she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation, Marisa found herself asking the same question so many survivors and previvors ask:Will I ever feel normal again after diagnosis?This episode explores the emotional aftermath of diagnosis and what healing actually looks like in real life — not the clinical version, but the human one.In this conversation, Marisa talks about:• The emotional impact of a cancer or genetic mutation diagnosis• Why many survivors and previvors struggle with feeling “normal” again• Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and health fears after diagnosis• The identity shift that can happen after major medical decisions• Learning how to trust your body again• Why healing is not linear• How to begin building a new normal after diagnosisWhether you are navigating cancer survivorship, living as a previvor with hereditary cancer risk, undergoing surveillance, or adjusting to life after preventative decisions, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone in these feelings.Healing does not mean returning to who you were before.Sometimes healing means slowly discovering who you are becoming — and finding a new normal along the way.If you have ever asked yourself “Will I ever feel normal again after diagnosis?”, this conversation is for you.🎙 BRCA & Beyond is a podcast for previvors, survivors, and anyone navigating hereditary cancer risk, genetic mutations, preventative decisions, and life after diagnosis. Through real conversations, expert insights, and shared experiences, this space exists so no one has to walk this path alone.life after cancer diagnosiswill I ever feel normal againhealing after cancer diagnosisfinding a new normal after diagnosisBRCA previvorhereditary cancer riskanxiety after cancer diagnosislife after preventative surgerycancer survivorship journeygenetic mutation diagnosis

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode I’m sharing the story that started everything.At 37 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer after experiencing symptoms that many people dismiss — bloating, cramping, and blood in my stool. A colonoscopy not only found the cancer, it removed it before it had the chance to spread.In this episode, I talk about:• The colon cancer symptoms that led me to seek answers• Why colorectal cancer rates are rising in younger adults• The powerful role of screening and colonoscopy in early detection• The genetic testing that later revealed my BRCA2 mutation• How early detection can truly save livesColorectal cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer death in adults under 50 — but it is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early.If you’re 45 or older, have symptoms that feel unusual, or have a family history of cancer, this conversation could change the way you think about screening.This episode is both my story and an important reminder: listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never ignore symptoms. colon cancerTopics Covered in This Episode• colon cancer symptoms • colorectal cancer screening • colonoscopy and early detection • colon cancer in younger adults • genetic testing and BRCA2 mutations

If you’re preparing for a mastectomy—whether it’s a preventative mastectomy because of a BRCA gene mutation or a mastectomy as part of breast cancer treatment—this episode is for you.I recorded this one because I have quite a few women in my own circle heading into mastectomies this month, and this has been an ongoing conversation between me and these women for weeks now. Real texts, real voice notes, real "What do I even do with all of this?” moments—sharing tips we’ve learned the hard way and the little things that end up making a huge difference. At some point I just thought… this shouldn’t stay private. So I’m bringing it here to all of our friends at BRCA & Beyond.This isn’t a “do it perfectly” guide, and it’s not meant to replace your medical team. It’s a supportive walk-through of how to prepare for a mastectomy mentally, emotionally, physically, and practically—in a way that feels human and doable, especially if you’re trying to hold life together while a surgery date is sitting on your calendar.We talk honestly about anticipatory anxiety in the days and weeks leading up to surgery...how that date can start to feel like doomsday and how complicated it is to be saying goodbye to a part of your body that’s tied to identity, femininity, motherhood, and sexuality…while also being the very thing you’re being told could someday harm you. If you’ve had the sobbing fests, the random waves of panic, the “I’m fine—wait, I’m not fine” moments… you’re not alone. I also share what helped me most: therapy early on, having a safe place to let the emotions out, and finding support that doesn’t require you to explain every single detail.From there, we get into physical preparation for mastectomy recovery: what the movement restrictions can look like, how long drains might be in, why muscle loss happens, and how gentle movement, walking, stretching, hydration, and prioritizing protein before and after surgery can truly support healing. I also share what I wish I did more of before my surgeries and why your body will thank you later for even small efforts now.And then we slow down and get very practical, because the practical prep matters. We talk about meal prepping and freezing food, setting up a meal train, and stocking easy high-protein snacks for the low-energy days. I walk through a real-life “recovery nesting” plan—including things like a recliner or lift chair (a total game-changer), what to wear after surgery (button-down pajamas, zip hoodies, elastic sweatpants), surgical bras and drain management, slippers or slides (because bending down is a whole situation), bath wipes and shower routines when you’re scared to get incisions wet, mastectomy pillows for comfort and protecting your chest (especially around kids), and a seat belt cushion for rides to follow-ups.We also talk about the first mirror moment — the “oh… this is real” moment — and the emotional side of adjusting afterward: body image, grief, relief, frustration, and how healing is not linear. I share why lining up support before surgery matters so much, including community resources like FORCE, and how giving your loved ones practical “jobs” ahead of time can make recovery feel less overwhelming.If this episode gives you even one thing that helps you feel steadier going into surgery and recovery, I’m so glad you’re here. This is a big surgery and a big season—and none of us were ever prepared to have to prepare for something like this in the first place… but you’re doing the right thing by gathering support and making it easier where you can.You’ve got this—and I promise you’re going to be okay.