BRCA & Beyond

A hereditary cancer diagnosis can change more than how you think about cancer prevention. It can suddenly put a timeline on decisions about fertility, family planning, and risk-reducing surgery that you may not have been ready to make yet.In Episode 4 of our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month series, we’re talking about the intersection of hereditary ovarian cancer risk and fertility.What actually happens to your fertility if you remove your fallopian tubes but keep your ovaries? What changes when the ovaries are removed? And if risk-reducing surgery is part of your future, what options might be worth discussing before that day arrives?We break down fertility preservation, egg and embryo freezing, IVF, PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions), donor eggs and embryos, surrogacy, and why having these conversations early can matter.But this isn't only about the medical options.It's also about what it feels like when cancer prevention puts a timeline on family-building decisions that used to feel like they belonged entirely to you.Whether you know you want children, already have the family you want, don't want children, or simply aren't sure yet, the goal of this episode isn't to tell you what to choose. It's to help you understand the conversations you may want to have with your medical team before making decisions that can permanently affect your fertility.Resources mentioned & additional information:FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer EmpoweredHereditary cancer, fertility and assisted reproductive technology, including fertility resources specifically for people with inherited cancer mutations.Hereditary Cancer & Assisted Reproductive Technology — FORCEFORCE: Questions to Ask Your DoctorA helpful checklist for people with BRCA1, BRCA2 or another inherited mutation associated with ovarian cancer risk, including questions about fertility preservation and timing of risk-reducing surgery.Questions for People With a Mutation Linked to Ovarian Cancer Risk — FORCEAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)Evidence-based guidance and patient resources on fertility preservation, reproductive medicine and fertility care for people facing treatments or surgeries that may affect fertility.ASRM Practice Guidance & Fertility ResourcesASRM: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-M)Information and professional guidance on PGT-M, including its use for hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.ASRM Guidance on PGT-MIf risk-reducing surgery is part of your future and fertility matters to you, even if you're not sure what you want yet, consider asking your care team whether meeting with a reproductive endocrinologist and genetic counselor should be part of the conversation.This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Recommendations around fertility preservation and risk-reducing surgery depend on your specific genetic mutation, age, medical history, family history, and personal goals.

There is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. So what are we actually doing when we go in for CA125 blood work and a transvaginal ultrasound? This is Episode 2 of 9 in our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month series on BRCA & Beyond.Host Marisa Stachelski, a BRCA2 previvor and colon cancer survivor, breaks down the difference between screening and surveillance and why that one word causes so much confusion for people living with hereditary ovarian cancer risk. CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound can give your doctor real information, but neither has been shown to reliably catch ovarian cancer early enough, across the board, to save lives. Understanding that distinction changes how you should read a normal result and why some high-risk women are still offered these tests while others aren't.In this episode, Marisa covers:What CA125 actually measures, and why a normal result does not rule out ovarian cancerWhat a transvaginal ultrasound can and cannot see, especially given how many ovarian cancers may begin as microscopic changesWhy "surveillance" is a more accurate word than "screening" and why that difference matters for your own careThe false sense of security these tests can create, even when they are genuinely usefulWhy ovarian cancer is not a silent killer so much as a silent disease, and the symptoms worth paying attention to, including bloating, pelvic discomfort, and changes in bowel or urinary habitsWhy building an effective screening test is such a difficult scientific problem, and what that means for high-risk women right nowIf you carry a mutation linked to ovarian cancer or you are trying to understand what your CA125 and ultrasound results actually mean, this episode gives you the full picture your appointment might not have time for.New episodes drop weekly throughout September for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Follow BRCA & Beyond so you catch the rest of the series, and if this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs it.This podcast shares personal stories and experiences for informational and inspirational purposes only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own doctor or genetic counselor before making medical decisions.

You have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Now what? This is Episode 1 of 9 in our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month series, where we spend September looking at ovarian cancer through the lens of hereditary cancer risk.Host Marisa Stachelski, a BRCA2 previvor, colon cancer survivor, and your guide through hereditary cancer risk, breaks down what "increased risk" actually means once you get past the scary headline. BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, and Lynch syndrome can all raise ovarian cancer risk, but not by the same amount, not starting at the same age, and not with the same next steps. What applies to someone else's mutation may not apply to yours.In this episode, Marisa covers:Why "increased risk" looks completely different depending on which gene is involvedWhat your genetic testing report actually tells you (and why "positive" isn't enough detail)Why lifetime risk percentages aren't a countdown, and the better questions to ask your care team insteadWhy family history can point in either direction, including Marisa's own story of tracing BRCA2 through the men in her familyThe fallopian tube research reshaping ovarian cancer prevention, and why Marisa chose to have hers removed in 2024Why there's still no reliable ovarian cancer screening test, and what that means for high-risk womenThis episode lays the foundation for the rest of the series: screening, prevention, fertility, risk-reducing surgery, surgical menopause, and hormone replacement therapy, all through the lens of what it's actually like to live this, not just read about it.If you're navigating a hereditary cancer diagnosis, facing a screening or surgery decision, or just found out you carry a mutation linked to ovarian cancer, this series is for you.New episodes drop weekly throughout September for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Follow BRCA & Beyond so you don't miss the rest of the series, and if this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs it. Leave a review so we can continue to reach more people.This podcast shares personal stories and experiences for informational and inspirational purposes only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own doctor or genetic counselor before making medical decisions.

In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa sits down with Jackie Wendell, a Lynch Syndrome advocate and uterine cancer survivor, for an honest conversation about hereditary cancer risk, medical dismissal, genetic testing, and learning to advocate for yourself when you know something isn’t right.Jackie grew up with a significant family history of cancer, but it wasn’t until her own uterine cancer diagnosis at just 30 years old that genetic testing confirmed Lynch Syndrome and an MSH2 mutation. Her story is a powerful reminder of why knowing your family cancer history matters and why persistent or unusual symptoms deserve to be taken seriously.Jackie shares what it was like experiencing severe symptoms while being told she was too young for something serious, eventually receiving her cancer diagnosis, navigating fertility and IVF, and making difficult decisions surrounding a hysterectomy and risk reduction. She also opens up about life after treatment, including surgical menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mental health, and the realities of adjusting to a body and life that changed much earlier than expected.Jackie is a board-certified health and wellness coach, certified personal trainer, and Lynch Syndrome advocate. Her own hereditary cancer experience inspired her to help others feel more informed, empowered, and proactive about their health, particularly those navigating cancer risk and women experiencing menopause.Through her coaching practice, Really Well with Jackie, she helps women build realistic, sustainable habits around nutrition, movement, strength, and overall wellness so they can feel stronger, more energized, and more confident in their health.In this episode, we talk about Lynch Syndrome, uterine cancer at a young age, family cancer history, genetic testing, advocating for yourself in the medical system, fertility after cancer, IVF, hysterectomy, surgical menopause, HRT, and finding support from people who truly understand what it means to live with hereditary cancer risk.Connect with Jackie:Website: https://www.reallywellwithjackie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallywell.withjackie/

BRCA & Beyond is officially one year old.In this anniversary episode, I’m sharing how my experience as a BRCA2 previvor and colon cancer survivor led me to create the hereditary cancer podcast I once needed but couldn’t find.I take you back to the very first episode recorded at my kitchen counter, reveal the unexpected story behind the name BRCA & Beyond, and reflect on how one small idea grew into a community for people navigating BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, and other inherited cancer risks.I also share what this community has meant to me, the real impact your stories have made, and what’s ahead as BRCA & Beyond continues creating honest conversations and trusted resources for survivors, previvors, and families affected by hereditary cancer.Follow BRCA & Beyond on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who may need to feel a little less alone.

In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa sits down with Founder & CEO Troy Sutton and his mom and co-founder, Debbie Sutton, to talk about The Healing Pads...reusable hot and cold therapy pads designed for breast pain relief during menopause, mammograms, breast surgery recovery, postpartum, and breastfeeding.Debbie and Troy share the personal, unexpected story behind how a frustrating mammogram turned into a mission: creating a product that offers real comfort for women navigating breast tenderness, hormonal changes, hot flashes, mastectomy and reconstruction recovery, biopsies, and everything in between. From the mother-son dynamic behind the brand to the women whose lives have been changed by finding a product that finally understands what they're going through, this conversation is about more than a product. It's about being seen, supported, and cared for in the moments that matter most.About The Healing Pads:We are so grateful to have the opportunity to share the story behind The Healing Pads with Marisa and the BRCA & Beyond community. What started as a personal experience in our own family has grown into a mission to help women feel more comfortable, supported, and confident through some of life's most challenging moments. The Healing Pads are reusable therapeutic breast pads that can be heated for soothing warmth or cooled for refreshing cold therapy, offering simple, versatile comfort for women navigating everything from breast tenderness and menopause to recovery, breastfeeding, and breast cancer-related procedures. For us, this isn't just about a product: it's about listening to women, sharing our stories, and creating something that reminds every woman that she deserves comfort and care along her journey. We are honored to be part of a platform like BRCA & Beyond and hope to Empower Women with Comfort & Confidence!Get 10% off: Use code BRCA10 at thehealingbras.com/discount/BRCA10Connect with The Healing Pads:Website: https://www.thehealingbras.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehealingpadsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Healing-Bra/100095072517617/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.healing.braYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealingBras

Why do people feel the need to explain why someone got cancer?From diet and stress to vaccines, chemicals, genetics, and lifestyle choices, a cancer diagnosis can quickly become an invitation for other people to offer theories about what “caused” it. And for those living with a hereditary cancer mutation like BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, or other genetic cancer risks, the judgment can take a different form: questioning preventive surgeries, increased surveillance, genetic testing, or decisions made to reduce future cancer risk.In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa talks about the blame that can follow both a cancer diagnosis and a hereditary cancer diagnosis and why our need to find a reason often says more about our fear of cancer than it does about the person living through it. Drawing from her own experience as a young colon cancer survivor and BRCA2 previvor, Marisa shares some of the assumptions people have made about her diagnosis, health, diet, and medical decisions. She also explores the pressure survivors and previvors can feel to defend themselves, explain their choices, or prove they somehow didn’t cause what happened to them.Because while lifestyle and environmental factors can play a role in cancer risk, cancer is complicated. Genetics matter. Biology matters. And sometimes there simply isn’t one clean explanation for why cancer develops in one person and not another.This conversation is for cancer survivors, previvors, hereditary cancer mutation carriers, caregivers, family members, and anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unsolicited theory about their own body.BRCA & Beyond is written, recorded, and run independently by Marisa, a colon cancer survivor and BRCA2 previvor. Your support helps this podcast reach more survivors and previvors who need this space. 💖 If this episode helped you, you can support the mission here: www.ko-fi.com/brcabeyond

There's no one right way to move through a breast cancer diagnosis. Alexa Meyer's way involved asking every question, trusting her body, and building a community from her chemo chair.In this episode, I sit down with Alexa Meyer, breast cancer survivor, CHEK2 gene carrier, toddler mom, and founder of Killer Tits Club. Diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at 33, Alexa shares how she trusted her body, pushed for answers, and made empowered decisions every step of the way... from choosing a nipple-sparing double mastectomy and skipping the port during chemo, to cold capping and keeping her hair, to walking into Sacramento to testify for scalp-cooling insurance legislation just months after finishing chemotherapy and just 1 week after an immunotherapy session.We talk about what it's like to receive a DCIS diagnosis that kept evolving and eventually diagnosed with IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma), why second opinions matter (Alexa got four), how genetic testing brought her unexpected peace, navigating an egg retrieval over the holidays before starting treatment, and the moment a joke with her husband turned into a brand name she couldn't let go of.Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, years into survivorship, or navigating hereditary cancer risk, this conversation is a reminder that there's no one right way to go through this... and that you get to create the meaning on the other side.About Alexa:Alexa Meyer is the founder of Killer Tits Club, a breast cancer apparel brand and community founded during chemotherapy. Diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at 33, just one year postpartum, she began building Killer Tits Club from her chemotherapy chair as a way to find her way back to herself. What began as one logo has grown into a community of women who believe survivorship can be irreverent, feminine, and empowering all at once. Before cancer, Alexa spent over a decade in marketing and brand strategy, experience she now uses to build a brand that's changing the conversation around life after breast cancer. She lives in Northern California with her husband and daughter.In this episode:Breast cancer at 33 • CHEK2 mutation • DCIS and triple-positive breast cancer • Second opinions and self-advocacy • Nipple-sparing double mastectomy • Chemo without a port • Cold capping and scalp cooling advocacy • Fertility preservation before chemo • Motherhood during cancer treatment • Building community through survivorshipConnect with Alexa & Killer Tits Club: Website: https://killertitsclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killer.tits.club/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588506503432 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@killer.tits.clubJoin the National Scalp Cooling Advocacy Group to support legislation in your state: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17y7aB6iKF/🎁 Listeners get 15% off at killertitsclub.com with code BEYOND15