057: Resilience in Pink: Two Survivors on Cancer Early Detection and Advocacy

Your support matters. Help accelerate progress against cancer: - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give. - Share this episode: Amplify Patty’s and Vicki’s messages of early detection, advocacy, and hope. - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. What does it look like to face breast cancer with courage, clarity, and community? In this episode, we talk with Patty Guthrie and Vicki Courlang about the moments that changed everything in their lives and the choices that carried them forward. Patty describes retiring after 25 years of teaching, staying on top of her annual mammograms, and catching her cancer early—at Stage 1 in 2020—as well as navigating treatment during COVID-19. She credits her care team at Memorial Sloan Kettering, daily gratitude, and walking five to six days per week as pillars of her recovery. Vicki brings a clinician’s insight to a patient’s journey. A former oncology nurse, she recognized something was “off” long before her diagnosis with Paget’s disease of the breast. Paget’s is a rare condition that, for Vicki, didn’t appear on standard mammograms. She emphasizes listening to your body, seeking prompt evaluation for changes, and advocating for screening access at younger ages. Both guests underscore the lifesaving importance of early detection, the reality of vulnerable moments, and the power of family, friends, and compassionate care. Their message is clear: education, advocacy, and cancer research save lives, and hope grows from science and facing our challenges of cancer together. Episode Highlights: - Early Detection Saves Lives: Patty’s annual screening caught a small, hard-to-feel tumor, and Vicki’s Paget's symptoms appeared externally and did not show on standard mammograms. This is where self-awareness and follow-up mattered. - Treatment in a Pandemic: Chemotherapy and radiation during COVID-19 meant isolation at appointments. However, nurses, techs, and loved ones created a safety net. - Caregiver and Patient Dual Lens: Vicki’s oncology background helped her understand next steps; Patty learned fast and stayed positive through her cancer journey. - Support Systems: Spouses, children, and close friends (shoutouts included) made a big difference. They helped with rides to appointments, meals, calls, and presence. - Survivorship Milestones: From frequent follow-ups to annual imaging and bone-density checks, survivorship is a structured path, which includes daily movement and gratitude. - Mindset Shifts: Cancer doesn’t define who you are; it’s part of what you are. Boundaries, positivity, and purpose take center stage. - Practical Advice: Stay informed. Get your screenings. Seek second opinions. Choose a team and a care plan you feel confident in and move forward. Additional Resources: - About the AACR: Advance your knowledge about cancer, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Visit AACR.org for more information. - Early Detection and Screening: Talk with your clinician about the right screening schedule for you; know your “normal” and report changes promptly. - Understanding Paget’s Disease of the Breast: If you notice persistent nipple/areolar changes (itching, flaking, redness, crusting), ask your clinician about appropriate evaluation beyond routine screening. - For Caregivers: Keep notes, bring questions to appointments, and accept help (meals, rides, or childcare) so you can sustain your support role. - Survivorship Tips: Follow your follow-up plan, stay active as you’re able (walking counts), and seek supportive communities, local or online. How You Can Help - Donate to the AACR: Support world-class cancer research at AACR.org/Give - Subscribe & Share: Help this episode reach patients, caregivers, and clinicians who need it - Leave a Review: Ratings and reviews help others discover the show Production Credits: Host: Mitch Stoller Guests: Patty Guthrie and Vicki Courlang Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes Executive Producer: Michael Leary Director: Anthony Lopes Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary Writer: Anthony Lopes Editor: Michael Leary Associate Producer: Heather Holland Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.