Baddie 2 Baddie: Asians Don’t Get Cancer Bonus Episode

Asian and Pacific Islanders don’t get breast cancer… except yes, we do! 

A group of our AAPI baddies got together to share their stories and bust the myth that “AAPI people don’t get breast cancer.” We are asking the questions: What does it mean to not see yourself represented in the breast cancer community? Why does it matter? How did your cultural background effect your choices? And of course, what was your comfort food during recovery or treatment?

Hosts:

Shangrong Lee lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2017 at the age of 43. Her journey has been a blessing in helping her embrace the experience into a purpose greater than herself. She tells her story to learn, advocate, inspire/aspire, and connect with other women. You can connect with her on Instagram @shangrongs.vibes

Ginny was diagnosed with ER/PR+ HER2-, stage I, grade 2, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. After she completed active treatment in early 2020, she found the energy to focus on something other than herself, and is now channeling her energy into advocacy and education – allowing herself to find some purpose from her cancer experience. Ginny is using her voice, her body, and her brain to bring attention to disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes between white women and women of color, and to normalize flat closure options after mastectomy. You can reach her at on instagram @shudlucky

Guests:

Chandra is a Hmong American woman diagnosed with multi-focal DCIS in the left breast at the age of 38. After a lumpectomy came back with positive margins, she chose to get a bilateral mastectomy and opted for going flat.  As a higher BMI woman, she had to get a revision after her BMX to get an aesthetic flat closure, and that is what drives her advocacy. You can reach her at @hmongirlflattie

Dr. Simran Malhotra is a Canadian-born South Asian triple board-certified physician and lifestyle & wellness coach. She is also a mama of two & a BRCA 1 previvor s/p bilateral mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure & total hysterectomy. You can reach her at: Instagram: @drsimran.malhotra  Website: www.coachsimranmd.com

Laya Ballesteros is a Filipina-American, diagnosed at 40, stage II,  HR+Her2- breast cancer, with no family history. She is an Art Educator, ex-pat living in Vietnam. The Asian American experience is unique because we represent so many different cultures and places. Our stories of assimilating in America, leaving homelands for opportunity, are intertwined in our cancer stories. Our stories need to be told and if we don’t tell them, who will? You can reach her at: pantsonfiya17

Jess Miso was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2020 at the age of 43 and is now NED (No Evidence of Disease). She is a 4th-generation Japanese American from Hawaii/L.A. You can connect with her at: @jessmiso 

Make sure to follow us on social media:

IG: forthebreastofus

Twitter: thebreastofus

Facebook: For the Breast of Us

Private Facebook Group: Breast Cancer Baddies

Breastofus.com 

Baddie Behavior and Baddie 2 Baddie original theme music, podcast production, and mixing by Sincere529 (www.sincere529.com)