SHARE’s LGBTQIA+ Initiative

In this first episode of season three, I talked with Ash Davidson. I am presenting their story as a two-part series to fully explore their experience as a transmasculine non-binary person navigating breast/chest cancer.

In Part One, Ash shares their journey of self-discovery, gender transition, and the challenges transgender individuals face in healthcare. The conversation delves into feelings of euphoria post-top surgery and their emotional upheaval after getting an unexpected invasive ductal (IDC) diagnosis a few weeks later.

Stay tuned for Part Two which will be released on Thursday, January 30th.

Breast/chest cancer can take away a lot, but it can also give a lot. Spencer Hayward, a transgender man and survivor of invasive ductal (IDC) breast cancer, shares his journey from diagnosis to experiencing surgical frustrations and what it is like to receive gender-affirming care. The weight that lifted after his double mastectomy was physical and Spencer shares an amazing moment where his nurse recognized him as a man. His life mottos are spreading joy, kindness, and grace to others. Spencer emphasized the importance of allowing individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community to live fully and authentically in their truth. The conversation turned philosophical as we discussed empathy and acknowledging one’s struggles. In the words of Elton John, Spencer is still standing.

Even with a strong family history of multiple types of cancers, guest Dawn Freeman, a DCIS with one recurrence survivor, was always into fitness and eating right. She was born with Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, which is an uncommon illness that occurs when the body does not make enough of a certain hormone. She had been planning to leave her job and was getting all of her health screenings before resigning. Then she received the cancer call – no symptoms and was found on a mammogram. Dawn, who identifies as a Black lesbian, had many complications with her treatment and surgeries which caused her to experience body dysmorphia. Listen as she shares her holistic bag of tips on protecting your peace and calming the mind, body, and spirit.

It is essential to acknowledge the different breast/chest cancer experiences of those in marginalized communities, including the LGBTQIA community. My guest, Jamie Philips, an invasive ductal and DCIS survivor, is a queer person who experienced many alienating things throughout her chest cancer experience like being squeezed into a pink bra post-surgery to being given resources with no inclusive language. No one discussed or prepared her for the ramifications of menopause and how her dating life would be impacted, in a way that would resonate and honor the queerness of her journey.