When breast cancer comes back, everything changes — not just emotionally, but medically.

In this deeply personal episode of My Breast Cancer Advocate, Jill Frank — two-time breast cancer survivor and co-founder of MyBreastCancerAdvocate.com — shares what it’s really like to face a recurrence 14 years after a double mastectomy.

From the emotional shift between a first diagnosis and a second, to the complex and highly individualized treatment decisions that follow, Jill walks you through her real-world experience with:

• How treatment strategy evolves after recurrence
• Why systemic therapy (including hormone therapy and targeted drugs like Verzenio) may come before surgery
• How targeted treatment can reduce the extent of surgery
• What to know about radiation options, including IMRT and VMAT
• The realities of side effects and recovery
• Why advocacy looks different — and more powerful — the second time around

This episode breaks down complicated medical concepts into clear, understandable insights — while also offering reassurance, perspective, and empowerment for anyone navigating recurrence.

Key takeaway:
Recurrence is serious — but it is not hopeless. When caught early, it is still treatable, manageable, and approached with curative intent.

Whether you're facing recurrence yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode will leave you better informed and more confident in the decisions ahead.

Next episode: Dr. Ross Tabisel joins us to discuss sexual side effects after breast cancer treatment — and what can be done to improve them.