Welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone! Good evening, and thank you for joining me LIVE on The Lotus Flower Podcast, where healing begins and purpose blooms.

I am your host, Dr. Pamela Robinson, and I am delighted to welcome you to this special broadcast as we close out our October Breast Cancer Awareness series.

Tonight, we are going beyond the pink to shine a light on an important topic that is often overlooked: male breast cancer, particularly among African American men.

I am honored to welcome our special guest, Mr. Travis Douglas, a Stage 1, Grade A, ER2-positive male breast cancer survivor, advocate, and man of faith. He joins us to share his personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and his mission to educate and encourage others.

Mr. Douglas's willingness to share his testimony reminds us that breast cancer can affect men, too, and that no one should have to face this journey in silence.

Did you know? The numbers matter.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2,800 men in the United States were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, and approximately 510 men were expected to die from the disease. These are estimates, not final confirmed counts.

Although male breast cancer is relatively uncommon, every number represents a person, a family, and a community. These statistics remind us why education, awareness, and timely medical attention matter.

Learn more: https://www.cancer.org/.../types/breast-cancer-in-men.html

Breast cancer is not exclusively a woman's disease. Men have breast tissue, and changes in that tissue should never be ignored.

A special message to African American men

To our fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, uncles, grandfathers, pastors, coaches, and friends: your health matters, your life matters, and your voice matters.

Sometimes, men may delay seeking care because they believe breast cancer cannot affect them, feel embarrassed discussing breast changes, or fear what a diagnosis might mean.

But there is no shame in asking questions, scheduling an appointment, seeking a second opinion, or accepting support.

Taking care of yourself is an act of strength. It is an investment in your future and in the people who love you.

Let us encourage our brothers to speak up, seek answers, and take their health seriously.

Breast cancer resources and support

Resources 0000000000000000000000000000

1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Breast cancer in men

Website: https://www.dana-farber.org/

Main appointments line: 877-442-3324

2. Susan G. Komen — Breast cancer information and support

Breast Care Helpline: 1-877-465-6636

Website: https://www.komen.org/.../by-diagnosis/male-breast-cancer/

3. Male Breast Cancer Coalition

A resource dedicated to male breast cancer awareness, education, advocacy, and survivor stories.

Website: https://malebreastcancercoalition.org/

4. Malecare — Men's cancer support

Malecare provides cancer education, advocacy, and support, including initiatives focused on underserved communities and African American men's health.

Website: https://malecare.org/

9. African American Breast Cancer Alliance

Website: https://aabcainc.org/

BEYOND THE PINK WITH DORLA BONNER-COLEMAN

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for our community, the conversation goes far deeper than a pink ribbon. 🎗️While overall diagnosis rates are similar, systemic barriers mean Black women face a mortality rate nearly 40% higher than their white peers, often fighting aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer at younger ages.

But statistics do not tell the whole story. Resilience does. 💪🏾All month long on The Lotus Flower Podcast, we are breaking the silence, challenging health disparities, and spotlighting the power of early detection and community healing through powerful conversations with breast cancer survivors.

Meet Our Special Guest: Dorla E. Coleman-Bonner

Dorla Bonner-Coleman is an ordained minister, community leader, and dedicated public servant with over 35 years of experience in DEI, grant development, and community leadership. Retiring as the City of Kalamazoo’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dorla has devoted her life and career to uplifting marginalized communities, empowering youth, and advocating for equity.

A two-time breast cancer survivor who began her fight at age 18, Dorla shares her personal journey and ongoing healing to educate, inspire, and teach communities how to truly support those facing a cancer diagnosis.

Key Discussion Highlights:

Unwavering Faith & Service: Navigating Leadership, Ministry, and Advocacy Through Life's Trials

A Lifelong Journey of Resilience: Standing Strong Through Two Diagnoses and Long-Term Treatment Effects

Healing Through Community: Practical and Compassionate Ways to Support Loved Ones Facing Breast Cancer

BROADCAST DETAILS:

Date & Time: Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST

WATCH LIVE ON:• YouTube: The Lotus Flower • Facebook: Dr. Pamela Robinson

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 CONNECT: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

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Breast Cancer Resources for Black women

TOUCH: The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

Website: touchbbca.org

Focuses on improving outcomes for Black people affected by breast cancer through education, advocacy, community support, research, and clinical-trial awareness. Its resources include information for newly diagnosed patients, survivors, and people considering clinical trials.

American Cancer Society

Website: cancer.org

Provides breast cancer screening information, treatment education, support resources, and guidance for patients and families. Its Cancer Helpline is available at 1-800-227-2345.

Sisters Network Inc.

Website: sistersnetworkinc.org

A national African American breast cancer survivorship organization offering community-based support, education, and assistance programs.

National Cancer Institute

Website: cancer.gov

Provides evidence-based cancer information and a clinical-trial search tool for people interested in research studies.

Susan G. Komen

Website: komen.org

Offers breast cancer education, patient navigation, support resources, and information about financial assistance.

TONIGHT ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST: A SPECIAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH CONVERSATION!

Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

Breast cancer is more than a diagnosis. It is a journey that affects individuals, families, and entire communities. For the African American community, raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and creating space for survivors to share their stories are especially important.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 9 Black women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Breast cancer also affects Black men, who experience the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates among men across racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

These realities remind us that breast cancer awareness must extend beyond pink ribbons. It is about knowing your body, recognizing potential warning signs, seeking medical attention, and encouraging the people we love to prioritize their health. Breast cancer can affect men, too, and their experiences and stories deserve to be heard.

🌸 A SPECIAL MONTH-LONG SERIES ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST

Throughout October, I am dedicating The Lotus Flower Podcast to a special series featuring breast cancer survivors and individuals at different stages of their breast cancer journeys. Through these powerful conversations, we are highlighting the realities of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, faith, emotional wellness, resilience, and the journey toward healing.

Each guest brings a unique story of courage, challenge, perseverance, and hope. My goal is to create meaningful conversations that help break the silence, raise awareness, encourage early detection, and remind survivors and their families that they are not alone.

Because behind every diagnosis is a human story. Behind every survivor is a journey. And within every story is the potential to encourage someone else.

🌸 TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST: DEDRA HARRELL

Join me as I welcome Dedra Harrell, a powerhouse leader with more than 40 years of experience in leadership, service, and administration. A proud U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran who served for 21 years, and an ordained Elder, Dedra is passionate about empowering others to recognize their potential and move forward with purpose.

In October 2024, Dedra was diagnosed with triple-negative, Stage 3, metastatic breast cancer. Today, she is celebrating more than a year cancer-free and courageously sharing her journey of faith, strength, and triumph to bring hope, comfort, and encouragement to others.

Her story is a powerful reminder that a breast cancer diagnosis does not define an entire life. Through her experiences, Dedra offers a meaningful perspective on navigating life's unexpected challenges, drawing strength from faith and family, and continuing to embrace life with gratitude and purpose.

🌸 A CONVERSATION OF FAITH, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE

Tonight, we will have the opportunity to hear Dedra's story in her own words, learn from her experiences, and reflect on the realities of her breast cancer journey. Her testimony offers an opportunity to consider the importance of support, perseverance, faith, and finding renewed purpose through life's most challenging seasons.

Whether you are a survivor, currently navigating a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to become more informed, this conversation is for you.