What is it like to face not one, but two very different cancer diagnoses? And how does the experience of living with a rare cancer compare to one that affects so many people?

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Eye Believe Podcast brings together three remarkable women—Barbara Johnson, Sharlene Carlson, and Elizabeth—who share something unique: they have each faced both breast cancer and ocular melanoma.

In this special panel episode, these women open up about their diagnoses, the differences between navigating a common cancer and a rare one, and the emotional challenges that come with belonging to two cancer communities.

From the abundance of breast cancer resources to the isolation that can accompany an ocular melanoma diagnosis, their stories highlight why awareness, education, and meaningful connections matter so much.

In this episode, we discuss:

💗 The similarities and differences between breast cancer and ocular melanoma

💙 Finding support and community after two different cancer diagnoses

🎗️ How cancer has changed their lives, relationships, and perspectives

🩺 Navigating treatment, surveillance, and ongoing health concerns

💭 Managing scan anxiety, uncertainty, and difficult days

🌸 Finding joy through creativity, journaling, walking, and meaningful connections

🤝 The importance of peer support and connecting with others who understand

💪 Lessons learned through years of survivorship

The conversation also touches on genetic testing, family cancer histories, and the importance of awareness for men who may also develop breast cancer.

Through laughter, honesty, and personal reflection, these three women remind us that every cancer journey is different, but no one should have to navigate it alone.

Whether you're living with ocular melanoma, breast cancer, both diagnoses, or supporting someone who is, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, understood, and connected.

💙 Find Your Community with A Cure In Sight

Looking for someone who understands what you're going through? Our Cure Companions program connects ocular melanoma patients with others who have walked a similar path.

Explore Cure Companions, patient resources, support programs, and upcoming events at:

🌐 https://acureinsight.org/

Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors

We are grateful to the organizations helping make The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

The Eye Believe Podcast shares personal experiences and educational information. This episode is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team regarding your individual health and treatment decisions.

#EyeBelievePodcast #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #CancerSurvivorship #RareCancer #ACureInSight

The Art of Ocular Prosthetics | The Eye Believe Podcast

What happens after you’re told you may lose an eye? What will you look like? Will people notice? And how is a prosthetic eye actually made?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Danet sits down with Sara Moslehi, ocularist and anaplastologist at Art in Soul Prosthetics in Lakewood, Colorado, for an honest and reassuring conversation about prosthetic eye rehabilitation.

Sara has worked in the field for more than 18 years and explains the incredible combination of anatomy, sculpture, painting, color theory, medicine, technical precision, and artistry that goes into creating a custom ocular prosthesis. But as Sara shares, the work is about much more than replacing anatomy—it’s also about helping patients navigate changes in how they see themselves and how they feel being seen by others.

In this episode, we talk about:

👁️ What an ocularist does and the role they play in a patient’s care 💙 Why it can be helpful to meet with an ocularist before surgery 👁️ The differences between enucleation, evisceration, and exenteration 🎨 How a custom prosthetic eye is created and matched to each individual 🪞 Concerns about appearance, identity, confidence, and feeling like yourself again 🩺 What patients can expect at their first ocularist appointment 💙 The rehabilitation process after eye loss 🤝 Why emotional support is an important part of the journey, too

Danet also brings a unique perspective to this conversation as an ocular melanoma patient who has a prosthetic eye herself.

For anyone facing eye loss, Sara offers an important reminder: you don’t have to figure out your entire future today.There are people who can help you through each part of the process, and there are realistic prosthetic options available after eye loss.

🔗 Learn more about Sara Moslehi and Art in Soul Prosthetics: https://www.artinsoulprosthetics.com/about

Instagram: @sara_moslehi_anaplastology LinkedIn: sara-moslehi-945abb27

💙 Learn more about A Cure In Sight: https://acureinsight.org/

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting The Eye Believe Podcast:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare team about your specific treatment, surgical, and rehabilitation needs.

#EyeBelievePodcast #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #ProstheticEye #Ocularist #Enucleation #EyeLoss #ACureInSight

💙 IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THE UVEAL MELANOMA COMMUNITY

Uveal melanoma has recently been added to the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances list—an important development for patients who may need to apply for Social Security disability benefits.

But what does that actually mean? Who may qualify? And where do you start?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Danet welcomes back Molly Vocino, a social worker at Thomas Jefferson, to break down this important update and help patients better understand Social Security disability benefits and the application process.

Molly walks us through:

💙 What it means to be included on the Compassionate Allowances list ⏱️ How the designation may help expedite the disability determination process 📋 The difference between SSDI and SSI 💼 How work history can affect SSDI eligibility 💰 What patients should know about income and working while applying for or receiving benefits 📝 How to begin a disability application 🤝 When a social worker or other professional may be able to help 📅 Waiting periods, possible back payments, and other important details 🏥 How disability benefits may connect with health insurance eligibility

If you are living with uveal melanoma—particularly metastatic disease—or helping care for someone who is, we encourage you to learn about this important change and what it could mean for you.

🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS & RESOURCES

Social Security Administration — Uveal Melanoma Compassionate Allowance Information: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022523

Apply for Social Security Disability: https://www.ssa.gov/disability

Social Security Compassionate Allowances: https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/

💙 Learn more about A Cure In Sight: https://acureinsight.org/

Questions? Contact us at Contact@ACureInSight.org

Please share this episode with the uveal melanoma community. Someone may not realize that this new designation could affect the disability application process available to them.

Thank you to our sponsors for making The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This episode is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. Social Security eligibility and benefits depend on individual circumstances. For information about your specific eligibility or application, contact the Social Security Administration or an appropriate professional.

#EyeBelievePodcast #UvealMelanoma #OcularMelanoma #CompassionateAllowances #SocialSecurityDisability #SSDI #CancerSupport #ACureInSight