KOSI 101.1’s OctoBRA

This Warrior Wednesday, Jenny welcomes Mel, who lost her mom to breast cancer. She tells the story of the lasting impact the experience had on her and stresses why awareness and research is so important.

Dr. Kohli and Jenny speak about why rates of breast cancer in young women are going up and what factors may be moving the needle: environment, alcohol, hormone exposure, child birth, etc. Dr. Kohli also examines the link between heart health and breast cancer, and what mammograms are able to reveal about our hearts.

Jenny and Murphy Huston chat about the prevalence of breast cancer in men this Warrior Wednesday. Murphy shares how he first noticed a lump and got his diagnosis.

Murphy and Jenny discuss how important it is to raise awareness around breast cancer in men, how common it is and how crucial it is for men to conduct self breast exams in order to increase the likelihood of early detection

This Mammogram Monday, Dr. Kohli digs into the lifestyle changes women can employ that could have an impact on their breast cancer risk, as well as the factors that increase women’s risk that aren’t in their control.

When should women start thinking about getting screenings? How can breast cancer risk be calculated? How should women conduct self breast exams? How can women find out if they have dense breast tissue? Dr. Kohli and Jenny discuss the answers.

Jenny chats with Stephanie, a survivor, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer four years ago. Stephanie discusses how she found out she had cancer, what she did to take action and why being open and transparent was and is so important for her.

The two also chat about how breast cancer is starting to affect women at a younger age, along with the importance of self breast exams.

Rachel Gonzales is a part of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Colorado and was inspired to volunteer after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She wanted to give back and started doing so the next year, in 2023. Gonzales shares how her own diagnosis impacted her and why an early diagnosis is so important. Donate here to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Jenny D sat down with Jane Jachowicz, a nurse and breast cancer awareness advocate, to discuss being aware of your body and taking charge with self exams, options for screening and getting a mammogram and how to make them less daunting and uncomfortable. Join the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Sunday, October 12, in Denver and donate here.

Join KOSI 101.1 and the Denver Pavilions in supporting women’s health all month long with OctoBRA.

We’re reminding you about the importance of regular screenings, hearing from survivors and talking to health care professionals surrounding breast cancer awareness month to keep you informed and to encourage you to advocate for yourself!

See how our friends at the Denver Pavilions are supporting OctoBRA through their Shop. Dine. Support. program where Partners in Pink retailers and restaurants have offers all month long.

Join the KOSI 101.1 staff in the fight against breast cancer as we inform and inspire because we don’t just play Feel Good Music, we want you to Feel Good too.

For low cost, or no cost options for mammograms, click here.

Some info from American Cancer Society (ACS)

In Colorado, it is estimated more than 5,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.
1 in 3 women are not getting screened for breast cancer.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 43 will die from the disease.
Regular screening can catch cancer early, when it may be easier to treat.
American Cancer Society breast cancer guidelines recommend women at average risk have an opportunity to start screening at age 40, but by age 45 to begin annual screening.
ACS guidelines are evidence-based and independent.
ACS believes further consideration may be required regarding recommendations around the frequency of screening for women under age 55. Current evidence indicates that biennial screening in this population is associated with a diagnosis of more advanced disease.
ACS guidelines also recommend that women should continue screening as long as they are in good health and are expected to live at least 10 more years.