In this episode of the Patient From Hell, Samira sits down with Megan-Claire Chase, known in the cancer community as "Warrior Megsy." Megan-Claire shares her deeply personal experience of navigating breast cancer and its aftermath. From managing the physical and emotional toll of treatment to finding new ways to regain a sense of self, Megan-Claire offers a powerful account of resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of asking for help. Her humor, storytelling skills, and openness bring a refreshing perspective on survivorship, making this an inspiring conversation for anyone facing adversity.
About our guest
Megan-Claire Chase, also known as Warrior Megsie, is the Breast Cancer Program Director and host of the Our BC Life podcast at SHARE Cancer Support. As an invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) breast cancer survivor and passionate patient advocate based in Atlanta, GA, Megan-Claire is a dedicated champion for the needs of breast cancer patients, particularly in addressing the disparities faced by minoritized communities and those in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) communities.
In addition to her pivotal role at SHARE, she serves on Bayer Oncology's Digital Patient Council, is a patient advocate for the Oncology Data Advisor Editorial Board, and recently joined the Worth the Wait Charity advisory board. She also contributes as a writer and advisory board member for Patient Power, amplifying the voices of breast cancer patients.
Megan-Claire’s advocacy efforts include participating as a panelist on Leveraging Technology to Support Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Oncologic Care at the 2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium, co-authoring a podcast and infographic on genetic testing in metastatic breast cancer, collaborating with Pfizer on the Action Guide to Disrupt Inequitable Health Outcomes, and sharing her personal journey on PBS’s Beyond Cancer through Stories from the Stage. Her work has been spotlighted in notable publications like The New York Times, People Magazine, Cancer Health, Cancer Today, and CURE Magazine.
Beyond her cancer advocacy, Megan-Claire is a versatile voiceover actor, a dedicated social justice activist, and a proud cat mom to Phoebe.
Key Moments
21 minutes:
“Something that people outside of Cancerland may not fully understand is the side effects from the toxic treatments, the side effects from multiple surgeries, the pain that some get fades, they heal, but for others, like moi, I really got the motherload of permanent damage, permanent side effects, effects that happen like a year, two years post cancer. And so I, as I'm talking to you right now, I am in pain. And I often have people say, ‘you don't look like you're in pain.’ And I'm like, look, it's not Halloween yet. I don't want to scare you. If I looked how I truly, truly felt on the daily, you would think you're in a scary movie. And so, dealing with multiple types of pain, chronic pain, is something I never, ever thought would be part of my cancer experience.”
38 minutes:
“‘I'm divorcing you. Thank you for getting me to this point. Appreciate that, but you're not listening to me and I need a doctor who's going to listen to me.’ And she, the look on her face was like, she goes, ‘no one's ever said that to me before.’ And I was like, well, maybe they wanted to, and they just didn't have the words.”
44 minutes:
“When I got that breast cancer diagnosis, I realized this is bigger than me. I was like, this isn't the flu.I am going to need help. And that took a lot. And not just help around, my home, but financial help. And I was embarrassed, I felt ashamed. And then I was like, hello, you've got cancer. This is not the time to be embarrassed or ashamed.”
My Cancer GPS™ is coming! Step-by-step subway maps that guide you through the entire cancer experience. Learn more here!
Disclaimer: This podcast blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast blog or materials linked from this podcast blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
About our guest
Megan-Claire Chase, also known as Warrior Megsie, is the Breast Cancer Program Director and host of the Our BC Life podcast at SHARE Cancer Support. As an invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) breast cancer survivor and passionate patient advocate based in Atlanta, GA, Megan-Claire is a dedicated champion for the needs of breast cancer patients, particularly in addressing the disparities faced by minoritized communities and those in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) communities.
In addition to her pivotal role at SHARE, she serves on Bayer Oncology's Digital Patient Council, is a patient advocate for the Oncology Data Advisor Editorial Board, and recently joined the Worth the Wait Charity advisory board. She also contributes as a writer and advisory board member for Patient Power, amplifying the voices of breast cancer patients.
Megan-Claire’s advocacy efforts include participating as a panelist on Leveraging Technology to Support Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Oncologic Care at the 2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium, co-authoring a podcast and infographic on genetic testing in metastatic breast cancer, collaborating with Pfizer on the Action Guide to Disrupt Inequitable Health Outcomes, and sharing her personal journey on PBS’s Beyond Cancer through Stories from the Stage. Her work has been spotlighted in notable publications like The New York Times, People Magazine, Cancer Health, Cancer Today, and CURE Magazine.
Beyond her cancer advocacy, Megan-Claire is a versatile voiceover actor, a dedicated social justice activist, and a proud cat mom to Phoebe.
Key Moments
21 minutes:
“Something that people outside of Cancerland may not fully understand is the side effects from the toxic treatments, the side effects from multiple surgeries, the pain that some get fades, they heal, but for others, like moi, I really got the motherload of permanent damage, permanent side effects, effects that happen like a year, two years post cancer. And so I, as I'm talking to you right now, I am in pain. And I often have people say, ‘you don't look like you're in pain.’ And I'm like, look, it's not Halloween yet. I don't want to scare you. If I looked how I truly, truly felt on the daily, you would think you're in a scary movie. And so, dealing with multiple types of pain, chronic pain, is something I never, ever thought would be part of my cancer experience.”
38 minutes:
“‘I'm divorcing you. Thank you for getting me to this point. Appreciate that, but you're not listening to me and I need a doctor who's going to listen to me.’ And she, the look on her face was like, she goes, ‘no one's ever said that to me before.’ And I was like, well, maybe they wanted to, and they just didn't have the words.”
44 minutes:
“When I got that breast cancer diagnosis, I realized this is bigger than me. I was like, this isn't the flu.I am going to need help. And that took a lot. And not just help around, my home, but financial help. And I was embarrassed, I felt ashamed. And then I was like, hello, you've got cancer. This is not the time to be embarrassed or ashamed.”
My Cancer GPS™ is coming! Step-by-step subway maps that guide you through the entire cancer experience. Learn more here!
Disclaimer: This podcast blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast blog or materials linked from this podcast blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.