We're joined by women’s health advocate and author Leslie Ferris Yerger, founder & CEO of My Density Matters. Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer just two months after a “clear” mammogram and ultrasound, Leslie uncovers how dense breast tissue can hide cancer, why current screening standards fail many women, and what you can do to protect yourself.Leslie’s mission: make sure her story doesn’t become someone else’s. Her nonprofit empowers women to check their breast density, ask the right questions, and push for additional screening when needed.

✅ Listen to learn:

What breast density is — and why it matters

How dense tissue affects mammogram accuracy

When to ask for MRI or advanced imaging

Patient advocacy: how and when to push your doctor

Real steps you can take today

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & background

01:17 – Clear mammogram → diagnosis journey

05:13 – Why dense breast tissue matters

12:58 – Understanding density categories & reports

18:47 – What to ask your doctor next

22:15 – Insurance, screening access & advocacy

26:54 – Leslie’s takeaways & how to take action

Guest Bio:

Leslie Ferris Yerger is a Tedx speaker, author of Probably Benign, and a women’s advocate with a laser focused mission. Leslie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in November 2017 after an ‘all clear’ mammogram and ultrasound, experiencing firsthand the failings of our current breast cancer screening standards.

As Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit My Density Matters, Leslie is determined to empower women to find out their breast density, learn their options, and advocate for themselves to get the additional breast cancer screening they need, so that her story doesn’t become their story. Leslie lives in Hawthorn Woods, IL with her husband John. She has 3 grown children: Evan, Julia, and Megan.

Resources:

My Density Matters → https://mydensitymatters.org/Purchase her book

“Probably Benign” → https://probablybenign.com/

Trigger warning: This episode covers breast cancer and screening challenges.

If you found this helpful, please like, subscribe, and share this with the women in your life. Your next mammogram might just end up different.

#BreastCancer #BreastDensity #WomenHealth #PatientAdvocacy #ScreeningFailure

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