Life-Saving Intel: Amanda's Breast Cancer Surgeon Dr. Lucy De La Cruz

We Can Do Hard Things

Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

Society & Culture, Relationships, Education, Self-improvement

4.8 • 41.1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 October 2025

⏱️ 108 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This life-saving conversation is for anyone who has—or loves someone who has—breasts. It’s what to look for, what to ask, what screenings you *actually need* (not just what is offered), and every decision point you have (even if it’s not offered to you) if you are facing surgery. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda empower us with the most vital tool we have: information. Amanda reflects on how self-advocacy led her to her own breast cancer diagnosis—and we hear from the pod squad about how Amanda’s transparency helped save their lives. Then, we’re joined by Amanda’s renowned doctor, Dr. Lucy M. De La Cruz, who reminds us that every patient has agency—and shares how to choose the treatment path that’s right for you. And special shout out and thanks to Pod Squader Lori Mihalich-Levin (@mindfulreturn) for being such a special part of this story! If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, please save this episode or send it to the people you love. We love you. For more on Amanda’s Breast Cancer journey: - Amanda's Diagnosis and What's Next (Part 1) - Amanda’s Diagnosis and What’s Next (Part 2) - Amanda Returns Post Surgery: Here’s What She Wants You to Know - What Amanda’s Learned About Life, Love & Community (Post Surgery Pt 2) - Early Detection, Mammograms & Breast Cancer Care with Dr. Rachel Brem - Expert Advice on Genetic Testing, Cancer Prevention & Care Disparities with Dr. Rachel Brem About Dr. De La Cruz: Dr. Lucy M. De La Cruz is an internationally recognized breast surgical oncologist and the youngest Latina Chief of Breast Surgery in an academic institution in the United States. She serves as Chief of Breast Surgery and Director of the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, a nationally ranked center of excellence in breast cancer care. Dr. De La Cruz specializes in nipple-sparing mastectomies with structural preservation and resensation, with a focus on highly specialized single-stage implant reconstruction. Patients describe her not only as a world-class surgeon, but as a fierce advocate and mentor—especially for women navigating the complexities of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to We Can Do Hard Things.
0:14.3	Recently, we were talking about some stressful thing going on with the podcast, and
0:19.6	somebody said, we have to chill
0:22.4	it's not like we are curing disease here it's not like we are saving lives here i think it might
0:32.5	have been there is no such thing is a podcast emergency right and? And Jen Hatmaker also said that.
0:37.8	Right.
0:38.2	And then we sat there and immediately thought about, I think perhaps the most important thing
0:45.7	that this podcast has ever done.
0:47.7	Yeah.
0:48.8	Which is give the gift of Amanda's transparency through her breast cancer.
1:01.6	People don't use the word journey anymore, do they?
1:04.2	What are we saying?
1:04.8	I think they do.
1:05.5	I think they say journey.
1:08.2	I mean, hollabahoo.
1:11.4	Okay, so let's use that.
1:13.5	So Amanda's transparency through her breast cancer, Hullabahoo.
1:19.0	Hullabahoo or Hullabaloo?
1:20.5	We're going with who.
1:21.3	It's not a word, but I just think I liked it.
1:23.6	Okay.
1:24.1	Hullabahoo, it is.
	...

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