Episode Details
Back to Episodes18: Given 3 Months to Live: How Bershan Shaw Survived Stage IV Breast Cancer 17 Years Later
Description
Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in her early 30s and given just three months to live, Bershan Shaw was told the odds were against her. That was 17 years ago.
In this powerful episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, former Real Housewives of New York personality, and breast cancer advocate Bershan Shaw shares her extraordinary survival story.
From the terrifying moment seven doctors walked in to deliver her terminal diagnosis, to navigating aggressive treatment, grief, fear, and uncertainty, Bershan opens up about how mindset, movement, faith, and radical self-belief became part of her healing journey.
Tune in as she also speaks candidly about mental health, survivorship, why Black women must stop being afraid of screenings, and the urgent need for long-term survivors to share their stories so newly diagnosed women can see what hope looks like.
✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship!
KEY POINTS
00:00 – Introduction
02:11 – How severe back pain led to Bershan’s stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis and being told it was terminal.
03:49 – After receiving the diagnosis, Bershan made a promise to God to use her life to motivate and transform others.
06:00 – Seventeen years later, Bershan has no evidence of disease and is not just surviving, but thriving.
06:13 – Why Black women’s participation in clinical trials matters for better data, research, and treatment.
09:48 – Long-term survivors need to share their stories so newly diagnosed women can see what survival can look like.
11:31 – Mental health is a regimen: Bershan uses meditation, journaling, movement, faith, and positive thinking daily.
13:02 – Fear keeps too many women from screenings, but avoiding breast health conversations can have serious consequences.
18:42 – Bershan’s message to newly diagnosed women: “Your cancer is not a death sentence.”
QUOTES
“Your cancer is not a death sentence.” – Bershan Shaw
“Cancer was my gift because it woke me up to living.” – Bershan Shaw
“Your mindset matters just as your medicine.” – Bershan Shaw
“Hope matters. Hope really matters.” – Bershan Shaw
RESOURCES
Bershan Shaw
Website - bershanshaw.com
IG - @bershanshaw
Website - sistersnetworkinc.org
IG - @sistersnetwork
YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast