Danielle Service: The Patriarchy Wants My T*ts
Disclaimer
This podcast is not medical advice. The conversations shared here reflect lived experiences and personal perspectives. In today’s episode, Danielle and I talk about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I want to note that research has evolved on this topic, and while some providers remain cautious, current consensus from the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is that systemic hormone therapy may be considered for BRCA mutation carriers, particularly after risk-reducing oophorectomy. For more details, please see the 2016 NAMS Practice Pearl: Use of Systemic Hormone Therapy in BRCA Mutation Carriers. Always consult your medical team before making treatment decisions.
Episode Summary
In this raw and thoughtful conversation, teacher, writer, and advocate Danielle Service shares her experience of testing positive for a BRCA2 mutation and navigating the medical, emotional, and existential challenges that followed. From supporting her mother and aunt through ovarian cancer diagnoses, to grappling with her own test results, Danielle reflects on what it means to make decisions about healthy body parts, live with uncertainty, and reclaim agency in the face of overwhelming medical systems.
Her story unfolds through moments of overwhelm, a transformative summer out West, and her decision to write a memoir—provocatively titled The Patriarchy Wants My Tits. Together we talk about genetic testing, surgical pressure, the complexities of hormone therapy, and the trauma-informed need to slow down, listen inward, and honor the sacred relationship we have with our bodies.
Key Takeaways
What it’s like to receive a BRCA2 diagnosis in the midst of family cancer crises
How genetic counseling and surgical referrals can sometimes bypass patient agency
The importance of slowing down decision-making and listening to embodied wisdom
Danielle’s experience of sudden menopause, HRT struggles, and reclaiming her right to care
How patriarchal structures shape women’s health and why nuanced, trauma-informed conversations are essential
Writing as a way of processing trauma and reclaiming personal voice
About the Guest
Danielle Service is a teacher, writer, and advocate whose upcoming memoir, The Patriarchy Wants My Tits, explores the intersections of genetic risk, medical paternalism, and women’s agency. With a sharp wit and a deeply human voice, Danielle brings honesty, humor, and existential depth to one of the most difficult journeys a person can face.
Resources & Links
NAMS Practice Pearl: Use of Systemic Hormone Therapy in BRCA Mutation Carriers (2016)
Walking the Genetic Line Podcast Website
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Visit: FaceTheRiskTogether.com
Download the free resource: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis