Turning Experience into Activism

When you encounter Melody Commodore, you might notice her calm smile and patient nature. What you might miss is her inner strength and a sense of the obstacles she has overcome. 

Melody began breast cancer activism and personal vigilance in her early 20s. She spoke at community events about breast cancer awareness and, at home, regularly performed self-exams. Melody felt a lump during her self-exams around the age of 26, but her primary care doctor and gynecologist insisted she was simply finding cysts, she was too young, and she “Googled too much.” 

As an energetic advocate for prevention and early detection who had witnessed the deaths of close family members from cancer, she was determined to speak up for herself. Melody pushed her primary care doctor for a referral, and, in June 2018, she walked into GBMC to see Angela Murrell, ANP-C, AOCNP, to investigate the lump she found. 

Doctors who had examined her before saw a young mother to a beautiful and vibrant 2-year-old. At 32, she did not look to them like a cancer patient. 

Oncologists at GBMC’s Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute are known for expert, compassionate diagnosis and treatment. They know that in recent years, increasing numbers of women with breast cancer are Melody’s age and younger. In January 2025, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported cases of invasive breast cancer in women are growing – at twice the rate among those younger than 50 than those older (1.4% increase per year, compared to 0.7%). The outlook for Black women continues to be bleaker than for White women (ACS, Cancer Facts and Figures 2025).

After meeting Nurse Practitioner Angela Murrell at the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center, “I felt relief,” Melody recalls. “I could candidly speak and be heard and not dismissed.” 

During the exam, Melody “noticed (Angela’s) fingers stop and return” to areas of concern, but the nurse practitioner’s face betrayed nothing. 

Finally, Melody asked, “It’s bad, isn’t it?” Angela acknowledged finding lumps, then asked, “How much time do you have today?” 

As worried as she was, Melody explains Angela “had the confidence I needed. I know that she knows what she’s talking about. I know that I’m safe.” 

Melody underwent bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and additional reconstructive procedures. All while experiencing the same calm and confidence from her team. 

“Dr. Sara Fogarty is like a miniature super-hero,” she says. “The amount of medical skill and her soft skills, especially. I have never felt so secure about anything that I was so scared about.” 

She describes feeling the same level of confidence in Dr. Sheri Slezak, Dr. Kruti Patel, and Dr. Gang Chen. 

“GBMC is interested in the human aspect” of a patient’s life, Melody attests. She sought opinions about her treatment plan elsewhere yet returned to GBMC. “Here, they are dedicated to partnering with you as your champion and your advocate.” 

Like many breast cancer patients, she lost her hair and noticed changes in her skin. Infusion Nurse Funmi Kayode assured her she would be alright. 

“If they didn’t have the expertise at GBMC, I might not have had the confidence to keep coming back,” Melody says. 

Melody is altered fundamentally by her cancer experience. She is on a 10-year treatment plan designed to prevent cancer from returning. Through it all, Melody stands tall, projecting positivity and kindness. She continues to advocate for breast cancer prevention and early detection, even close to home. Her aunt is now being treated for the same form of breast cancer Melody was. The two women speak regularly. 

“I talk to her about finding your strength,” she says. “Above all, prayer and faith in our Heavenly Father will carry you through.” 

A member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council of the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, Melody Commodore brings optimism and energy to each meeting. 

“I can give my time,” she says, “to help others.”