Breast Cancer Breaks the Fourth Wall

Breastcancer.org Podcast · Apr 14, 2026 · 42m

In Caitlin Shetterly’s latest novel, the main character has been diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Six months after sending in her draft, Shetterly was diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Breast cancer had broken the fourth wall between Shetterly, her characters, and her readers.

Listen to the episode to hear Caitlin explain:

how she came up with the idea of her character Alice being diagnosed with breast cancer

why she thought Alice would be the only person who could understand what she was going through

how breast cancer changed her as a person and as a writer