29 Sept 2026
Breast Cancer After Ballet: Finding Her Way Back to the Stage | Abigail Simon
What happens when a cancer diagnosis changes the body you've spent your entire life training?
In this episode, I sit down with former professional ballet dancer Abigail Simon to talk about her experience being diagnosed with breast cancer after a career that included American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey, and Broadway.
Abigail shares what it was like to go from preparing to return to dancing after having a baby to suddenly navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, fertility preservation, chronic pain, and major changes to her body.
We also talk about something that is especially important for dancers: the need for medical care that considers not only survival, but quality of life and the physical demands of returning to dance. Abigail discusses her rehabilitation, body image, learning to move differently, and ultimately finding her way back to the stage... including performing again en pointe.
We also discuss the emotional aftermath of cancer, losing a sense of purpose, the importance of mental health support, and how dance and community helped Abigail rebuild her life.
Abigail is now continuing to dance, teach, coach, and work with Onco-Ballet, a community for people affected by cancer who want to dance.
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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.
Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.
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Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Abigail Simon
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