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In today's episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, we dive deep into oral health! 

Before undergoing cancer treatment, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their dental health. This is because cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can have significant effects on oral health, specifically how bisphosphonates may lead to Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). In this podcast episode, we discuss the importance of visiting a dentist and dental hygienist before starting cancer treatment to achieve optimal oral hygiene. 

Topics Covered in this Episode: 

• Bisphosphonates and dental health.
• Dental health considerations before cancer treatment.
• Oral health during cancer treatment.
• Understanding dental and medical coverage.
• Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw.
• Dental complications with bisphosphonates.
• Osteonecrosis symptoms and diagnosis.
• Nerve treatment during surgery.

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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

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SurvivingBreastCancer.org's  Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.

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Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/

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Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
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Creating hope through tragedy is a powerful concept that is exemplified throughout this podcast episode. The conversation we have with Jan Hillman and Elesha Snyder shed light on the devastating effects of breast cancer and how it can inspire individuals to take action and make a difference.  Jan shares her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer multiple times, including a recent diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Elesha shares the story of her sister Kelli who unfortunately passed away from metastatic disease.  Elesha's desire to make a difference and help others going through similar experiences is commendable. By creating the Breast Wishes Foundation, she is not only honoring her sister's memory but also providing support and resources to individuals and families affected by breast cancer. Welcome to the conversation

Topics Covered in this Episode:

00:04:03 - Jan's Personal Experience with Breast Cancer
00:09:03 - Elesha's Experience with Her Sister's Breast Cancer and the Inspiration for Breast Wishes Foundation
00:12:26 - Mission and Vision of Breast Wishes Foundation
00:22:57 - Importance of Bringing Joy and Granting Wishes
00:26:44 - Focus on Committees and Spreading the Workload
00:27:42 - Importance of Strategic Planning and Accomplishments
00:36:02 - Discussion on Sustainable Expansion and Self-Care
00:40:03 - Additional Resources and Topics to Explore

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About Breast Wishes Foundation:
https://www.breastwishesfoundation.org/

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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

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SurvivingBreastCancer.org's  Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.

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Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

Welcome to Breast Cancer Conversations, the podcast dedicated to empowering those affected by breast cancer. I'm your host, Laura Carfang, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of survivingbreastcancer.org. In this episode, we're diving into a topic that resonates with many in our community: the role of exercise, specifically Pilates, in regaining normalcy after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Our guests today are Nina Prol, Bev Breen, and Marie McGuire, who share their insights and personal journeys with Pilates. Nina, a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in adult medical oncology, is also a passionate Pilates instructor. She shares how Pilates, originally developed by Joseph Pilates, is a low-impact exercise that enhances spine flexibility, posture, and core strength, making it ideal for cancer patients.

Bev, an executive assistant and breast cancer survivor, recounts her experience with Pilates during her radiation treatment. Despite the challenges of treatment, Pilates provided her with a much-needed mental and physical break. Marie, another member of our community, emphasizes the importance of movement in managing lymphedema and maintaining overall well-being.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss the benefits of Pilates for those undergoing cancer treatment, including improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and increased strength. We also touch on the importance of breathwork and mindfulness as tools for stress reduction.

As a reminder, while exercise can be a powerful tool in recovery, it's crucial to listen to your healthcare provider's advice and communicate any side effects or concerns. 

We hope this episode inspires you to explore Pilates or other forms of exercise as part of your recovery journey. 

Topics Covered:

00:00:03 - Introduction to Breast Cancer Conversations Podcast
00:02:12 - Discussing Exercise Post-Cancer Diagnosis
00:04:09 - Nina's Introduction and Pilates Journey
00:06:12 - Bev's Experience with Breast Cancer and Pilates
00:09:42 - Marie's Breast Cancer Story and Pilates Experience
00:14:18 - The Benefits of Pilates and Its Accessibility
00:24:59 - Discovering Pilates Post-Diagnosis
00:30:18 - The Mental Health Benefits of Pilates
00:33:09 - Importance of Communication with Healthcare Providers
00:35:38 - NCCN Guidelines and Empowering Patients
00:37:44 - Questions to Ask Your Doctor
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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

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Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

In this episode, we emphasize the significance of being mindful about the conversations we have, the friendships we cultivate, and the music we listen to, as they can either nourish or deplete us.  Just as the food we consume can impact our physical well-being, the conversations we engage in can have a similar effect on our overall health.

Investing time in nourishing conversations can be life-giving rather than promoting negativity. By dissolving fear and choosing where to focus our attention, we can engage in conversations that bring vitality and contribute to our overall well-being. 

Be mindful of our environment and relationships, as they can either invigorate us or drain our vital energy.  Let's not waste mental energy on things that do not nourish us. Our thoughts, feelings, and emotions have the power to shape our physical bodies and greatly influence our experiences.

Quotes:

"Once we live a conscious life, this moment of death can be enlightenment."

"Holding space,  is  witnessing someone and the light that comes out of them without trying to fix."

"Sometimes the opportunity to stop, pause, is the beginning of your healing."

Topics Covered In This Episode:

• End-of-life issues.
• Home funerals and green burials.
• Embracing the fact that death is coming.
• Where do we go when we dream?
• Grief rituals and healing.
• Different approaches to death.
• The process of dying.
• Advanced Directives and Resources.
• Legacy planning and digital assets.
• Living life before we're dead.
• Declining health and caregiver transitions.
• Subtle bodies and energy healing.
• The gift of each moment.

Get to know our guest speaker Gabi Dias:
Insta: @goatgabi, @TheDeathTalk
Website: www.goatgabi.com

Important Links:
The 5 Wishes Document https://www.fivewishes.org/for-myself/
POLST: https://polst.org/

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SurvivingBreastCancer.org's  Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stor

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

This podcast episode features a conversation about breast cancer, advocacy, and medical PTSD. Host Laura Carfing introduces two guest authors, Brenda Denzler and Elaine  Schattner, who share their experiences with breast cancer and discuss their books and writing. The episode also highlights the importance of finding purpose and meaning after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Topics In this Episode:
00:03:28 Finding purpose after breast cancer.
00:08:35 Mental health and breast cancer.
00:14:24 Importance of cancer awareness and perception.
00:25:44 Importance of patient advocacy.
00:39:21. Medical PTSD is real.
00:41:54 Importance of compassion in healthcare.
00:47:14 Early medical experiences can traumatize.
00:53:49 Consider self-publishing or hiring a ghostwriter.
00:57:39 Consider partnering with a ghostwriter.

About the Panelists:
Brenda is a writer and editor currently living in rural North Carolina. She is the author of numerous articles about cancer-related topics and treatment-related medical PTSD, including For My Own Good: Medical PTSD and Me as well as the founder and co-moderator of a support group for PTSD on Facebook.

When she is not writing--and has the energy--she tackles the upkeep on her property, and tries to get in some exercise (because after all, exercise is "the answer" for just about everything that ails ya', right?), enjoys being with her grandkids, and grabs most of her opportunities to spend time with friends. In her downtime, she is currently hooked on digital jigsaw puzzles as a suitable low-brain-demand activity. She is a doggie mom to two large and energetic puppies--which as she knows now is never (in her opinion) a good idea for older people! And she is owned by a geriatric cat, which is definitely more her speed.

Elaine Schattner is a physician, breast cancer survivor, and former oncologist whose book, From Whispers to Shouts: The Ways We Talk About Cancer, is published by Columbia University Press and was recently released as an audiobook. Her work explores public attitudes toward cancer through the history of cancer awareness campaigns, patient advocacy, and news including social media.

Dr. Schattner is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College. After her cancer diagnosis, she earned a master’s degree in journalism

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

In this podcast episode, Laura Carfing interviews Shelly Rosenfeld, the director of the Cancer Legal Resource Center. The center offers free legal resources to people impacted by cancer, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. They provide confidential information and research on various legal topics related to cancer. Today's podcast episode delves into ADA policies, insurance coverage, and patient rights. The aim is to educate individuals about their rights and empower them to seek the resources they need during their cancer journey.

Topics in this Episode:
00:00:31 Legal resources for cancer patients.
00:10:23 Consider discussing accommodations with the employer.
00:15:50 Know your rights, seek support.
00:22:27 Accommodations are important for recovery.
00:24:09 Importance of communication and advocacy.
00:29:05 Financial resources for cancer treatment.
00:37:42 Advocate for yourself, ask questions.
00:38:04 Financial toxicity and advocacy.
00:42:41 Keep thriving.

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Important Links:
https://thedrlc.org/cancer/
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

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Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.instagram.com/survivingbreastcancerorg/

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SBC’s Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

In this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfing is joined by Dr. Stacey Devine, a board-certified family physician with a passion for disease prevention and holistic health. Dr. Devine discusses her journey from traditional medicine to integrative oncology and lifestyle medicine, highlighting the importance of addressing the root causes of illness and providing more natural treatment options. She emphasizes the impact of integrative oncology on the physical and emotional well-being of breast cancer patients and advocates for its inclusion in survivorship care. Tune in to learn more about the power of lifestyle management in reversing and preventing chronic diseases.

Topics discussed in this Episode:
00:03:23 Alternative and complementary care in breast cancer.
00:07:11. Integrative medicine empowers patient healing.
00:10:34 Integrative oncology treats the whole person.
00:16:04 Chemotherapy can cause weight gain.
00:18:01 Supporting patients through metabolic changes.
00:23:23 Focus on healthy behaviors, not weight.
00:27:38 Mindfulness and social connection are key.
00:31:11 Education and support for breast cancer survivors.
00:36:10 Integrative medicine improves overall well-being.

About our Guest: Dr. Stacey Devine:
Stacey Devine, MD, has been a board-certified family physician since 2000. While she
loved seeing people and treating diverse conditions, she became tired of surface-level
disease management. She longed to spend more time with her patients and go deeper
into the root cause of their illnesses.  She also wanted to focus on disease prevention and holistic health and wellness. This led Dr. Devine to pursue fellowship training at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and board certification in Lifestyle Medicine. She has a solo practice in Davidson, NC, and helps people reverse and prevent chronic disease with lifestyle management and more natural treatment options. She has worked with many breast cancer survivors in her private practice and understands the impact of their treatments on their physical and emotional health. Integrative oncology and lifestyle medicine have a tremendous impact on their quality of life and she believes should be a standard part of survivorship care. She created an online course, Thriving After Breast Cancer®, to help breast cancer survivors heal from their treatments, reduce their risk of recurrence, and empower them to thrive.

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Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will:

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

Breast cancer research funding disparity is a significant issue that affects the progress and outcomes of finding the cure for metastatic breast cancer.    Funding for breast cancer prevention and early-stage treatment, while important, does not address the specific challenges faced by those with metastatic breast cancer.  Instead, if funding goes towards developing medications that can keep patients alive until a cure is found, not only those living with MBC would benefit, but so would anyone else diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer!

(In case you missed Part I, Unveiling the Realities of Metastatic Breast Cancer in October, you can catch it here!)

Topics Discussed
[00:02:11] Research dollars and the cure.

[00:07:28] Sense of betrayal in fundraising.

[00:09:38] Where does the money go?

[00:12:48] Research on metastatic breast cancer.

[00:18:34] Genomic testing importance.

[00:21:09] Not enough funding for research.

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Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.instagram.com/survivingbreastcancerorg/

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SBC’s Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

Our annual Pinktober MBC Panel on October 29 featured guests Megan-Claire Chase, Janice Cowden, Kathleen Friel, Victoria Goldberg, Claudia Gonzalez, Kirby Lewis, Amy Parliman, and Stephanie Walker.

In this episode, these women share their experiences living with metastatic breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The panelists discuss how their perspectives have changed or evolved considering the realities of living with a terminal illness.

• 00:02:03 - "How do we bring more awareness to what's not pink?"
• 00:03:18 - "So what does October mean to us when everything is pink ribbon and you're living with a terminal illness?"
• 00:26:26 - "I felt very betrayed that I participated in something that I thought was one thing and was actually something different."
• 00:40:36 - "We are more than just the body parts."
• 00:44:58 - "I need to remember people who have gone and people who are still with us and I want to make sure that those who are newly coming into this, as Emily Garnett used to say, the worst community with the best people."

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.

Love the episode? Send us a text!

In this episode, we discuss the use of ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) in surveillance for breast cancer patients. Dr. Rodriguez, being a board-certified medical oncologist, has extensive experience in breast cancer oncology and has conducted clinical research in ctDNA application and breast cancer management.

Together we dive into the different stages of breast cancer, ranging from early stage (zero through stage three) to late stage (metastatic or de novo breast cancer) and highlight the importance of monitoring the effectiveness of treatments and understanding whether the medicine is working. This is where ctDNA surveillance plays a crucial role.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:06:07 Understanding breast cancer recurrence.
00:11:27 Predicting cancer recurrence is complex.
00:20:07 Lifestyle changes reduce cancer recurrence.
00:24:13 Open communication with doctors is important.
00:30:06 Monitoring treatment effectiveness is challenging.
00:34:52 Circulating tumor DNA improves cancer detection.
00:42:00 Improving adherence to breast cancer treatment.

About Our Guest, Angel Augusto Rodriguez
Dr. Angel Augusto Rodriguez is Oncology Medical Director at Natera.  Natera is a company with expertise in cell-free DNA technology which delivers platforms in prenatal care, transplant medicine, and oncology.  Dr. Rodriguez   is a board certified medical oncologist and attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology.  

He was the recipient of a Komen for the Cure Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer grant and specialized in breast oncology at Baylor College of Medicine where he conducted clinical research in ctDNA application in breast cancer management.  

Before joining Natera, Dr. Rodriguez practiced in Houston Methodist Cancer Center where he was Director of the Clinical Trials Office and led the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinic.  He is based in Austin, Texas. 

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Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.instagram.com/survivingbreastcancerorg/

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SBC’s Mission: To empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. 

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recogniz

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Latest News:

• Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now.
• Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday!
• Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources!
• Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.