DiepCJourney Podcast

Breast cancer patients seek information about medical tattoos for varied reasons. This can include decorative tattoos to cover scars after breast surgery or 3D nipple/areola tattoos to artistically recreate the nipple/areola area of the breast sometimes removed during surgery.

I am speaking to two medical tattoo artists on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast, Nicole Rizzuto and Eric Eye. Connecting these cross-continental experts and discussing their work combines out collective interest in helping those affected by breast cancer understand what medical tattoos are.

Nicole and Eric explain the technical and emotional aspect of their work with patients in their tattoo studios. There can be fear associated with getting a tattoo because for many, it is their first tattoo. These two well trained, experienced medical tattooists work with a variety of "canvases." They must consider radiated skin, skin that is healing, age, pigmentation, and other factors.

One of the best resources to view a medical tattoo artist's work is their Instagram accounts. You can find Nicole's account at nmr_medical_tattoo. Eric's Instagram account is at eric_eye_restorative. They show work with a variety of clients and show fresh work, second sessions, and final work so you can see the progression of the process.

Have you ever been told you have dense breasts by a clinician after a mammogram? Whether you have or not, our topic on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast is focused on dense breasts. My guest is a patient advocate who carries this message to many after her own diagnosis. Siobhán Freeney shares the story of her diagnosis and why her tag line, "Your Breast Density Matters" has become a call to action for patients and clinicians alike.

Patient advocacy is often born out of a diagnosis. What one experiences upon hearing you have breast cancer, often becomes a catalyst for change. Siobhán is beating the drum for dense breast awareness. Her call to action is early detection, regular self-breast exams, and being aware that dense breasts can potentially interfere with breast screening and what can be seen on mammograms. She discusses the various levels of breast density. Do check out her request form on her website, "Ask About Your Density."

Siobhán and I dedicate this podcast to one of our own, Leigh Pate, who we lost in June of 2022 to cancer. Yes, Siobhán , we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Before her passing, I recorded an interview with her on the Lobular Breast Cancer you can listen to here: Lobular Breast Cancer.

Have you ever been overwhelmed as a breast cancer patient with terms pertaining to treatment and surgical options? Our topic today is breast sensation. Sensation in the breasts is vital for sexual health, as well as protection and safety for feeling heat.

In this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast we are going to focus on two terms regarding breast sensation for those facing mastectomy: nerve preservation and nerve reconstruction. What is the difference between the two terms? When can these procedures be performed and my whom? Does every patient have access to these two types of nerve sensation surgery?

My guests today are two leaders in the field of nerve preservation and nerve reconstruction.

Anne Peled, MD, is a dual trained breast surgeon and plastic surgeon practicing in San Francisco, California. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of thirty-seven choosing to undergo a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy because of great concern with being left numb.

Dr Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, FACS, is a microsurgeon who performs breast reconstruction focusing on autologous tissue reconstruction, using the patient's own tissue. He is the president of PRMA in San Antonio and Founder of the free breast cancer app, Breast Advocate.com.

Dr. Peled and Dr. Chrysopoulo have presented at webinars and conferences training colleagues globally on the techniques of nerve perseveration and nerve reconstruction surgery.

Surgical drains after breast surgery of any kind can present challenges for patients in terms of how to wear them under clothing, showering with surgical drains, and managing the tubing so it does not get caught on something and then pulling on the place of attachement to the patients body where the drains have a stitch to keep them in place.

In the latest episode of the DiepCJourney podcast I interview the CEO and developer of the KILI Medical Drain Carrier Cinde Dolphin designed them with patients in mind after having #cancer four times herself and dealing with surgical drains in hospital. The lightweight drain carrier can be worn in the shower. Drain bulbs and the tubing can be tucked into the zippered pockets keeping them secure. Cinde shares the inspirational story of helping women near Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania developing women entrepreneurs making beautiful cloth aprons that can also be used post-surgery. This is community and how the name Kili Drains got its name.

Benefits of exercise for those who are newly diagnosed, or in recovery and survivorship from cancer treatment is our topic on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast. My guests, Karen Wonders, PhD, FACSM and Jay K. Harness, MD, FACS from the Maple Tree Cancer Alliance discuss the many benefits and program for exercise oncology developed by Dr. Wonders for Maple Tree.

Dr. Wonders is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. This nonprofit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors across the globe in clinical settings. Karen utilized her years of education, research, training, and observing cancer patients who benefitted from exercise and shares evidence-based information and studies demonstrating the many benefits of exercise oncology.

Dr. Jay Harness is the Chief Medical Officer of Maple Tree. He also hosts Breast Cancer Answers® on his dedicated YouTube channel. An accomplished breast surgeon and past president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, he provides the medical expertise and research so essential to the Maple Tree Cancer Alliance mission.

There are thousands of people diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Some have a great desire to stay connected to a community they really never thought or wanted to be part of. But so often, friends are made, bonds are formed and there is a feeling of wanting to give back. The world of patient advocacy is broad. You can take a deep dive and spend a lot of time or choose to be a patient advocate in small ways. We guide you through this thought process on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast.

My two guests know a lot about the world of patient advocacy. Sandi Sanford and Denise M. Barlow have been with the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation for a number of years. Through their advocacy work they have met other individuals and organizations that have broadened their network and ability to help others in the breast cancer and cancer community.

Both survivors, they know first-hand the value of patient advocacy. We speak about their firsthand experiences. We share the following resources for others who may be interested in in exploring the possibility of participating as a patient advocate. There is also a link to apply for the Alamo Advocate Program Scholarship

AACR: American Association for Cancer Research

Alamo Advocate Program Scholarship: Application URL

National Breast Cancer Coalition: NBCC Project LEAD

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: SABCS 2022

When you are making a healthcare decision the words shared decision-making are valuable. Understanding the term shared decision-making and putting it into practice can present challenges for those who are not aware of the phrase. It can be an effective tool and method of communication in healthcare decisions. Shared decision making is when the patient and their healthcare team work as collaborative partners in determining the best care for the patient based on the patients' personal preferences, lifestyle, support, and values.

On this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast I invite two guests who have developed digital healthcare apps specifically focused on the shared decision-making concept and practice. Both of my guests are recognized internationally for work in their respective fields. Michael Fergusson is the CEO and Founder of Ayogo Health, a Canadian Healthcare Technology company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, MD FACS, is a recognized expert in breast cancer reconstruction and the Founder of the Breast Advocate® app. He is the President of PRMA in San Antonio, Texas.

Michael recognizes the complexities of human beings. The inspiration for his company, Ayogo, respects this complexity valuing the full participation of patients. Asymmetry can occur between patients and physicians when the process of shared decision-making takes place. This all takes time, reflection, and learning. His app, based on the shared decision-making model, allows patients the ability to invest in all three. Ayogo has twice been named on of the most innovative mobile health companies in the world and is consistently recognized by the industry as standard-setting for quality and innovation.

Similarly, Dr. C's app guides a breast cancer patient from diagnosis through to the decisional process of surgical treatment. Co-created by patient advocates, healthcare professionals and specialists who treat breast cancer patients, the Breast Advocate® app is designed as a customizable shared decision-making tool to give patients the ability to understand what their full range of options are. Dr. Chrysopoulo will be presenting his work at the eleventh session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Katowice, Poland in June of 2022. He will meet with Mayors from around the world discussing sustainable solutions to the challenges in tackling breast cancer, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can learn more about Michael's work at the website Ayogo. Learn more about Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo's work at Breast Advocate® app website. Both apps are available through the app store.

When you think about how you became an informed patient regarding breast reconstruction, was it by talking to other patients or through a consult with your plastic reconstructive surgeon? In this episode of the DiepCJourney Podcast, the discussion with two patient advocates and two internationally recognized microsurgeons reveals the power of global connections in breast reconstruction for patients and the importance of curating content based on best evidence and supportive patient care.

My guests, Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Dr. Joe Dusseldorp, and Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, FACS explain how we have all become connected through social media. The information we have shared has become the driving factor behind our passion to educate those affected by breast cancer on a global scale, sharing information we each gain from listening to patients and finding resources and answers to their questions about breast reconstruction and the process of making a decision about what type of reconstruction to have, including no reconstruction or aesthetic flat closure.

Have you ever wondered why someone would choose the specialty of microsurgery? It takes years of dedicated training after medical school. Microsurgery restores form and function due to damage or loss of body part after an accident or disease.

Our guest on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast is Dr. Brian Bradow. He is a reconstructive plastic surgeon who practices in Colorado. Brian chats about his early interest in surgery as a young boy. He talks about the rigors of his profession and the importance of work-life balance.

Brian discusses his work with breast cancer patients and restoring the nipple/areola area in a procedure called, "nipple sharing" in breast reconstruction. I connected with Brian on LinkedIn. You can find his LinkedIn account here.

When it comes to making decisions in your healthcare, my guest, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and I present the first in a series on the topic of shared decision-making this year on the DiepCJourney podcast.

Toliman Health was founded by Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, an internationally recognized expert in breast cancer reconstruction and shared decision-making. Dr. Chrysopoulo is the creator of Toliman's flagship app, Breast Advocate®

As co-leads of the WHIS Shared Decision-Making Expert Group our goal is to facilitate the adoption and practice of shared decision-making (SDM) throughout healthcare systems and across all medical disciplines.

The "why" of the informative approach to decisions in healthcare is multi-faceted. It encompasses the patient's preferences, values, support system, and expectations for outcomes.

Connect with Dr. C on LinkedIn:

Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, FACS