If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. But, what is a clinical trial? Am I eligible to participate? What are the benefits? What does it involve? Do I have to pay?

These are some of the questions we discuss in this week's episode with Danielle Ralic. Danielle is a technologist and her career has revolved working on solving tech problems in healthcare. Her passion is to use technology to improve quality of care and making healthcare accessible to all.

When she learnt about the difficulties and the challenges some patients have been faced in finding out about clinical trials, Danielle thought of creating a solution. She cofounded Ancora.AI, a platform that aims to use technology and a patient-first approach to democratise access to clinical trials and improve the trial experience. 

As well as clinical trials, we also talked about the impact of the pandemic on health care in general and how technology has been embraced allowing more adaptive working. It was a fascinating conversation and one I am sure you will enjoy.

For the show notes, you can head over to:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode31

I would love to connect with you too. DM me on Instagram @DrTashaG and let me know what you enjoyed about this episode, or any of the other episodes. I would love your feedback.

Happy listening!

Tasha x

Jo was diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the age of 38 years, 14 years ago. At the time, she had a 5-month daughter, a 2-year-old son, and her life was turned upside down.

Since her primary diagnosis, she has been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer affecting her lymph nodes in her neck, her sternum, and recently brain metastasis.

Throughout the years, Jo has been a passionate advocate for those affected by breast cancer, whether primary or secondary breast cancer. She collected resources that lead her to create her website abcdiagnosis where she provides information and resources that are accessible.

Whilst attending a conference about secondary breast cancer, she noticed that information about the red flag symptoms that may represent secondary/metastatic breast cancer was not readily shared with patients. As a result, she created infographics about the common sites where breast cancer may spread too.

She is also a co-founder of the secondary breast cancer website metupuk.org which advocates for patients with secondary breast cancer.

Jo has done all of this work whilst having to deal with her own primary and secondary breast cancer diagnosis.

It was a fantastic conversation, and listening to Jo's story was inspirational.

If you want to check out all the links, please head over to the show notes at:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode30.

Do connect with me on Instagram @DrTashaG. Let me know what you think about the show, who you want me to invite on and topics you would like me to talk about. It'd be great to connect.

Happy listening!

Tasha x

Hello again and welcome to the second part of a two part series where we talk all things benign.

Today's conversation is with Dr Peter Davis, who works as a histopathologist. He and his team are responsible for analysing any tissue that we take either from a biopsy or at surgery. They process it, examine it under the microscope and deliver a diagnosis.
It is really clever stuff.

We left off following our previous conversation, and talk about a few other commonly encountered benign conditions we find in the breast. These included, fibrosis, ADH (atypical ductal hyperplasia and microcalification).

Once again, it was an extremely educational conversation, and I hope you enjoy it.

If you haven't done yet, I would love you to connect with on social media.

You can find me @DrTashaG on twitter and Instagram.

Happy listening!

Tasha x

When you have a breast abnormality, you may need to have a biopsy. This is where a sample is taken from the breast and sent to the lab for analyses.

The majority of biopsies come back as a benign (non-cancerous) diagnosis. Of course this is always a great relief. But the actual terminology of the results can be confusing and unclear.

Today I have a conversation with Dr Peter Davis, who is a histopathologist. He and his team are responsible for analysing all the specimens in the lab and come back with a diagnosis.

We talked today about the various benign conditions that we may find in the breast. This included conditions such as cysts, fibroadenomas and fat necrosis amongst others.

Because there was so much information packed into the episode, I have split it into two parts. The next episode being published next week.

If you fancy a recap of what we talked about in this episode, then head over to the show notes at:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode28.

It would be lovely to connect with you on social media. 

I am @DrTashaG on  Twitter |  Instagram |  TikTok | Clubhouse.

Happy listening!

Tasha x

What happens when you are diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28?  You reflect on your life, consider what is important and then you pivot. You pursue a path that you find meaningful and fulfilling.

This is what happened to my guest today, Paulina Golozd.

Paulina had a secure high flying corporate job. However, a breast cancer diagnosis made her realise that perhaps what she was doing wasn't enough. She wanted to make an impact on people's lives and be the difference. 

So, she quit her prestigious job with all the trapping that came with it, and became a student again. She completed her degree in counselling psychology and is now busy undertaking research as part of her PhD thesis. As part of her project,  Paulina is looking at the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis, not only on those who have undertaken treatment, but also the  on surgeons involved in treating the disease. 

Paulina is passionate about helping those who have been affected by breast cancer. Listen to this episode to learn more about her story, from her breast cancer diagnosis to the breast cancer surgeon who inspired her and ultimately to the work she is doing right now. 

Head over to the show notes at:  https://mybreastmyhealth/episode27.

It was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy it.

Happy listening!

Tasha x

What to eat and what not to eat? That is the question.

There is so much information and mis-information out there surrounding nutrition and food. Navigating through the noise can be really difficult, this is more so when you are looking for reliable and accurate information surrounding nutrition around a breast cancer diagnosis.

Tamar Rothenberg is a nutrition dietician who specialises in nutrition supporting those who have had a breast cancer diagnosis.  She’s an adjunct professor of nutrition at Touro College and University and most recently, she co-led the study, Coping with Cancer in the Kitchen, published in Nutrients.

So she knows her stuff!

In this episode we talked about so many topics; from debunking diet myths, to the roles of pre and pro-biotics as well as the role of anti-inflammatory foods and the different types of the mediterranean diet. 

Tamar also brilliantly describes how focusing on 'what you will eat' rather than 'what you won't eat' is a better way to reframing how we approach food.

It was such a great episode, and Tamar shared so much information on foods that are beneficial, specifically if you are either going through a breast cancer diagnosis, or are coming through the other side.

Please check out the show notes for all the links:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode26.


Thanks for listening.

Tasha x

We all know that exercise is good for you. However, this is especially true if you have had treatment for breast cancer. There is emerging evidence suggesting that regular exercise not only improves your general fitness, but it can also reduce cancer recurrence and improve outcome post treatment.

Today's guest is Tom Cowan, an exercise physiologist who works closely with those affected by cancer. Tom's work has been recognised by Public Health England and the Faculty for Sport and Exercise Medicine UK, who selected him to become a member of their Cancer and Exercise expert panel.

Tom prescribes specific exercises tailored to the individual and understands the challenges faced by patients, either during or after treatment.

Topics  we covered include: how to beat fatigue (a common side effect of treatment), exercises we can do to boost our immune system, the importance of bone health, as well as strategies to help with lymphoedema.

It was a conversation full of extremely helpful advice, and Tom shares tips and tricks of what you can do to to incorporate exercise into your daily life.

Check out the show notes at:

https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode25 

Happy listening.

Tasha x

So, 2020 has been no ordinary year.
We have suffered loss, faced numerous challenges and setbacks, as well as experience inspirational moments and joy...all bundled into 12 extraordinary months.

I wanted to share what I have learnt over the past year. The things that have resonated with me the most. The things that have inspired me the most. Taking time to reflect is always beneficial, for me at least. It allows me to take stock, learn and grow.

Head over to the show notes at https://mybreastmyhealth.com/episode24

Let's embrace 2021 with hope and optimism.

Tasha x

Have you ever wondered what a mammogram is? Does it hurt? Can you have a mammogram if you have breast implants? Am I too young to have a mammogram?

If you want to learn more about all things related to mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast screening, then this is the episode to listen to.

In this episode, I have a conversation with Dawn McDonald who works as a consultant radiographer. Dawn has been in this field for many years, and in this episode, she explains all things related to breast imaging. What it involves, what happens if you need a biopsy, and what you can expect if you get a recall from your screening mammogram.

After listening to this episode, you will no doubt feel more comfortable and hopefully less intimated if you ever need a mammogram or breast ultrasound.

It was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy it.

You can visit the show notes at:

 https:www.mybreastmyhealth.com/episode23

In the meantime, enjoy the festive season, and catch up with you on the other side.

All my best,
Tasha x

In today's episode, I have a conversation with Kath Elliott.

Kath, who is based in Melbourne, Australia, was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-40s, just over a year ago. 

In this episode we talked about her she coped with her breast cancer treatment, how her family and friends got her through her chemotherapy, and that telling her 3 boys about her cancer was the hardest thing to do.

Her cancer diagnosis also changed the way she looked at her life. It made her become more reflective about her past and hopeful for the future. She described how meditation, her journaling habit and practicing gratitude have helped her through her treatment and beyond.

She has an incredibly positive outlook and has turned the trauma of a breast cancer diagnosis into a positive.

I really found this conversation inspirational, and I am sure you will too.

You can connect with Kath on instagram @healingbreastcancer.

Her website is www.kathrynelliott.net

You can check out the show notes at www.mybreastmyhealth.com/episode22

Happy listening.

Tasha x