In this final, special episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head sits down with Yara Robertson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical Director of Surgery at CARTI and a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist whose life changed when she moved from the operating room to the patient chair.

For years, Dr. Robertson dedicated her life to treating breast cancer; working long hours, prioritizing patients above all else, and approaching medicine with precision and control. Then, in 2018, a sudden and unexpected diagnosis of kidney cancer forced her into a role she knew well, but had never fully understood.

From her lived experience, Dr. Robertson shares what it was like to hear the words she had spoken to so many others: “You have cancer.” She reflects on the shock, the loss of control and the cascade of difficult news that followed; from multiple tumors to a genetic mutation that would change how she views her future.

Dr. Robertson offers a rare and powerful perspective of what happens when clinical knowledge collides with lived experience. She speaks candidly about grief, anger, faith and the emotional toll of telling loved ones. Most importantly, she reveals how her experience reshaped the way she cares for patients by slowing down, listening more deeply and recognizing the weight behind every conversation.

Dr. Robertson is an advocate, a listener and what she calls a “hope dealer”, meaning someone who walks alongside patients in their most vulnerable moments while reminding them that their story is not over.

Takeaways:

• A cancer diagnosis reshapes identity, marking a clear “before” and “after” in life.
• Even experienced physicians cannot fully understand the emotional weight of diagnosis until they experience it themselves.
• Patients often do not absorb information immediately after hearing they have cancer. They need time and space to process.
• Empathy in care is deeply human and relational.
• Telling loved ones about a diagnosis can be as difficult as receiving it.
• Survivorship often includes ongoing uncertainty and emotional triggers, not just physical recovery.
• True care extends beyond treatment to include mental, emotional and social support.
• Access to care and health disparities directly impact patient outcomes and survival.
• Identity should not be rooted solely in profession or diagnosis.
• Hope is not optional. It is essential to navigating life after cancer.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.