Dr. Mary Barnhart is a former dietitian and retired breast surgeon. From the idea of spreading tumors with biopsies (true or false?) to who gets to pick the music in the OR, Tina & Leah ask some tough questions in this one. 

Ultimately, you are in control of your healthcare decisions, and Dr. Barnhart discusses how she balanced medical advise with patient autonomy in her own practice. She may have retired from surgery, but she still advocates for those who have been affected by cancer. A cancer survivor herself, she knows all too well what it’s like to be the patient. 

Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff:

Study on the progression of breast cancer in those who decline surgery. Am. J. of Surgery

Study on refusal of conventional treatment and poorer outcomes. J of Nat. Cancer Institute

Dr. Barnhart Retires from Practice News Release.  The Outlook

Listen on Spotify to Like a Surgeon by Weird Al Yankovich, or watch on YouTube.

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