DiepCJourney Podcast

We are discussing a topic that will resonate with many of our listeners who have been affected by breast cancer. Whether you are the patient, caregiver, physician, or surgeon we are going to discuss navigating the complex Journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer through the lens of a nurse navigator. How does one seek this help at the cancer center you are being treated at? We will discuss wo...

Since having DIEP flap, a plastic reconstructive surgery technique performed to rebuild breasts after a mastectomy, I have been fascinated with the field of plastic surgery and topics related specifically to breast reconstruction. I interview Rob Pupelis , CEO, of Spectros for the first episode of season three of the DiepCJourney podcast . Rob shares the story of his visit to the Queen Victory hos...

The final episode of Season 2 of the DiepCJourney podcast brings together thought leaders in shared decision-making. This fireside chat includes the members of the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) Shared Decision team . This team was formulated and is led by Gareth Presch who founded WHIS in 2015. Taking a Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) approach to person centered health, Gareth Presch reco...

Food and what to eat after a breast cancer diagnosis is our topic on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast . About 80% of all breast cancers are ER positive. This means the breast cancer cells grow in response to the hormone estrogen. With so much information about what to eat, what not to eat, how much to eat, food can become a topic that triggers anxiety and confusion. My guest today is Cathy...

How many people diagnosed with breast cancer think about clinical trials or being part of one? In this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast we are going to discuss the importance of patients asking about participation in clinical trials and studies to improve the lives of breast cancer patients. My guest is Stephanie Graff, MD, FACP . She is the Director of Breast Oncology at the Lifespan Cancer In...

High definition DIEP flap is combining the aesthetics of plastic surgery and the skill of microsurgery to optimize the donor site, the abdominal area, in breast reconstruction. Dr. Andrew Gassman of PRMA in San Antonio, Texas , sat down with me to record a Facebook Live interview for the DiepCJourney podcast . This occurred the day after BRA day, Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day 2022. This podc...

You have been diagnosed with breast cancer or find you are at high risk of getting breast cancer and are facing a mastectomy. Now what? If you choose to reconstruct your breast what does this process look like? Patients are inundated with information at the beginning of a diagnosis or finding they have a genetic mutation. They see an oncologist, breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiologist, and ot...

DIEP flaps are a type of breast reconstruction using a patient's own tissue to reconstruct breasts after mastectomy for those affected by breast cancer. DIEP stands for deep inferior epigastric perforators. Epigastric refers to the abdominal area. The underlying tissue and perforators (blood vessels) are disconnected by the microsurgeon from the abdominal area and transplanted to the breast area t...

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 . Co...

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...

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 pre...

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 int...

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 a...

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...

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 collaborativ...

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 patien...

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 abo...

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 flag...

Kimberly Richardson , patient engagement expert, is our guest on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast. Kimberly was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer called Granulosa Cell Tumor, Stage 3A. This experience had great impact on her life and she is now a tireless advocate for change.  Kimberly applied for and received status as an NCCS Elevate Ambassador and launched an educational prog...

We are discussing lobular breast cancer, also known as invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), with Leigh Pate on the DiepCJourney podcast . Lobular breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed type of invasive of breast cancer.  Often an understudied subtype of breast cancer I ask Leigh to join us today to help our listeners understand more about it. Leigh founded the Lobular Breast Cancer Allia...

On this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast I interview microsurgeons specific to and practicing at The Guys and St. Thomas . It is a hospital that is part of the NHS (National Health System) Trust in London, United Kingdom. These microsurgeons all work in an integrative setting for breast cancer patients and those affected by breast cancer with a genetic mutation placing them at higher risk of ge...

Hil Moss is our guest on Season 2, Episode 5 of the DiepCJourney Podcast . A young breast cancer survivor (diagnosed at 28), Hil is an active patient advocate , mentor, and writer in the cancer community, and dedicates her time to raising awareness around the importance of early detection and longitudinal survivorship care.  She is also an MBA/MPH Candidate at Yale University, with a focus on entr...

Zack Varkaris  is a trained molecular biologist that has spent the last few years working on fertility issues for menopausal women and together with the rest of the  Austin Biotec  team has developed the concept of Freudenspanne©️ This is our topic on Season 2, episode 4 of the DiepCJourney podcast . I found Zack to be a philosopher of life. A creative individual who faces each day with his inquis...

Can you imagine hearing the words, "You have breast cancer" at the age of thirty? This is a time when many young women are planning their careers, starting a family, and fitting in travel plans and time with family. Ghecemy Lopez, DSW, MA Ed , was that young woman. Season 2 of the DiepCJourney podcast promises stories of strong advocate voices. Dr. Lopez is one of them. She is now the Program Mana...

Dr. Don Dizon is our guest on seasons 2, episode 2 of the DiepCJourney podcast . What are we discussing? Sexual health needs after cancer, a topic patients often have to bring up to discuss with health care providers. Dr. Dizon tells us why this is the case, and empowers patients with information to talk about with specialists in cancer care regarding sexual health after cancer.  Dr. Dizon is Dire...