INTERLUDE: Cancer Stories with Dr. Teplinsky

On this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dr. Rebecca Knackstedt. Dr. Knackstedt is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in implant-based and microsurgical breast reconstruction. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at Duke University. She completed her MD/PhD at Medical University of South Carolina where her PhD thesis focused on Vit...

On this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dena Goldberg, MS, CGC. Dena is a board-certified genetic counselor and the founder of Malibu Genetics, where she offers a concierge-style approach with comprehensive genetic testing services. She uses her genetic expertise to educate and share content online as @dena.dna . On today’s episode, we talk all about genetic testing, what resu...

In this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky speaks with Dr. Fumiko Chino. Dr. Chino is a radiation oncologist, a cancer researcher and Assistant Professor in Breast Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the financial toxicity of cancer care, health care disparities, equity and access to care. On today’s episode, Dr. Chino provides an in-depth look at breast can...

On this episode, I sit down with Claire Bidwell Smith, a leading therapist specializing in grief and loss. Recognized as one of today’s foremost experts on grief, Claire Bidwell Smith is a licensed therapist, international speaker, and the author of five books published in 22 countries. Led by her own experience in grief and fueled by her work in hospice and private practice, Claire strives to pro...

In this episode of the Interlude Podcast, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dr. Laura Currens, the founder of Dynamic Flow Physical Therapy and an expert in pelvic health. Dr. Currens specializes in aiding women’s recovery from childbirth, those struggling with pelvic-related conditions, as well as women navigating perimenopause and menopause through a holistic, multidisciplinary approac...

In this episode of the Interlude Podcast, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dr. Anjali Malik, a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologist and women’s health advocate. Dr. Malik is passionate about breast cancer detection, health equity, and patient-centered care. Together, we dive into everything you want to know about breast imaging: when to get your mammogram (comm...

In this episode, we dive into the WISDOM Study—a groundbreaking randomized clinical trial designed to compare personalized breast cancer screening with conventional approaches. The goal? To determine if a tailored approach can help prevent advanced breast cancer (stage IIB or higher). The study is enrolling 100,000 women ages 30-74 across the United States. Joining me are Steffanie Goodman, who le...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Anyssa Lucena. Anyssa has been rock climbing and guiding for over 15 years and strongly believes that climbing is a means to deeper healing and self knowledge. Anyssa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and she used her love and passion for rock climbing to navigate her recovery and rediscover her strength. She was inspired to turn her challenging...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Allison Rosen, a 12-year early-age onset colorectal cancer survivor who shares her story from diagnosis to advocacy. Allison talks about her symptoms, her diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. She opens up about the complex, often taboo, aspects of cancer treatment, including issues related to fertility, sexual health, and living with a permanent ostom...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Gila Pfeffer. Gila is a 15-year breast cancer previvor turned survivor, a writer and author of the newly published memoir “Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer and Other Inconveniences.” Gila shares her experience of losing family members to cancer including her mother who passed away from breast cancer, finding out she carried the BR...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Deana Jean. Deana was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer in 2016 when she was a mom of 2 boys and 5 months pregnant with her third child – her daughter, Aubrey (who is now 8!). On today’s episode, Deana talks about her initial diagnosis and how she had to advocate for herself during the time, the decisions and choices she made surrounding...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Elissa Kalver. Elissa was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 34 one year after giving birth to her daughter. During treatment, she had the idea to create We Got This, the first gift registry to bridge the needs of cancer patients and their supporters. Elissa calls herself a cancer thriver and believes that even during treatment and di...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Kelly Crump. Kelly is an illness influencer, patient advocate and model who is living and thriving with metastatic breast cancer. Kelly focuses on showing others that you do not have to be defined by your disease and that you can “live your life” and “do what you dream”. She was the first person to pose in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine with activ...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Jen Delvaux. Jen is the host of the podcast “Not Today Cancer” and the author of “Not Today Cancer: A non-typical guide for the girl who wants to thrive, not just survive.” She is an integrative health practitioner, mother of two and a wife to her husband, Darren, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009. Several years after h...

This is a bonus podcast episode where I share an Instagram Live I had with Dr. Corinne Menn several weeks ago. Dr. Menn is a board certified gynecologist and a leading expert on menopause management. She herself is a breast cancer survivor and was diagnosed at the age of 28 in the middle of her OB/GYN residency and focuses on the female health concerns of cancer survivors and thrivers with empathy...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Leeanna Gantt. Leeanna was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer who turned her treatment experience into a mission to simplify medication management. During chemotherapy, she struggled to keep track of the many medications that were all in different forms and on different schedules. Realizing there was a need for an easy tracking solution, Leean...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany. Dr. Ghofrany is a board-certified OB/GYN who has been in private practice for 25 years. She is the co-creator of TRIBE CALLED V and her intention is to help and guide women and people with vulvas and ovaries while addressing the mindset of fear surrounding health issues. Dr. Ghofrany has also experienced the health system as a patie...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Dr. Abby Bales. Dr. Abby Bales, PT, DPT, CSCS is the founder of Reform Physical Therapy in New York City where she specializes pelvic health and orthopedics. She is an expert in pregnancy and postpartum pelvic health and sports rehabilitation, as well as strength and conditioning and run programming. Dr. Bales has served as a medical advisor for health...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Kelsey Mora. Kelsey is a Certified Child Life Specialist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in supporting children and families impacted by medical illness, injury, and grief. She has extensive experience providing individual and group services to children who have a parent with cancer. Kelsey both guides parents and caregivers...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Alison Tierney, MS, RD, CD, CSO. Alison is a board certified oncology dietitian and cancer thriver who empowers those affected by cancer to conquer fears, take back control, and fully support their body before, during, and after cancer treatment. In 2022, Alison was diagnosed with breast cancer at age of 33. On today’s episode, she talks about how...

On today’s episode, I am answering your questions! Here is what we cover: 1. Signatera (circulating tumor DNA) in Breast Cancer (1:45) 2. POSITIVE trial (interrupting endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy) and any info on long term risks (12:08) 3. What to do if feeling breast lumps while breastfeeding or after breast cancer surgery (16:41) 4. Genetic testing in people who are adopted (20:32) 5....

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Tara Jones. Tara was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 12 years ago at the age of 35. She talks about the treatment that she has received and she now has no evidence of cancer recurrence! She talks about living with breast cancer, fertility, mental health and coming to acceptance with her diagnosis and its long term impact.

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Michelle Cleave. Michelle Cleave was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in December 2022 and she is about to enroll on a TNBC vaccine clinical trial. I will be sharing her experience throughout the trial on the podcast and today is Part 1 where Michelle talks about how she found the trial, her decision to explore it, what happened when she wen...

On today’s episode, I am answering your questions! Here is what we cover: 1. Dairy and breast cancer risk (1:25) 2. Risk of cancer with breast implants (3:57) 3. Coping with giving bad news/losing a patient (5:55) 4. Ovarian function suppression in premenopausal HR+ breast cancer and survival impact (7:52) 5. Can cancer grade change from biopsy to surgery? (13:40) 6. How to cope with potenti...

On today’s episode, I am speaking with Nasreen Shahi. Nasreen is the writer of HeyNasreen, a blogger, and a fashion and beauty creator. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and three kids. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage IV triple positive breast cancer. On today’s episode, she shares her story — those initial moments of her diagnosis, treatment, and what life...