The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast

What do you say when everyone asks, "How can I help?" and you honestly don't have an answer after a cancer diagnosis? After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Elissa Kalver found herself facing that exact question. While friends and family genuinely wanted to support her, figuring out what she needed, and how to communicate it, was often overwhelming. Rather than accept that challenge...

Menopausal symptoms can be debilitating and frustrating, and impact your day-to-day quality of life. Sure, hormone therapy is an option, but after breast cancer? The going consensus is that it's too risky.  I love how honest this conversation is about the real options, when to make a decision, and what to consider before you do. In this episode, renowned OBGYN and menopause expert Dr. Jordan Emont...

Why are so many women afraid of mammograms? Do they actually cause cancer? In this episode, breast radiologist Dr. Robyn Roth (the Boobie Doc) helps explain why a test designed to protect our health has somehow become a source of anxiety. We break down breast density, decode the language used in mammogram letters, and discuss the screening options women are rarely told about. She also directly add...

What can you control when facing a cancer diagnosis, beyond treatments? When Emmy Award-winning TV host, journalist, and co-host of Dancing with the Stars, Samantha Harris, was diagnosed with stage II invasive breast cancer in 2014, it inspired a quest for answers about how we can all improve our overall health, prevent chronic diseases, and understand their underlying causes. It prompted her to w...

(Part 2/4 in my The Reclaim Your Power – New Year Series) Family history is often overlooked, but it can be one of the most powerful tools in cancer prevention.  In this episode, Krista Brown, a nurse and cancer survivor, explains how genetic testing following her mother's breast cancer diagnosis uncovered her own high cancer risk and led to early, life-saving treatment.  Krista walks through how...

I'm kicking off  2026 with The Reclaim Your Power – New Year Series (4 episodes this month) to help women with cancer start the year informed, confident, and actively participating in their care—rather than feeling overwhelmed or sidelined.  I think this is the perfect episode to start, because so many patients feel dismissed, rushed, or unsure how to speak up about their care, especially during c...

Why does something as simple as eating become so overwhelming after breast cancer? For so many women, food goes from a source of comfort to a source of constant second-guessing. One article says a food is helpful. Another says it's risky. And suddenly every meal feels like a high-stakes decision you're terrified to get wrong. Today's guest, Cathy Leman, a registered dietitian and breast cancer sur...

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about diet, exercise, and recovery support? This episode brings you clarity. Dr. Amy Comander, a breast medical oncologist and leading voice in integrative and lifestyle medicine, breaks down what these approaches really mean — and why they're becoming the foundation of modern cancer care, holistic health, and long-term survivorship. She explains the simpl...

How are you supposed to make decisions when your breast cancer diagnosis feels like a foreign language? Dr. Francisco Esteva, a medical oncologist who's dedicated his career to breast cancer care, recognized this gap and took an unconventional step: he started creating YouTube videos to translate complicated medical concepts into language real patients can actually understand.  In this conversatio...

Can doctors still practice patient-first care in a profit-first healthcare system? Today, countless physicians are feeling the strain as independent practices are disappearing, replaced by corporate entities that prioritize profits over patient care and physician autonomy. Dr. Adrienne Towsen knows this landscape intimately, having navigated the challenging terrain of orthopedic surgery as a woman...

Easing hot flashes or chasing better sleep isn't just about the balancing of hormones. It's about reclaiming your energy, clarity, and confidence in everyday life. I sat down with Dr. Amy Killen, a menopause specialist who has been paving the way in women's health long before it was trending. She shared how her own shift from emergency medicine to focusing on longevity began when she realized her...

How can you stay grounded and strong while cancer turns your life upside down? Cancer changes everything, but it doesn't have to take over your life. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Maria Angelova to discuss how small shifts in mindset and daily habits can actually help you feel stronger, calmer, and more in control. You'll hear real stories from people navigating cancer, showing what...

Are you doing everything you can to protect your brain and keep your body strong as you age? In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Dr. Louis Malinow to uncover practical ways to keep your brain sharp, build lasting muscle, and make sure your body serves you well for decades. They break down what really works with exercise, diet, and supplements so you can take action today instead of waiting...

Is it possible to face cancer head-on and still maintain some sense of normalcy? Most people feel like everything they know about life gets flipped overnight—treatments, diet advice, and constant uncertainty can leave you drained and overwhelmed.  In this episode, Dr. Tiffany chats with Dr. Liz O'Riordan on how to eat, move, and care for yourself without falling for extreme diets or confusing advi...

Your health shouldn't be about reacting to problems after they happen. You deserve a doctor who knows you, understands your history, and works with you to prevent illness before it starts. Concierge medicine gives you that personalized, proactive care that keeps you healthy, informed, and supported every step of the way. In this episode Dr. Tiffany talks to Dr. Jeff Puglisi on how personalized car...

How do you get through cancer treatment without losing yourself to side effects and confusion? Between managing side effects, understanding your medications, and wanting to explore natural options safely, it's easy to feel lost. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany talks to Dr. Sheba Roy about how to navigate treatment with clarity, support your body through side effects, and make informed choices about n...

Healthcare isn't just breaking patients, it's breaking doctors too. You wait months for an appointment, only to get ten minutes with a doctor who looks tired, burned out, and overworked. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Dr. Todd Otten to talk about what's really happening inside healthcare, why good doctors are struggling, and how cancer patients can still get the compassionate, attenti...

Are you tired of leaving doctor's appointments feeling dismissed, even though you know something isn't right? It's frustrating when you explain your symptoms or theories and get brushed off like you're imagining things.  In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Dr. Efrat LaMandre to discuss why patients often feel unheard, how to recognize when it's the doctor's limitations and not yours, and p...

When your cancer treatment ends, no one warns you that the hot flashes, insomnia, or brain fog might just be beginning. For many women, menopause after cancer feels like hitting a wall they never saw coming—especially when they're told HRT isn't an option. It's confusing, exhausting, and unfair to feel like you have to "just live with it." In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Dani Binningto...

Finishing cancer treatment is supposed to feel like a victory. But for many women, it's the start of another uphill battle--menopause symptoms hit hard and hormone therapy isn't an option.  In this episode, Dr. Tiffany talks with Dr. Corinne Menn, a menopause specialist and fellow breast cancer survivor. They discuss the changes happening in your body, what relief options really exist, and how to...

Are the people taking care of you running on empty? Physicians are under incredible pressure, and when they face burnout or moral injury, it's patients who feel the impact.  In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Kim Downey, a three-time cancer survivor and tireless advocate for physician wellness, to show how supporting doctors can directly improve your care. You'll hear real stories of what...