Boobs Aren't Worth Dying For - Integrative Health and Breast Cancer Recovery

Sarah Hall is a breast cancer survivor, mom and health coach. She was diagnosed in her early 3-'s while pregnant and had to navigate cancer treatment while pregnant, through delivery and breast feeding. Through her experience she discovered her love for helping others build resiliency and find confidence, self esteem, and energy in survivorship. She co-hosts a podcast Besties with Breasties which is devoted to helping women develop their own resiliency and resources in recovery. She joins the show today to discuss the emotional and physical aspects of healing and unique challenges of being a young woman diagnosed with breast cancer.

Among my clients recovering from breast cancer the most common symptoms I hear them struggling with is brain fog and fatigue. While these symptoms often arise in response to treatment all too often these symptoms are present prior to treatment and get worse as a result of treatment and become chronic. Fatigue affects millions of people and most don’t realize resolution is possible. In the United States, fatigue is the seventh most common reason for visiting an internal medicine practice, accounting for more than 10 million visits and more than $300 million in medical care costs. Conventional medicine does not have good tools to treat fatigue, thus a functional & environmental medicine approach must be used.  Today, fatigue expert Dr. Evan Hirsch joins us to discuss addressing fatigue from a perspective of functional medicine and identifying and addressing the root causes of fatigue and strategies to reverse these debilitating symptoms. Dr. Hirsch suffered with fatigue for 5 years before he achieved resolution using the https://www.fixyourfatigue.com/the-program (Fix Your Fatigue Program) that he pioneered in his medical practice.  Key points in today's interview: How does someone know they have fatigue?  What is a “level 1 problem” and what are the 3 levels of fatigue?  What are the causes of fatigue?  Why is it so hard to treat fatigue?  What is the 4 step Fix Your Fatigue System that you use to treat these causes?  How do you know if you can help (or not help) someone with fatigue? Resources/Links for Dr. Hirsch: Dr. Hirsch would like to give you a FREE PDF download of his #1 best-selling book that has helped thousands of exhausted humans resolve their fatigue and achieve more in their lives. https://go.fixyourfatigue.org/full-book-pdf-optin ( https://go.fixyourfatigue.org/full-book-pdf-optin). Free facebook group: https://fbgroup.fixyourfatigue.org/ (https://Fbgroup.fixyourfatigue.org)   Website https://my.captivate.fm/www.FixYourFatigue.com (www.FixYourFatigue.com) Resources/Links for Boobs Aren't Worth Dying For If you're interested in finding out how functional medicine can support you in your recovery contact Deborah for a free consult:  e:mail: www.radicalhealthRN@gmail.com  Website: https://my.captivate.fm/www.BoobsArentWorthDyingFor.com (www.BoobsArentWorthDyingFor.com) Please leave reviews at I-tunes

As a  Naturopathic Oncologist and a cancer survivor Dr.Alschuler specializes in bringing natural therapies and functional medicine to patients dealing with cancer and helps them improve results from conventional treatments and maximizes patients' health after treatment.  Today, she joins us to discuss integrative care in breast cancer treatment and we do a deep dive into anti-hormone meds (Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors), side effects and natural approaches to dealing with side effects.    

Jen Barsamian is a non-toxic living expert.  19 years ago she embarked on a journey to recover her kiddo from a neurological disorder. She had no idea that this would lead her on a path to toxin free living (or that there was a necessity to live this sort of life for maximum health) and becoming as leader in teaching others about the necessity to live this sort of life for maximum health.   The prevalence of cancer has been correlated to our ever increasing exposures to toxins. There is zero regulation in the personal care products industry and most products in store shelves contain neurotoxins. Today she Jen joins us to take about our toxin exposure in everyday products and cosmetics.  She is determined to push the needle on chemical policy change in this country to grassroots efforts and “voting“ with their wallets.

On today's shown author and activist Dr. Susan Wadia-Ells joins us to discuss her work investigating the metabolic underpinnings of cancer.   She outlines 5 basic steps to preventing breast cancer.  She discusses cancer as a metabolic disease and outlines a healthcare action plan to address risk factors. 

Breast implant illness is becoming more and more of a known phenomenon as thousands of women who have breast implants, either due to enhancement or reconstruction, have begun sharing their experiences of illness after receiving their implants.   Still not fully acknowledged by the medical establishment the awareness of the illnesses associated with implants is being brought to  awareness by women who have experienced it.  Today's guest Christina Rouland is here to share her experience with her own health and her support and education for women who are considering or have implants.

This week cancer and trauma specialist Avinoam Lerner joins the show to discuss shifting our paradigm of healing and the need to address the emotional and well as physical aspects of healing.  We discuss the impact of trauma on healing whether it is having a history of trauma or experiencing trauma as a result of a cancer diagnosis.  We discuss trauma, PTSD and healing and the need to go beyond traditional talk therapy. Join us as we explore the benefits of Integrative Mind Body Medicine with guest Avinoam Lerner. Lerner is a Cancer Recovery Specialist and an integrative Medicine practitioner.  His innovative approach to cancer recovery highlights the multidimensional nature of illness and the need to treat not only the body but also the Mind. Failing to do so; he argues, means treating only part of the illness, the physical part. This result all too often, in cancer resurfacing in secondary medical condition. Tune in and learn about the role of the Subconscious Mind in sickness and health and how you can mobilize your own Mind to improve your own recovery.

Be a detective in your own cancer journey.  Dr Nasha kicks off our re-launch and joins us to share her knowledge and expertise.  In this episode we explore myths and truths about approaching cancer as a metabolic process.  In this episode we do a deep dive into the intricate hormone cascade in our bodies.  We discuss hormone replacement, the interplay of hormones in our body and the very important issue how hormone replacement impacts us as cancer survivors as well as ways we can balance hormones naturally.

It's been a minute since my last podcast but I'm back.  Like many of us fear I got dealt another hand with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and it's been quite a ride.  This is my re-premiere episode and I want to thank my listeners and thank you for the e-mails and support since I last posted.  

Julia Mueller, hypnotherapist and behavior change specialist joins us this week to talk about the healing benefits of hypnosis and how learning to use hypnosis can support health and recovery.  Julia specialized in weight management and discusses how hypnosis can help with achieving a healthy weight and why it is essential for long term success.

There are few things that are as challenging as hormone balance and health.  This becomes particularly challenging when recovering from the effects of breast cancer and treatment.  Too often when we do discuss hormones we limit the conversation to estrogen.  In today's episode we talk about hormone balancing and talk about the interconnectedness of the many hormones that effect our energy and health.  

Today's guest Maegan Mohlner was just 26 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer 3 weeks before her wedding.  Her experience led her into blogging and writing about her experiences with cancer and recovery at such a young age.  Her professional experience as a social worker has led her to become an advocate for mental health issues when facing cancer.  Maegan has become a blogger, educator and activist who is passionate about educating people about the increasing risk and incidence of breast cancer and the need for screening and detection in young women as well as emotional and mental health when facing a breast cancer diagnosis.   

Farrar Duro is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine who specializes in fertility, hormone imbalance and specializes in treating women with PCOS.  Farrar joins us today to talk about alternative practices and the use of acupuncture in the treatment of symptoms related to a breast cancer diagnosis and breast cancer treatment.  We talk about acupuncture and mind body practices.

Kristin Wohlschlagel is an RN Nurse Navigator who has a particular interest in studying and educating her clients about the therapeutic use of CBD/cannabis in cancer symptom management and treatment.  She joins us today to talk about many important therapeutic considerations when using cannabinoids particularly in the area of drug interactions that may effect other drugs/meds that are used with particular emphasis on the interaction with the commonly used breast cancer treatment drug Tamoxifen. 

KB Pure Essentials is a lifestyle and personal product company that incorporates CBD into it's line of creams, salves and CBD Hemp Oil that can be beneficial in addressing a number of health issues. In today's episode Brooke and Katie join us to talk about CBD and the many health benefits their clients have reported, they discuss how to find and know you have a good quality product in the 100's of products that are increasingly available and they discuss many of the unique products they carry and how their clients are benefitting from using them.  

Medicinal use of CBD, cannabis, and cannabinoids  is a growing interest in the area of cancer and breast cancer treatment.  With the hundreds of CBD and cannabis products and increasing number of people coming into the sbusiness there is more of a need now than ever for practitioners who are educated in the medicinal use of cannabinoids and how to integrate their use into a personalized, holistic plan of care.    Our guest, Donna Shields, is the co-founder of the Holistic Cannabis Academy joins us today to talk about the mission of the academy to educate practitioners, correct misinformation in the use of cannabinoids and educate practitioners and consumers on the many therapeutic and health benefits of cannabis and CBD.  

There are many emotions that we experience as we move through the fear, difficulty and ongoing emotional challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis and the treatment choices we need to make.  Often times it is after the treatments of chemo, surgery and radiation are finished that some difficult emotional issues come up.  Post traumatic stress (PTSD) is an issue that comes up for some women.  Characterized by intense anxiety, high states of arousal, feelings of disconnect as well as other symptoms PTSD can be debilitating.   Understanding PTSD and how it presents itself in breast cancer recovery is an important step in learning self-care and being proactive in navigating situations that can trigger post traumatic stress experiences.   In this episode I talk about PTSD, self-care and the importance of finding support and not going through this alone.

Toxin expert and educator Lara Adler joins us today to discuss environmental toxins, exposure and the effect that unprecedented exposure to toxins has on our health and particularly on the growing incidence of breast cancer.  Lara talks about her own evolution as a researcher and educator in the area of toxins and discusses common exposures and ways to reduce our overall risk.  She takes what can seem technical and overwhelming at times and breaks it down to easy to understand, actionable information.

Nutritionist, and leading expert in the therapeutic use of ketogenic diet therapy in cancer treatment, Miriam Kalamian, joins us to talk about therapeutic ketogenic therapy. As the author of the book Keto for Cancer she addresses many distinctions of its therapeutic use vs the more popular ketogenic diet.. She talks about some of the clinical trials supporting the use of therapeutic keto diet and gives important resources for learning and implementing this type of therapy.  

Elyn Jacobs, cancer strategist, coach and breast cancer survivor joins us today to discuss important integrative health concepts regarding cancer management and treatment.  In todays episode we discuss statistics and important ways to understand what it means when doctors give statistical estimates in prescribing Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors potential complications of Tamoxifen and AI's benefits of using natural alternatives  Tamoxifen & AI resistance The importance of considering quality of life when making treatment decisions The most important question to ask your doctor Links in todays episode: Enrolling Now for Group program Beyond Breast Cancer - Navigating the new normal and reclaiming your health and vitality post-treatment.                                    Contact Deborah at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com Hormone Testing -  DUTCH comprehensive hormone testing www.elynjacobs.com  

Today's interview is with Dr. Nasha Winters.  Dr. Winters is a naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, author and a speaker in integrative oncology care, the metabolic approach to cancer and the use of therapeutic ketogenic diets in cancer treatment and recovery. Today she talks with us about the terrain of cancer and the many ways we can influence the microenvironment of the cancer cell.  Today she shares with us: important aspects of her own journey Cancering as a metabolic process the terrain 10 process therapeutic uses of ketosis and the ketogenic diet the 3 main drivers of breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence  Show notes available at www.mindbodynutritionrn.com.

Dr. Carrie Jones is an internationally recognized expert in women's health and hormone balance. She is the medical director at Precision Analytical - a leading functional medicine laboratory offering the DUTCH test (dried urine test for comprehensive hormones). She joins us today to discuss comprehensive hormone testing and the importance of comprehensive hormone testing and it's important role in understanding estrogen and other key hormones in the management of breast cancer . In todays episode we discuss: The importance of understanding the different types of estrogens Understanding estrogen metabolites The benefits (and ease) of dried urine testing Identifying and treating  hormonal imbalance root causes Understanding adrenal function through multipoint testing The relationship of melatonin to cortisol The need to address underlying lifestyle factors in reversing adrenal insufficiency Show notes available at www.boobsarentworthdyingfor.com To order DUTCH test and interpretation

Guest: Dr. Nancy Cappello Breast Density As a Cancer Risk -The Game Changer If you have breasts today’s episode is important for you to hear.  Breast density is a health factor every woman should know about her own body and ask her doctor about and is actually a health risk equal to BRCA gene status in assessing the risk for breast cancer.  It is such a central health issue that 35 states have passed laws mandating that physicians inform their patients of this commonly known piece of information.  Todays guest is a patient turned advocate that has been instrumental in leading this patient advocacy movement.  Nancy Cappello, PhD joins us today to discuss this very important issue and shares with us her own journey and her passion to empower every woman to understand this important health issue and the implications for health and breast cancer. Key Points in today’s show The fatal flaw in our current breast exam screening Dr Cappello’s own story of being diagnosed with late stage breast cancer after getting regular exams and doing “all the right things” Why cancerous tumors can be difficult to detect when using mammograms alone in dense breasts The crucial information your doctor has and may not be telling you Categories of breast density The true essential question every woman should ask her doctor   Links to Resources For more information:  https://www.areyoudense.org/ https://www.areyoudenseadvocacy.org/dense Facebook Resources at www.MindBodyNutritionRN.com If you would like more information about using integrative health in your own recovery contact schedule a free consult with Deborah at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com  or www.mindbodynutritionrn.com  free e-book Estrogen Blocking Medications - What you need to know    Facebook Boobs Arent Worth Dying For - Podcast   Group forming now: Beyond Breast Cancer - Reclaiming Your Best Health After You Ring The Bell Contact Deborah at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com to sign up for VIP notification and for more info

Gone are the days when eating weird colored and textured food "even for your health" is the fad.  Real health involves eating real food that is appetizing, easy to prepare and nourishes your body, mind and tastebuds. Todays guest, Leslie Nance, cooks up appetizing, appealing food that you WANT to eat on her live cooking show and shares her knowledge on her weekly radio program.  As a breast cancer survivor, coach and someone who has used food as medicine she brings her passion and knowledge to talk about eating for good health, energy and recovery. This is the 2nd half of our interview.  Make sure you catch last weeks program on Boobs Aren't Worth Dying For Resources from today's show:  Download your free guide:                                                      Estrogen Blocking Medications: What you need to know at                  MindBodyNutritionRN.com Contact Leslie at  go2kitchens.com and 27DayRealFoodChallenge.com                         and on  Leslie’s Contact Info: go2kitchens.com                                    27DayRealFoodChallenge.com                                                    Certified Holistic Cancer Coach                                                                                                                                                          LIVE COOKING SHOW:   Lunch with Leslie Tuesday - Friday 2pm ET       RADIO SHOW HOST:   Fork it Over Saturdays 11am ET Resources available at Deborah’s Website www.mindbodynutritionrn.com Boobs Aren’t Worth Dying For newsletter and                           free guide Estrogen Blocking Meds - What you Need to Know Schedule a free consult for more information http://bit.ly/2BkWVmv Sign up for VIP notification of upcoming group program   Are you interested in exploring an ongoing group for functional and integrative recovery - send an e-mail to Deborah at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com and sign up for VIP notification I-tunes - Please subscribe and leave reviews at itunes                                      Boobs Aren't Worth Dying For  

Leslie Nance is a Holistic Cancer Coach,  breast cancer survivor and creator of Go2kitchens.com.  After her own cancer diagnosis she embraced nutrition and lifestyle changes as an integral approach to her own recovery.  She believes healthy, nutritious, appetizing food does not and should not be boring, bland and tasteless. In addition to her coaching she hosts her own live cooking show on periscope and hosts a weekly radio show Fork It Over on 1310 KFKA Leslie brings her knowledge, warmth and humor to understanding the vital link between nutrition, health and cancer prevention and treatment. In this episode we talk about… Leslie’s personal journey through her recovery and important steps to guide her in choosing treatment options Her journey into using food as medicine and as a healing modality The importance of learning to eat nutritious, flavorful food and still eat well Prioritizing nutrition for health and vitality Resources mentioned in this episode:                                  Books by Chris Carr  Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!                                                                          Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution Crazy Sexy Cancer   Leslie’s Contact Info: go2kitchens.com                                    27DayRealFoodChallenge.com                                                    Certified Holistic Cancer Coach                                                                                                                                                          LIVE COOKING SHOW:   Lunch with Leslie Tuesday - Friday 2pm ET       RADIO SHOW HOST:   Fork it Over Saturdays 11am ET Resources available at Deborah’s Website www.mindbodynutritionrn.com Boobs Aren’t Worth Dying For newsletter and                           free guide Estrogen Blocking Meds - What you Need to Know Schedule a free consult for more information http://bit.ly/2BkWVmv Sign up for VIP notification of upcoming group program   Are you interested in exploring an ongoing group for functional and integrative recovery - send an e-mail to Deborah at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com and sign up for VIP notification I-tunes - Please subscribe and leave reviews at itunes                                      Boobs Aren't Worth Dying For      

               10 things NOT to say to a breast cancer survivor Going through breast cancer and breast cancer treatment can take a toll on our relationships. In addition to coping with the diagnosis it can be difficult to know how, when and how to talk about breast cancer.  The truth is breast cancer is an uncomfortable topic for many people and we sometimes have to navigate a variety of reactions from other people ranging from the uninformed and insensitive to downright rude remarks.   Today’s Topics: Identifying the casserole experience - those situations where people show up initially but often disappear in the long term. I talk about some of the reactions from friends I encountered going through cancer recovery Important ways we can take care of ourselves and protect ourselves from the insensitive   remarks people make   How to use this information to reevaluate and interactions identify whether we are taking care of ourselves in relationships The value of learning to say no, identifying toxic relationships, and finding support The importance of learning to forgive yourself in your healing journey The podcast is dedicated to the real life issues and concerns of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment survivors.  For show notes and recordings contact Deborah at www.MindBodyNutritionRN.com for: free e-guide - Estrogen Blocking Medications - What You Need to Know Schedule a free 20 minute Integrative Health Consultation Sign up for the free Integrative Health Newsletter Contact Deborah by e-mail at RadicalHealthRN@gmail.com 

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make better, healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing in the face of cancer.  She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its symptoms. Elyn is a leading voice in the field and as a cancer coach helps people develop and implement individualized treatment plans to help them achieve their best health during and after treatment.  Elyn’s speciality is understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunking common myths.      Elyn is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Breast Cancer Wellness, Talk About Health, The Radical Remission Project, Breast Cancer Answers, and others, and has written for numerous organizations and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation.   Topics in today’s episode: The need for healthy estrogen even with a breast cancer diagnosis Distinguishing between healthy estrogen and disease causing xenoestrogens Common sources of toxic estrogen - environmental, food, cosmetic sources The role of healthy phytoestrogens (food) such as flaxseed Survive and live well   As Elyn has been known to say “If you don’t know your options you don’t have any”            

Tracy Harrison is deeply passionate about transforming healthcare with the powerful combination of functional medicine and effective coaching.  As a leader and visionary in functional medicine she is the founder of The School of Applied Functional Medicine™ (www.SchoolAFM.com ).  SAFM teaches the science and practical application of functional medicine to a rich variety of healthcare practitioners, and Tracy is a beloved educator in the field.   With her characteristic warmth, deep knowledge and wisdom Tracy joins us today to discuss how the interconnectedness in a person’s whole life system determines their wellness or illness.  She dives into issues that empower breast cancer survivors in restoring health during and after treatment and talks about vibrant health and recovery. 

In today’s episode we continue to look at functional and integrative medicine and discuss how this approach can support and play a significant role in breast cancer recovery. This approach of multiple prescriptions, while sometimes helpful in triage, sometimes create other secondary problems that can be as debilitating as the original symptoms. Topics covered: How functional medicine takes a different approach to understanding and treating breast cancer.  Understanding breast cancer as a metabolic disease gives us an understanding of how we can intervene with diet and lifestyle changes that can help us and give us more of a sense of control whether we are working on prevention, in treatment or recovering from treatment.   Important differences between traditional and functional medicine practitioners in using lab work to identify issues and develop a long term treatment plan The podcast dedicated to the real life issues and concerns of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment survivors.

In today’s episode we take a look at what functional medicine is and discuss how this approach differs from conventional medical practice of relying heavily on prescriptions to treat symptoms. This approach of multiple prescriptions, while sometimes helpful in triage, sometimes create other secondary problems that can be as debilitating as the original symptoms. Topics covered: Functional medicine to address symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, neuropathy, insomnia that often are created by traditional breast cancer treatments Important differences between traditional and functional medicine practitioners in using lab work to identify issues and develop a long term treatment plan The podcast dedicated to the real life issues for women facing recovery from breast cancer. 

Anyone who has been through breast cancer and breast cancer treatment knows it’s not over the day you ring the chemo bell.  All too often there are ongoing health deficits and problems that go on for months or even years after oncology treatment.  As more and more women and men are living with breast cancer as a chronic disease there is a need for integrative care that combines the best of conventional medical treatment and natural and complementary medicine that address not only oncology treatment but healing and reclaiming health after chemo, surgery and radiation. As a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Advance Practice RN and breast cancer survivor Deborah Beaumont will bring you information from a evidence based functional medicine/integrative health perspective. We look at comprehensive, integrative modalities such as mind-body medicine, therapeutic nutrition, natural medicines, CBD oil and lifestyle changes to support cancer recovery.  The podcast dedicated to the real life issues and concerns of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment survivors.    Contact information and show information can be found at www.MindBodyNutritionRN.com or the host can be contacted at radicalhealthRN@gmail.com Don't forget to subscribe