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 write her best-selling book, Your Healthiest Healthy: 8 Easy Ways to Take Control, Help Prevent and Fight Cancer, and Live a Longer, Cleaner, Happier Life, which translates comprehensive, research-backed knowledge into an easy-to-follow action plan for maximizing health, energy and happiness for life.

She joins me on the Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast to share her journey of self-advocacy after multiple doctors dismissed a lump that was later diagnosed as cancer. In this episode, she reveals practical, everyday strategies that supported her body's healing and empowered her to reclaim her health. Listen to discover how small, deliberate choices can make a meaningful difference in your cancer journey and overall well-being.

What You'll Learn:

• Why a clear mammogram was not the end of the story for Samantha Harris.

• How to become your own best health advocate when speaking with your doctors.

• The one daily habit most people overlook that affects their wellness.

• The 10% toxic rule: a simple framework for healthier living.

• How to read food labels, and the first ingredient you should cut.

• Spotting and avoiding harmful ingredients in personal care products.

• Small daily steps that give you more control over your health.

Key Moments:

01:02 How Samantha's Family History Shaped Her View on Cancer

04:17 Trusting Your Gut, Even After a Clear Mammogram

07:30 The Power of a Second (or Third) Opinion

14:10 Samantha's Experience With Cancer Recurrence

21:34 Hidden Toxins in Everyday Beauty Products

25:35 Living Fully With the 10% Toxic Philosophy

35:04 Two Simple Swaps for a Healthier Home

Put Yourself First!

Understand your diagnosis, navigate your treatment options with confidence, and advocate strongly for your own well-being. Learn more at https://drtiffanytroso.com/home

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A place where complex cancer information becomes clear, where cutting-edge science meets real-world guidance, and where you learn to be the CEO of your own care, no matter where you are in your journey.

https://drtiffanytroso.substack.com/

About Me - Dr. Tiffany Troso

I'm a double board-certified medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecological cancers, with over 25 years of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
But more than credentials—I'm here because I know the system doesn't always see you.

Women like you are used to taking care of everyone else. But cancer is different. You deserve clear answers, fierce advocacy, and guidance that prioritizes you.

That's what I do. Through one-on-one consults, coaching, and my signature Empowered Patient Method, I help you regain clarity, confidence, and control—without the chaos.

(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 patients can advocate for appropriate testing, navigate healthcare barriers, and use nutrition as part of an empowered care plan. This conversation equips listeners with knowledge that can change outcomes, not just for themselves, but for their families.

What You'll Learn:

• How pushing for more tests led to a life-saving early cancer diagnosis.

• Why your family history might not be enough to trigger crucial genetic testing.

• The one thing to count in your diet daily for cancer risk reduction.

• The common lunch food that could be increasing your cancer risk.

• Learn about the hereditary cancer syndrome that is more common than BRCA.

• How to turn a high-risk genetic result into an empowering action plan.

• What to do when your mammogram is clear, but something still feels wrong.

00:47 How One Mother's Cancer Sparked a Lifelong Mission

03:41 The Genetic Test That Led to an Early, Life-Saving Diagnosis

07:24 Why Nurse Navigators Are Essential in Cancer Care

10:30 The Hidden Healthcare Gap in Genetic Testing

18:03 Genetic Risk Goes Beyond BRCA

25:44 Practical, Everyday Nutrition Support During Cancer

34:08 Reframing Genetic Testing as Power, Not Fear

Put Yourself First!

Understand your diagnosis, navigate your treatment options with confidence, and advocate strongly for your own well-being. Learn more at https://drtiffanytroso.com/home

Follow & Subscribe on Substack

A place where complex cancer information becomes clear, where cutting-edge science meets real-world guidance, and where you learn to be the CEO of your own care, no matter where you are in your journey.

https://drtiffanytroso.substack.com/

About Me - Dr. Tiffany Troso

I'm a double board-certified medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecological cancers, with over 25 years of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
But more than credentials—I'm here because I know the system doesn't always see you.

Women like you are used to taking care of everyone else. But cancer is different. You deserve clear answers, fierce advocacy, and guidance that prioritizes you.

That's what I do. Through one-on-one consults, coaching, and my signature Empowered Patient Method, I help you regain clarity, confidence, and control—without the chaos.

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 cancer treatment.

A cancer diagnosis can push patients into a fast-moving system where decisions are critical and voices can easily get lost. In this episode, we're joined by Claudia Cometta, a former pharmacist who transformed her father's cancer journey into a mission to empower patients.

She shares practical tools and hard-won insights to help you advocate for yourself, communicate more confidently with your care team, and feel truly supported throughout the cancer care experience.

What You'll Learn:

• Claudia shares how she was shocked by her father's "terrible" patient experience.

• How to transform your patient journey from passive recipient to empowered collaborator.

• Understanding hospital roles and navigating the complex medical system.

• The one thing that will reframe your illness from a battle to an ally.

• Why you never need permission to ask questions during cancer care.

• The first step to being more mindful of your wellness.

• Avanti Health Consultants' unique 24/7 personalized patient navigation and support.

02:06 What's Wrong With Healthcare

05:16 Changing How We See The Cancer Journey

06:42 How Avanti Supports Patients

08:58 Tips For Doctor Visits

11:25 Becoming An Empowered Patient

19:44 It's Okay To Ask For Help

Put Yourself First!

Understand your diagnosis, navigate your treatment options with confidence, and advocate strongly for your own well-being. Learn more at https://drtiffanytroso.com/home

Follow & Subscribe on Substack

A place where complex cancer information becomes clear, where cutting-edge science meets real-world guidance, and where you learn to be the CEO of your own care, no matter where you are in your journey.

https://drtiffanytroso.substack.com/

About Me - Dr. Tiffany Troso

I'm a double board-certified medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecological cancers, with over 25 years of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
But more than credentials—I'm here because I know the system doesn't always see you.

Women like you are used to taking care of everyone else. But cancer is different. You deserve clear answers, fierce advocacy, and guidance that prioritizes you.

That's what I do. Through one-on-one consults, coaching, and my signature Empowered Patient Method, I help you regain clarity, confidence, and control—without the chaos.