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

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.

(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.

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 survivor, understands that anxiety on a personal and professional level. She's lived it, studied it, and now teaches women how to replace fear with calm, clarity, and confidence. In this conversation, she shares a grounded, sustainable approach to eating well after breast cancer, without restrictive rules, guilt, or overwhelm.

Tune in to learn how to rebuild trust with food, support your health, and feel at ease around your plate again.

What You'll Learn:

• Why cancer diagnosis often magnifies existing food and body image struggles.

• How to end food anxiety and confusion about eating during cancer care.

• Ways to tailor evidence-based nutrition guidelines to your personal preferences.

• Hear a relatable story about finding delicious food alternatives.

• Understand the research on soy and breast cancer, dispelling common fears.

• The one thing that will help you eat healthily and peacefully for life.

• The fascinating future of personalized nutrition based on your unique genes.

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.

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 simple evidence-based habits that help breast cancer survivors live longer and feel better, how to find qualified lifestyle medicine physicians, and the one pillar of wellbeing patients say has the greatest impact on their recovery. Dr. Comander also shares insights from her new book, written specifically for breast cancer survivors seeking grounded, trustworthy guidance for a healthier future.

If you're craving whole-person care, clarity amidst the noise, and actionable next steps that support your mind and body beyond treatment, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence.

*What You'll Learn:*
⚕️What most doctors miss about diet advice and true lifestyle medicine.
⚕️How an elevator flyer transformed cancer survivorship care for thousands of patients.
⚕️The surprising pillar of health that breast cancer survivors say matters most.
⚕️The problem with overwhelming patients with information.
⚕️Why menopause care is essential for treating breast cancer patients.
⚕️How a coffee meeting changed Dr. Comander's approach to weight management after cancer.
⚕️The evidence-based resource for exercise and cancer recovery.

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/

When Your Next Cancer Decision Matters Most - Get A Second Opinion

Get the expert second opinion and personalized guidance you deserve from a veteran, medical oncologist who specializes exclusively in breast and gynecologic cancers. https://drtiffanytroso.com/second-look-oncology

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.

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 conversation, we dive into why patient education matters, how to navigate a cancer diagnosis without losing your mind, and what questions you should be asking your oncology team. Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting someone through treatment, or trying to make sense of the noise around breast cancer, this episode gives you the clarity, direction, and confidence every patient deserves.

What You'll Learn:

• Why most breast cancer patients miss key information at their first diagnosis appointment.

• How one doctor's YouTube channel makes complex medical data understandable.

• The surprising truth about pregnancy after hormone-positive breast cancer treatment.

• What healthcare navigation systems really do for newly diagnosed patients.

• Why clinical trials aren't what most patients think they are.

• How younger women with breast cancer face unique concerns needing specialized care.

• The mindset shift that helps patients handle uncertainty about their prognosis.

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/

When Your Next Cancer Decision Matters Most - Get A Second Opinion

Get the expert second opinion and personalized guidance you deserve from a veteran, medical oncologist who specializes exclusively in breast and gynecologic cancers. https://drtiffanytroso.com/second-look-oncology

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.

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 in a male-dominated field and recently walking away from a private equity practice that no longer aligned with her values. Her story offers a beacon of hope for healthcare professionals feeling trapped, showing that there are alternative paths forward when the traditional route becomes unsustainable. Listening in, you'll walk away with practical ways to honor your values, protect your well-being, and explore new directions in medicine.

What You'll Learn:

• The unique challenges women surgeons face in a male dominated medical world.

• How one orthopedic surgeon navigated private practice through massive healthcare shifts.

• The unexpected passion that emerged after years of intense medical training.

• What happens when private equity disrupts a beloved medical practice.

• Ways networking on LinkedIn can open unexpected professional doors after career transitions.

• How a single mom balanced a surgical career with raising two daughters.

• Dr. Towsen's midlife journey into competitive ballroom dancing.

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/

When Your Next Cancer Decision Matters Most - Get A Second Opinion

Get the expert second opinion and personalized guidance you deserve from a veteran, medical oncologist who specializes exclusively in breast and gynecologic cancers. https://drtiffanytroso.com/second-look-oncology

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.

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 lifestyle was pushing her toward the very chronic illnesses she was treating in her ER patients.

That turning point led her to explore how the balancing of hormones, paired with regenerative medicine and practical lifestyle choices, can transform not just symptoms but long-term health. Listening in, you'll walk away with insights that make hormone conversations less intimidating and more empowering for the next stage of life.

What You'll Learn:

• Why balancing of hormones is about more than hot flashes and night sweats

• How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone each shape mood, energy, and memory

• The one thing that will make hormone therapy safer and more effective

• About the Dutch test and what it really can—and can't—tell you

• How balancing of hormones connects to bone health, heart health, and longevity

• Why vaginal estrogen is a quiet game changer for comfort and confidence

• How a former ER doctor turned her own burnout into a new approach to women's health

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/

When Your Next Cancer Decision Matters Most - Get A Second Opinion

Get the expert second opinion and personalized guidance you deserve from a veteran, medical oncologist who specializes exclusively in breast and gynecologic cancers. https://drtiffanytroso.com/second-look-oncology

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.