This episode talks with Amanda Rice, CEO of an incredible company called Chick Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to fertility preservation for patients with cancer.
Amanda Rice:
Amanda Rice was a former cancer patient and now CEO of the Chick Mission. The idea "hatched" when Amanda's fertility preservation coverage was denied by her insurance company. Staring down a long road of chemo, radiation and long-term drug therapy, Amanda understood the high likelihood of infertility after her treatment and decided to move forward covering the costs on her own. The idea of other patients choosing not to pursue preservation simply because of the cost barrier did not sit well - socioeconomic standing should not dictate whether anyone has an opportunity to have biological children after they battle and beat cancer. Wouldn’t it be incredible if every single young female cancer patient had the option to preserve her fertility ahead of lifesaving treatment? As a woman who has spent over a decade raising money for a living, Amanda utilized that skill set to help get The Chick Mission off the ground. She jumped down the rabbit hole of necessary paperwork to incorporate and the rest is history.
Specifically we discuss:
What are the options for fertility preservation?
Egg Freezing
Embryo Freezing
What is the process of egg freezing like?
Minimum two weeks
Daily injections 1-2 times a day with multiple appointments and ultrasounds
Trigger shot followed by a procedure
What advice do you wish you had known before freezing your eggs?
You have time to pay your medical bills
What are resources to learn more?
Letter to appeal insurance company
Resources to help patients who cannot afford egg freezing:
Apply for Chick Mission Grant (age 18-40 in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York & Texas)
The following organizations may offer financial assistance to help alleviate these expenses:
This episode talks with Lauren Shea, MSW, a social worker and cancer survivor herself who unpacks the types of supportive services available to patients with a special focus on fostering support for patients who are single, widowed or divorced.
Specifically we discuss:
What is Supportive care?
Whole person care- care that not only treats the cancer but also improves the quality of life of the person who has cancer
Including the physical, psychological, social and spiritual health of a patient
What are supportive care services?
Child life specialists, Social workers, Psychologists, Spiritual counseling, Social Workers, Positive image center (Cosmetologists can walk through changes in appearance), Integrative oncologists, Meditation classes
What are the benefits of supportive care services?
Identifying your values as a patient and improving communication with the medical team
Education and Support throughout the illness
How to get connected to supportive care services?
Ask your oncologist or primary care doctor for a referral
Referral to Social Work is a good first step and they can connect a patient to many different resources available at that hospital
Ask around- “What Supportive Care Services are available here?”
What specific services help patients who are single, widowed, divorced?
Transportation services (Disability benefits, Go Go Grandma, ask your SW!)
Caregiving Support (In-Home Supportive Services, understanding your support network)
Psychosocial support- see below
What resources are available for patients?
American Cancer Society- Hotline
Cancer Support Community - Support Groups, Individual Therapy, Financial Assistance
2-1-1: Can get access to local resources - food, housing instability
Epic Experience- free Cancer Camp in Colorado
Adolescent and Young Adult Resources
First Descents - Adventure Therapy for age 18-39 years old
This episode talks with Dr. Anna Levin, who explains how cancer can impact sexual functioning, people’s relationships with their bodies around sex and some of the ways people can get treatment. She emphasizes that these side effects are common but often not spoken about and hopes to encourage people to start talking about it- with their doctors, partners, friends or other people who share a cancer experience.
Specifically we discuss:
Sexual concerns are VERY common and very often NOT brought up by patients or oncologists
What are the impacts of cancer on sexual function?
Sexual Arousal/Desire
males- ability to have an erection, maintain erection
Female- lubrication, vaginal health, reach orgasm
Changes in the body which impact body image and self esteem
Changes in relationships
What cancer treatments cause sexual dysfunction?
Surgical treatments- removal of breasts, ovaries, ostomy bags, foleys
Hormonal therapies
Chemotherapies- can also alter hormones
Systemic treatments and radiation- increases fatigue and can decrease desire
What are the most common treatments?
MANY treatments can help patients but sometimes the hardest part is bringing the topic into the conversation
Females: Referral to gynecologist
Males: Referral to urologist
Couples therapy, individual therapy
Sex therapist
Good resources- American Cancer Society:
Anne Levin, MD
Dr. Anna Levin is a clinical health psychologist who specializes in working with people facing medical concerns, as well as with their loved ones and caregivers. She worked for many years at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Cancer Center in the Psycho-Oncology program before opening her private practice, New England Health Psychology Partners, where she serves patients from California via telemedicine.
This episode talks with Dr. Lauren Boreta about the different types of radiation treatment, the common side effects and common questions people have about radiation.
Specifically we discuss:
Dr. Lauren Boreta, M.D. is a radiation oncologist at UCSF. She has particular clinical interest in radiation for symptom management of advanced cancer and treatment of central nervous system malignancies. She has expertise in many different modern radiation therapy techniques including stereotactic radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Dr. Boreta graduated from Stanford University and subsequently received her medical degree from UCSF. She completed an internship in internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, and in 2019 completed her residency in Radiation Oncology at UCSF. She serves as the leader of the Palliative Radiation program at UCSF, as well as Associate Director for Quality Assurance/Improvement and as an Assistant Residency Program Director.
This episode talks with Dr. Natalie Marshall, who explains how exercise can prevent cancer as well as improve side effects and prevent recurrence for patients with cancer.
Specifically we discuss:
Dr. Natalie A. Marshall is a breast medical oncologist, lifestyle medicine doctor and also participates in clinical trials at UCSF. She also works with her patients on modifying their habits with the goal of making their bodies less hospitable to cancer growth. This includes instruction and encouragement on diet, sleep, stress reduction and exercise, including a focus on strength training. It is important to her to let patients know how lifestyle modifications can lower the risk of cancer recurrence. She has a clinic in Mission Bay and works at the UCSF Cancer Center in Berkeley.
Dr. Marshall earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of New Mexico Hospital, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital.
This episode talks with Greta Macaire, a registered dietician, who explains how nutrition plays a role during cancer treatment and preventing cancer or cancer recurrence
Specifically we discuss:
What are basic Principles of Nutrition and cancer?
- Keeping up with nutrition needs during cancer care by eating frequent small meals, Prioritize Nutrient Dense foods
- Improving overall health: Plant based diet (does NOT mean vegan or vegetarian), 2/3 of the time eat fruits/vegetables, 4 different colors of foods a day- increases vitamins, nutrients, phytochemicals, 90/10 rule- 90% of the time eating nutrient rich foods
Should you eat organic food?
- Foods to prioritize: EWG.org - Dirty Dozen of organic foods
Foods to avoid?
- Fast foods, processed foods, red and processed meats (smoked, cured, salted have carcinogenic preservatives)
Sugar sweetened drinks, Alcohol
Does high sugar intake cause cancer to grow?
- Maybe? But it seems best to have a slow release of sugar with fiber rich foods
- But the body need carbohydrates for healthy cells as well
Thoughts on Supplements?
- Nutrients are better absorbed in full forms in fruits and vegetables themselves
- Make sure the supplements are pure- USP or MSF certified
Greta Macaire is a dietitian who specializes in oncology. She provides tailored nutrition plans that support individual goals and that optimize wellness and quality of life by taking into account the person's overall health, specific cancer, nutritional needs during treatment and eating patterns. She is a certified specialist in oncology nutrition, the highest credential given to registered dietitians for this area of expertise.
Macaire received her bachelor of science and master of arts degrees in nutrition and dietetics from San Francisco State University. She completed her dietetic internship through San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
This episode talks with Dr. Kavita Mishra, an integrative oncologist, who explains how you can integrate many other aspects of health and wellbeing to supplement medical care to improve quality of life and cancer risk
Integrative oncology topics include nutrition, physical activity, mind-body practices, yoga, sleep hygiene, acupuncture, bodywork therapy, guided imagery, meditation and more!
Specifically we discuss:
What is integrative Oncology?
How to find an integrative oncology center?
Main topics covered with resources:
Nutrition:
Exercise
Mind-Body Medicine
Herbs/Supplements:
This episode talks about with two social workers, Erin Schwartz and Rachel Dornhelm, who work at the UCSF Cancer Center.
Specifically we discuss how social workers help with both the logistical aspects of cancer care (lodging, travel, employment) as well as the emotional aspect of a cancer diagnosis (mental health resources, advanced care planning, finding a support group). Find a social worker in your city or state to learn what resources are available to you. Below are a list of the resources mentioned in this podcast- check them out!
This episode talks about with an incredible palliative care doctor who specializes in symptom management during cancer. We talk about how to reduce the symptom burden during cancer care to improve quality of life.
Specifically we discuss:
Breize Bell, MD
Dr. Brieze Bell is a physician who specializes in palliative medicine, hospital medicine, and integrative medicine. She earned her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her residency in internal medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She went on to pursue fellowships in palliative medicine and integrative medicine at UCSF. She is currently a faculty member in the divisions of palliative medicine and hospital medicine at UCSF. In her clinical work, Dr. Bell sees patients in the Symptom Management Service at the UCSF Cancer Center, where she focuses on using biomedical and integrative tools to help her patients optimize their wellbeing and quality of life in the setting of cancer. She also takes care of general medicine patients in the main UCSF adult hospital. Dr. Bell is passionate about providing outstanding patient care, contributing to medical education, and developing programs at the intersections of the fields of general internal medicine, palliative medicine, and integrative medicine.
This episode talks in detail about chemotherapy and what the most common side effects are (fatigue, nausea, hair loss, low blood counts). She gives great tips about how to combat nausea, and when you should be concerned about your symptoms (fever, shortness of breathe, loss of consciousness) and more!
Ana I. Velázquez Mañana, MD
Dr. Ana Velázquez Mañana will be joining the thoracic oncology group at the University of California San Francisco where she did completed her oncology fellowship. Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Dr. Velázquez completed her Internal Medicine residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City, where she also was a former Chief Resident. Dr. Velázquez is a proud native Puerto Rican and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. She has a long-standing commitment to serving vulnerable, underserved, and minority populations.
This episode talks about practical tips for preparing for cancer treatments including answering the following questions:
Some key takeaways include:
Jessica Stuart, MD
Dr. Jessica Stuart, Jessie, grew up in Connecticut before attending Stanford University, where she obtained her degree in English. She went to Harvard medical school and is training in Internal Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She also works with the Thoracic Oncology group at Dana Farber Cancer Institute doing research on immunotherapies. She hopes to continue a career treating patients, doing clinical research, and focusing on education.
Not only does she treat patients, she was herself a cancer patient when she was diagnosed with Lymphoma at age 12 and was treated into her teenage years. She recently published an article in the New England Journal of medicine titled “The Little Things”, which sheds light on how being a patient has shaped how she treats her own patients, linked here.
This episode outlines the different cancer treatment modalities including radiation, surgery and systemic therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy).
Shagun Arora, MD
Dr. Shagun Arora is an hematologist-oncologist (blood cancer doctor) who specializes in the care for patients with cancerous and noncancerous blood disorders at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Arora completed her residency at Michigan State University, followed by an oncology fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She is passionate about medical education and works closely training physicians as well as patients. She was also a part of a created a six session course about cancer intended for the public called Cancer Today: Same Disease, New Hope. One session of this course, called “How is Cancer Treated?” can be found here.
What is cancer? This episode talks about what cancer is, how it is diagnosed and staged.
Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd
Dr. Sam Brondfield is an oncologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he treats patients who are hospitalized with cancer. He received his undergraduate degree at from Harvard University and went to UCSF for his medical school, residency and oncology fellowship training. He additionally obtained an education degree at the University of California, Berkeley. He devotes his career to not only treating patients with cancer as well as teaching doctors, trainees, and patients. He is an incredible teacher, colleague and physician and has received multiple awards for his devotion to teaching. He created a six session course about cancer intended for the public called Cancer Today: Same Disease, New Hope. The first session of this course, called “What is cancer?” can be found here.
Jordyn Silverstein, MD host of this podcast introduces what the podcast is all about, take a listen!
