Breastcancer.org Podcasts: Experts discuss research & issues
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Breast Cancer Research Highlights -- Heard in the Halls: Voices From ESMO 2019
September 29, 2019
Anne White, president of Lilly Oncology, discusses some of the most talked about breast cancer research presented at ESMO 2019.
Running time: 10:40
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September 29, 2019
Dr. George Sledge is professor of medicine and head of the Oncology Division at Stanford University. A former president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, he specializes in breast cancer research. He has published extensively on the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and has been honored with numerous awards for his work.
At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2019 Congress, he presented overall survival results from the MONARCH 2 study, which used Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib) and Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) to treat metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that was previously treated with hormonal therapy and had stopped responding. The women in the study were premenopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Sledge explain:
- the background of the MONARCH 2 study
- how much overall survival was improved
- the side effects seen in the study
- what the results mean for people diagnosed with metastatic hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
Running time: 6:45
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How to Ease Aromatase Inhibitor-Related Pain
October 4, 2019
Ashish Khanna, M.D., is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and part of the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Khanna completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Kingsbrook Jewish Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he became interested in cancer rehabilitation early on. He completed his fellowship subspecialization in cancer rehabilitation at Medstar Georgetown University and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. He specializes in the treatment of people who have pain or functional issues as a result of cancer or cancer treatments, including people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes pain, shoulder issues, fatigue, joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, and other issues. He has lectured at numerous international conferences, has published peer-reviewed research on a variety of related topics, and is the co-author of an upcoming book on cancer rehabilitation.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khanna discuss:
- what aromatase inhibitors are and how they treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer
- why and how aromatase inhibitors cause joint pain
- how exercise can reduce aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain
- other ways to ease this joint pain
Running time: 22:56
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Characteristics of Early-Stage Breast Cancer That Make It More Likely to Come Back
October 25, 2019
Dr. Chirag Shah is a radiation oncologist and director of clinical research for the department of radiation oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Shah received his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. He completed his internship and residency at William Beaumont Hospital from 2007 to 2012 and joined the Cleveland Clinic Staff in 2015. Dr. Shah serves as a reviewer for various medical journals and is a member of various medical societies. His primary research interests are breast cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and innovative radiation treatment schedules as well as lymphedema. He has participated in numerous clinical trials.
In this podcast, Dr. Shah talks about specific characteristics of early-stage breast cancer that make the cancer more likely to come back, which doctors call recurrence, as well as what can be done to lower that risk.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Shah discuss:
- the difference between local/regional recurrence and metastatic/distant recurrence
- the characteristics of early-stage breast cancer that make the risk of recurrence higher
Running time: 15:28
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Sharing Knowledge: Pairing Experts With Patient Advocates
November 8, 2019
Christine Hodgdon was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer in April 2015 and became heavily involved in the metastatic community after attending a Metavivor advocacy event on Capitol Hill to push for more research funding for metastatic breast cancer.
Christine volunteers with a number of breast cancer organizations, including Living Beyond Breast Cancer, METAvivor, and the Tigerlily Foundation. She also has contributed articles and blogs to organizations to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer and serves as a peer mentor for the Young Survival Coalition.
Before she was diagnosed, Christine loved to travel and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 2011-2013. When she returned, she worked as a conservation biologist to save habitat for endangered species. Now Christine is using her science background to create an open-access online forum thestormriders.org that provides the most recent and scientifically accurate information about breast cancer and its treatments, including metastatic breast cancer clinical trials and drugs and therapies in the pipeline. She also has created a pilot program, pairing oncology experts with new patient advocates at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, which is what we talk about during this podcast.
Listen to the podcast to hear Christine talk about:
- how the cancer diagnoses changed her
- how she keeps up with breast cancer research
- her pilot program to pair oncology experts and patient advocates at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
- what she wants people to know about metastatic breast cancer
Running time: 28:33
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Chemo Brain Update: Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline
November 22, 2019
Erica Guardascione is a speech-language pathologist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. She's also a curriculum developer and faculty member at ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation.
After completing her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology at Hofstra University, Erica went on to pursue graduate studies at Nova Southeastern University. She has practiced for more than a decade as a clinical specialist in the Cognitive Rehabilitation Program at Kessler. The program is designed to help people with brain injuries rebuild cognitive skills, restore physical and emotional strength, and maximize independence. Erica is a clinical lead in the program.
Erica has a deep interest in cancer-related cognitive problems and is considered an authority on attention, focus, and memory impairments and rehabilitation strategies. As a faculty member at ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, she recently co-led a continuing education course for therapists and other clinicians called "Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline."
Listen to the podcast to hear Erica explain:
- why "cancer-related cognitive decline" is the most up-to-date term for chemo brain
- the factors that can contribute to cognitive decline after a cancer diagnosis
- some broad steps that people can take to help manage any thinking and memory problems they may be having
Running time: 22:40
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World-Record Swim 1 Year After Treatment
December 6, 2019
In September 2019, marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas did something that had never been done before: she swam the English Channel four times, non-stop. And she did this a year after completing treatment for stage II breast cancer.
Sarah started swimming lessons at age one and was on a year-round swim team by age 10. She swam on her high school team and in College at the University of Connecticut where she studied political science and journalism. She took a break from swimming while earning a master's degree at the University of Denver, but joined a masters' swim team after graduating.
In August 2017, Sarah swam 104.6 miles in Lake Champlain, the first current-neutral open water swim of more than 100 miles and the world record for the longest unassisted open water swim.
In November 2017, while planning her English Channel swim, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35.
Listen to the podcast to hear Sarah talk about:
- how she found the breast lump and what she did after that
- how she talked to her doctors about treatments while she was planning her English Channel swim
- what she thought about and how she ate during the 54-hour swim
- how breast cancer has changed her
Running time: 22:12
Listen now or read the transcript.
Photo credit: James Musslewhite
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Mets, Sex, and Side Effects – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS
December 11, 2019
Dr. Kelly Shanahan, metastatic patient advocate, METAvivor board member, and former OB/GYN talks about the Mets, Sex, and Side Effects panel that she comoderated at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The panel was cosponsored by Breastcancer.org and Sermonix Pharmaceuticals.
Running time: 3:40
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December 11, 2019
Dr. Stephanie Graff, director of the Breast Cancer Program at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, talks about why sexual health is so important for people living with metastatic breast disease and offers tips for people who may be uncomfortable bringing up the topic with their oncologist.
Running time: 2:20
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Beneath the Breast – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS
December 11, 2019
Barbara and Tim Bigelow discuss Barbara's metastatic breast cancer diagnosis and the side effects she experienced as one of the first people treated with immunotherapy for breast cancer. A board member of METAvivor, Barbara also explains the Beneath the Breast project, the latest initiative of the #ThisIsMBC campaign.
Running time: 16:36
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SABCS 2019: Tucatinib: A New Standard of Care for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer?
December 11, 2019
Dr. Rashmi Murthy, assistant professor of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, discusses the results of the HER2CLIMB study that she presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showing that the experimental medicine tucatinib offers benefits to people diagnosed with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and may be a new standard of care.
Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Murthy explain:
- a summary of the study results
- why this study included people with brain metastases
- the side effects of tucatinib
- why she thinks the results are practice changing
Running time: 8:22
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December 12, 2019
Dr. Luca Gianni, president of the Fondazione Michelangelo in Milan, discusses the results of the NeoTRIP trial, which looked to see if adding the immunotherapy medicine Tecentriq (chemical name: atezolizumab) to chemotherapy before surgery for triple-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence could improve the time women lived without the cancer coming back.
Running time: 7:17
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GRASP: Empowering Patients With Knowledge – Heard in the Halls: Voices From the 2019 SABCS
December 12, 2019
Felicia Johnson, who is living with metastatic disease, and Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, who was diagnosed in 2015 with triple-negative breast cancer, talk about what they learned during the GRASP (Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships) program.
Running time: 7:52
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SABCS 2019: Arimidex for Breast Cancer Prevention: Benefits Last Nearly 6 Years After Treatment Ends
December 12, 2019
Dr. Jack Cuzick is director of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine and head of the Center for Cancer Prevention at the Queen Mary University of London, where he holds the title of John Snow Professor of Epidemiology.
He is internationally known for his research showing tamoxifen can be used to treat estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, as well as his work to help develop the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk evaluation tool, which helps women and their doctors estimate a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.
At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, he presented the latest results from the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II Prevention Trial, looking at whether 5 years of Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) can reduce breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women who have higher-than-average risk of the disease but have not been diagnosed.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Cuzick discuss:
- how much Arimidex reduced risk after about 11 years of follow up
- why Arimidex is better than tamoxifen at reducing risk in high-risk postmenopausal women
- the side effects seen in the study and why side effect rates were the same in women who took Arimidex and women who took a placebo
- why it's unlikely that Arimidex will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use, but why doctors will be able to prescribe it off-label
Running time: 9:25
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SABCS 2019: MRI Finds Breast Cancers Earlier Than Mammography in Women With Strong Family History
December 13, 2019
Dr. Madeleine Tilanus-Linthorst is a member of the department of surgery at the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands. At the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, she presented research comparing breast cancer screening with MRI versus mammography in women at high risk of the disease because of strong family history. The results found that MRI found cancers earlier, when they were smaller in size and could potentially change screening standards in the Netherlands and other European countries.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Tilanus-Linthorst explain:
- differences in screening recommendations between the United States and the Netherlands
- why it's important to find cancers earlier
- the risk of more false-positives with MRI screening
Running time: 11:06
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What My Patients Are Asking: What Is the Lung Inflammation Side Effect Caused by CDK4/6 Inhibitors?
December 20, 2019
Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.
In September 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a statement warning that the CDK4/6 inhibitors used to treat breast cancer:
- Ibrance (chemical name: palbociclib)
- Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib)
- Verzenio (chemical name: abemaciclib)
may cause rare but serious inflammation in the lungs.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:
- how CDK4/6 inhibitors are used to treat breast cancer
- why we're just hearing about this side effect now
- he recommendations for anyone being treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor
Running time: 7:11
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Medical Records: Privacy and Access Rights Granted by HIPAA
January 3, 2020
Deven McGraw is the chief regulatory officer for Ciitizen, a tech company creating a platform that helps people collect, organize, and share their medical records digitally. Before joining Ciitizen, she directed U.S. health privacy and security policy as deputy director for health information privacy at the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, the office that oversees HIPAA policy and enforcement. She also served as acting chief privacy officer for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. McGraw also served as an adviser to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Network, as well as the All of Us Research Initiative.
Listen to the podcast to hear Deven discuss:
- what HIPAA is and what it was created to do
- how HIPAA guarantees people access to their health information
- tips for requesting and then keeping track of your medical records
Running time: 22:39
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Yoga: Benefits and Precautions for People With Breast Cancer
January 17, 2020
Vicki Flannery wears a number of hats: She's a nurse in the Kansas City area; she's a yoga instructor at weBuild4Life, a nonprofit that focuses on functional fitness and nutritional programs for cancer survivors and people with chronic illnesses; and she is a breast cancer survivor.
Vicki's yoga classes center around recovery, flexibility, and strengthening.
Listen to the podcast to hear Vicki talk about:
- what yoga is and examples of different types of yoga
- the benefits yoga can offer to people who've been diagnosed with breast cancer
- precautions people who've been diagnosed with breast cancer may want to consider
- how she modified her own yoga practice after being diagnosed with breast cancer
Running time: 29:58
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Breast Cancer Inspired Me to Start a Lingerie Company
February 7, 2020
Dana Donofree is a designer and founder of AnaOno. After being diagnosed with stage I estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer almost 10 years ago at the age of 27, Dana began to design her first pieces to meet her need for sexy, beautiful lingerie during a recovery period that she calls "anything but sexy and beautiful."
She has made it her mission to design lingerie specifically for women who have had breast surgery, breast reconstruction, or are living with other conditions that cause pain because she believes that they shouldn't have to compromise between comfort and beauty.
On February 9, for the fourth year in a row, AnaOno is partnering with #Cancerland to put on a fashion show during New York Fashion Week to raise funds for METAvivor. All the models in the show are women who have been touched in some way by breast cancer or its risk — from previvors to people with early-stage disease to people with stage IV disease — to start new conversations between all these groups.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dana talk about:
- her diagnosis and treatment and how it inspired her to start AnaOno
- where the AnaOno name came from
- The show during Fashion Week and what she hopes to accomplish with it
- her tips for someone who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer
Running time: 29:32
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Support Services for Caregivers
February 21, 2020
Mallori Thompson is manager of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program at the Duke Cancer Institute. Mallori received her master's degree in mental health counseling from North Carolina Central University. Her area of expertise is the psychosocial care of patients diagnosed with cancer and their families. Her research involves learning about how cancer affects people who've been diagnosed, as well as their family members and their relationships. Mallori leads a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers, including medical family therapists, oncology recreation therapists, child life specialists, and psychologists, as well as people who coordinate volunteer services and self-image programs.
Listen to the podcast to hear Mallori explain:
- how the needs and concerns of cancer caregivers are different from those of people diagnosed with cancer
- the services that caregivers seem to use the most
- her top three suggestions for a caregiver who's feeling overwhelmed or burned out
Running time: 15:48
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Managing Shoulder Issues After Breast Cancer Treatment
March 6, 2020
Ashish Khanna, M.D., is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and part of the ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Khanna completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Kingsbrook Jewish Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where he became interested in cancer rehabilitation early on. He completed his fellowship subspecialization in cancer rehabilitation at Medstar Georgetown University/National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. He specializes in the treatment of people who have pain or functional issues as a result of cancer or cancer treatments, including people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes pain, shoulder issues, fatigue, joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, and other issues. He has lectured at numerous international conferences, has published peer-reviewed research on a variety of related topics, and is the co-author of an upcoming book on cancer rehabilitation.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Khanna talk about:
- the shoulder problems that can happen as a result of breast cancer treatment
- links between lymphedema and shoulder problems
- how shoulder problems can be managed
- his top three tips for people who are having shoulder issues
Running time: 34:05
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COVID-19: What We Know Now
March 18, 2020
Dr. Angela Rasmussen is an associate research scientist in the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Her research focuses on how hosts respond to infection by viruses in order to determine the severity of the infection and outcomes of the disease, as well as to look for new pathways to treat the disease and how to design vaccines. She is especially interested in newly emerging viruses, such as COVID-19.
Listen to the podcast to hear her explain:
- where COVID-19 testing stands right now and what needs to happen to improve testing
- some measures that people who are undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressing treatments might take to protect themselves
- how handwashing removes the COVID-19 virus membrane
- some of the myths surrounding COVID-19 and why they're untrue
Running time: 30:34
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Managing Loneliness and Anxiety During This Time of Social Distancing
March 19, 2020
Kelly Grosklags is an experienced therapist who dedicated her practice to minimizing suffering through her work in oncology, palliative care, and hospice. Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker, a board-certified diplomate in clinical social work, and a fellow of the American Academy of Grief Counseling. Kelly now teaches and speaks frequently about end-of-life issues, including care, grief and loss, both in person, on her website, Conversations With Kelly, and on her Conversations With Kelly Facebook page. Her support has helped patients, caregivers, and health professionals cope with depression and anxiety and transform fear into hope.
Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly discuss ways to combat the loneliness and anxiety people may be feeling during this time of isolation and social distancing because of COVID-19, including:
- how to stay emotionally close while being physically distant
- how breathing and living in the now can help ease anxiety
- why taking up a new hobby can be good for your psyche
Running time: 47:15
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COVID-19 and Breast Cancer Treatment
March 26, 2020
Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.
On the Breastcancer.org discussion boards and on our Facebook page, people are talking about doctor and treatment appointments being delayed or cancelled because of COVID-19. And many people whose appointments haven't been cancelled are scared to go out.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski talk about:
- the general recommendations oncologists are following when deciding which treatments should be delayed
- which breast cancer treatments can compromise the immune system and how long it takes the immune system to recover
- the most important things someone being treated for breast cancer should know about COVID-19
Running time: 21:10
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Breast Surgery and Reconstruction During COVID-19
April 3, 2020
Dr. Julie Sprunt is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Surgeons who specializes in breast surgery, treating all breast conditions. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center, she did her residency in general surgery at the University of Texas at Austin and completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Elisabeth Potter is a board-certified plastic surgeon who received her medical degree from Emory University. She completed her plastic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and her reconstructive plastic surgery and microsurgery fellowship at MD Anderson. Dr. Potter specializes in autologous breast reconstruction and has performed more than 750 DIEP flap surgeries.
Drs. Potter and Sprunt work as a team to treat breast cancer and then reconstruction a woman's breast or breasts.
Many people diagnosed with breast cancer are concerned because their breast cancer surgery or reconstruction surgery has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen to the podcast to hear Drs. Potter and Sprunt explain:
- why many breast cancer surgeries can be safely delayed
- the American Society of Breast Surgeons recommendations for treatment during COVID-19
- the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommendations for reconstruction during COVID-19
- what they want people who have been diagnosed with breast to know about breast surgery and reconstruction during COVID-19
Running time: 23:45
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Staying Active During Quarantine: Tips for People With Breast Cancer
April 8, 2020
Sami Mansfield started her career as a cancer exercise specialist in 2003. Since being inspired by coaching her first client who had been diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, her career has been dedicated to helping people with cancer — any type and any stage — live as well as possible. Sami's experience encompasses work in both community- and hospital-based cancer centers, nonprofit organizations, developing and consulting on clinical trials, and as a speaker presenting to both patients and healthcare professionals. She is a certified cancer exercise trainer, a CrossFit Level 1 coach with extensive exercise and nutrition experience, and the founder of Cancer Wellness For Life. She also offers functional movement basics classes on the We Build 4 Life YouTube channel.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms are closed and personal trainers can't visit their clients. So how can people with breast cancer stay active and continue their exercise programs?
Listen to the podcast to hear Sami discuss:
- how to motivate yourself to exercise when you're working out alone
- how exercise can help both your physical and mental while being while you're isolating
- tips on how to exercise if you have no equipment at home
Running time: 23:07
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COVID-19 Insurance and Financial Issues for People With Breast Cancer
April 10, 2020
Joanna Morales is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization connecting people to cancer survivorship education through educational events, a speakers bureau, and online materials and resources. Joanna has spent more than 24 years working on behalf of people with cancer, including 5 as an adjunct professor of law at Loyola Law School teaching a seminar in cancer rights law and 8 at the John Wayne Cancer Institute's Psychosocial Care Program and Positive Appearance Center.
In this podcast, Joanna explains the most important aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for people with cancer, as well as:
- how the new paid sick leave and family and medical leave programs work
- what to do if you've been laid off and have lost your employer-sponsored health insurance
- why it's important to communicate with your creditors if you can't pay your bills right now
Running time: 30:02
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What My Patients Are Asking: Does A Cancer's Stage Change If It Spreads or Comes Back Years Later?
April 24, 2020
Our guest is Dr. Brian Wojciechowski, who practices medical oncology in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at Riddle, Taylor, and Crozer hospitals and also serves as Breastcancer.org's medical adviser. A native of South Philadelphia, he trained at Temple University School of Medicine and Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Wojciechowski is a sought-after speaker on the topics of medical ethics and the biology of cancer.
In one of our Discussion Board threads, people were talking about how a breast cancer is staged, especially if an early-stage cancer spreads or comes back in a place away from the breast. Both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute websites say that the stage of a breast cancer at first diagnosis doesn't change. So a woman who was diagnosed in 2010 with stage II disease and then had a recurrence in the bones in 2015 would technically be "stage II with metastatic recurrence to bone," which is not how most people think and talk about metastatic disease.
Dr. Wojciechowski reached out to the American Cancer Society about this, and he joins us today to help us all understand this a little bit better.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski each explain:
- the technical differences between stage IV breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer
- how prognosis differs for someone diagnosed de novo stage IV and someone who was diagnosed stage II with a metastatic recurrence 2 years later
- how he talks to his patients about a breast cancer's stage
Running time: 17:23
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Update: Breast Surgery and Reconstruction During COVID-19
April 29, 2020
Dr. Julie Sprunt is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Surgeons who specializes in breast surgery, treating all breast conditions. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center, she did her residency in general surgery at the University of Texas at Austin and completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Elisabeth Potter is a board-certified plastic surgeon who received her medical degree from Emory University. She completed her plastic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and her reconstructive plastic surgery and microsurgery fellowship at MD Anderson. Dr. Potter specializes in autologous breast reconstruction and has performed more than 750 DIEP flap surgeries.
Drs. Potter and Sprunt work as a team to treat breast cancer and then reconstruct a woman's breast or breasts.
On April 21, 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released guidelines on how breast reconstruction surgery can begin again. The American Society of Breast Surgeons also issued updated guidelines on treating people with breast cancer during the pandemic.
Listen to the podcast to hear Drs. Potter and Sprunt explain:
- why resuming both breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery will depend on where a woman lives
- how the surgery process has changed as a result of COVID-19
- how postoperative procedures have changed as a result of COVID-19
Running time: 27:50
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COVID-19 and Metastatic Breast Cancer
May 13, 2020
During her professional career, Shirley Mertz was a political science teacher and high school principal. Before her retirement, Shirley was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, 12 years after being diagnosed with early-stage disease. After receiving targeted treatment, Shirley experienced a durable remission. She decided in 2005 to use her skills and intellect to advocate for research to end deaths from metastatic breast cancer; to lobby for access to affordable, quality healthcare; and to empower metastatic patients to make informed healthcare decisions to have the best outcomes. In 2009, to spread knowledge about metastatic disease, Shirley organized and led a group of patients to Congress, asking for a resolution to designate October 13 as National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The resolution passed unanimously.
In 2013, Shirley was a founding member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance and currently serves as its chairperson. She is also president of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, a patient advocate member of the Translational Breast Cancer Consortium and the AURORA USA clinical study, and a member of the board of directors of the Global Advanced Breast Cancer Alliance based in Lisbon. Shirley is often invited to speak at conferences about the challenges and needs of patients. Among her numerous awards, Shirley was honored at the White House in 2011 as a Champion of Change in Breast Cancer by President Obama.
In this podcast, Shirley talks about what it's like to live with metastatic breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen to the podcast to hear Shirley discuss:
- her personal journey with breast cancer
- the ways in which the stresses of COVID-19 and metastatic breast cancer are similar
- how people with metastatic disease are coping with treatment and scan delays
Running time: 38:31
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