The Breast Cancer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Amy Comander on The Breast Cancer Podcast 💕
Dr. Comander is a medical oncologist, survivor advocate, and the author of her powerful new book, Paving Your Path Through Breast Cancer And Beyond. Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship.
In this episode, we talk about:
✨ Navigating breast cancer one step at a time
✨ Practical tools for survivorship—body, mind, and soul
✨ How patients can feel empowered (not overwhelmed) through treatment and beyond
✨ Why survivorship deserves just as much attention as diagnosis and treatment
As a breast surgeon and a survivor myself, I deeply value conversations like this—ones that meet patients where they are and remind them that they are not alone on this journey.

Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, MSCP is a breast oncologist and Medical Director of the  Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham, Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a breast oncologist, Dr. Comander has witnessed the struggles her patients face during and following completion of primary cancer treatment, and she is passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of breast cancer survivors through lifestyle interventions.  In 2019, she launched the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program lifestyle medicine program for breast cancer survivors. She mentors other colleagues to run PAVING groups, so that this transformational experience can be offered to a larger group of  cancer survivors.   She has co-authored "PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond,"  "PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual and Workbook," and "PAVING a Path Through Menopause and Beyond."  Driven to integrate  lifestyle medicine in cancer care, Dr. Comander is honored to be the first oncologist awarded Fellow status by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. 
 
Her Books: also available on Amazon! 

PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond

 Social media: @DrAmyComander on Instagram

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

As we begin new year, here is your reminder: Survivorship is active, not passive. 
What began as a friendship grew into a shared mission—to care for, educate, and advocate for those facing breast cancer. 

Thanks Friendship Podcast for inviting us for this empowering conversation. In this episode, Dr. Shabana Dewani and I talk honestly about breast cancer from both sides of the table—as physicians and as humans who walk closely with survivors every day. We are both passionate about: movement and strength training- which rebuilds muscle lost during treatment, improves bone density and reduces fracture risk, lowers fatigue, improves energy, supports metabolic health and reduces risk of recurrence.

We discuss prevention, recovery, survivorship, and the often unspoken emotional journey that continues long after treatment ends.

This isn’t just about medicine.
It’s about connection, trust, hope, and walking alongside patients with compassion and purpose. 

We are both grateful to have conversations that elevate awareness and strengthen our community.

Dr. Shabana Dewani  is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine—and a joy to listen to!  She breaks down the oncology process and important factors when deciding treatment.  You'll be able to hear her passion for helping others ensuring they get the best treatment possible.

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

On this Mother's dray, we honor the heart of every mother — the love she gives, the sacrifices she makes, and the quiet strength she carries every single day.
 
But today, we also pause to ask: how can mothers take care of themselves? How can faith and medicine guide them to nurture not just others, but their own beautiful, essential selves?
 
Whether you are a mother, lost a mother, hope to be one, or are simply someone who has been touched by the love of a mother, this episode is for you.
 
Together, let’s explore what it means to mother others — and to mother ourselves — through the lens of both faith and wellness.

Please join my two special guests on the podcast:

Dr. Shabana Dewani  is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine—and a joy to listen to!  You'll be able to hear her passion for how takes care of herself and advocates for other mothers. 

Pastor Jennifer Jackson offers faith perspective and self care for women. She provides us her learnings as she went through her own breast cancer diagnosis.  She strives to help women through life, whether it's a book, her own radio show, or by mentoring them.  You'll be uplifted by our discussion with Jennifer she talks about what faith says about women taking care of themselves.

Learn More About Jennifer Jackson here.
Instagram
Facebook

If you want to buy my book, click the link below.

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Please join myself and Dr. Tiwari as we discuss "How to get optimized for breast surgery" with Dr. Knackstedt, who is a plastic surgeon as well as a functional medicine specialist.

1. What does it mean to be truly “optimized” for breast surgery—both physically and emotionally?
2. What are some of the most important things patients can do in the weeks leading up to surgery to support healing and recovery?
3. How does nutrition play a role in surgical recovery, and are there specific supplements or foods you recommend—or avoid?
4. Do you integrate any alternative or complementary therapies, like acupuncture or stress reduction techniques, into the surgical prep or recovery process?
5. What lab markers or health parameters do you check or optimize before surgery (e.g., inflammation, blood sugar, hormones)?
6. How can patients advocate for themselves when they feel like their concerns—especially around whole-body wellness—aren’t being heard?
9. What common myths or misconceptions do patients have about breast reconstruction that you’d like to clear up?
Post-Surgery Support
10. What are some of the most under-discussed aspects of post-op recovery that you think patients should know about?
11. Are there any red flags during recovery that patients should watch for and not ignore?
12. What long-term lifestyle practices support optimal outcomes after reconstruction?

Dr. Tiwari of Midwest Breast and Aesthetic Surgery has teamed up with Breast Cancer Surgeon and Breast Cancer Survivor, Dr. Deepa Halaharvi to bring you this new educational series.

Connect with Midwest Breast on Instagram: Instagram:
Instagram: @MWBreast

Rebecca Knackstedt, MD, PhD, is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, microsurgery, and gender-affirmation surgery. Dr. Knackstedt is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a certified functional medicine practitioner. She incorporates her functional medicine expertise into her surgical practice, helping patients initiate lifestyle-based interventions before surgery to improve outcomes, minimize pain, and optimize recovery. Dr. Knackstedt received her degrees at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2015 and completed her medical residency at Cleveland Clinic. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Knackstedt is an assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as the assistant program director for the plastic surgery residency affiliated with Duke University Medical Center and Duke Raleigh Hospital.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@surgical_recovery
Instagram: @surgical_recovery

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Welcome to cutting-edge approach to Breast Reconstruction: "The Nerve Sparing DIEP flap"

A "Nerve sparing DIEP flap" refers to a surgical technique used in breast reconstruction where the surgeon carefully dissects and preserves the nerves that supply the rectus abdominis muscle when harvesting tissue from the lower abdomen using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, minimizing potential complications like abdominal weakness or bulging at the donor site by avoiding damage to these motor nerves; essentially, it prioritizes preserving the function of the abdominal muscles while taking the necessary tissue for breast reconstruction.

Key points about nerve sparing DIEP flap:
•Muscle preservation: Unlike older techniques like the TRAM flap, a DIEP flap aims to completely spare the rectus abdominis muscle, only taking the skin, fat, and blood vessels supplied by the perforating vessels from the deep inferior epigastric artery. 
•Nerve identification: During surgery, the surgeon carefully identifies and dissects around the nerves that innervate the rectus muscle to minimize their damage. 
•Benefits: By preserving the nerves, a nerve-sparing DIEP flap can help maintain abdominal wall strength, reduce the risk of hernias, and improve post-operative function and body contour. 

Connect with Midwest Breast on Instagram: Instagram: 
Instagram: @MWBreast

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

In this episode, Dr. Mark Cripe and I are joined by Dr. Kevin Hughes, the Director of Cancer Genetics at the Hollings Cancer Center and the McKoy Rose, Jr., M.D. Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology in the College of Medicine at MUSC. Dr Hughes is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in breast cancer, breast disease management, genetic testing and the identification and management of patients with hereditary breast cancer risk.  His research focuses on developing tools that make cancer genetic testing simple, safe, and efficient.

https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/patient-care/genetic-counseling-and-hereditary-cancer/hereditary-cancer-clinic

https://web.musc.edu/inourdnasc

You will learn:

1.    What is the definition of “High Risk”? 
2.    What are some risk factors for high risk? 
3.    Discuss the different risk calculators? Will AI replace these models? 
4.    How do you counsel woman at high risk?   
5.    Understanding many obstacles in seeing and counseling patients (socioeconomic, access to quality care, etc) do you think that we can use AI to help us?
6.    How does having a high risk (Hereditary cancer clinic) like the one you have benefit hospital systems? 
7.    Million-dollar question? Will AI replace physicians and surgeonsJ? 

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Please join Dr. Walton Taylor, Elaine Fielding from Impedimed and Mary Rose Gill, RN as we discuss:

What is lymphedema?
How does SOZO help with early detection of lymphedema?
What do the L-Dex scores mean?
What are the risk factors for developing lymphedema?
What are some ways to minimize lymphedema?

Dr. Walton Taylor is a general surgeon specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer and melanoma.  

Dr. Taylor is a former President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. During his term as president, he oversaw the development of national guidelines for genetic testing and mammography.  He continues to speak nationally on breast cancer, genetics, melanoma, and genomic testing.

An active educator for fellow health care professionals, Dr. Taylor serves on Continuing Medical Education committees for the Texas Medical Association, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, and is a member of Texas Health Physician Group’s Board of Trustees and Credentialing Committee. He also aids in developing educational tools for surgeons.

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Please join Amy Durtschi, psychotherapist in Columbus, Ohio who discusses mental health during holidays, particularly with new cancer diagnosis, going through cancer treatment and someone suffering loss of a family or a friend. This podcast is filled with lot of good tips and Amy gives you a toolbox on how to navigate this difficult season.

You can find her at "Enliven Health and Wellness.
www.enlivenhealthandwellness.com
Ph: 614-940-4868

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Pathologists are our daily unsung heroes who work secretly behind the scenes – they are also called- “Doctors doctor”.
Your treatment regimen is based on your pathology results. I am so honored to interview, an incredible pathologist in Columbus, OH, Dr. Syed Mohsin. He answers the following questions.
 

1. What does a breast pathologist do?
2. Why does it take a couple of days to get the pathology results?
3. How can you tell a difference between cancer and benign under microscope?
4. What is cancer anyway? 
5. Pl explain the difference between invasive cancer vs. non-invasive cancer.
6. What is the difference between grade and stage?
7. What does receptor status mean? ER, PR, Her- 2 neu?
8. When a surgeon removes lymph nodes, what does it mean when it says ITCs, micrometastasis and macrometastasis?
9. What is the difference between atypia (like ADH) vs. DCIS, similarly ALH vs. LCIS?
10. My surgeon keeps talking about margins, what does that mean and how important is that?
11. What is the difference between lobular and ductal breast cancer under a microscope?
12. What is Ki- 67?

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast

Dr. Shabana Dewani  is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine—and a joy to listen to!  She breaks down the oncology process and important factors when deciding treatment.  You'll be able to hear her passion for helping others ensuring they get the best treatment possible.

Please listen to this episode as we discuss “Pregnancy and Breast cancer”.
We talk about the definition of pregnancy associated breast cancer.
How it is diagnosed and treated?
Is chemotherapy and surgery safe during pregnancy?
Can a woman breast feed after treatment for breast cancer?
How can you advocate if you feel a mass during pregnancy?
We discuss why genetic testing is important?
We also discuss benign masses women can find during pregnancy.

Stay Connected with Dr. Deepa Halaharvi:
TikTok: @breastdoctor
Instagram: @drdhalaharvi
TBCP Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast
Website: https://drdeepahalaharvi.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepahalaharvi5917

Instagram: @thebreastcancerpodcast