Grace B. Charrier: From Silent Diagnosis to Global Advocacy

HER LIFE CHANGED NOT BECAUSE SHE FELT ILL—BUT BECAUSE SHE FELL

A slip in her bathroom led to an emergency room visit she assumed would be routine. Instead, that moment triggered a cascade of medical tests that revealed stage III triple-negative breast cancer—a diagnosis that arrived without warning. Grace had no symptoms, no pain, no signs that anything was wrong. As she later explained, “I had no symptoms whatsoever. I didn’t even know I had high blood pressure.”

That absence of warning nearly proved catastrophic. On admission, her blood pressure measured 170/110, placing her at immediate risk of stroke. “I was a walking time bomb,” she would later say, reflecting on how close she came to a second medical emergency she never anticipated.

The diagnosis was traumatic. Cancer was not part of Grace’s imagined future. Yet even in shock, her instincts turned outward. She thought of her children first. “I had to look at my kids and say, listen, I’ve got to be strong for them,” she recalled. Strength, for Grace, was not denial—it was purpose.

From her hospital bed, she began asking herself a defining question: “How am I going to make this less about me and more about the bigger picture?”

That question became the foundation of her life’s next chapter.

Grace’s cancer journey exposed what she now believes is one of healthcare’s most dangerous blind spots: the assumption that illness announces itself. “I’ve come to realize that many women’s health issues are asymptomatic,” she said. “Look at me—I didn’t even know I had high blood pressure.” Her experience reframed her understanding of prevention, particularly for women and underserved communities.

Originally from Africa, Grace was acutely aware that access to preventative education is uneven. “People from my continent are less aware of these kinds of things,” she explained. That awareness shaped her mission—to speak to those who may not have robust healthcare systems but still deserve knowledge. “Even if you don’t have access to care, at least know what to look for. Check yourself. Your diet. Your weight. Bleeding. Fibroids. These things matter.”

Even during treatment—while radiation left her skin peeling and her body exhausted—Grace began writing. “I started writing my book while I was literally peeling all over my bed from radiation,” she said. Writing was not a distraction; it was survival. It allowed her to reclaim narrative control at a time when her body felt dictated by machines and schedules.

That manuscript became her book, launched during the height of COVID on her birthday, June 21. The story traces her path from the fall in her bathroom through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. But Grace knew the message could not live on the page alone.

So she found her voice on camera.

“I love podcasts,” she said, “but sometimes you want to see the person. You want to see their reactions. Make it more lifelike.” Her YouTube talk show became a space where cancer could be discussed without fear, where clinicians and patients met as equals.

Grace’s platform quickly grew into a global forum. She interviewed oncologists, public-health leaders, genetic specialists, workplace advocates, and patient navigators from Africa, Europe, Australia, India, and the United States. The topics were expansive and often overlooked: menopause after cancer, sexual health, lymphedema, genomics, immunotherapy, and the realities of managing treatment while holding onto employment.

One issue struck particularly close to home. “I suffer from lymphedema because my lymph nodes were removed,” she shared. “This arm is bigger than the other because of fluid retention.” By naming these realities, Grace dismantled the silence surrounding survivorship.

As a Black woman diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, Grace was also keenly aware of disparity. “This cancer affects women like us in the Black community,” she said. Representation, for her, was not symbolic—it was essential.

Cancer, Grace insists, is never an individual experience. Sitting week after week in infusion rooms, she formed bonds with patients facing lung, liver, breast, and other cancers. “When you’re all taking infusions together, you become a community,” she said. “Many of them I’m still very close to today.”

That sense of shared humanity drives her advocacy. “You can’t talk about us if we’re not there,” Grace emphasized. She believes patients must be included in conversations that shape research, policy, and care delivery—not spoken about from a distance.

Ten years after her diagnosis, Grace measures impact differently. She no longer chases subscriber counts or likes. “I stopped looking at the metrics,” she admitted. “I just carry on, putting the information out there.” What matters more are the emails—messages from strangers thanking her for clarity, validation, or hope.

Still, the work is demanding. Grace produces her content independently, from research to graphics. “People think I have a team,” she laughed. “No. I do everything myself.” One day, she hopes for sustainable partnerships that allow her advocacy to continue without burnout.

Looking ahead, Grace is preparing a sequel to her book. “So much has happened since I wrote it,” she said. She wants to explore survivorship more deeply—its emotional complexity, its evolution, and its ripple effects on caregivers. “They are the foundation of where I am today,” she said. “They were there holding my hand when I couldn’t stand on my own.”

Her vision for the future begins at the community level. “Start with your neighbor,” she advises. In Brooklyn, she organizes local walks and awareness efforts, believing that openness creates healing. “It gives me great joy to see people benefit from my openness,” she said.

Grace B. Charrier’s story is not only about surviving cancer. It is about translating experience into service, silence into dialogue, and fear into leadership. From an unexpected fall to a far-reaching platform, she has turned diagnosis into direction—and given countless others permission to speak.

 

A Journey Through Premature Ovarian Failure (and Early Menopause)

Written by: Emanuela Visone

PROLOGUE
Survivors and challengers often share their stories (in print) hoping to memorialize their journey to empower others who feel lost in their health struggles. Mine is a story of resilience and healing and I want people to know there is hope beyond conventional medicine. It became the crossroads that inspired my career as a healer through nature, where the answers I discovered are all from the foods we eat, from better strategies to managing stress and eliminate toxins. If you are going through a similar health crisis, know that there are many answers (more than the conventional) and that you are not alone. Your body has the innate ability to heal. Sometimes, it just needs a little help. Trust in nature, trust in yourself, and never stop searching for answers.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. Sitting in the doctor’s office, nervously awaiting my test results, I heard the words that would change my life forever: “You are experiencing premature ovarian failure.” I was only 38 years old. My mind raced. How could this be happening? My doctor’s next statement shook me: “If you want to have a child, you have a six-month window to try.”

I didn’t have a significant other at the time, but I had a great support system. I decided to embark on the journey of becoming a mother on my own. But the process was grueling. I endured painful tests, including a hysterosalpingogram, where air was blown through my fallopian tubes. Despite all the tests, the only abnormality was my ovaries had failed prematurely.

Understanding Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure, occurs when the ovaries cease normal function before age 40, leading to reduced estrogen production and potential infertility.

Smoking is a significant risk factor for early menopause and POI. Studies indicate that women who smoke may experience menopause one to two years earlier than non-smokers. The toxins in cigarette smoke accelerate ovarian aging, contributing to an earlier onset of menopause.

Common symptoms of POI include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irritability, and decreased libido. These symptoms result from decreased estrogen levels and can significantly impact quality of life.

Faced with this reality, I ultimately chose not to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor sperm. The emotional toll was heavy, but I found comfort in being an aunt, a godmother, and loving my cousin’s children as my own. Making peace with my decision was just the beginning of my journey.

The Onset of Symptoms and My Search for Healing
As if infertility wasn’t enough, I now faced another battle: menopause at 38. Hot flashes became my unwelcome companions, arriving unannounced and leaving me drenched in sweat. Mood swings turned me into someone I no longer recognized. The bloating, discomfort, and weight gain made me feel trapped in someone else’s body.

Desperate for relief, I turned to alternative medicine. My first stop was a Chinese medicine doctor who prescribed a concoction of bitter herbs. I spent $300 a month on those teas, gagging with every sip. Although I noticed slight improvements, my hormone levels remained unbalanced.

Then, I read about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Inspired by a well-known actress who had successfully balanced her hormones, I sought out a specialist. Tests revealed another shocking truth, I was also suffering from adrenal fatigue. My cortisol levels were through the roof.

I began taking estrogen, progesterone, and hydrocort (a low dose of hydrocortisone to balance my cortisol). At first, I felt amazing. But over time, I started gaining weight and feeling off. My body was telling me something wasn’t right.

During a routine wellness visit in 2017, my doctor expressed concern about my elevated liver function. When he asked about my supplements, he linked my high liver enzymes to the hydrocort, a steroid. So much for minimal side effects! I had spent thousands of dollars only to discover my treatment was causing more harm than good. I immediately stopped BHRT and turned back to nature for answers.

Returning to Nature for Healing
My mentor had always emphasized the power of food as medicine. She suggested incorporating phytoestrogens naturally through my diet rather than taking soy capsules. But, in my impatience, I ignored her advice and started taking soy supplements.

Within months, I felt terrible. My voice became hoarse, my body ached, and my legs throbbed at night. Heart palpitations and flu-like symptoms plagued me.

One morning, I woke up and noticed lumps protruding from both sides of my throat. I rushed to my doctor, who sent me for a thyroid sonogram. The results were alarming—my thyroid nodules had enlarged, and I had developed a new mass. My thyroid was malfunctioning, sending my cholesterol and hormone levels spiraling.

My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist for a biopsy. But before I went down that road, I had an epiphany. I had healed my dog’s irritable bowel syndrome through diet and supplements. If I could heal my dog naturally, why couldn’t I heal myself?

I dove deep into researching whole foods, enzymes, and gut-healing strategies. I overhauled my diet, eliminating inflammatory foods and focusing on nutrient-dense, alkaline foods. I incorporated superfoods, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and wildcrafted algae to support my gut and endocrine system.

Within months, the transformation was undeniable. My energy returned. My cholesterol stabilized, and I lost 24 pounds. The heart palpitations disappeared. Most importantly, when I went back for my follow-up thyroid sonogram, the mass and nodules had shrunk, and my hormone levels were normalizing.

EPILOGUE
Looking back, my battle with premature ovarian failure, leading to full-blown menopause at 43, adrenal fatigue, and thyroid dysfunction, was a blessing in disguise. It led me to uncover the body’s incredible ability to heal itself when given the right tools.

 

References: https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/07/010716112326.htm

https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2021/october/one-more-reason-not-to-smoke-early-menopause

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17963-primary-ovarian-insufficiency

 

 

WISDOM FROM THE HOUSE: WHY GET A SECOND OPINION?

EDUCATING CANCER PATIENTS IS EMPOWERMENT 101
By: Geri Barish, founder of the Hewlett House

Having survived 5 cancers, it became clear to me that dedicating my life's work to being a support resource to anyone diagnosed with cancer is a calling worth responding. This includes survivors and those who are concerned about recurrence. When we first launched HEWLETT HOUSE back in 1990, we met so many individuals daily- reaching out for help by asking questions like- “HOW or WHY did I get Cancer?”… “What did I do wrong?" - I also get questions like "I found a doctor on the internet... should I believe what he or she tells me?" This indicates the lack of information and guidance out there, confirming MY role in this world with EDUCATION.  Over time, we received great support from the county and the state, and we also met with so many experts like Dr. Robert Bard (cancer radiologist), Dr. Roberta Kline (genomics specialist) who are with us to help answer more questions and bring clinical support to those in need.  Partners like these help to make HEWLETT HOUSE the central hub to all patients and caregivers. 

GETTING A SECOND OPINION
I have and always will be someone who pushes for a second opinion.  You only have one life... once its cut, burn and slash, its too late to turn back!  I have a closet that I call my “Cancer Corner”.  It has all my reports-copies of tests-and everything that is about my disease.  I tell people what if the Doctor retires or moves or you move or the hospital goes out of business-you don’t have to go through all of this again-they can compare-also we pushed for a federal law a  few years ago that the patient can get a copy of his or her pathology report.  I will be happy to tell you why we pushed for this and the result.  We are awaiting for Chuck Schumer to put on the floor the MCED Bill-which is a blood test for 94 cancers that Medicare and Medicaid have to pay for.

HOW EDUCATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As advocates, we need to be gentle and precise without instilling fear (there's enough fear-mongering in the "cancer business").  The unknown and the word CANCER is quite chilling. Educating the patient on asking the right questions is first base.  I have always told my patients or people who ask me if I made the right decision in picking this hospital or that doctor instead of jumping into the diagnosis immediately.  Questioning the first doc(s) and going for a SECOND OPINION is extremely important.  When diagnosis first happens, you usually have a little time to make that ultimate decision. I explain that we are all made up of different genes and even though our cancers might have the same name, each person is different. You have to make sure you TRUST your doctor enough to feel that you are in the right hands.  The internet can be dangerous as it does not talk to you personally so the cancer you might have looked up is broad and general.  Know your history when you are speaking to the Doctor. I try to give as much information on the type of Cancer and research.  

I explain Clinical Trials if I see that a patient has been diagnosed with an advanced Cancer. We work with the Key Clubs in Schools on projects to educate on History and Cancer.  We try to help the person understand that they would have a copy of everything that is done including x-rays, blood work, scans, mammos this saves time in getting a second opinion so a new doctor can look at what you just have done.  Patients are often concerned about insurance issues and are often concerned if they are actually covered for their 2nd or even 3rd opinions.  (We found that most can actually be covered, but our work helps the patient get this to happen).

IT TAKES A VILLAGE
I have aligned with some of the most caring alliances like the WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLABORATIVE and NYCRA’s ULTRASOUND COALITION to extend the reach of my care to everyone diagnosed. As the battle rages on, educating and empowering patients make up a vast majority of the fight.  Where something as sensible as getting a SECOND OPINION should be the base action when you get diagnosed, there are still so many out there that are struck with FEAR & DENIAL, or financial struggles... and of course I get involved in those cases also.  But if we all joined hands to tackle such obstacles in this CANCER arena, I can see us getting the drop on this disease.

Published by: the AngioMedical Press- distributed by PinkSmartNews, NYCRANEWS, 2ndOpinionScan.com and The Journal of Modern Healing.

"Get Smarter about Cancer" lecture series- feat. Dr. Joshua Berka

The Integrative Cancer Resource Society (ICRS) and Women's Health Collaborative welcomes Dr. Joshua Berka as one of the "Get Smarter about Cancer" lecture series. Dr. Berka is double board-certified and licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) as well a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (FMCP). He is passionate about Integrative, Preventative, Functional and Regenerative Medicine and is an advocate for personalized patient-centered care. Dr. Berka has been in clinical practice for 17 years and serves as a medical consultant supporting innovative medical technologies that non-invasively improve patient treatment outcomes as well as adjunctive therapeutics that can be used as a part of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Berka has been a consultant within the med-tech space for the past 15 years and currently consults for BEMER Group (news source- Medium.com)

FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH DR. BERKA (10/25/2024)

I had the opportunity to work in integrated when I was in Los Angeles for over seven years, and to integrate the field of in integrative oncology. I trained more naturopathically functionally. Before we can get into the recurrence aspect, we have to look at the manifestation of this. Sure, we all have cancer in our body, but why this person expresses versus the next person, (and it's not just the genes), it's how those genes are being expressed. And so many cases exist within women's cancers -especially breast cancer. A lot of this is not just from the genetics- this is only one piece of this. 

Another factor is that the victim maybe not able to circulate or clear out metabolic waste products. Our estrogens (both men and women) are broken up, built up and they're all built from cholesterol.  And those metabolites can be sometimes a hundred times more toxic than the estrogens themselves. If that individual doesn't have the detox capacities, and then they're overwhelmed with, for instance, things within their environment, this sets up the perfect storm for that individual to have the (gene) expression. 

I don't care if they're treated with conventional chemotherapy radiation; the root cause has not been addressed. And in this particular case, it's a hetero or a homozygous type of situation where they can be supportive in their ability to metabolize and clear those detrimental waste products, those metabolic waste products. So it might basically be something that is supporting the gene expression for a little gap versus thinking that cancer is here. 

Let's use a targeted therapy (which is not really targeted in many cases) to take out that which is a disease. And from my perspective, I want to talk about cancer. As far as solid tumors (as opposed to lymphomas, leukemias and the like)- every time I have looked under my microscope looking at cancer or looking at measurements like Dr. Bard is doing, he's really looking functionally with ultrasound in real time during therapeutic interventions. I've done a lot of the same over the years and what I found, (without a doubt) is carcinogenic tissue is not functioning at the same level of energy production. 

So back to bioenergetics mitochondria as healthy tissue, maybe we can envision it this way. This is how stem cells used to be replicated. Imagine, I mean, it's the season, it's the fall. All the trees are dropping their leaves and pine cones are dropping.  They're doing this because winter is coming and that species and that grouping may not make it through another winter. So in hopes of survival.  It's actually seeding its environment. If you take energy or you take a cell out of the body and you expose it to an environment that doesn't have fluid (dry), one of the first things it starts to do before it apoptosis is it actually starts to replicate. It differentiates into an embryological state and then starts to replicate. These cells are not necessarily functional, but it's a response/reaction to these environmental signaling.  When treating individuals with cancer (not treating cancer) my primary goal is to target the mitochondrial bioenergetics and the functional utilization and transformation of energy with an individual. 

And many times those tumors will actually apoptose on their own once you start raising the energy around it. What types of medical devices do this?  Diet, food, positive thinking, neutral thinking. Lasers directly can input PHOTOBIOMODULATION photons into electron raising the electron transport chain to raise the zeta potential of erythrocyte or the outside membrane potential of a cell pulse. 

ELECTROMAGNETIC field therapy can also wirelessly inductively charge up these cells. So I think down the road, we have to rather look beyond a "kill, kill, kill" concept with these cells, and reintegrate  and reprogram those cells back into the system.  

What I was doing (research) was homing stem cells, enacting programming information into cells, not just with wireless signals but also with PEPTIDES. You don't need a viral vector to deliver that. You can actually deliver the signal in many ways, wirelessly or through aspects of light. 

To be continued--

Video News Release: Innovations in Early Detection "Are You Dense?" Foundation Co-founder Joe Cappello joins the medical diagnostic community to promote the "Get Checked Now!" campaign. Dr. Robert Bard from the Bard Cancer Center (NYC) supports supplemental imaging including the 3D Doppler Ultrasound scanner to offer dense breast detection.  This video presents some of the latest advancements in ultrasound features to detect tumors through dense breast tissue- reportedly a significant challenge with mammograms.

PREDISPOSITION

So when I look at the predisposition of an individual, I don't just look at it from a structural perspective. There's the mental/emotional aspects, socioeconomics- and even down to a spiritual aspects. Unfortunately (or fortunately in some ways), these predispositions aren't just inherited on a genetic level. They're actually learned behaviors that we've observed from people who are close to us.  But we've perceived as close who are around us, and "living styles" and habits- ways that we've learned to cope with stress in either a functional way or in a dysfunctional way. And so, when I look at this predisposition, it's a combination of elements- and not just "that's my parents' fault... these are the genes I got!". Unfortunately, that game's NOT TRUE. This it's a bit of 'MYTHinformation' because yes, you do have the propensity to express in a certain way, but not necessarily the predisposition. 

That predisposition is a series of events or decisions that are made to allow that to be expressed. So why some people smoke their whole life and they don't get cancer, well is because they're not predisposed for that in essence.  The predisposition of each individual needs to be really looked at on a personalized level of uniqueness-- what I just call PERSONALIZED PATIENT CENTERED MEDICINE. Rather than saying "here's the disease", let's find out exactly how you got it.  It's important to find out the ideology of the cause, but it's more important to talk about recurrence to prevent something that's occurred, even though when it was perceptually treated.  

We can identify our predispositions or possibilities of (gene) expression of both health or disease by looking at the parents and you could say, oh, this person died of heart disease or ovarian cancer.  But more so with early diagnostics, you can start looking at not just the genomic profiles, but you can start looking at functional diagnostics at a level of blood testing or saliva testing, looking at adrenal function, even looking at bits of certain types of carcinogenic DNA that's floating through the blood. From that perspective of predisposition, we can PREDICT nature. Once you know the predisposition of an individual, then you can predict the potential outcome. 

It's going to be harsh for a lot of the doctors out there and is something that I've observed. (If you can prove me wrong, I ask you, please do so). This aspect of ANABOLIC versus CATABOLIC metabolism. Generally, cancer patients with a solid state tumor status are in a SYSTEMIC aspect of anabolic metabolism. 

They're kind of stuck. #1: Cancer is a tumor, but it's a systemic disease. We have to understand this. #2: Cardiovascular disease or heart disease is more of a catabolic type of disease. So catabolic versus anabolic. I want to know if there's anybody who has ever seen cancer and heart disease happening simultaneously other than prostate cancer. This is a call out to the world. And I'm asking this because if we can just look at fundamental, basic anabolic catabolic cycles.  We may be able to push these metabolic cycles- not just through diet, sleep & wake cycles, but also lifestyle medicine. 

Most of lifestyle medicine is free. It doesn't cost a penny. 

NEW PODCAST- EXCERPT (Fight Recurrence TV)

 

In the next episode of FightRecurrenceTV, your host Dr. Roberta Kline (of Women’s Health Collaborative) presents the top voices in cancer advocacy.  Cheri Ambrose, Mike Landesberg and  Dr. Robert Bard introduces the STAY PROACTIVE program in support of preventive measures and recurrence detection scanning after cancer surgery or treatment.

Meet Mike Landesberg, Breast Cancer Survivor & Genetic Testing Advocate

Produced by: Bobbi Kline MD / Roberta Kline MD #human design  #longevity #wellness

Michael Landesberg is a courageous breast cancer survivor, generous philanthropist, passionate advocate, and experienced chef who lives every day by this mantra: courtesy is contagious; pay it forward. In April 2020, at the age of 46, he was diagnosed with HER 2+ (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) breast cancer, right at the onset of the isolating quarantines of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also underwent genetic testing and discovered that he carries both the BRCA2 and CHECK2 gene mutations. He knew that this put him and potentially his family at an increased risk for not only breast cancer, but ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. After he tested positive, his sister tested and discovered that she also has the gene mutations. She was treated for Stage 0 breast cancer—the disease’s earliest stage. In the context of his advocacy, Michael stresses the importance of genetic testing, the increased risk associated with carrying one or more of the gene mutations, and how knowing this can help save lives, just like it saved his sister’s life.

Last October, Michael raised over $26,000 in support of the MBCGA and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition at his first “All Boobs Matter” event at his restaurant.

After undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy, Michael vowed to be there for others with a similar diagnosis. He quickly became a strong advocate for male breast cancer awareness. He has appeared on Good Morning America and News 12 and has written numerous articles chronicling his breast cancer journey that have been published by the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Michael started his career in the restaurant business at the age of 14 years old, and today is a renowned chef and much-beloved personality. Since 2021, he has been the Executive Chef and General Manager of the highly-acclaimed Jackson Hall American Bar and Grill in East Islip, Long Island. His love and passion for the industry is exemplified by his creative dishes and his interaction with his customers every day. He “pays it forward” here as well—when he’s not in the kitchen, he’s out and about patronizing other restaurants across Long Island, writing reviews, and sharing his message widely on social media.

In October 2023, looking for a way to give back to the people who helped him and his family through that very difficult time, Michael launched his first annual “All Boobs Matter” fundraising event at the restaurant. Donations of items for his raffle poured in, more than 200 prizes in all, including baskets filled with fine jewelry, wine, lottery tickets, gift cards, vacations and more. He and his team of volunteers, went shoulder-to-shoulder with all the friends and family and business associates who bought tickets, packed the house, and donated generously. In the end, he raised over $26,000 in support of the two organizations who were there with their support during his breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition. The MBCGA is grateful for Michael’s commitment to spreading awareness and applaud his incredible efforts and success in assisting our organization with our mission through fundraising and advocacy.

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WHAT'S NEXT AFTER CANCER?

The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle and Monitoring

Written by: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya 

Cancer recurrence can occur months or even years after initial treatment, and it’s important to be aware that cancer can return in different tissues, not just where it was originally diagnosed. While this is a challenging possibility, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk and protect your health.

Staying vigilant with regular check-ups, lifestyle adjustments, and continued screenings is essential. Early detection of any signs of recurrence greatly increases the chances of successful treatment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after being declared “cancer-free” is not always easy, but it’s vital. We are constantly exposed to environmental toxins in our food, water, and surroundings, so addressing the root causes of disease and making healthier choices is crucial. A nutritious diet, physical activity, and stress management all support overall wellness and strengthen the immune system. I often guide patients in addressing lingering dental infections and maintaining a healthy internal environment, whether by enhancing the microbiome or reducing bodily acidity, which cancer thrives on.

Avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight are also key to lowering the risk of recurrence. By focusing on what you can control—your health and regular monitoring—you empower yourself to stay well and ensure long-term health.

CONTRIBUTOR:

LESLIE VALLE-MONTOYA, MD is the Founder of Biomed Life and the Santa Barbara Longevity Center. After medical school, Dr. Valle focused on managing chronic disease starting with its links to poor nutrition and then introducing them into the world of energy frequencies.  She explores and includes non-invasive modalities such as: frequency therapies (including biofeedback), PEMF, proper detoxification, nutritional guidance and binaural beats as needed. - visit: www.biomedlifesb.com

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Monday, September 23, 2024

RECURRENCE EXPLAINED- POSTOP SCANNING

Click to play video CANCER RECURRENCE IN THE MOST RARE CASES: "LIGHTING STRUCK TWICE WITH MALE BREAST CANCER!"-- “I contracted Male Breast Cancer TWICE, just when I thought it was gone the first time. I learned that cancer doesn't give up - so neither should you! Stay smart, be proactive and follow a RECURRENCE PREVENTION plan to KEEP CANCER AWAY.” MARC FUTTERWEIT- Survivor/Senior Ambassador for Male Breast Cancer Coalition Doctors will never guarantee that your cancer is gone forever, even after the remission period. The American Medical Community suggests that all survivors of cancer should subscribe to proper health and nutritional standards to support continued prevention. Take the right steps to OUTSMART CANCER TODAY by learning how recurrence works. Start by managing a healthy (and organic) lifestyle, support a regular fitness regimen and schedule an annual monitoring program with an advanced imaging professional or physician specializing in cancer diagnostics to maintain regular screening protocols for early detection or to help prevent cancer recurrence.

RECURRENCE IN REVIEW
Transcript by Dr. Roberta Kline

There is a constant debate in the cancer community about the term "CANCER FREE". Cancer recurrence continues to be a major concern as reported in annual medical reports- identifying its tendency to “return with a vengeance". [1, 2]

Medical research has identified the major reasons why cancer recurs.  A widely reported cause for this is attributed to a deficiency in treatment performance. [2] This means the therapy induced did not successfully remove or kill all of the cancer cells, possibly due to the patient's level of drug resistance.  During treatment, Cancer cells can enter a dormant state to protect themselves from treatment and other stimuli. Over time, these dormant cells can reactivate. The cause of this may be a spike in chronic stress or the release of toxins from oxidative stress from environmental factors like smoking or repeat exposure to reactive chemicals. [3]

Inflammation has also been linked to the activation of immune cells called neutrophils. [4] Cancer cells that have spread to other areas of the body after successful treatment of the original tumor can remain dormant for years or decades before recurring as metastatic cancer. Further activators of these dormant cells have also been linked to one's personal Epigenetics. [5] This determines how your environment and lifestyle affects your cell function- including the dormancy state of your cancer cells. 

Another known cause for recurrence are Cancer stem cells or CSC's.  These are a small group of cells in tumors that have the ability to self-renew, differentiate, and give rise to all cell types in a tumor. [6] Most stages of tumor progression, including tumorigenesis, promotion, progression, and recurrence are accompanied by epigenetic alterations, some of which can be reversed by epigenetic drugs. [6]

DETECTION MONITORING: After cancer surgery, there are many preventive measures to support a safe and healthy recovery and to reduce the risk of recurrence.  A logical and preventive strategy as part of postop maintenance is called RECURRENCE PREVENTION SCANS. Through the use of affordable, real-time medical imaging such as the 3D Doppler Ultrasound, post-cancer surgery patients can subscribe to a personal monitoring regimen to scan for any potential lesions and micro-tumors that may have fallen under the radar.  Proactive monitoring can also address complications such as post-surgical Infections, recurring pain, swelling, neuropathy from nerve damage, scarring, fluid buildup or blood clots. In less than 20 minutes per visit, you earn peace of mind from a comprehensive scan by seasoned specialists trained to support postop patient management.

DR. ROBERTA KLINE is an ObGyn physician, an award-winning author, an educational advocate, and an inspirational speaker for the professional and women’s communities. She holds a combined mission to upgrade how we approach health and deliver healthcare for women through education, globalized communication, research, and advocacy.  Dr. Kline develops and teaches CME programs, consults on gene expression project designs, and leads collaborative projects designed to advance the direction of women’s health. She is also a clinical advisor in integrative medicine and functional genomics to many health organizations including the Integrative Health Research Center.  In addition to her mentorship programs for women physicians, Dr. Kline is Director of Educational Programs for the Women's Health Collaborative, Editor of the Women’s Health Digest, and on faculty at the University of Western States. 

(1.) Butow P, Sharpe L, Thewes B, et al. Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Practical Guide for Clinicians. Oncology (Williston Park). 2018 Jan 15;32(1):32-8.   (2.) Mahvi DA, Liu R, Grinstaff MW, et al. (2018). Local Cancer Recurrence: The Realities, Challenges, and Opportunities for New Therapies. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 68(6), 488. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21498 (3.) Payne KK. Cellular stress responses and metabolic reprogramming in cancer progression and dormancy. Seminars in cancer biology 2022 Jan Vol. 78, pp. 45-48. (4.) He X-Y, Gao Y, Ng D et al. Chronic stress increases metastasis via neutrophil-mediated changes to the microenvironment. Cancer Cell 2024:42(3);474-486. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2024.01.013  (5.) Costa S, Alves Sales SL, Pinheiro DP, et al. (2023). Epigenetic reprogramming in cancer: From diagnosis to treatment. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1116805 (6.) Yu X, Zhao H, Wang R, et al. (2024). Cancer epigenetics: From laboratory studies and clinical trials to precision medicine. Cell Death Discovery, 10(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-01803-z

WHO IS DONNA MARANO?

INTRODUCTION: By Alexandra Fiederlein
The WOMEN'S HEALTH DIGEST recognizes Ms. Donna Marano for her public service in supporting those afflicted with Breast Cancer on Long Island, NY. Her dedication to offering resources, financial support as well as interpersonal and emotional aid to the many cancer victims undergoing care is appreciated by so many.

Donna truly embodies our message to GET CHECKED NOW! by bringing awareness to the importance of early detection of breast cancer in our communities. Breast cancer does not discriminate; as we have seen in recent years, it is increasingly affecting younger women who do not fit into the stereotypical screening age recommendations. The reality is that all younger women should be screened via ultrasound to determine if they have dense breasts, which may put them at risk for breast cancer, and discuss an appropriate screening protocol with their providers. 

In this recent interview, Donna mentioned how gene testing has become a significant part of our current reality. It is more accessible than ever before, and we should be utilizing it to take better control of our health as well as our families' health. It is better to know if you are at risk so you can take preventive action rather than living in ignorance. With current advancements in health technology, such as genetic testing and ultrasound, we have the potential to detect breast cancer earlier and therefore prevent more deaths, as long as we utilize these tools to their fullest potential!

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR & LONG ISLAND CANCER CARE ADVOCATE

From an interview on 8/27/2024- with DONNA MARANO President of the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition

For my 50th birthday, 16 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not the gift I was looking for but the gift I was given. I am blessed that it was detected early and I was able to go through my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery treatment within the first year. I was done and onto my new life. It's a new life after breast cancer and I hope everybody gets to enjoy their new life afterwards. I gave back by joining the coalition being a volunteer, and now 16 years later, I'm the current president.

NO ONE IS ALONE WITH CANCER
The West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition began 32 years ago conducting grassroots fundraising and helping people as they are going through breast cancer treatments. While in treatment we assist with medical copays and we'll provide a wig within 24 hours. They go to the salon and pick out the one that is for them. We get them to and from treatment so that their family doesn't have to take time off from work and we will feed the family, clean the house, whatever it is that helps make their life a little easier while they're going through their treatment. 

At the Coalition, our dream is the cure for cancer so we don't have to do this anymore. Reality is, as long as people are going through this, we need to do fundraising and raise the funds so that we can help people going through it. I tell people it's a temporary situation. We're here to help you while you're going through it and once it's behind you, you're onto your new life- the one that's so much better. And hopefully they'll come back and help the next person who gets diagnosed and let them realize it's a temporary situation. 

We have to fight. You have to be positive and you have to get through it. Today's doctors are phenomenal! The education that they have, the methods of treatment available weren't there 20, 30 years ago. If you're diagnosed, the chances are really good that you're gonna beat this... and we're here to help you get through it. 

ON RECURRENCE
16 years ago when I was diagnosed, they talked about recurrence within five years. And if you got through the next five years, you were downhill. Everything should be good now.  Nowadays, I see and know people in our support group who are getting re-occurrences 16 years out, 20 years out, 30 years out. So recurrence is not limited to five years anymore; we've met people who got re-occurrence in three years. The lesson here is that you must constantly be your own advocate for your health. You must constantly do your annual checkups-- annual screenings are so important! If you don't, you're just fooling yourself.

In my my situation, I was the first one in my very large family to be diagnosed with breast cancer or any cancer. We, didn't have cancer in our family. And lo and behold, here I am diagnosed. Now it's the entire family must go annually for their checkups. 

EARLIER DETECTION & GENE TESTING
It's so disturbing that these young women are being diagnosed at these early ages like 27 or 32 to 42. I'm getting too many young people lately getting diagnosed...  they're just too young. This should not be happening. What's causing it? You can blame it on everything from Covid to the environment. 

Gene testing is now part of our current reality. It is accessible and it can make your diagnosis easier to work with. You can get answers about yourself and can do something about it at a much earlier stage. Stage zero is a hell of a lot better than stage four folks. If there's something in your family genes, it's foolish not to have gene testing done. In my family, my situation, nobody had it. Avail yourself and your family of this test; whoever in your family that got diagnosed (with cancer), they need genetic testing done so that your doctors know what to start looking for. 

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The West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition for Long Island (WIBCC) is a grassroots nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501 (c) 3 volunteer organization established in response to the high incidences of breast cancer on Long Island.  Since its founding in 1992, WIBCC, the first breast coalition on Long Island, has proudly raised the consciousness of the need to “lend a helping hand” and assists the many women, men and their families manage the hardships and unexpected expenses associated with a cancer diagnosis. Without the help of generous community and business donations and volunteers, we would not have accomplished such great success over these past 32 years with our fundraising efforts.

It has been through this success that WIBCC and its “Lend a Helping Hand” program is able to provide a variety of services to those that need our help in over 26 communities across Long Island while they undergo treatment and/or post-operative care for breast and/or gynecological cancers. These services are customized to clients’ individual needs and include such assistance as transportation to and from treatments, wigs, prosthesis, housecleaning, food, child care, medical deductibles as well as many other services needed to help them maintain their households and remain on the path to restored health.

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CANCER ADVOCATES FIGHT FOR ANSWERS
By Geri Barish

Getting the word out is vital when it comes to supporting our community in the fight against cancer.  Part of the search for answers is learning how to assess your own life - including your history, the area where you live, what you eat, what you breathe and your genetic blueprint. This may lead to identifying any kind of cancer in the family.  In Donna's case (where there was no cancer in the family), staying vigilant in understanding how cancer happens and how it affects us and our families is the key to awareness. Advocacy is also about supporting one another. As we wait for the cure, we also need to live a full life- this includes staying proactive with our health and staying in touch with the latest solutions. There's a lot more work to be done- and because we are fighters, we have to keep asking questions. Look at your environment- get genetic testing for gene mutation in your lineage, don't ignore checkups- find out if you have any risk factors. That's where education and research comes together. 

ANGELS ON THE BATTLEFIELD
By: Dr. Robert Bard

For the past 20 years,  I keep hearing about this West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition all the way here (in Manhattan). They're apparently one of the largest breast cancer advocacy groups that truly supports the recently diagnosed and the cancer survivors. Through our many patients and medical colleagues from Long Island, the cancer cluster and the elevated rate of breast cancer is constantly emphasized which is why having 'foot soldiers' like Donna Marano and her organization to empower breast cancer victims is such a vital part of our battlefield. Her WIBC is just one of many ways that Donna fights cancer in her own way and as a member of the medical community, I applaud her for her tireless work.  Today, our Women's Health Collaborative and the AngioInstitute proudly endorse Ms. Marano's work and the continuing achievements of WIBC.

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

ALEXANDRA FIEDERLEIN is the Associate Director of Public Outreach for the Women's Health Collaborative. Her history in medical research and her passion for functional and integrative medicine heavily contributed to her work in health education, publishing and advocacy. Alexandra is involved in various projects including EARLIER DETECTION, DENSE BREAST AWARENESS, RECURRENCE PREVENTION and other public support programs in support of underserved women nationwide.

GERI BARISH is the executive director of Hewlett House and president of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition was one of several women honored as a Women of Distinction. Geri is a 5 time cancer survivor and activist honored with a lifetime achievement award from Suffolk County. A leader in the battle against the high rate of cancer on Long Island for the past 23 years, she has spearheaded changes to local, state and federal laws that resulted in new policies and helped clean up toxins in our environment.

ROBERT L. BARD, MD  (Diagnostic Imaging Specialist)- Having paved the way for the study of various cancers both clinically and academically, Dr. Robert Bard co-founded the 9/11 CancerScan program to bring additional diagnostic support to all first responders from Ground Zero. His main practice in midtown, NYC (Bard Diagnostic Imaging- www.CancerScan.com) uses the latest in digital Imaging technology has been also used to help guide biopsies and in many cases, even replicate much of the same reports of a clinical invasive biopsy. His most recent program is dedicated to the reporting of mental health diagnostic and innovative solutions including the use of modern neuromagnetic technologies and protocols in his MEDTECH REVIEWS program. 

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RECURRENCE PREVENTION SCANNING

By: Dr. Robert L. Bard

After cancer surgery, there are many preventive measures to support a safe and healthy recovery and to reduce the risk of recurrence. The AngioInstitute recommends standardizing a postop maintenance process called RECURRENCE PREVENTION SCANS. Through the use of 3D Doppler Ultrasound, post-cancer surgery patients can subscribe to a regular monitoring program to detect possible lesions and micro-tumors that may have fallen under the radar. Moreover, proactive monitoring can mitigate complications such as post-surgical Infections, recurring Pain, Swelling, neuropathy from nerve damage, Scarring, Fluid buildup or Blood clots. All this can be seen and scanned by a seasoned imaging specialist trained to support postop patient management. (See complete feature and video)

WHAT IS ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE?

By: Dr. Roberta Kline

Where Recurrence Prevention Scans are implemented after cancer treatment or surgery, Active Surveillance is often recommended once you are diagnosed of an early stage cancer- one that is identified as slow-growing such as prostate, breast, kidney, and thyroid cancer. Monitoring cancers during its very early stages (instead of immediate treatment) may be a good option. This means closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving any treatment unless there are changes in test results that show the condition is getting worse. Active surveillance may be used to avoid or delay the need for treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery, which can cause side effects or other problems. During active surveillance, certain exams and tests, such as blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies, are done on a regular schedule to monitor the condition. Active surveillance may be used in certain types of prostate cancer and in some other types of cancer. It is a type of expectant management. (See complete report)

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TESTING: Genetic Mutation can be Inherited

When a specific cancer type is prevalent in one side of the family, the cancer is recognized as a FAMILIAL cancer. Most of them are caused by genetic mutation in a gene related to cancer susceptibility. In addition, a term called "family cancer syndrome" (or "hereditary cancer syndrome") is a rare disorder in which family members have an above-average chance of developing a certain type or types of cancer. Family cancer syndromes are caused by inherited genetic variants in certain cancer-related genes. It is reported that up to 10% of all cancer cases may be caused by inherited genetic mutation or changes. These are called CANCER PREDISPOSITION genes. Individuals who carry a mutant allele of these genes have an increased susceptibility to cancer. It is now widely identified that an accumulation of genetic or epigenetic alterations affect the conversion of normal cells to cancer cells. [see complete)\

DENSE BREAST SCREENING: Mitigating False Negatives with Ultrasound

Oftentimes, mammography gets false negatives when scanning dense breast tissue. Because dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, it cloaks posssible tumors behind it- deeming the mammogran unreliable. The two forms of breast density is either FIBROCYSTIC or GLANDULAR tissue. Through ultrasound, we can check for tumors easily through fibrotic dense breasts because it stands out as a black region (or a black hole) within the white area. As shown in Image 3, a black hole could get lost, making it more difficult to image this type of dense breast. In this case, a solution is the use of elastography, which offers visual confirmation as indicated by color data. Elastography can measure tissue density (its hardness or elasticity) within the glandular breast tissue. . [see complete report)

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