Survivorship/Survivorsh*t! Episodes

Can working out actually change what's happening inside your body during cancer treatment? Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with certified clinical exercise physiologist JC Rodriguez to unpack the real science behind exercise and cancer—including how movement may redirect blood flow away from tumors, alter tumor metabolism, and boost immune surveillance. JC breaks down what this looks like in practice: how to move through severe fatigue with “mentally small” wins like a 5-minute walk or in-...

Death is a topic most of us avoid...until we can’t. But what if talking about it early actually gave us more peace, not less? In this episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Susan Abernethy, founder of Mudança Healing, to discuss planning now for the inevitable.

Survivor’s guilt is a common and not often talked about emotional experience after cancer. Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with returning guest Natasha Ewa, licensed clinical social worker and founder of I Thrive Therapy and Wellness, for an honest conversation about what survivor’s guilt actually looks like, why body image after cancer is so personal, and what healing can feel like on the other side.

Join Dr. Tina Kaczor and Dr. Leah Sherman as they delve into the complexities of heart toxicity in cancer care. This enlightening episode sheds light on the heart’s resilience and the specific challenges posed by cancer treatments known for their toxic effects on the heart muscle. Through engaging dialogue, the hosts explore topics such as risk factors, treatments associated with the highest risk of heart damage, and integrative medicine approaches to prevention and repair. They share personal ...

Did you know you can lower pain levels with natural agents as well as medications? Food matters too. What you eat can worsen pain, while some foods help you resolve it. Tina & Leah are naturopathic doctors who know what works (and what doesn’t!). They’ll spare you the arms-length list of supplements that “may” help. So tune in and find out how to lessen pain and inflammation. Links we mentioned on this episode: 55% of people going through cancer experience pain Boswellia information from Memor...

Pain is unpleasant. (That’s an understatement!) While pain itself is no fun, Tina & Leah keep you entertained and informed as you learn the basics in this episode. Understanding pain and knowing how to report it accurately can speed up the process of getting some relief. So listen in, and as always, please share this podcast if you find it useful! Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: McGill Pain Questionnaire to help you describe your pain accurately About the McGill Pain Qu...

Does fasting during treatment make it work better? Does overnight fasting stave off recurrence? How does fasting affect cancer in general? Tina & Leah talk about the benefits (and risks!) of limiting food intake during and after cancer treatment. Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: Fasting alongside neoadjuvant chemotherapy in those with breast cancer (2013) Clinical trial on fasting during chemo, currently enrolling those with breast cancer (currently recruiting) Review ...

We're talking talk sh!t in this one, survivorsh!t, that is. Along the way, we drop tips for how to lessen the long-term side effects of cancer treatments that put a real wrench in survivorship. This 40,000-foot view hits on many lingering effects and helps you understand how and why some may improve while others may not. Tune in to be entertained and enlightened; at least, that’s the idea! Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: File under "weirdness:" How toxoplasmosi...

Chemo brain, brain farts, brain fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI)… no matter what you call it, it is a debilitating side effect that may persist for months or years after treatment ends. CRCI is more than just forgetting why you walked into a room or where you left your keys. Tina and Leah review the possible causes of CRCI and discuss ways that you can improve brain function.

Fracture risk increases with age as our bones thin, but throw some cancer treatment into the mix and bone thinning can happen sooner and more rapidly. Loss of bone mineral density (known as osteopenia or osteoporosis) increases fracture risk. This is not only true for older cancer patients but young ones too. And bone loss may be late-onset, not showing up until decades following treatment.

Cancer-related fatigue (CrF) is common, both during treatment for cancer and afterward. Studies show up to 30% of cancer survivors experience fatigue for years following diagnosis. In this episode, Tina and Leah review the official contributing factors to CrF, and a few causes that aren’t found on the official list.

Sleep disturbances may affect 40% of cancer survivors up to five years post treatment. In the second part of the sleep pods, Tina and Leah review integrative approaches to sleep management, including herbs and supplements that address anxiety and pain.