Cancer Wellness Magazine: The Supporter Issue with Bianca Muñiz

WINTER 2022

GEN Z & THE BIG C UNIQUE WAYS ZOOMERS COPE WITH CANCER

A MODERN FAMILY THE POWER OF SURROGACY POST-CANCER

US $10.00

AS I AM BIANCA MUÑIZ SINGS THROUGH SURVIVORSHIP

Photo by John Khuu

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s we embark on a new year, I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief at cW. To oversee the innovative ways in which the magazine will continue bringing hope and awareness to our warriors, thrivers and supporters in the new cancer community is a great honor.

On the topic of supporters, our winter issue is filled with people and organizations sharing their time, experience and hearts to further help those battling cancer. This issue also features an exciting new column highlighting Gen Z’s brushes with cancer and exploring what the generation goes through when it comes to fighting cancer alongside growing up (p. 33).

Some of the inspiring organizations that we are focusing on this winter include Look Good Feel Better (p. 28), a free program providing renewed hope to cancer warriors by giving them the tools they need to manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer, and Latinas Contra Cancer (p. 37), an organization addressing the health disparities between Latinx cancer communities and their non-Hispanic white counterparts.

But these wonderful organizations would not be here without the people who bring them into existence, who come from all different walks of life. Take, for example, Obi “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe’s photography exhibit highlighting five breast cancer survivors who bared their souls for the camera and for all of us. Uwakwe uses his photography to send a message about the power and beauty that is still there, even after cancer treatment (p. 30).

I n fact, Liz Tuckwell’s latest column (p. 25) brings to the surface an excellent point for this issue: If given the opportunity, healing can serve as one of the greatest equalizers among us.

Cancer Wellness means so much to me, not only because it provides a platform that encourages hope, love and confidence through even the toughest of cancer journeys, but also because I have the BRCA gene, and I truly know what it means to be inspired by the many amazing cancer warriors that never take a single day for granted— even the coldest ones this season.

Natalia Espinosa Cancer Wellness

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Curing lung cancer is a team effort, and you are the MVP! Your support brings critical seed funding to the best and brightest investigators.

They simply couldn’t do it without you.

Thank you for supporting lung cancer research. Because of you, we have seen unprecedented progress in the field of lung cancer research, changing what it means to face a lung cancer diagnosis.

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to derail our momentum. But lung cancer doesn’t stop for anything, and neither do we. Together we are working to fund lifesaving research and improve outcomes for patients and families.

Here’s how you can help: Find out what you can do to support research: P LCRF.org/GetInvolved

Learn about lung cancer risk factors and screening: P LCRF.org/KnowYourRisk

Join our community and get the latest news!

P LCRF.org/Connect

Visit LCRF.org for the latest lung cancer news, free resource materials, and more

WINTER 2022 24

HAVE HOPE Changing the hope discourse could make a vital difference in survivorship and quality of life.

BEAUTY 28

LOOKING GOOD, FEELING BETTER A free program managing the appearance effects of cancer provides renewed hope and confidence to warriors.

AROUND TOWN 30

A POWERFUL PERSPECTIVE Obi “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe’s photography shows breast cancer warriors in a new light.

AROUND THE WORLD 33

GEN Z & THE BIG C cW’s newest series dives into the unique ways Gen Z is coping with cancer.

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RISING UP Black Women Rising advocates for Black warriors to receive the resources they deserve.

ENTERTAINMENT 49

39 AS I AM

NUTRITION 14

SHARING IS CARING Get your fair share of good cookin’ with these manageable hearty recipes fit for blustery days.

A DELICATE DANCE One mother’s cancer journey teaches others to trust Black women fighting for their health— and their lives.

MIND & BODY 22

A MODERN FAMILY Pregnancy may be harder or even impossible post-cancer, but surrogacy can aid in growing your family.

RESOURCES 54

CATCHING UP Cancer care can feel more like a barrier than a benefit for people with disabilities.

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CAYLEI VOGELZANG Founder NATALIA ESPINOSA

Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director FEATURES Senior Editor TAYLOR NOVAK Editor-at-Large MIRELA KOPIER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REV. JEN BAILEY, SARAH DIMURO, SERENA HU, MAURA KELLER, MEGHAN KONKOL, ALEX MANAA, SARA QUIRICONI, MARIA TRIPODIS, ELIZABETH TUCKWELL, ERIKA R. WHITEHEAD

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER JASMINE HOPE VERIDIANO

MARKETING SPECIALIST ERIKA R. WHITEHEAD

INTERNS FRANCESCA HALIKIAS, ALEX MANAA

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD NATALIE CRAIG, DENA DODD PERRY, SHIKHA JAIN, GAIL PRINS, GLEN STEVENS, MARIA TRIPODIS

OPERATIONS MANAGER ISABEL GARCIA

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR JACK SAXE-STARAL

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ANTONIJA ROGIC

DISTRIBUTION Cancer Wellness is distributed nationally through hospitals, support networks, select nurse navigators, subscriptions, and other outlets.

If you would like to know more about distributing Cancer Wellness in your facility or group, please email: info@cancerwellness.com

ADVERTISING For advertising, advertorial, and special project opportunities, please email: ads@cancerwellness.com

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@cancerwellmag

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN CANCER WELLNESS ARE THOSE OF THE RESPECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY SHARED BY CANCER WELLNESS AND ITS STAFF.

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Cancer Wellness

Photo provided by Brianne Cannon

#cW MANTRA

“NEVER STOP LIVING, PLANNING AND BEING AS NORMAL AS YOU CAN BE BECAUSE IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IT.”

– Rhonda Meckstroth

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cW Online

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED LEARNING TO LIVE

CW PLAYLIST SELFHOOD

Rhonda Meckstroth knows all too well how important it is to receive a second opinion—it saved her husband Jeff during his unexpected lung cancer diagnosis.

One of the best things you can do during the cancer journey is becoming your own biggest supporter.

Issue 13’s tracklist provides all the inspo for the sweet solace of self-love.

To instantly access the playlist, open the Spotify app.

Tap Search then the camera icon to scan Spotify code.

JUST A PAUSE

TRACKLIST • GET WELL SOON - ARIANA GRANDE • I AM LIGHT - INDIA.ARIE • GOOD DAYS - SZA • MIDNIGHT SKY - MILEY CYRUS • YOU’VE GOT THE LOVE - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE • UNWRITTEN - NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

Freshly 21, Alexis Mencos had all the symptoms of pregnancy—but it turned out to actually be ovarian cancer. She was determined to not let it stop her from living.

• DIDN’T CHA KNOW - ERYKAH BADU • OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR - MAC MILLER • I’M LIKE A BIRD - ALESSIA CARA • HARD TO KILL - BLEACHED • ARMY OF ME - JULIA JACKLIN, RVG • THIS IS ME TRYING - TAYLOR SWIFT • STILL IN MOTION - TURNOVER • TRYING - LUNA LI • FEEL THE WAY I WANT - CAROLINE ROSE • FRONTLINE - KELELA • DIFFERENT LIGHT - BEST COAST • FROM THIS POINT ON - SOFT KILL • TOUGH ON MYSELF - KING PRINCESS • AS YOU ARE - BIANCA MUÑIZ

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Cancer Wellness

More stories at CancerWellness.com ON @CANCERWELLMAG, WE REMEMBERED TO MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY

The cW Agenda

ALL THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW SIGNS OF THE TIMES

LOGGING ON

TAKE A SHOT

A new study involving over 24,000 pancreatic cancer patients identified previously unknown symptoms like thirst and dark urine may appear a year before diagnosis.

LUNGevity Foundation has launched Lung Cancer Patient Gateways, six platforms focused on various lung cancer types that allow warriors to locate resources for treatment and community. Access them at gateway.lungevity.org.

Cleveland Clinic researchers have started a phase I trial for a triple-negative breast cancer vaccine, the first of its kind.

BOOSTED, BABY

GETTING PERSONAL

OPERATION CATCH-UP

A study by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is emphasizing the importance of blood cancer warriors getting more than two COVID-19 vaccines.

QUAD-DEMIC

Plan for virtual visits and preventative measures this winter for what health experts deem the “quad-demic” of the flu, COVID-19, RSV and rhinoviruses—especially if you’re immunocompromised from cancer treatment.

A $2.1 million gift to UC San Diego Health initiative has paved the way for a comprehensive breast cancer database that will translate clinical data into novel personalized therapies for breast cancer warriors.

WEAR AND TEAR

Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have also shown that chronic stress can negatively impact treatment completion and survival for Black high-risk breast cancer warriors, and it may be a useful measurement to predict chemotherapy effectiveness.

A University of Birmingham study revealed that one in seven patients miss cancer surgery during COVID-19 lockdowns, leading researchers to urge for more resilient elective surgery systems.

HOT SPOTS

Ever wondered if you live in or near a cancer hot spot?

Pro Publica’s “Poison in the Air” report utilizes data from the Environmental Protection Agency to create a new tox map searchable by location or ZIP code. Take a look at projects.propublica.org/toxmap.

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the supporter

RANA BITAR AS TOLD TO FRANCESCA HALIKIAS

I really did not want a patient’s story to die between the four walls of exam rooms.

Photo provided by Rana Bitar

[ The book] started as gathered stories over the years.

I initially didn’t have an intention to publish the stories—I just wrote them for myself. Over time, I decided to put them together and publish them as solely patient stories. Then I was advised that maybe I should put my experiences in the story—the way I met these patients and how they affected me is as important to get these stories across and resonate.

I started writing when I was 10 years old, and at the same time I was interested in science and medicine so they kind of go together: my passion for writing and my ambition to be a doctor. I think a lot of people think that science does not go with art, but for me I think one complements the other. Writing after a long day of seeing patients is a kind of meditation to me.

I wrote [the book] for my patients. There was something nagging inside me. I really did not want a patient’s story to die between the four walls of exam rooms. I felt that these [stories] are so powerful and so life-changing, they need to get out of that office, out of the exam room and be heard and create ripples for other people to be exposed to such a struggle. A lot of people are so distant and [don’t know what]

cancer patients go through or their families go through. I think it’s important to keep these stories alive and out there for other people to hear what type of struggle a person could go through and how it might change their vision of life.

The book, when you put your thoughts on paper, it gives you a chance to re-examine it, live it again, and I think the most important thing you get out of it is how important empathy is, how important it is to listen to people and put yourself in their shoes and fight to understand their circumstances and not be judgmental. I think when people go through these struggles, it helps that they talk about their feelings and their fears. I think what we can do for them is to tell them that we will listen, that their fears are not unimportant or not justified. [Writing the book] showed me how important it is to stop and listen, be compassionate and help people understand why they feel this way. It is OK to feel this way.

To hear more from Rana, visit cancerwellness.com Cancer Wellness

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Habits I’ve Embodied Post-Cancer Author, actress, model and 17-year cancer warrior Sara Quiriconi shares her tips for a fulfilling life during and after cancer.

BY SARA QUIRICONI

NEVER SETTLE Mediocre is a word that I’m only OK with when it comes to a breakfast buffet—mainly because I intermittently fast and usually skip it. If you were to rate your job, a close relationship, your environment and even your daily schedule on a scale from one to 10, with one being empty and 10 being utterly fulfilling, where would you rate those aspects of your life?

If it’s below a five, I ask you then: What life are you waiting for? Why settle? Live it now. Or, at least take the first step to move upward on that scale.

RESPONSIBILITY = FREEDOM

From the moment of diagnosis through treatment and even after, cancer can give the feeling of being powerless. It’s not like we elected to invite such a disease into our lives, but we were forced to take action towards minimizing or removing it.

When I started looking back on my cancer as a wake-up call and took some responsibility in its formation rather than feeling like a victim, it gave me the power to be able to change what I had been doing on a day-to-day basis.

It empowered me with making healthier, more informed decisions and habits for living cleaner and abundantly.

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Cancer Wellness

SEE THE LIGHT, OR BECOME THE LIGHT Cancer presents some dark tunnels ahead, whether you’re in it now or post-treatment in remission and beyond.

And let’s face it: Life does too. When we can see the light in those tunnels, rather than focusing on the dark, more often than not we start to attract more life into our lives.

Even on the darkest days, see a flower and the life it spawns. Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and be present with each warming sip. Eventually, with a more mindful approach, you’ll see light in more places than expected.

THE BIG C ISN’T CANCER, IT’S CHOICE The phrase “the big C” can get a bad rap. Rather than seeing cancer as the “C,” what if we redefined it as a big choice?

It’s the choice to choose a different mindset; choose a different lifestyle; choose to meditate five minutes a day; choose to move our bodies for 20 minutes.; choose a new life plan that creates joy, life and fulfillment. I say, why not? It’s your choice.

Photo provided by Sara Quiriconi

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n my autobiography “Living Cancer Free,” I write, “We could say ‘could have, would have, should have’ and kick ourselves in our own butts for decades on end—or, take a hard lesson, reflect on it and learn to share it with the world.”

Traditionally, I’ve never taken the easy route, so instead I bring you to my hard lessons learned. I was diagnosed with stage IIA Hodgkin lymphoma. While any cancer diagnosis is no sunny walk in the park, I am grateful for some of the habits it awakened me to that ensure I live my life more fully and freely today.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY I had four main people in my life when I was going through treatment. Four. I had plenty of friends that were off in college or doing their own life thing, but just four who were actually there in the trenches with me. And I’m alive and well to this day.

Friends. Clients. Vacations. Family interactions.

Calorie consumption. The quality of what you’re taking in is far greater than the quantity. Make each one count.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU.

Diagnosed With A Blood Cancer? We offer services and support for patients and families affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, myeloma, myelodyplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasm.

• Educational Programs & Materials • Support Groups • Peer-to-Peer Support • Caregiver Support • Patient Financial Assistance Programs • Nutrition Services • Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators Patients and families can contact us at 800.955.4572 or go to www.LLS.org/patient-support.

Sharing is Caring

Get your fair share of good cookin’ with these manageable hearty recipes fit for blustery days.

BY MARIA TRIPODIS

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Cancer Wellness

CAULIFLOWER GNOCCHI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PINE NUTS AND SAGE Yield: 4 servings 1 head of cauliflower, florets only 3/4 cup cassava flour 1 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1/4 cup pine nuts 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference) 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

PREPARATION: 1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.

NOTE: Use a steamer basket if you have one.

2. Once water is boiling, add cauliflower florets and cover. Steam cauliflower for 10–12 minutes or until fork tender.

3. Add cauliflower to the center of a dish towel. Bring corners together and twist

to squeeze florets, drawing out as much moisture as possible.

4. Add cauliflower to a food processor, along with the cassava flour, salt and pepper. Combine until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the dough begins to form a ball around the blade.

5. Transfer dough onto a floured surface and cut into 4 equal parts. Roll each quarter into a log about 2 inches thick. Once all of the logs are rolled, slice into 1-inch pieces.

6. In a medium sauté pat, heat olive oil on medium. Once oil is heated, add garlic, butternut squash and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté until squash begins to brown and become tender, about 8–10 minutes. Remove squash from pan and set aside.

7. In the heated pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and carefully add gnocchi using tongs. Let sit untouched until gnocchi begins to brown, and flip to brown the other side for about 4–5 minutes.

8. Once both sides are browned, add butternut squash back into the pan. Add pine nuts, sage, red pepper flakes, lemon juice and salt to taste. Serve hot.

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ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLE BAKE WITH TOASTED ALMONDS, FETA AND MISO SHALLOT GLAZE

HARISSA CHARRED BROCCOLINI WITH DATES, TOASTED ALMONDS AND GRILLED HALLOUMI

Yield: 4 servings

Yield: 4 servings

2 medium leeks, white stalks only, cleaned, sliced 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed 1 red onion, diced 4 carrots, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon white miso paste 1 shallot, diced 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1/2 cup feta, crumbled

1/2 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped 1/2 tablespoon + 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1/8 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning 2 bunches of broccolini 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 block of halloumi, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 teaspoon harissa spice blend 1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped 1/2 lemon, zested

PREPARATION:

PREPARATION:

1. Heat oven to 375 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil.

2. Toss almonds in a small mixing bowl with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Add to one of the baking sheets and roast in oven for 6–8 minutes or until fragrant and the whites of almonds begin to brown.

Remove from oven and add to a bowl to cool, reserving the baking sheet.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine leeks, sweet potatoes, red onion, carrots, garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil and salt.

4. Add to both baking sheets, forming a single layer.

5. While vegetables are roasting, prepare the miso shallot glaze. In the same large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, miso, shallots, rice vinegar, maple syrup and 1/8 teaspoon salt until smooth.

6. Once vegetables have been roasted, add to mixing bowl and mix until vegetables are evenly coated in vinaigrette. Add almonds and crumbled feta. Serve warm.

1. Heat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss almonds in a small mixing bowl with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Roast in oven 6–8 minutes or until fragrant or until the whites of almonds begin to brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool, reserving the baking sheet.

2. Prepare the broccolini by removing 2 inches off the ends and slicing each broccolini in half lengthwise. Add to a large mixing bowl. Repeat with each broccolini.

3. Drizzle in 1/4 cup of olive oil, minced garlic and salt. Use your hands to massage the oil into the broccolini and incorporate the ingredients. Add to prepared baking sheet in a single layer, sliced side-down.

4. Roast for 25–35 minutes or until broccolini florets have slightly browned and charred.

Cancer Wellness

5. While broccolini is roasting, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauté pan. Once oil is hot, add halloumi and pan sear until all sides are darkly browned. Set aside to cool.

6. Once broccolini is charred, remove from oven and add to a shallow serving dish. Top with almonds, grilled halloumi, chopped dates, harissa and lemon zest. Serve warm.

SPICED APPLE PEAR SLAW Yield: 4 servings 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon curry powder 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemonn juice 2 honeycrisp apples, julienned 2 ripe pears, julienned 1 cup celery, chopped 1/2 cup red onion, diced 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

PREPARATION: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, curry powder, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice.

2. Once evenly combined, add apples, pears, celery, red onion, golden raisins and walnuts. Gently mix until all ingredients are evenly coated with yogurt mixture. Serve cold.

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Cancer Wellness

TORN RADICCHIO BREAD SALAD WITH JAMMY EGGS, SHAVED PARM, AND A CREAMY ORANGE TAHINI DRESSING Yield: 4 servings 4 eggs (preferably pasture-raised, organic) 3 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1/2 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4 sourdough loaf, cut into cubes (yielding about 2 cups of bread) 3 tablespoons tahini paste 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 heads of radicchio, leaves separated and torn in half 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup shaved pecorino, and more to top

PREPARATION: 1. To make the jammy eggs: fill a medium saucepan with 1/2 inch of water over high heat. Cover and bring to boil. Gently place 4 eggs into the saucepan. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Steam for 6.5 minutes.

Remove from heat, discard hot water and fill saucepan with cold water and ice. Let sit for 2 minutes. Once cooled, peel the eggs and set aside to cool.

NOTE: For very runny yolks, steam

for 6 minutes. For jammy, less runny yolks, steam for 7 minutes.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder and Italian

seasoning. Add sourdough bread cubes. Using your hands, massage oil into the bread, ensuring all of the oil is absorbed.

3. In a large sauté pan, add sourdough cubes and pan fry until bread begins to brown and crisp, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

4. In a small mixing bowl, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, tahini, orange juice, rice vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Combine until smooth.

5. In a large mixing bowl, add toasted bread cubes, torn radicchio, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, shaved pecorino and orange tahini dressing. Mix to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Cut eggs in half lengthwise and place on top of salad. Top with more shaved pecorino if desired. Serve cold.

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What C omes Next

Resident cancer coach Mirela Kopier delves into some of the different ways you can be your own biggest supporter in the cancer journey. his issue’s column is dedicated to the amazing

cancer warriors in the midst of the battle.

While treatment, doctors, family and friends may be pulling you in a million directions, I hope this can give you a moment to stop and remember what’s most important—you should be your biggest advocate and you need to make sure you are taken care of during this journey.

The first thing that the Mayo Clinic advises after a cancer diagnosis is to get the facts about your diagnosis. They say knowledge is power, and I couldn’t agree more. I know a cancer diagnosis can be terrifying. You are allowed to yell, scream, cry, break some plates or do whatever you need to do to process that initial shock.

To be your own best advocate, your next step should be understanding what your body will go through and how you will come through on the other side.

Stanford Health Care houses a wonderful resource page on its website discussing the role nutrition plays in a cancer diagnosis and how to make the best food choices while undergoing treatment. The page states that keeping a consistent weight is most important. I am a strong believer that food can be some of the best medicine. The earth has been giving us nutrient-packed, all natural foods for thousands of years.

Plenty of experts talk about “green foods” and their benefits. Dark green leafy vegetables such as

kale, spinach and mustard greens have significant antioxidant properties and actually boost the body’s own immune system. While chemo and radiation treatments have a tendency to weaken the body’s immune system, these vegetables can help counter those effects.

Other fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants include tomatoes, berries and avocados. If you choose to incorporate more tomatoes into your diet, they are best when cooked.

During the cooking process, tomatoes release lycopene, the fruit’s strongest antioxidant and one that aids in improved heart health and lower risk of certain cancer types.

There are so many helpful (and delicious!) foods to choose from—you don’t have to limit yourself to just one or two. I encourage you to find all the foods you love. If you don’t like something, swap it out. I promise you there will be something you enjoy.

Although we could spend days talking about the benefits of a nutritious, well-balanced diet, another important point to focus on is the mind-body connection. Focusing on this powerful connection is another way to help soothe you through this journey. There are blogs, papers and research abound hypothesizing whether or not we can heal our bodies with our minds. The human brain is one of the most complex things on this planet, so who is to say we cannot help our body get better with the assistance of our mind?

Deepak Chopra, a licensed physician, author and alternative medicine advocate, has spent his life explaining why and how this may be possible. The one thing I noted from his many discussions is his explanation of the placebo effect. According to Chopra, there have been countless studies where an average of 30 percent of subjects given a sugar pill in place of a prescription have shown a positive physical response.

A positive physical response without the prescription suggests something else, like the mind-body connection, may play a noteworthy role in our well-being.

For those who may be more skeptical of the mind-body connection, meditation is a great way to ease in. Meditation can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on your breath for just a few minutes. By doing so, you allow your body to go into a parasympathetic state. Essentially, you allow it to “rest and digest.” This simple act of closing your eyes and focusing on your breath reduces your heart rate and blood pressure, and that is definitely good for the body.

To all my fighters out there, I hope you find something that makes this journey even a bit more bearable.

Listen to your mind and body when it asks for what it needs. I am sending you all my positive vibes!

Stay well and enlightened until next time.

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Photos by Sarah Bell

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BY MIRELA KOPIER

Guided by LOVEE

Breast cancer warrior and mindfulness facilitator Sharon Brock shares how her “LOVEE Method” inspired resilience throughout her own diagnosis and treatment.

BY FRANCESCA HALIKIAS

S

haron Brock has had her fair share of struggles.

The L.A.-based breast cancer warrior and certified mindfulness facilitator’s new book, “The LOVEE Method: 5 Mindfulness Practices for the Journey of Breast Cancer,” operates as a memoir of her life and journey through stage II breast cancer, along with scripts and guides for mindfulness, too.

A health and wellness journalist for years, Brock was already familiar with health and mindfulness practices, but the LOVEE method (Label, Observe, Value, Embrace, and Equanimity) was something she developed to help her get through her breast cancer treatments.

Brock admits in the start of her book that she used to be a “bad weather meditator.” “I only meditated when things were going wrong or if I was in a bad mood or when something happened,” she says. “It was more of a hobby, it wasn’t a necessity to get through the day. It was a reflection of how blessed my life was. It was after my diagnosis that my anxiety rose to a level where I had to have a tool.

I had to meditate several hours a day just to maintain a sense of balance of mind and some peace.”

Throughout the book, Brock takes the reader through the ups and downs of her emotional well-being during her diagnosis and treatment after experiencing physical, financial and spiritual changes during chemotherapy. She often faced the question that many people may have when diagnosed with cancer: “Why me?”

“We don’t know why bad things happen, and we just have to let go and surrender to that. We’re never going to figure it all out and [we have] to drop into this feeling of trust.

And whatever happens is what is best for my soul’s evolution,” says Brock. “Even getting cancer [was] what my soul needed to learn. I needed to learn perseverance and how to be with something that was challenging in my life without reactivity.

These were all skills I didn’t have before cancer.”

She began meditating several hours a day throughout her cancer journey, and it was mindfulness practices that were the most effective and anchored her in the present. “When I was fully dropped into the present moment, I wasn’t worrying about the future. I wasn’t worrying about my death, essentially.

Or even the chemo treatment I had the next day, or the surgery,” Brock says. She felt a sense of ease and bliss in the present.

About a month after her diagnosis, Brock decided writing a book could be beneficial to other warriors. Brock was already a mindfulness teacher, so she had the coping skills. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year alone, or almost 300,000 women. Brock felt she had a duty to help these women with their own journeys.

“This is my duty; I have to write this book,” Brock says. “Of those 300,000, how many of them have mindfulness practice?” Brock started writing one month after

diagnosis and finished her first draft six months after her yearlong cancer treatment ended.

“What I hope is that the authentic emotions are conveyed in the scenes, because that’s what is healing in the reader. That the woman who’s going through it doesn’t feel alone, and that other sisters are with her and help her through it,” Brock says.

Cancer affects not only physical health but every other part of your life too, as Brock highlights in her book.

“There’s something important about getting cancer at a younger age when there’s so much focus on women being beautiful,” she says. “I lost my hair, I had major surgery on my breasts—having those things compromised, it was an invitation for me to turn inward and say, ‘Where is the source of my beauty? What about inner beauty?’ And that can never be taken away from me.”

Brock underwent reconstructive surgery at UCLA and had great doctors, but she remarks how the scars reminding her of her trauma are still a struggle to see.

During treatment, she used the LOVEE method to work with feelings of inadequacy or shame and the trauma of cancer. And she still uses the method to this day.

“What’s so beautiful about LOVEE is that it works with any emotion or related circumstance. It helps me get through the anxiety of cancer and now it’s helping me with feeling insecure about my scars,” says Brock.

While Brock’s book is primarily intended for women going through breast cancer, it can also help those who want to learn about emotional resilience and mindfulness through the story of one woman overcoming breast cancer.

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A Modern Family Pregnancy can become a lot harder or even impossible after cancer, but a viable option exists for those who still dream of growing their family—surrogacy.

BY SARAH DIMURO

“Y

ou guys better have kids soon. I mean, you’re we just needed the oven. The search for a surrogate was on. almost 34,” my mother-in-law proclaimed We had no idea where to start. In the U.S., while 47 during our daily walk through her Toronto states recognize gestational surrogacy according to Circle neighborhood, transitioning abruptly from Surrogacy, exact laws and protections can vary widely our previous discussion about whether or not we should based on your location. Furthermore, commercialized have sushi for dinner. I adored her, but she was much too surrogacy is illegal in Canada. You can reimburse a surimpatient to be bothered with subtlety. rogate’s expenses related to the pregnancy but anything Women all over the world were waiting longer to have outside of that is not allowed. kids and I had little concern for keeping up with what We ended up consulting a surrogacy agency that in anyone expected. Her son and I had just gotten married exchange for several thousand dollars helps “match” you and were about to move from New York City to Toronto in with a suitable surrogate. We made a video introducorder to live closer to his family. An actor, I had signed ing ourselves and our first child to potential candidates. with a top Canadian talent agency and my current focus My eyes flooded with tears as I recounted the path that was on finding us an affordable apartment downtown brought us here. where I would be auditioning.

The agency immediately sent us a few possible

Sure, my husband and I had talked about having matches, filling us with hope that our “super-surro” was kids—but we wanted to get settled before we got serious closer than we thought. However, none of them were a about having a family. Four years later, we bought ourfit and any of the ones whose initial applications we did selves a little more time by freezing our embryos. Soon connect with weren’t interested in pursuing next steps after I turned 39, we both felt the time had finally come when they discovered we already had a child. to start trying for a baby and during my 40th birthday It all felt so out of my control. Frustrated with the dinner we announced to our families we were four months endless waiting, I needed to take action. I severed ties with along with our first child. the agency and turned to Facebook, Pregnancy was incredible. I loved joining a few groups for Canadian surevery minute of it, working out daily rogates and intended parents (IPs), intiand never having any morning sickness. mate groups full of very active members.

We were suddenly And when our son was born that April I posted my story and within a few days faced with the I was genuinely sad I wouldn’t be pregconnected with a surrogate, Roxanne, nant anymore, though I was excited to who was open to another journey if she reality that if we see my feet again and could do without met the right couple. wanted to try for the late night in-utero acrobatics our The day we met in person, we spent love child was so keen on performing. the entire time relaxing and laughing at another baby within Before being pregnant I assumed it was a spa, our phones in a locker as we sat the next year, I something I could only tolerate once sharing stories. While she was several would not be the one but now, my husband’s insistence we try years younger, our birthdays were a for baby number two wasn’t completely day apart. And when she met our son to carry it. dismissed. she immediately adored him, excited to For Christmas that year, he got my help make him a big brother. mother-in-law—who despite her some Over the course of the next 10 times tactless tendencies was my closest months, I spent many evenings at her friend and favorite travel companion—and me an all-inhome, sharing dinners and movie nights with her incrediclusive trip to Aruba. It was on that luxury vacation that bly supportive husband and their three fantastic kids. And I noticed the palpable lump in my deflated right breast, when our beautiful son was born in May 2020, I was so which two weeks after returning from paradise was conexcited to make her one of his godmothers. firmed to be breast cancer.

Cancer took so many things away, but getting to go We were suddenly faced with the reality that if we through this journey with Roxanne was something I’m wanted to try for another baby within the next year, I grateful cancer allowed me to experience. would not be the one to carry it. It was too dangerous Our shared birthday is in two weeks and we are celto expose my body to a pregnancy surge in estrogen and ebrating it together. With all of the COVID-19 restricprogesterone, both of which were largely responsible for tions in Canada, this will be the first in-person time spent helping my type of breast cancer grow. A double mastectogether since our miracle baby was born. On our agenda: tomy had removed all of the cancerous breast tissue, and binge-watching Netflix, sipping chocolate tea and lots further testing showed that the cancer hadn’t spread. But of laughing, because that’s all I ever want to do with my a risk of recurrence was still a possibility. family. And Roxanne, my surrogate, is forever family.

I was placed on a hormonal protocol, which included putting me into chemical menopause and taking a daily pill that further diminished my estrogen. Going off these medications so soon after being diagnosed was a risk I Sarah DiMuro is an actor and writer in Toronto, Canada who wasn’t prepared to take. Suddenly all that time I thought recently welcomed her second child via gestational surrogate. we had to grow our family was gone.

You can follow her on Instagram at @sdimuro2018. For more Luckily, nearby in a fertility clinic were our “just in information regarding surrogacy during or after breast cancer, case” embryos sitting safely in storage. We had the bun; visit cancer.net/survivorship/life-after-cancer.

Cancer Wellness

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Have Hope

Rethinking the discourse regarding hope among doctors and patients alike could make a vital difference in warriors’ quality of life.

BY TAYLOR NOVAK

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ope makes an immense difference in the cancer

One such tool of utilizing a positive outlook for the journey and its outcome. Without hope, I could future throughout the cancer journey is hope therapy, which have easily given in to despair and lost sight of emphasizes the components of hope. A 2019 study in journal the light in cancer’s dark tunnel,” says Mike SAGE Open Nursing engaged in hope therapy with 40 Armstrong, former chairman and CEO of Comcast, AT&T rehabilitating cancer patients through “brief hope intervenand Hughes Electronics. tion.” The four one-on-one sessions conducted in the study

Armstrong is also a two-time cancer warrior who aimed to set realistic goals for the future, determine paths to battled leukemia and prostate cancer. Now in retirement, he success and encourage positive self-talk as motivation. is setting out to change the discourse around cancer among Results from this study showed physical and psychodoctors and warriors alike when it comes to having hope. logical symptoms were reduced significantly after the brief Having hope is something easier said than done when hope intervention with a slight increase in hope. It appears facing cancer. A life-changing diagnosis inspires a flurry of long-term hope intervention therapy for cancer warriors feelings, many of which may not be optimistic—which is a may prove useful when it comes to outlook on the future. valid and natural response to a diagnosis and the trials and Making a plan for treatment was a form of goal setting tribulations of treatment. But it turns out that your overall that Armstrong found especially helpful during his own mindset can in fact play a part in your cancer journey. journeys. Short-term and long-term goal setting does not “Many experts agree that hope plays a significant role need to necessarily include beating cancer, though having in how cancer patients engage in their a factual plan on how you and your care and perhaps how they respond to medical team will approach your cancer treatments,” Armstrong says. “Hope can free you from a lot of stress, giving adds quality of life both to the physiyou time to focus on other motivating “Hope adds quality cian and to the patient and it can have factors. You can prepare for the worst of life both to the a positive effect on the cancer journey.” while still hoping for the best.

According to Stanford Medicine, For Armstrong, support from family physician and to “Hope can be a major tool of empowand friends was an important motivator the patient and it erment and an element for sustaining in getting through treatment. His wife, life and the will to live. Hope keeps one Anne, was a strong source of hope for can have a positive alive to fight for another day, a month, him. “We were facing this together and effect on the cancer a year and a return to better health. It were prepared to deal with whatever affords another opportunity to respond was on the horizon, realistically and journey.” to therapy and to live. Hope is supported honestly, as we had done with the many by the positive attitudes of the medical other challenges we’d faced,” he says. team but can also be very fragile.”

He also built an “arsenal of resources.”

Armstrong acknowledges this fragility in his fight to the In his recent book “Cancer with Hope: Facing Illness, culture of hope among health care professionals. While cancer Embracing Life and Finding Purpose,” Armstrong shares survival depends largely on science—such as cancer type, the this resource hub with readers. It includes a list of National stage of disease and how one responds to treatments—hope Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, questions to plays an important role in how you approach and engage with ask your doctors, trusted cancer websites and more. “All are care. If a warrior’s health care team doesn’t support the notion there to help ease your journey and improve your quality of of hope, especially when prognosis is bad, it may be detrimental life, which will strengthen your hope,” says Armstrong. to the success of treatment and the individual’s quality of life.

It’s vital to leave space to feel the negative emotions that “Most hospitals and physicians are primarily focused come with a diagnosis and treatment—anger, grief, sadness. on fighting the disease. They are reluctant to provide But to make a deliberate choice in maintaining hope and not false hope and are equally averse to taking away hope. letting cancer define you, Armstrong believes, offers a sense of We need to encourage practitioners and patients alike to purpose and allows you to see a light at the end of the tunnel. share stories of hope and purpose in the face of cancer,”

“Hope helps patients recognize their own inner says Armstrong. “We need to educate both clinicians and strength and tap into it. It helps foster the ability to turn patients about the role and importance of hope, and to negatives into positives and maintain joy and purpose in develop tools that both clinicians and patients can use in the face of adversity,” Armstrong says. “Joy and purpose discussing, managing and even measuring hope.” are what make life worth living—and fighting—for.”

THE SHARED PATH OF HEALING If given the opportunity, healing can serve as one of the greatest equalizers among all of us.

BY ELIZABETH TUCKWELL

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t the intersection of patient and healer, there is an occurrence that is mutually yielding—the reciprocal reward from the healing event. This result transcends programmed societal lenses and moves both parties to a mutually beneficial field of unlimited possibilities: the human experience.

When we containerize people into social paradigms such as class or race, we exclude the “human” from the story and focus on statistics. In health care, one can imagine this is prevalent from the outside, but some of the stories from this field have beautifully rewarding outcomes when closely examined.

“I knew that when she walked into my clinic, she was looking to be seen as a human,” says Dr. Melissa Gerlach, recalling the time she treated an elderly Indian woman who came into her clinic wearing a beautiful sari, speaking almost no English and confessing that she had no address and no phone and was living in her car.

“One of the gifts I have received from my practice is the ability to validate someone’s experience by seeing who they are as a person who needs help and not as their social status,” says Gerlach, a breast cancer specialist and breast imaging radiologist in San Jose, California. “I realize that sometimes they have a bigger need and that is to be seen as a human. I feel so lucky that I can use all of my years of training and expertise to help them feel valued and cared for.”

This experience has also transformed Gerlach. She admits that medical school took a toll on her own emotional and mental health, but when she is in the role of patient support she feels empowered and rewarded.

“Becoming a doctor was challenging but being a doctor has healed that for me. I want to transform my patients’ experiences and have them feel valued and cared for,” she says. “I often share personal stories with them so that they feel more comfortable and seen, despite what their outside world is reflecting. With me, they are safe.”

Rebecca Townsend, a licensed massage therapist and owner of the Indianapolis-based Mantis Massage studio specializing in treating cancer warriors, also shares this viewpoint.

“I think healing works to be an equalizer when we encourage people to think of themselves as a mind-bodyspirit being on a wellness journey, and as healers and doctors caring for them, we are also on a wellness journey,” says Townsend.

She affirms that wellness is not a straight line but rather a path that unfolds. As it does, it creates lines of communication that were previously closed by the separation of class and race.

“I recognize my privilege and the position I hold,” Townsend says. “I honor the clients that come to my studio by creating a visual environment that respects and honors their diversity and offering services to those who need it but may not be able to afford it.”

She recognizes that wellness can at times feel elite and that those who need it cannot always receive it. “I

also understand what it is like to have to choose between feeding your child and getting a massage, and I don’t want anyone to have to make that choice,” she says. “Everyone deserves wellness.”

To augment this, she often donates her services to those who can’t afford them. Being in a position where wellness dictates the conversation allows her to dismantle socio-economic boundaries and cultivate true human connections where both the patient and the healer’s experience is based on similarities as humans rather than differences.

“I have found that to be extremely rewarding: to be able to extend generosity and recognize those in need and be in the position to support others. I honor those who come to me and feel so fulfilled by doing so,” Townsend shares.

Relationships are the mirrors of our truest selves.

This is both accurate on a societal level and an interpersonal level. The relationship between caregiver and patient reflects a wide spectrum of our cultural learnings.

At the core of it is an opportunity like no other to cultivate care, connection and a trust that transcends the limitations of societal boundaries and allows us to honor the human journey that we all share.

As we journey on the path toward healing, we will see that our similarities far outweigh our differences and this in itself becomes the greatest healing of all.

Inquiry Process: Reflection of Healing Relationships Within My Life Tuning In/Finding Out: Who are the people in my life that matter the most to me?

How are they a reflection of me?

How am I changed by my relationships?

Going Further: Who am I when I am with them?

What gifts do I bring to my relationships?

How are my relationships mutually healing?

Taking Action: How can I apply this and become a better version of myself?

Cancer Wellness

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Super Clean Solutions

Winter months are tough on your skin, especially during and after treatment. You’ll be in good—and soft—hands with these five clean product picks perfect for returning moisture to the face and body!

REVIEWED BY TEAM CW

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. The products and their descriptions are written from the perspective of their author, team cW who makes no claim other than their opinion. The section is meant for entertainment purposes only and reflects the sole opinion of its author.

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BEL MONDO MOISTURE RENEWAL MASK

Bel Mondo created this mask in collaboration with Oncology Spa Solutions with those on a cancer journey in mind. This “cancer-aware” mask is gentle, fragrance free and easy to apply. The mask left my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized. It’s the perfect moisture boost for those with compromised skin, especially during colder weather!

24-PACK AVAILABLE AT BELMONDOBEAUTY.COM, $170

TRILOGY BALANCING FACIAL OIL

This balancing facial oil is perfect for any time of day and weather. A wonderful product that is quickly absorbed, your skin won’t feel oily and heavy after use. I like applying this as a primer before makeup for a smooth and flawless application. The oil has a mild essence of nature that doesn’t linger once it is on your skin. It’s a musthave in your skincare routine.

AVAILABLE AT TRILOGYPRODUCTS.COM, $28

WELEDA SKIN FOOD LIP BUTTER

I am a lip balm enthusiast and I definitely have my faves. The Weleda lip butter will be added to my list! For lips that are dry and sometimes crack easily, they deserve care with the best ingredients possible. This pick features a subtle honey scent and taste sure to nourish and repair. It’s a beauty must-have!

AVAILABLE AT WELEDA.COM, $7

WELEDA SHEER HYDRATION MOISTURE MIST

Ever wish you could have a hydration reset in one quick go? This moisture mist will answer your prayers! Compact enough to fit in your daily bag, this refreshing spray is the perfect winter companion when your skin feels dull and dry. Even better, the aloe vera and prickly pear cactus extract combo is soothing for all skin types.

Dermatologist tested, cW approved!

AVAILABLE AT WELEDA.COM, $15

WELEDA SKIN FOOD BODY BUTTER

This is a phenomenal moisturizer! During the winter months, I love a rich, nonsticky lotion, and I have searched far and wide for an option as good as this one. The butter is an indulgent formula but never feels heavy. In fact, the butter absorbs into your skin within minutes, leaving your skin feeling extremely moisturized and smooth. It has worked wonders on my hands, elbows and feet this season.

AVAILABLE AT WELEDA.COM, $19

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LOOKING GOOD, FEELING BETTER Look Good Feel Better, a free program dedicated to helping participants with managing the appearance-related effects of cancer, is providing renewed hope and confidence to warriors everywhere.

BY FRANCESCA HALIKIAS

L

ook Good Feel Better is a free program that has they recognize they are ill when they see themselves. They been a game changer when it comes to managsee someone who looks really different looking back at ing the appearance aspects of cancer treatment. them. It’s a universal experience,” says Roark.

Participants learn tips about skin and nail care; The program is now implemented in 27 countries. It’s cosmetics; wigs and turbans; accessories and styling; a free service on a global scale to boost the morale and and more from licensed and trained beauty and health self-esteem of cancer warriors everywhere. professionals.

Programs include lessons on how to style a wig, how to “Look Good Feel Better is a program that is designed wrap a scarf and how to apply cosmetics, among other skills. to help women, men and teenagers who are undergoLook Good Feel Better works with several hospitals around ing cancer treatment be able to learn how to manage the country and has approximately 3000 volunteers trained the [appearance-related] side effects of treatment. They and certified to deliver the instructional lessons. are able to learn what to do and how to do it so that the Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization appearance concerns that happen because of treatment has moved to a virtual platform for the time being and are taken off the table and they can really focus on getting has programming in six different subject areas including better and moving through the skincare and cosmetics workshops, cancer journey,” says Louanne Roark, alternatives for hair loss workshops, the executive director of Look Good scarf-tying workshops, nail workFeel Better for over 15 years. shops and body image styling ward“People have cancer The idea of Look Good Feel Better robe workshops. originated with the makeover of a cancer

“In 2021, we added ‘Feel Better’ treatment. They look warrior in her 20s who was undergoing sessions. They are really targeted as comat themselves in the treatment and rigorous chemotherapy plementary content to Look Good Feel mirror and sometimes that had dramatically impacted her Better’s content that’s focused on manappearance. She didn’t look like how aging appearance side effects of treatit’s the first time that she was used to seeing herself and had ment. We are offering them about once they recognize they begun avoiding seeing friends and a quarter now—we plan to offer them family visiting her in the hospital. more frequently in 2022. That program are ill when they see Her doctor reached out to his friend is focused on four areas where there’s themselves.” who was the president of the beauty good data to support focusing on these industry’s trade association, asking if areas: mindfulness, nutrition, exercise there was something that he could do and inspiration,” explains Roark. and whether he knew anyone who could

I n 2022, Look Good Feel Better help her with these appearance-related concerns. The friend will also be adding virtual workshops for teens and men found professional cosmetologists who could assist her, and as well. There is content for both teens and men on the they went to the patient’s hospital room for a makeover. website currently.

They gave her a wig and styled it, helped her with skin

“From a personal perspective, every day I feel really issues and more. When she looked at herself in the mirror, honored and grateful to have a job like I have that allows me she transformed from withdrawn and depressed to hopeful to give back on a daily basis and help people through probably and confident. Her sense of self that was taken away returned. one of the most difficult moments in their lives, and to find new

This sparked the idea for Look Good Feel Better. and innovative ways to continue helping them even through Doctors and beauty professionals came together and the pandemic,” says Roark. “It’s quite rewarding and it’s an brainstormed what programs, content and education unusual circumstance to be in a role where every day I can shut would be most beneficial for warriors. Built upon these my computer down at the end of the day and know that somecollaborative ideas, Look Good Feel Better officially where I’ve helped someone. We exist to help patients, and we launched in 1989 and eventually found roots in every state want to help as many patients as we possibly can.” with a global rollout beginning in the 1990s.

“People have cancer treatment. They look at themTo learn more about Look Good Feel Better’s programming, selves in the mirror and sometimes it’s the first time that visit lookgoodfeelbetter.org.

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A POWERFUL PERSPECTIVE Obi “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe’s photography shows breast cancer warriors in a new light.

BY MEGHAN KONKOL

Photographs courtesy of Obi “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe

“S

carred: The Journey of a Warrior,” a pho Uwakwe sensed that the general public wasn’t accustography exhibit at Electriqsoul Hideout tomed to seeing post-mastectomy bodies in a powerful Studios in Chicago’s West Loop, highlight. He wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the lighted the beauty and bravery of five breast women’s strengths and remind them of their own beauty. cancer survivors. The show featured photographs by Obi

Teri Ford, another warrior photographed for the “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe, studio owner and artist. Through exhibit, has been on a long road of body acceptance after the exhibit, the five women bared their scars and stories her mastectomy. Until she had a cherry blossom design to raise the curtain on what it truly means to be a breast tattooed over her scars, she says, it was difficult to look in cancer warrior. the mirror and see what cancer left behind. Feeling fem The exhibit was open each weekend throughout inine and strong with her new tattoo, Ford believes that October 2021, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Uwakwe’s exhibit provided another step forward for her Month. Each evening of the show, a different featured healing process. “This project was very empowering for warrior photographed for the exhibit was invited to speak me,” Ford shares. “I’m strong and powerful, yet I’m very about her experience with breast cancer. feminine—and I didn’t lose that through [cancer].”

Electriqsoul Hideout Studios, which opened in

Ford appreciates that the exhibit is also an opporMarch, is the culmination of Uwakwe’s decade-long tunity for women to support each other. “This diagnodream to have an art gallery and photography studio. sis showed me the power of women supporting women,” The idea for a breast cancer-themed photography exhibit she says. She expresses her gratitude for women coming came to Uwakwe while on a hike over the summer, he says. together in the breast cancer community to share stories He remembered a friend going through breast cancer a and resources. “When you look at all five women in the couple of years prior. At the time, he hadn’t been able portraits, everyone exudes strength and beauty simultato find the right words or actions to support his friend neously in their own way,” she adds. through the difficult experience. He now realized that he From the artist’s perspective, Uwakwe shares that he could use his studio and art as a way has learned from the experience and to show support. has a “completely new understanding”

Uwakwe explains that when he of what a woman goes through after originally researched breast cana breast cancer diagnosis. Working Uwakwe hopes that cer-related images, he found women with warriors also opened his eyes to portrayed as victims, their scars repthe overall survivorship experience; his photography will resenting damage done to their bodies. breast cancer doesn’t necessarily end spread a greater Looking at these images, he could when treatment is over. He now sees message that a woman only imagine what the emotional and how breast cancer leaves a permanent psychological scars must be. mark beyond the physical scars. is no less beautiful or

With his photography, Uwakwe Uwakwe’s exhibit also made finanpowerful after undersays, “I wanted to show art, beauty and cial contributions to groups providpower.” He encouraged each warrior ing support, education and other going a mastectomy. in the project to tell her own story and assistance to women experiencing share her experience truthfully. The breast cancer. The featured warriors women featured expose a variety of and Uwakwe selected three benefiperspectives on what it’s like to not only receive medical ciary groups to receive proceeds from the exhibit’s ticket treatment for breast cancer but to go on as a survivor as well. sales. The beneficiaries were Chicago’s Speakeasy Custom

Featured warrior Susan McKenzie says that by Tattoo, a tattoo studio that provides free tattoos to breast sharing her photos and story in this exhibit, she wants cancer warriors; Sisters Working It Out, a Chicago-based to emphasize that women—especially Black women—are breast cancer support group; and Recovery On Water, a often culturally conditioned to “not give ourselves permisrowing team for breast cancer warriors. sion to be sick.” For her, one of the most difficult parts of

Uwakwe expresses that in addition to learning so breast cancer was giving up control and fully accepting much from each of the warriors, he now has expanded support. “We believe that we have to do it all,” she says. his community with people who he deeply cares about as McKenzie recently celebrated 20 years of survivorship. they continue on through survivorship and other aspects She says that while she didn’t approach the photography of their lives. “It’s one of the most fulfilling endeavors I’ve project with a specific plan of how her images would look, embarked on,” he says. she took it as an opportunity to celebrate herself and her body. The bright smile shining through one of her portraits certainly conveys this message. A major component of celebrating longevity and resilience in life after cancer is her role as a mother to her 17-year-old daughter, Lauriana. “I often refer to her as my cure,” McKenzie says.

Uwakwe hopes that his photography will spread a greater message that a woman is no less beautiful or powObi “Obisoulstar” Uwakwe is a Chicago-based artist and erful after undergoing a mastectomy. It was also important owner of Electriqsoul Hideout Studios. For more info on his for the women to feel validated and empowered by seeing future events and exhibits, follow the studio on Instagram at @ the images of themselves. electriqsoul_hideout_ studios.

A Day at the Spa

Cancer warriors and thrivers were treated to a virtual spa day courtesy of Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Center for Health and Wellness, featuring meditation, yoga, music and more.

BY MEGHAN KONKOL

O

n Oct. 24, 2021, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (MMJCCM) Center for Health and Wellness held its “Shirley Kohn Spa Day for Individuals Living with Breast or Ovarian Cancer.” This year marked the MMJCCM’s second virtual edition of the event, and 15th overall. The program was offered at no cost to provide health and wellness updates and guidance for those living with cancer.

Throughout the day, some 60 participants from around the country tuned in live to enjoy a variety of sessions designed to educate, inspire and nourish the mind and body. The event drew a total of over 100 registrants, who will receive recordings to watch on-demand. The various activities were carefully selected and tailored to be mindful of wherever someone might be in their cancer journey—whether in active treatment or navigating survivorship.

Caroline Kohles, the senior director of the MMJCCM’s Center for Health and Wellness, started off the day’s festivities by welcoming participants and leading a brief mindful breathing practice. She then introduced the keynote speaker, positive psychologist Maria Sirois, Ph.D.

During her keynote, Sirois shared her thoughts on recognizing the range of emotions that can arise as someone experiences cancer. She encouraged attendees to allow space for difficulties such as pain, suffering and loss but to also pivot attention to even the simplest moments that bring joy.

Sirois also included positive psychology-themed interludes between the day’s sessions. The common thread of resilience provided a meaningful connection to the other Spa Day activities.

The day continued with a Moving for Life exercise session led by instructor Ana Leon Bella. Attendees were provided with adaptations to suit various physical restrictions and range of motion considerations.

Over the noon hour, health and wellness consultant Teri Mosey, Ph.D. shared tips on practicing mindfulness through nutrition. Mosey encouraged attendees to relax and adopt a playful attitude about their food choices, striving for colorful, primarily plant-based meals.

The Spa Day afternoon sessions were fully focused on relaxation and stress relief through a variety of formats.

Kathy Shapiro introduced participants to the world of Zentangle, a mindful art form creating beautiful and calming patterns in pencil and pen. Attendees were invited to share their resulting artwork on the screen.

Massage therapist Ericka Clinton then guided a self-massage session that participants were encouraged to follow live in addition to repeating on their own in the future to help relieve everyday stress. Next, reiki master Pamela Miles shared the benefits of reiki practice, emphasizing the importance of self-care as part of an individual’s overall health plan.

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Whitney Chapman, RYT and harpist Amy Camie then guided a mudras yoga practice accompanied by healing harp music. Spa Day then finished on an upbeat note with Broadway’s Best, a musical performance by actresses Mandy Gonzalez and Krista Rodriguez, and closing words from Kohles.

In her closing remarks, Kohles encouraged anyone impacted by cancer to attend one of the MMJCCM’s many free programs, reminding participants that they’re not alone. “In community, we’re stronger,” Kohles said.

The MMJCCM provides a wide range of cancer-specific programming throughout the year through its Cancer Care program. These programs include massage, nutrition, meditation, yoga, cooking, sound healing, art classes and special events. The vast majority of activities are free to those experiencing cancer. “Cancer is expensive, so our intent is to remove the barrier of expense so anyone impacted by cancer can participate,” Kohles explained.

Kohles emphasized that Cancer Care programs aim to shift the paradigm of cancer awareness and break stigmas around cancer. It’s important to make people experiencing cancer feel empowered to make the best choices for their individual situation. “Personal choice is important,” Kohles added.

With many programs now shifting to virtual, Kohles believes that the MMJCCM was able to reach participants and constituents that may not have been able to join their programs in the past. In this light, she said, the MMJCCM hopes to provide hybrid offerings to further expand their reach even as in-person activities resume.

Gen Z and the Big C It can be difficult to be taken seriously as a young person. But as cancer rates continue growing in younger demographics, warriors like 21 year old Manar Kashk stress the importance of advocating for yourself and listening to your body when it comes to your health.

BY ALEX MANAA

Cancer Wellness

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T

Kashk began chemotherapy in April and finished hroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of in July, while also undergoing a clinical trial with the our normal daily routines slowed down or even Cleveland Clinic in hopes of avoiding pulmonary fibrosis became obsolete. Some of us used the time to as a side effect of treatment. She was thankfully declared pick up a new hobby, spend time with loved ones cancer-free and now regularly goes in for checkups, but the or just do our best to survive and look after our health. diagnosis has left a lasting impression on her outlook of life.

During quarantine, I began to pay attention to my health “When I first got [the diagnosis], it was like an emoand body in ways I never took the opportunity to before. tional roller coaster,” says Kashk. “Some days I was OK, After scheduling various consultations and going through and I just didn’t think about it and kind of went along a long ordeal of referrals, tests and poking and prodding, with my day. Other days I would just sit in bed all day and my doctor told me they had discovered pre-cancerous stare at the wall. I don’t think I ever questioned why it growths after one of my procedures. happened to me. I just took it like, ‘OK, this is just another This news came as a shock to me. The type of cancer thing to add to my story to make me a stronger person.”

I was at risk for was normally found in people older than

Reflecting on her journey, Kashk recognizes the 50—and I was only 20. Apparently, this experience was importance of mindset. “The one thing I really learned becoming more common. through it was that it’s all a mental game,” Kashk shares.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer “Ninety percent of it is a mental game; it’s all in your head. is the fourth leading cause of death among young adults, Ten percent of it is going through treatment.” and one of its studies shows that cancer rates in young When it comes to the most unexpected part of her adults have increased over the years. My experience and journey, Kashk says she’s proud of how well she handled these statistics had me questioning how many other Gen Z the unexpected diagnosis. “I didn’t want to be defined by “Zoomers” were at risk of developing cancer, or could have my illness. I didn’t want it to take over my life,” she says. “I cancer without even knowing it. Moreover, how could a don’t want to waste time; I’m so young, and I know I still young adult or teenager cope with cancer once they’ve have so much time.” been diagnosed?

G en Z may not think about their

Loyola University student and health often due to their age—but cancer warrior Manar Kashk has this can be misleading as cancer rates some experience to draw from.

Gen Z may not think continue to affect younger demo Kashk first noticed a small lump about their health graphics. Kashk stresses the imporunder her earlobe while visiting home tance of taking on a proactive role in January of 2021. She showed it to often due to their when it comes to your well-being. her dad, a physician. He asked her a age—but this can be “The number one thing is to listen few questions but thought little of to your body. Don’t come up with it, recommending that they wait a misleading as cancer excuses if you feel like something’s off. couple of months to follow up. Kashk rates continue to affect Make sure you fight to get answers,” says she developed a fever that night, she says. “A lot of doctors brush you but after taking Tylenol, she felt fine younger demographics. off, saying, ‘No, it’s in your head, it’s and returned to campus in Chicago nothing, relax.’ But if you feel like one shortly after. small thing is off, go get a checkup, go But the lump didn’t go away. In get bloodwork. Do whatever’s in your power.” fact, over the next month, it only continued to swell while “And don’t let it take over your life,” she adds. “You’re Kashk became increasingly sick in addition to losing not defined by your illness. Do what you love, and it’ll weight rapidly. But due to school, stress and exercise, teach you to appreciate all the little things in life.”

Kashk pushed it aside until her parents came to visit her Nowadays, Kashk says she appreciates getting flowers in Chicago. Upon seeing the change in the swollen lymph much more than she used to and is looking forward to node, Kashk’s dad grew concerned and told her to visit an catching up on the traveling she missed out on. Through ENT specialist. sharing stories like Kashk’s, we can spread awareness,

Kashk’s doctors speculated about everything from education and resources for young people who may be up autoimmune diseases to the mumps, despite her being against a battle they never knew was a possibility. vaccinated. “Everyone’s in denial that it’s cancer because I’m very young,” she says. “And I’ve never had any family history of it.”

Soon enough, she was scheduled for a fine needle biopsy with a pathologist who was hoping to give a preliminary diagnosis. Kashk was with her mother when the doctor quietly confirmed her fears—she was suspected to have Hodgkin lymphoma.

Kashk says the next month of her life consisted of nonstop doctor appointments, additional biopsies and surgeries for further testing—all the while never quitting her studies. She was typically the youngest person Visit cancerwellness.com/stories/essays for more personal stories receiving treatment in the hospitals she visited and due to from the new cancer community.

COVID-19, she was often alone and not allowed visitors.

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Rising Up Founder of Black Women Rising and breast cancer warrior Leanne Pero advocates for Black warriors and thrivers to receive the resources they need to beat cancer.

BY FRANCESCA HALIKIAS

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hen Leanne Pero was diagnosed with breast

“A cancer diagnosis can be incredibly lonely,” she cancer at age 30, she realized that there was says. “Friends who you once knew would drop everything little representation of Black and other POC when you needed them [disappeared]. In our community, cancer warriors in U.K. media while searchwe don’t talk about having cancer for fear of judgement, so ing for resources and aid. In 2017, she decided to start our circle of support becomes very small. And for many Black Women Rising to tackle these disparities. they have no support at all,” says Pero. “Being able to meet

After receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, Pero’s and talk to like-minded people and having those who whole world changed. “At the time of my diagnosis, I was know what you are going through is vital.” fit and healthy. I was a successful business owner and I The results of Pero’s Black Women Rising 100 Women had a dream job at the world-renowned Pineapple dance Survey conducted in early 2021 reported that 81 percent studios. I was also at university finally getting my busistruggled with their mental health after their treatment. “This ness management degree. Due to the intense nature of my just isn’t good enough. More needs to be done to support the treatment and subsequent surgery I was not able to carry mental health needs of cancer patients,” Pero says. on working. I had a few days to hand over the business, The heart of the project lies in its monthly peer-todefer university and cancel all commitments,” recalls Pero. peer support groups. By giving Black women and men And on top of her life-changing diagnosis, Pero’s mother a platform to share their stories with others, the Black had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time Women Rising project has reached more of the commujust six months prior. While supporting her mother through nity. It is assuring people that speaking out is OK; cancer her own journey, Pero underwent her own challenges—eight isn’t something shameful. gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy “During the pandemic, at a time when I didn’t know if and immediate reconstructive surgery. the charity would survive, we launched our podcast series “When you hear the words ‘You have cancer,’ every[“Black Women Rising: Untold Cancer Stories”] as well thing changes. I definitely struggled with my mental as published our inaugural edition of our biannual Black health both during treatment and after Women Rising magazine, the first of it. Everything in your life changes in its kind. Both of these have helped us an instant. Your body changes. You reach even more of our community— lose so much both physically and menhelping them feel supported, heard “During my diagnotally,” says Pero. and, most importantly, seen,” says Pero. sis and subsequent It was during this time that Pero

Black Women Rising has also began to see the disparities between launched a weekly podcast that shares treatment, I began Black and white cancer patients. men’s stories, too. The “Black Men to see the gaps in “During my diagnosis and subsequent Rising: Untold Cancer Stories” podcast treatment, I began to see the gaps launched in October 2020 with a support services in support services for Black cancer 12-part series. for Black cancer patients. The lack of inclusivity meant

Through these initiatives, Black that the majority of mainstream Women Rising is giving a voice back to patients.” support could not offer me what I members of marginalized communities needed. There was no adequate advice with the hope that through collective for hair care during treatment, no wigs power and support, everyone is able to or prosthetics tailored for women of color and vitally the receive the resources they deserve in order to beat cancer. mental health support offered was tailored to middle-aged white women. I began blogging about my experiences and I discovered that I was not alone,” says Pero.

Through blogging and her goal to spread awareness in the Black communities about cancer, Pero met many people who were either misdiagnosed or not offered mental health support through their cancer journeys. This generally left them feeling excluded from communication with their health providers and widened the health inequalities felt by Black and other marginalized communities.

Because of the lack of resources and the taboo regarding cancer surrounding these communities, many people stopped speaking out about their ordeals, leading to an absence of awareness and education around cancer, its signs and symptoms. Because of this, people within these communities may be given more late-stage diagnoses and experience higher mortality rates in some cancers than seen in white cancer cases.

“I could not sit back and watch,” says Pero. “I set up the Black Women Rising support groups to provide help to Black cancer patients, survivors and thrivers. From there I set up my own charity, The Leanne Pero Foundation.” Her main To learn more about Black Women Rising, visit blackwomenhope is that nobody goes through a cancer journey alone. risinguk.org.

Latinas Contra Cancer While Latinx communities may not experience cancer as often as their non-Hispanic white counterparts, disparities still exist, especially when it comes to cancer mortality rates.

California-based organization Latinas Contra Cancer is working to change that.

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BY TAYLOR NOVAK

ccording to a 2018 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians statistics report, cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinx in the U.S. Furthermore, rates of infection-related cancers, such as liver, are also twice as high compared to non-Hispanic white demographics. Late-stage diagnoses are also more common among Hispanics/Latinx, which can be linked to lower screening rates, lack of awareness and various socioeconomic obstacles like being uninsured.

An inclusive health care system is key to sufficiently addressing these disparities, and Latinas Contra Cancer is helping make that a reality for Latinx warriors in San Jose, California.

In San Jose, Latinx and Hispanics make up 31.6 percent of the population. Since 2003, Latinas Contra Cancer has partnered with nonprofits, schools, churches, health care systems, universities and government entities to educate over 5,000 individuals within this underserved group on options for cancer prevention and care.

“We use culturally appropriate events to engage residents in screening activities and when needed match them with a promotora—a vetted peer from a similar background to that of our clients who is trained to help clients navigate cancer and the various health systems with which they may interact,” the organization’s website states.

Latinas Contra Cancer was created by journalist and cancer warrior Ysabel Duron and continues to be Latinaled. It creates effective and culturally competent programming that addresses language barriers, limited resources, lack of cancer awareness and fear of pain or deportation.

According to Latinas Contra Cancer, Latinas are less likely to perform breast self-exams, get mammograms or seek medical care when they suspect something is wrong. This is why the organization emphasizes health education and adequate patient navigation resources as top priority for the community.

The education provided by Latinas Contra Cancer “encourages informed decision-making; patient empowerment; the diminishing of myths; and open dialogue free from shame and judgment.” Health education events hosted by the organization use interactive information tables and “cancer education bingos” similar to Loteria to teach facts and dispel misinformation about cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these events have moved to interactive Zoom sessions.

Patient navigation is another important aspect of Latinas Contra Cancer’s work. The medical system can be confusing to begin with, and a language barrier doesn’t make it any clearer. “Navigating the health care system is a challenge, especially for those whose primary language is not English,” says the organization.

Latinas Contra Cancer’s patient navigation team provides “translation services; assistance with scheduling, tracking and attending appointments; guidance related to cancer support groups; referrals and help with signing up for free to low-cost insurance and care programs; and resources for food security, violence prevention, emergency housing, transportation [and] childcare support” so Latinx warriors can focus on their health.

Additionally, Latinas Contra Cancer launched “Defensoras: Health Care Advocate Training,” a new 8-week program that explores topics including patient rights, health care justice and treatment navigation in order to empower the Latinx community.

Empowerment doesn’t only come from the inside, though; Latinas Contra Cancer recently expanded into the boutique business with a shop featuring wigs, caps, silicone breast prostheses and adaptive mastectomy garments. High-quality items of this variety aren’t cheap, but the organization makes sure Latinx warriors and thrivers have what they need regardless of finances.

“We work to ensure all women who have been diagnosed with cancer have access to the support they need through survivorship regardless of their income, other barriers or whether or not their insurance covers their needs,” the organization says.

Latinas Contra Cancer also recognizes that it doesn’t necessarily get easier once you’re cancer-free. It currently hosts one of the only monthly psychosocial support groups in Spanish in the San Jose area.

Free spa days, beauty days and family event days are also held throughout the year, and Latinas Contra Cancer provides one-on-one counseling for any interested warriors. Through these programs, Latinas Contra Cancer goes above and beyond to provide support for every step of the cancer journey.

“At Latinas Contra Cancer, we ensure no one battles cancer alone,” the organization says. “By overcoming obstacles caused by a health care system that places an extra burden on those already struggling through economic or social barriers, our clients have powerful stories of resilience and community.”

For more information on Latinas Contra Cancer, visit latinascontracancer.org.

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Moderated by certifed cancer coach, Mirela Kopier.

As I Am Three-time cancer warrior Bianca Muñiz is singing through survivorship.

WRITTEN BY TAYLOR NOVAK PHOTOGRAPHED BY JASMINE HOPE VERIDIANO

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or Bianca Muñiz, music is therapy. Her affinity for similar: I suggest Fiona Apple, and Muñiz cites Radiohead singing took root at an early age, and the talent as her biggest inspiration. “They’re incredible. They made has served the 27-year-old well throughout her me feel better and validated about my earlier music,” she three cancer fights thus far. says.

The susceptibility the singer-songwriter has toward Influences aside, Muñiz’s music is truly something all developing various types of cancer is a result of a mutated her own.

TP53 gene. Irregularity in this hereditary gene is rare After her second cancer diagnosis, Muñiz found that and leaves people at a higher risk of developing multiple she was discovering things about herself through the art cancer types in their lifetime. “It’s a super fun mutation,” of singing and songwriting. She’d had fun experimenting Muñiz quips. with jazz, rock and other genres prior to her diagnosis, but Muñiz’s first diagnosis came at age 11, paired alongnow she was seeing that music could be an outlet—she side a leading role in the school musical. While it sounds even taught herself guitar during breast cancer treatment. like poor timing, theater actually ended up serving as a “I feel like I’ve finally got a grasp of who I am musically,” catalyst for the young Muñiz while she underwent treatshe says. “Every song is going to be different, but there’s ment for ovarian cancer. an underlying theme now.”

“My parents and my doctors all tried to get me to Her more recent releases still possess an experimendrop out of school for a year and I was like, ‘Absolutely tal element, but the growth in Muñiz as an artist is evident. not,’” Muñiz recalls. She had been cast in her dream role A dreamy darkness tinged with a bittersweet, melancholic of Gabriella Montez in “High School Musical” after all. air envelopes many of her songs, derivative of her unearth“So, my doctors and I made a deal. If my blood count was ing emotions that came with her breast cancer diagnosis. too low, then I would have to wear a mask. And if it was “Take me away to somewhere in the night and let me really too low, I wasn’t allowed to go at all, which never escape from the sorrows of this life / I cry myself to sleep, happened because I always stayed on top of everything but no one seems to hear me,” Muñiz reverberates on the because I really wanted to perform. I’d track “Take Me Away” as a haunting piano be in the hospital practicing my lines solo leads listeners into a climactic and and singing to all the nurses—anyone chaotic auditory journey. that would listen.”

“My writing totally changed [after my “Cancer has given

In the end, Muñiz was able to diagnosis],” Muñiz says. “It very much perform and there was no evidence became a source of music therapy for me. me a completely of disease after six months of gruelAnd it’s helped me process. ‘Take Me Away’ new level of ing treatment. But the experience left was the first song I wrote after I was diaga lasting impression on her, fueling nosed, and I hadn’t realized there was self-respect and a hyper awareness of her own body a very dark side of my mind that I didn’t self-love.” during an already notoriously tumultuknow was there until I wrote that song. I ous period of life for young girls. read it back and I was like, ‘Oh, OK, that’s

“I kind of just wanted to forget how I feel. Cool.’” about all of it,” says Muñiz. “I didn’t want anyone to know and I was trying to keep it a secret because I was in middle school and going into high school—I just wanted to fit in.”

While Muñiz was seemingly pushing cancer to the h roughout our interview, it’s impossible not to back of her mind, she fixated on her physical body. For a take notice of Muñiz’s well-meaning fiery perbit, she struggled with an eating disorder due to the effects sonality. Does your new boyfriend kind of suck? from treatment. Then, in high school, she’d perform conShe’d likely tell you that you deserve better. Was stant self-checks, finding benign tumors. “I wasn’t actively your tip for the barista too low? She’d probably march you thinking about [cancer], but subconsciously I was thinkback into the coffee shop to slyly slip a couple more bucks ing about it enough to be this aware of my body,” she says. in the jar. She says that she’s always been a “take no bull” In college, one of Muñiz’s self-checks resulted in her kind of person, but cancer really helped her cut through finding yet another lump in her breast—but this time it all the BS once and for all. wasn’t benign. At 22, she was diagnosed with cancer for Take, for example, Muñiz’s third cancer diagnosis in the second time. the summer of 2021. This time, it was lung cancer—and “My response was like, ‘Well, if I’m alive, then I’m during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no less. While fine.’ And that’s pretty much been my motto ever since,” looking for a blood clot, her medical team informed her says Muñiz. that she had a tumor on her lung. Muñiz took the diagnosis in stride, proving that often we can be our own biggest advocate when it comes to our body.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s good. Let’s remove it. u ñiz’s earlier music, written while she was Immediately. Right now.’ They were trying to tell me my in college, is what she describes as “eclectic.” options—like a biopsy or a segmentation to look more into Inspired by her jazz school background, Muñiz it. And I’m like, ‘I don’t care. Look at my track record. masters the mixing of different genres, producRemove it.’ So, they did,” she says. ing a wonderfully intricate and layered result. We each This no-nonsense approach has carried over into the try to come up with an artist that sounds even remotely rest of Muñiz’s life, too. Her Instagram account boasts

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nearly 23,000 followers, but her posts read like a diary— heartfelt and honest. She’s an open book when it comes to sharing about the cancer journey, thoughts on body image, mental health struggles and—of course—her music.

“Life isn’t social media, right? So, I purposely try to post things on social media about my feelings,” she explains. “On my Instagram, if I’m having a really bad week, I’ll make a post about it. Like yesterday, I posted about feeling so anxious. And I’m just honest about it, because I think that’s what people need and want to see.

That’s what I want to see from other people. Just honesty.”

Before cancer, Muñiz was more reserved in her self-expression; she internalized what people thought of her and who she should be, adhering to those expectations as she moved through the world. But, with time, her diagnoses have encouraged her to cast those preconceived notions aside.

“I had never fully loved myself. Cancer has given me a completely new level of self-respect and self-love,” Muñiz says, detailing how her track “As You Are” describes this journey. “I don’t regret anything. Obviously, I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone, but I love myself so much more. I have a new perspective on life.”

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month after we talk, Muñiz takes to the ice to belt out the U.S. national anthem before a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden.

Donning a white and purple jersey that matches her lavender-hued buzzcut, Muñiz’s feat is especially impressive considering she’d just had lung surgery a few months prior.

Muñiz takes a quick pause to collect her emotions, then launches into a flawlessly powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” When she concludes, her beaming smile brightens the arena more than any stadium light ever could.

“It was so surreal. As I heard them introduce me as a three-time cancer survivor, everything really came into perspective,” she shared later in an Instagram post. “Life is a wild ride, and I am so incredibly grateful to be here.”

Bianca Muñiz is a singer-songwriter based in New York. Her next single and music video, “Nothing’s The Same,” drops Jan. 19, 2022. Follow her on Instagram at @biancamunizofficial.

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Live and Let Live Lauren Lopriore has turned her cancer journey into an opportunity to provide care and comfort to other warriors through her business Liv & Let.

BY TAYLOR NOVAK

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ne of Lauren Lopriore’s best ideas was devised in a forest preserve.

The breast cancer thriver had been sharing details of her cancer journey on her website, Liv & Let, for a couple of years. Though she describes herself as “not a writer by any means,” she found the process therapeutic and important. This blog and information hub not only allowed her to highlight all of the nitty-gritty nuances that come with a diagnosis and resources to cope with them, but it also ended up serving as the launchpad for her one-stop shop for warriors and supporters: Giv by Liv & Let. Lopriore’s vision behind Giv is one of hope and love.

While deep in conversation with her husband on a bench in a Chicago suburb forest, she came to the realization that she could help other warriors receive the support she feels she didn’t have access to while going through treatment.

“A lot of my friends and family came around when they could, but I think it scared them, and they really didn’t know how to be around me,” Lopriore shares. “I just felt like there were probably other survivors out there like me, and I wanted to be able to provide resources and events and product recommendations to women that may not have had the resources.”

In September of 2014, Lopriore was diagnosed with stage III triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma. From there, it was tunnel vision as her main focus became just getting through the next year. Additional information on cancer support groups was occasionally offered to her, but she was so overwhelmed with appointments and treatment that she admits most of it went in one ear and out the other.

She also found that the support groups being offered to her weren’t resonating with her situation. They were more generalized, and she felt attendees veered older than her age of 29.

“Being a young adult survivor, I think the support that I needed was a little bit different,” Lopriore says.

Now, Giv is utilized as an outlet for all the recommendations and suggestions Lopriore wishes she’d gotten from someone in order to make each day of treatment more manageable through care and comfort.

Cancer was a taboo subject in Lopriore’s family while she was growing up. After her diagnosis, she discovered she was BRCA positive, and it wasn’t until her first oncology appointment that her aunt began talking with her about Lopriore’s grandmother’s battle with breast cancer decades ago.

Lopriore hopes that Liv & Let and the Giv shop and crates can serve as a vehicle for families to chat more openly about cancer.

And for those moments when family and friends can’t find the right words, Giv’s product selection and personalized caring crates can do some of the talking.

The item selection process for Giv is a meticulous one filled with incredible thought and introspection for Lopriore.

A natural gift giver, she applies her benevolent nature to the curation of the shop and crates

while keeping in mind her own cancer journey experience.

Each personalized crate Lopriore puts together has two– three hand-selected items that are both of personal interest to the recipient and good for them. She also makes an extra effort to find woman-owned and warrior-owned shops and items for included products. From head wraps and chemotherapy fleeces to seatbelt support and dosage reminder systems, each item chosen is something a warrior can truly use.

The process certainly isn’t the quickest or easiest system to maintain as a one-person team. Lopriore responds to requests, researches new items and assembles crates for a few hours every day while her daughter is at school or napping.

“Thank goodness for preschool,” she laughs. But for Lopriore, who thrives through one-on-one relationships and giving her time to help others, it’s worth it.

“This is the first job that I have ever had where I have not been stressed out at night and I truly enjoy it because it allows me to give back,” she says. “It allows for me to use my creative juices and personalize and really give back to each individual.”

Recently hitting her five-year remission mark, Lopriore is looking forward to a thriving future both for herself and for Liv & Let and Giv by Liv & Let. Since its inception, Giv has provided about 50 crates to warriors, thrivers and caregivers. It’s also donated one crate a month to various organizations benefiting the cancer community. The project is currently for profit, but it’s Lopriore’s hope that within the next year or so nonprofit status becomes a reality in order to help more people discover resources and community.

“I think it’s really important to have resources and community to reach out to at any point especially if you’re surrounded by people who haven’t been through what you’ve been through,” Lopriore says. “Just being able to have a community of people who have been there and get what you’re going through I think is helpful in the healing process.”

To learn more about Lauren’s story and access her resources directory, visit livandlet.com. For curated items to help with the cancer journey, check out giv-liv-let.myshopify.com. If you’d like to send a personalized caring crate, visit livandlet.com/giv.

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Take Care

As if a cancer diagnosis weren’t hard enough, caregiving can come at its own cost.

BY SERENA HU

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was shocked when I first learned that the chance of an individual in the U.S. developing cancer at some point in their life is about 40 percent. This data from the American Cancer Society told me that cancer is very common and most people will be affected by it, whether as a patient or a loved one. But when my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2017 and I became his caregiver, my experience was very incongruous with this statistic.

How so? you might ask. You would think that if cancer is that prevalent, there would be ample resources to help us navigate not just the medical processes but also the psychological challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.

You may also think that most people would know how to best support those dealing with this terrible disease.

My family’s experience with cancer, however, was far from that. Even though I have a graduate degree in social work and have worked in settings where illnesses and deaths abound, I found caregiving for my dad one of the most overwhelming and difficult experiences I have ever had to go through.

For example, I understood from my training the importance of having a health care directive. But it seemed cruel to talk about life-and-death scenarios with my dad because he did not yet make peace with his own imminent mortality. I often tell people now that watching my dad struggle through end-of-life, mentally and physically, was the experience that made me understand that the term “heartbroken” is a real emotion and not just a reference in cheesy pop songs.

What probably also made things more complicated for my family was my parents not speaking English well enough to navigate the complex medical terminologies and carry out the advocacy required in a medical system that often does not see each patient as a whole person. We were a team and tied at the hips with everything we did, but we also got in each other’s way a lot.

In hindsight, it honestly all seemed so silly. I know we were driven by love and also the different fears we each had about the situation we were in, but we should have focused on enjoying each other’s company and making great memories with the time we had left. At the time, however, we couldn’t fully think that way. We had seen the scans that showed cancer everywhere in his body and were told that he had a couple of years to live at best, but it was as if our minds couldn’t accept that.

Every little thing—like my dad drinking or not drinking a can of Ensure—felt like it somehow had a direct impact on how much longer he would live. That sounds ridiculous now, but when you are so desperate to not lose someone, you don’t realize that what you are doing is magical thinking because it’s what’s going to get you through the next hour, the next day.

And that’s exactly the kind of “rollercoaster” caregivers experience when caring for someone dealing with terminal cancer. We have to juggle all the medical to-do’s in addition to managing a life routine and maybe a career completely disrupted. We have endless questions about what may happen next but have no time and maybe no one to ask. We are broken by watching our loved ones suffer, wondering if we ourselves will ever be whole again. We are filled with sadness and guilt when we realize that we are even thinking about what happens “after.”

It’s all messy and devastatingly hard and, more often than not, there are no good answers.

Four years after my dad died, I decided to create the “Talk About Cancer” podcast in the quietness of quarantine. Podcasting is a wonderful medium for storytelling and in reflecting upon my own experiences, I was curious to explore the emotional and relational challenges we all go through when dealing with cancer and how culture and faith may shape that experience. I think of it as an on-demand, audio support group where caregivers and patients can hear how others are dealing with similar problems.

My hope is that through listening to others’ experiences, we can feel less isolated and maybe figure out how to best support our loved ones who are on this journey none of us signed up for.

Serena Hu is the host of the “Talk About Cancer” podcast. Listen to the diverse stories at talkaboutcancerpodcast.com and on most podcast players. Get weekly snippets of the latest episode on Instagram by following @talkaboutcancerpodcast.

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A Delicate Dance My mother’s cancer journey can teach others to trust Black women fighting for their health—and their lives.

BY REV. JENNIFER BAILEY

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y favorite childhood memories have a political goals and objectives require Black women’s participasoundtrack—specifically, the soul music of the tion. But when it comes to shifting power and making changes ‘60s and ‘70s that defined my mama’s youth. I to the material conditions that impact Black women’s lives like can remember jamming to cassette tapes of improving access to affordable health care, we become lost.

Curtis Mayfield, Martha and the Vandellas, Al Green and Despite tremendous advancements in the diagnosis and Stevie Wonder. Of course, Wonder’s 1976 classic “Songs in treatment of the disease in recent years, the American Cancer the Key of Life” is burned most into my consciousness. It Society notes that Black women are 40 percent more likely to was my mom’s favorite album and often played on car rides die of breast cancer than white women and twice as likely to shuttling between activities and road trips to see our kin. die if they are over 50. Among younger women, Black women My parents moved to my hometown of Quincy, Ill., not have higher rates of breast cancer compared to white women. long after my second birthday. They intended it to be a tem The Susan G. Komen Foundation notes several porary stop. They were a part of a new rising Black middle reasons for this disparity in their fact sheet “Racial and class, and they were blazing through a series of firsts. They Ethnic Differences in Breast Cancer,” including differwere the first in their immediate families to go to college; ences in the makeup of the tumor, later stage of breast the first Black folks in management positions at their respeccancer at diagnosis and barriers to high-quality care tive jobs; the first Black family to move onto the block. And (such as not having health insurance). Even after looking season after season, year after year, it became apparent that at income, past screening rates and access to care, Black this place they once considered a pitstop on the pathway to women have more advanced breast cancers at diagnosis their future was seemingly a permanent destination. and have worse survival than white women in the U.S. Then, just before I started high school, my dad secured

These statistics only tell part of the story. The a new job. He moved to the location a year ahead of us, history of the U.S. medical field has countless examples surveyed the landscape, looked for of exploitation of Black women’s houses and allowed me to finish out bodies. The Healing Histories eighth grade surrounded by friends.

Project works in solidarity with That year proved to be an important many health and healing practiBut when it comes to one in the evolution of my relationtioners and workers by holding with ship with my mama. It was, in the dignity and respecting the lives and shifting power and poignant words of Bill Withers, just communities they care for, disruptmaking changes to the the two of us. ing the state’s abuses. material conditions that

We established a rhythm of

In their curriculum, they talking openly and honestly about all note, “The impact of generations impact Black women’s the girlhood questions that I was too of medical racism, of diagnosis in lives like improving access embarrassed or shy to ask in my dad’s relationship to the ideas of ‘normal’ presence. She shared with me out of bodies and of eugenics and forced to affordable health care, the wisdom of her experience, vulexperimentation depends on the we become lost. nerability resurrecting stories from ability of someone—the doctor, the her own adolescence and naming researcher, the therapist, the acawhat she wished she would have demic, the detention officer, the known. I may not have always underjudge—to strip someone of their stood, but I listened. From the weight of her words, I could complex humanity and turn them into an object to be tell that what she was sharing was necessary, even if it would fixed or solved or discarded or controlled.” take years for me to fully grasp its depth.

Put simply, there is a historically based reason why We also danced. Mama taught me the dance moves of Black women have tended to be suspicious of the health her youth that went along with that car soundtrack. Every care system. Even those in positions of power and influtime she would move her body and get lost in the beat, it ence have had the experience of having their concerns diswas as though she were being transported back to a younger, missed, as the case of Serena Williams’ near-death experifreer version of herself. We laid the foundations for what ence with blood clots after giving birth illustrates. would become a deep and abiding friendship in adulthood.

It feels like my mama never really stood a chance.

A few weeks before our anticipated move, the music came to She died on the eve of Mother’s Day five years ago and a halt when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. the shape of my world has never been the same. Last year,

My mother’s journey with cancer lasted 14 years.

I gave birth to her grandson with her photo beside me and Through metastasis and malignancy, remission and one of her old scarves wrapped around me. return, she treated her condition at times the way some

During the golden hour—the first 60 minutes of my people would treat seasonal allergies as a pesky nuisance baby’s life—I knew that I wanted music to play. So I asked my that needed tending lest it take over her life. husband to hand me my iPhone, scrolled through my albums She was stubborn. When the disease progressed to to the letter “S” and started “Songs in the Key of Life,” giving stage IV and her doctors predicted she would only have gratitude for the life that was and the new life just beginning. months left, she proved them wrong by living for years.

I have a complicated relationship with her strength.

Rev. Jennifer Bailey is an ordained minister and the founder and We are fond of praising Black women for their resilience executive director of theFaith Matters Network. Her new book and fortitude in the face of struggle. We are quick to cele“To My Beloveds: Letters on Faith, Race, Loss and Radical Hope” brate #Blackgirlmagic and yell #trustBlackwomen when our is available now.

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Cancer Wellness

Guiding the Way Ion technology is guiding doctors in more precise and efficient surgical procedures, meaning easier and faster recoveries for lung cancer warriors.

BY ERIKA R. WHITEHEAD

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or the approximately 541,000 people diagnosed

For thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and patients with lung cancer each year, such a diagnosis is nationwide, the cutting-edge technology is an exciting leap often life-changing and unexpected. Following forward. Combined with other treatment options, Ion offers a diagnosis, patients and their doctors begin the doctors a new and improved way to better treat patients. delicate process of determining the best treatment plan.

“Everything has improved, but the difference with the Recently, advancements in medical technology have given Ion technology compared to some of the other techniques way to a breakthrough treatment option helping more and or machines from other companies is this has taken a lot more patients every day. of the issues that we saw with the other technologies and The Ion endoluminal system, simply known as Ion, accounted for that,” says Pelz. allows thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists to navi Doctors do still recommend patients take preventative gate the human lung and its intricate tissue. By maneumeasures to ensure they are staying on top of their health. vering through these areas, doctors are given unpreceThe new technology is not a replacement for preventive dented access to hard-to-reach nodules. The minimally screening methods like annual CT scans. According to invasive, robotic-assisted tool aids doctors in identifying the American Lung Association, early detection by lowlung cancers earlier and more accurately than previous dose CT screenings can decrease lung cancer mortality technologies. This means a more effective treatment plan by 14 to 20 percent among high-risk populations. If half of and better outcomes—a reality Kathleen Keenan Weil, a the eight million Americans who qualify as high-risk for former patient at HMH Hackensack Medical Center and lung cancer received their annual screenings, over 12,000 two-time lung cancer warrior, knows all too well. lung cancer deaths could be prevented.

“Twenty years ago, I had a CAT scan that showed a For Weil, her introduction to the value of a CT scan growth in my right lung,” recalls Weil. “At that time, when came two decades ago after hearing about another woman they went in for a biopsy, they discovered that it was a large around her age battling breast cancer after a CT scan. By cancer growth called squamous cell. It was removed via a this time, Weil was experiencing her first lung cancer thoracotomy of my right lung.” symptoms and wanted answers.

The procedure required her

“Everybody didn’t get CAT scans surgeon to make a 10-inch incision 20 years ago; it was a pretty new from her right armpit to her rib cage, thing,” Weil recounts. Her neighbor, “It allows me to perform spreading her ribs to provide access to a radiologist at the time, helped her the affected area. Following the invaset up her screening. “I had the CAT more lung-sparing sive procedure, Weil recounts a lengthy scan, and to everybody’s shock, [my surgeries and helps patients and uncomfortable recovery period. diagnosis] is what came out of it.”

“I was on a lot of painkillers for Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventive recover much faster and get over two months,” she says. “The Services Task Force (USPSTF), an back to living their healing was extremely painful, independent volunteer panel of drawn out and uncomfortable. That national experts in disease prevenlives cancer-free.” is why I did not start radiation treattion and evidence-based medicine, ments until January.” recommended that people ages After Weil experienced a famil50–80 receive an annual low-dose iar shortness of breath earlier this CT scan. The task force also reduced year, she made an appointment with her cardiologist for the number of pack years to 20. The change reflects the a scan. He informed her that she needed to visit her pulorganization’s latest attempt to increase the number of elimonologist. After being diagnosed with lung cancer for a gible people for screenings. second time, doctors now had Ion to guide the way.

Along with the USPSTF and other health care profes “I had maybe six brown spots on my torso and under sionals, Dr. Pelz stresses the importance of early detection my left armpit for guiding the robot, and also from one and acknowledges that although Ion is a helpful tool in treatdrain tube,” Weil says. “I could have left that night.” This ing lung cancer, it does not replace the need for CT scans. time around, Weil was able to leave the hospital the day “If it’s something that is maybe in the middle third of after her procedure with some Tylenol. the lung, that’s really where this Ion technology would be “It makes all the difference in the world,” says Dr. best suited to get biopsies of lung lesions,” says Pelz. “But Geoffrey Pelz, a thoracic surgeon at HMH Hackensack it’s definitely sort of the next step after a screening CT University Medical Center. Pelz likens using the technolscan to actually biopsy something suspicious on that one ogy to driving with a GPS. cancer screening scan.”

“The Ion is so advanced. It helps guide you directly Ion technology is leading the way in the battle against where you need to go, anywhere in the lung. I can use lung cancer, offering patients and doctors a new outlook the technology either for biopsy or to put dye in the lung on possibilities following a lung cancer diagnosis. nodule to localize it,” he explains. “In combination with “Overall, we can do more lung-sparing surgeries and get the DaVinci Surgical Robot, I can resect the nodule in people in and out of the hospital much faster and recover much question during the same trip to the operating room, quicker,” says Pelz. “If they do need chemotherapy or somesaving time and unnecessary steps for the patients. It thing afterward—because we can get them recovered so quickly, allows me to perform more lung-sparing surgeries and there’s not a delay in getting onto that next stage of treatment.” helps patients recover much faster and get back to living their lives cancer-free.”

For more information about Ion technology, visit intuitive.com.

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Cancer Wellness

A Medical Menace

Photoinitiators are used in a variety of everyday objects—including medical instruments. A new study reveals how exposure to certain types of this chemical may pose a cancer risk.

BY TAYLOR NOVAK

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ou tend to visit a medical establishment to receive care or stay healthy—but what if there were an environmental factor present during your appointment that was doing the opposite?

A 2021 study published in the journal Current Research in Toxicology has shown that some chemicals used in medical products and instruments promote estrogen growth, encouraging quickened breast cancer tumor development in mice.

These chemicals, generally known as photoinitiators, are used in a variety of products. According to Photoinitiators Platform, an industry group that is active in the regulation and policymaking regarding the chemicals, the following materials are identified as using photoinitiators: wood furniture and flooring, plastic, metal and paper, fiber optics, electronic components, automotive components, printing inks, display and touch screens, solar batteries and fuel cells, flexible electronics, medical devices and lighting components.

The molecules that make up photoinitiators react when exposed to visible and UV light or radiation, cementing it as a popular chemical for quickly curing painted or other coated products. Through curing these materials, the object is able to be handled for daily use without extreme wear and tear—a vital component for common medical instruments.

Photoinitiators Platform advocates for the continued use of photoinitiators in manufacturing, albeit with up-todate safety regulations. But this new research is, at the very least, grounds for seeking alternatives in the medical space due to the toxic effects of certain photoinitiators.

The 2021 study builds upon research that authors Dr. Yoichi Kawasaki and Toshiaki Sendo first published in 2015.

The initial study found that when an in vitro subject was exposed to a group of six specific photoinitiators—2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (2,2-DMPAP), 2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate (2-EHDAB), 1-HCHPK, 2-ITX, methyl-2-benzoylbenzoate (MBB) and MTMP)— there was a “significantly increased number of MCF-7 cells, an estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer cell line.”

Furthermore, pretreatment with estrogen receptor antagonists such as clomiphene, tamoxifen or fulvestrant significantly reduced the effect of each photoinitiator.

Other previous studies have shown that three of those six photoinitiators commonly found in plastics and paint mimic an increased estrogen presence in cultured breast cancer cells, fueling tumor growth. Those three photoinitiators are 1-HCHPK, MBB, and MTMP. Looking at these three specific photoinitiators, Kawasaki and Sendo used an in vivo approach with mice to further study the effects that photoinitiator exposure can have on a living organism. Like previous studies, the two also applied a pretreatment of estrogen receptor antagonist Tam, which is commonly used in breast cancer treatment in humans.

All three photoinitiators continued to promote breast tumor growth in vivo as they had in vitro within 13 weeks.

Pretreatment substantially decreased toxic effects of the compounds. “This study extends our previous findings and shows that in addition to promoting the proliferation of breast cancer cells in culture, these photoinitiators also increase the growth of breast tumors in live animals. This implies that they could also potentially hasten disease progression in breast cancer patients,” Kawasaki explained.

The study suggests that the exposure to photoinitiators may not only affect high-risk patients like those with cancer, but it could have the potential to harm even healthy individuals as well. Ultimately, these results highlight the need to seek out alternatives when it comes to the chemicals used in clinical instruments to foster a safer medical environment for all.

“Photoinitiators have helped us improve the quality of several commonly used products. But it is time we reconsider whether their benefits outweigh their risks, and our findings are an important milestone in encouraging this conversation,” said Kawasaki. “We hope that it will prompt more intensive research and stricter regulations on what materials can be adopted for commonly used products, especially those with medical applications.”

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Catching Up Due to inaccessible equipment and inadequate training, cancer screening and care can feel more like a barrier than a benefit for people with disabilities.

BY MAURA KELLER

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or Susan Magasi, amid all the challenges that people with disabilities face in trying to build a stable foundation supporting their full and equal participation in life, access to health and health care—including cancer screening and treatment—is essential.

For many years, Magasi, an associate professor in the departments of occupational therapy and disability studies at the University of Illinois, worked as an occupational therapist in an unsourced area of Louisiana and was dismayed by the unequal access to services and support. She knew from her training that there was a host of technologies and services that could help people with disabilities live rich and meaningful lives, but because of a fragmented health care and social service system, they weren’t getting to the people who needed them most.

“This led me to pursue a research career to try to work towards understanding and addressing barriers to health care access, quality and outcomes for people with disabilities,” Magasi says. Over the last 20 years, she’s worked closely with members of the disability community to help sharpen the focus on the issues of high importance to them.

As part of her efforts, Magasi started the “ScreenABLE” campaign with a grant from the American Cancer Society to look at cancer screening disparities among women with disabilities. “ScreenABLE” produces innovative, 54

Cancer Wellness

evidence-informed short films to educate providers and community members about physical and attitudinal barriers to cancer screening.

“We found that in Illinois, women with disabilities were 22 percent less likely than their non-disabled peers to get a mammogram—based on three waves of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS),” Magasi says. “Our follow-up focus group interviews showed that women with disabilities felt that their health care providers didn’t understand or care about disability and, as a result, they often weren’t providing accessible and appropriate screening services.”

Many women experienced “trauma” within the medical system based on inappropriate and disrespectful care. This made many women reluctant to seek services.

“The findings were interesting but not earth-shattering,” Magasi says. “In fact, disparities in cancer screening had been talked about in the disability literature for close to 20 years at this point, not to mention that the Americans with Disabilities Act [passed in 1990] codified people’s rights to accessible services. Therefore, while the research was interesting it wasn’t having the impact on changing practices that we had hoped and that people with disabilities deserve.”

Magasi realized that a different approach was needed. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, she teaches a graduate

elective on knowledge translation—the science of getting advocating for the endorsement and enforcement of the research evidence into practice. The students in the class, Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment. in collaboration with two women with disabilities who were Unfortunately, in spite of these efforts, women with also cancer survivors, became immersed in the research disabilities remain largely absent from the public health literature and wrote the script for a “ScreenABLE” video. campaigns around breast cancer screening. “We must They worked with professional filmmaker Frey Hoffman of continue to push the envelope on equity and inclusion Freydesign Productions to ensure that they were effectively to help health and cancer care providers recognize that capitalizing on the emotional evocative aspects of filmmakwomen with disabilities are members of all the commuing, while staying true to the research. nities that they serve, regardless of age, race or socio-eco “They produced the two-minute video that we were nomic status,” Magasi says. able to share in a variety of public forums with cancer

Health care providers and mammography technolcare providers, mammography technologists, insurance ogists must be better trained in how to provide accescompanies and community groups,” Magasi says. “It was sible mammography services. A team at Northwestern amazing to see how the video was able to convey the issues University created a modular video instructional course in ways that made people want to take action. “ to help mammography technologists build their skills in Through a series of brainstorming sessions, the team working with women with disabilities. came up with the idea of ScreenABLE Saturday (modeled

“Mammography clinics also must ensure that they on the University of Illinois Cancer Center’s Walk-in have height-adjustable mammography machines to work Wednesday) as a day dedicated to the provision of free, effectively with people with a variety of functional mobility accessible mammograms for women with disabilities. issues,” Magasi says. When appointments are pre-sched “As momentum grew around the screening event, uled, mammography clinics should routinely inquire our disability partners did a reality about access needs so that when check and said, ‘Susan, breast cancer women with disabilities arrive for screening is not sexy and people screening, the team is welcoming and aren’t going to come out on a chilly ready to provide accessible services “We must continue to Saturday in November just to get a and appropriate accommodations. push the envelope on mammogram.’ So, we brainstormed

Lisa Berry Edwards, Prevent some more and realized that we Cancer Foundation’s managing director equity and inclusion to needed to do something extra to overof external affairs, says the conversation help health and cancer come the treatment fatigue and hisaround physical and mental differences torical trauma that many women with has really opened up over the past few care providers recogdisabilities experienced within the years, with most offices embracing difnize that women with health care system,” Magasi said. ferent ways to service their patients.

The solution?

Turning

“We’re seeing a lot of improvedisabilities are members ScreenABLE Saturday into a celements for people with special needs to of all the communities bration of wellness for women with get screenings. All medical facilities that they serve.” disabilities through a wide variety and doctor offices need to be ADAof workshops and health promotion compliant. A few examples of how activities, including integrated dance practitioners are evolving their offices: workshops; adapted yoga; healthy some dentist offices have installed mascooking and adapted gardening demos; a smoothie bar; saging chairs to help reduce anxiety; mammogram facilities and a manicure station to provide pampering and stress are offering low light and stimulus-free environments; other relief. offices feature examination tables that lower and open spaces “What we’d originally thought would be a drop-in for to make it more comfortable for people with different needs,” a mammogram turned into a whole day event filled with Berry Edwards says. laughter, community and wellness activities,” Magasi said.

The most important thing is for people to under[SUBHEAD] The Road Ahead stand their needs and advocate for them. Prevent Cancer A few years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Foundation encourages patients to call their doctor offices, Prevention (CDC) created the health promotion campaign ask questions about how they provide care and make “Breast Cancer Screening: The Right to Know,” targeted at requests that will ensure a good visit. women with disabilities and encouraging them to seek out “If the exam space is too tight to comfortably accommocancer screening. Unfortunately, as Magasi explains, even date a wheelchair or if COVID-19 protocols prevent an addiwhen women with disabilities do seek out mammography sertional aid, friend or family member from attending or limits vices, they are still encountering significant barriers related to support-animal access—that’s something patients should know physical accessibility, provider knowledge and attitudes. before they go to their appointment and providers can perhaps And as Magasi points out, in 2017, the United States accommodate,” Berry Edwards says. “It’s OK to ask questions Access Board released new standards for accessible and it’s OK to ensure that your health care needs are met.” medical diagnostic equipment, including mammogra Magasi hopes that ScreenABLE Saturday can be phy machines, but adoption and enforcement of these a model of cancer screening and health promotion prostandards languished under the Trump administration’s grams. “We want to ensure that they create welcoming, de-regulation policies. Magasi spearheaded the research accessible and respectful spaces and screening experifor a report from the National Council on Disability ences for all people,” Magasi says.

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Cancer Connection

Breast cancer warrior Yoli Origel details founding Cancer Kinship, an organization connecting warriors and thrivers for empowerment through human connection.

BY FRANCESCA HALIKIAS

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Cancer Wellness

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ven over Zoom, Yoli Origel, executive founder “That was like the a-ha moment,” Origel says. “The and director of Cancer Kinship, has a bubblifact that I was still receiving phone calls 10, 12 years later. ness and passion for helping others that shines There wasn’t a formalized program that really addressed through the screen. After beating breast cancer, the emotional impact of cancer.”

Origel founded Cancer Kinship, an organization based

She started brainstorming what Cancer Kinship out of southern California that is dedicated to helping could look like and started researching cancer survivorcancer warriors and thrivers find the support they need ship. “There are a lot of programs to support early detecin each other. tion and encourage people to get screened, but what about “This December, I will be celebrating 15 years of my after? How disruptive was cancer in their day-to-day lives? diagnosis,” says Origel. “Most people don’t think of their How does it affect their families? Their ability to work?” diagnosis as a day to celebrate but I do and I know that a Origel says. She had more conversations with warriors lot of cancer patients feel the same, because it’s the day I and realized that mental health was still a big struggle realized how much I appreciated my life and how much I after surviving cancer. love my family and really valued my health. Fifteen years The organization hosts survivor empowerment eduis an amazing milestone and I feel really blessed.” cation workshops and provides tools and knowledge to When Origel was a child, her mother was also diaghelp cancer warriors transition from being vulnerable to nosed with breast cancer in her 30s; she died at 42 due to empowered. metastatic breast cancer. Origel’s own breast cancer diag “One thing I remember when I was interviewing nosis was at 31 years old. cancer patients and writing my business plan for Cancer “I instantly felt fear and worry for my family. I knew Kinship is that they said they needed to have fun in such that I needed to shift my mindset from worry to hopefula way where [we’re] facilitating human connections,” says ness and just powering through,” she says.

Origel.

After going through treatment, Origel beat cancer. A The very first program that Cancer Kinship launched year after treatment ended, her breast surgeon called her was called Painting Your Heart, which was in partnership and asked if she could connect with with the company Painting Your Heart. a newly diagnosed cancer patient Cancer warriors and thrivers would who was going through the same paint their feelings about what they thing Origel went through and was went through during cancer treatment.

“There are a lot of scared.

“There’s something to visualizing programs to support

“I went to meet this girl for and owning your story—remembering early detection and coffee,” Origel says. “I was really some of the traumatic parts of cancer nervous going into it and I just survivorship as a way to not rehash it encourage people to shared my story with her and but to acknowledge it so that you can get screened, but what acknowledged the fear and we had heal from it,” says Origel. a heart-to-heart; lots of tears, lots of A piece of advice from Origel? “We about after?” laughter and just being able to share want to encourage people to get their the story woman-to-woman. The screenings. The call to action is to next day, [my surgeon] called me stay active [and] address your mental and said, ‘What did you do to her? Because she’s ready to health,” she says. “There is so much you can do to reduce go.’ Knowing that my story encouraged somebody to fight your cancer risks and your cancer recurrence risks.” and give it their all—I found that to be incredibly healing.”

With her doctor, she helped more patients through simply talking and connecting with them, but it wasn’t until she lost her sister to metastatic breast cancer that the whole idea of Cancer Kinship came to be.

“Losing my sister was the hardest part of all of it. I wanted to make sure that nobody feels alone, even if they’re dealing with end-of-life,” Origel says. Her sister was the same age her mom was when she died.

“I needed to figure out how to navigate through my grief, and I really started praying and trying to figure out what to do with my cancer survival. I had been a mentor for many years and didn’t really have the seed planted to formalize a program, but after going through the loss of my sister and dealing with survivor guilt, I got another phone call from [my surgeon to talk to another cancer patient],” Origel says.

This time, Origel told her no at first. “I said, ‘I don’t think I could do this. I think this person is going to need to support me and I’m going to be this crying mess,” she shares. Eventually she did agree to mentor the woman, To learn more about Cancer Kinship and its programs, visit canwho is still her close friend today. cerkinship.org.

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V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E O R G I V E U S A C A L L

Each year, nearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Formerly known as the “miracle mineral,” asbestos is the direct cause of the disease. Laborers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, bricklayers, ironworkers and mechanics are often the most susceptible to asbestos exposure due to their occupations. With a latency period of 30 to 40 years, symptoms of mesothelioma are often slow developing and discovered much later.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer due to asbestos exposure, we encourage you to give us a call or visit our website today. Let our team of experienced and dedicated attorneys fight for you. www.vogelzanglaw.com 312-487-4377

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