Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Side Effects - with Dr Dizon & Dr Tasha

[@susantaulli6580]

It really is shameful that the oncology team doesn’t go over all the side effects.They also forget that patients are actual people, not just a cancer that needs to be treated. Mental health and emotional and anxiety issues should be addressed upfront immediately. Can you imagine being told you have cancer and the advice from an integrative oncologist is to do some yoga, focus on gratefulness and eat a plant-based diet? And then to get threatening paperwork from an insurance company who cares nothing about your job or your medical diagnosis is even scarier. Everything changes. You are truly on your own and have to be your own advocate(on the days when you can even think straight or have the stamina to fight). My journey with breast cancer has been eye-opening. I just hope I can hang on.

[@judybee6698]

Ask for a nurse navigator or social worker. You should be able to have one of them to talk to and get questions answered to your satisfaction. Also you should have psychologist available to you as part of the treatment. Speak up. It is sad that the main doctors don't take the time and care to understand us as individuals, but that's our medical system sadly. Get them in and get them out. Also see if you can find a support group either local or online. Hugs

[@annakarenina3188]

Thank you both. This was fascinating: both as a patient and as a medical sociologist. Fwiw -- Dr Tasha, there are teams of medical sociologists at Cambridge university who potentially would be interested in studying & working on the concept of tolerability vs toxicity, as this is a shift in how medicine practice could happen (a shift for the better imo, as both a patient and someone who worked in medical-legal for 2 decades). I can give you some names for who to contact if this is something that can help patients or your work.

[@drtashag]

I am glad you found it interesting. Thanks for the heads up re: medical sociologists at Cambridge. Will definitely bear that in mind 🙏🏽

[@TheyfoundRickGrimes]

This was very informative, thank you 👍🏻

[@drtashag]

Glad you found it helpful 🙏🏽

[@TheyfoundRickGrimes]

@@drtashag I start Chemo in about a months time, so I’m trying to get as much info and advice as possible! Thanks again 🙏

[@tashagandamihardja890]

@@TheyfoundRickGrimes I wish you all the best with your treatment 🙏🏽