How to Become an Active Partner in Your Cancer Care with Claudia Cometa
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Release Date: 01/06/2026
Do Mammograms Increase Cancer Risk? A Guide To Breast Cancer Screenings & Risk with Dr. Robyn Roth
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Why are so many women afraid of mammograms? Do they actually cause cancer? In this episode, breast radiologist Dr. Robyn Roth (the Boobie Doc) helps explain why a test designed to protect our health has somehow become a source of anxiety. We break down breast density, decode the language used in mammogram letters, and discuss the screening options women are rarely told about. She also directly addresses common cancer myths, including the claim that mammograms cause cancer. This conversation replaces fear with clarity, and gives you the understanding you need to advocate for your own...
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A Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer for Whole-Body Wellness with Samantha Harris
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
What can you control when facing a cancer diagnosis, beyond treatments? When Emmy Award-winning TV host, journalist, and co-host of Dancing with the Stars, Samantha Harris, was diagnosed with stage II invasive breast cancer in 2014, it inspired a quest for answers about how we can all improve our overall health, prevent chronic diseases, and understand their underlying causes. It prompted her to write her best-selling book, Your Healthiest Healthy: 8 Easy Ways to Take Control, Help Prevent and Fight Cancer, and Live a Longer, Cleaner, Happier Life, which translates comprehensive,...
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Genetic Screening for Cancer: Why Knowing Your Risk Matters with Krista Brown
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
(Part 2/4 in my The Reclaim Your Power – New Year Series) Family history is often overlooked, but it can be one of the most powerful tools in cancer prevention. In this episode, Krista Brown, a nurse and cancer survivor, explains how genetic testing following her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis uncovered her own high cancer risk and led to early, life-saving treatment. Krista walks through how patients can advocate for appropriate testing, navigate healthcare barriers, and use nutrition as part of an empowered care plan. This conversation equips listeners with knowledge that...
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How to Become an Active Partner in Your Cancer Care with Claudia Cometa
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
I’m kicking off 2026 with The Reclaim Your Power – New Year Series (4 episodes this month) to help women with cancer start the year informed, confident, and actively participating in their care—rather than feeling overwhelmed or sidelined. I think this is the perfect episode to start, because so many patients feel dismissed, rushed, or unsure how to speak up about their care, especially during cancer treatment. A cancer diagnosis can push patients into a fast-moving system where decisions are critical and voices can easily get lost. In this episode, we’re joined by...
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How To Overcome Food Anxiety After Cancer with Cathy Leman
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Why does something as simple as eating become so overwhelming after breast cancer? For so many women, food goes from a source of comfort to a source of constant second-guessing. One article says a food is helpful. Another says it’s risky. And suddenly every meal feels like a high-stakes decision you’re terrified to get wrong. Today’s guest, Cathy Leman, a registered dietitian and breast cancer survivor, understands that anxiety on a personal and professional level. She’s lived it, studied it, and now teaches women how to replace fear with calm, clarity, and confidence. In this...
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How to Transform Your Cancer Recovery With Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Amy Comander
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about diet, exercise, and recovery support? This episode brings you clarity. Dr. Amy Comander, a breast medical oncologist and leading voice in integrative and lifestyle medicine, breaks down what these approaches really mean — and why they’re becoming the foundation of modern cancer care, holistic health, and long-term survivorship. She explains the simple evidence-based habits that help breast cancer survivors live longer and feel better, how to find qualified lifestyle medicine physicians, and the one pillar of wellbeing patients say has the...
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How To Navigate A Breast Cancer Diagnosis with Confidence Dr. Francisco Esteva
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
How are you supposed to make decisions when your breast cancer diagnosis feels like a foreign language? Dr. Francisco Esteva, a medical oncologist who's dedicated his career to breast cancer care, recognized this gap and took an unconventional step: he started creating YouTube videos to translate complicated medical concepts into language real patients can actually understand. In this conversation, we dive into why patient education matters, how to navigate a cancer diagnosis without losing your mind, and what questions you should be asking your oncology team. Whether you’re newly...
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The Truth About Healthcare & It’s Impact On Patients with Dr. Adrienne Towsen
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Can doctors still practice patient-first care in a profit-first healthcare system? Today, countless physicians are feeling the strain as independent practices are disappearing, replaced by corporate entities that prioritize profits over patient care and physician autonomy. Dr. Adrienne Towsen knows this landscape intimately, having navigated the challenging terrain of orthopedic surgery as a woman in a male-dominated field and recently walking away from a private equity practice that no longer aligned with her values. Her story offers a beacon of hope for healthcare professionals feeling...
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Balancing of Hormones For Better Energy, Health, and Longevity With Dr. Amy Killen
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Easing hot flashes or chasing better sleep isn’t just about the balancing of hormones. It’s about reclaiming your energy, clarity, and confidence in everyday life. I sat down with Dr. Amy Killen, a menopause specialist who has been paving the way in women’s health long before it was trending. She shared how her own shift from emergency medicine to focusing on longevity began when she realized her lifestyle was pushing her toward the very chronic illnesses she was treating in her ER patients. That turning point led her to explore how the balancing of hormones, paired with...
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Cancer Mindset: How to Stay in Control and Support Your Healing with Maria Angelova
The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
How can you stay grounded and strong while cancer turns your life upside down? Cancer changes everything, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany sits down with Maria Angelova to discuss how small shifts in mindset and daily habits can actually help you feel stronger, calmer, and more in control. You’ll hear real stories from people navigating cancer, showing what works when the stress and overwhelm hit. By the end, you’ll walk away with practical ways to support your body and your spirit through the journey. Why your daily mindset can change how your...
info_outlineI’m kicking off 2026 with The Reclaim Your Power – New Year Series (4 episodes this month) to help women with cancer start the year informed, confident, and actively participating in their care—rather than feeling overwhelmed or sidelined.
I think this is the perfect episode to start, because so many patients feel dismissed, rushed, or unsure how to speak up about their care, especially during cancer treatment.
A cancer diagnosis can push patients into a fast-moving system where decisions are critical and voices can easily get lost. In this episode, we’re joined by Claudia Cometta, a former pharmacist who transformed her father’s cancer journey into a mission to empower patients.
She shares practical tools and hard-won insights to help you advocate for yourself, communicate more confidently with your care team, and feel truly supported throughout the cancer care experience.
What You’ll Learn:
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Claudia shares how she was shocked by her father's "terrible" patient experience.
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How to transform your patient journey from passive recipient to empowered collaborator.
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Understanding hospital roles and navigating the complex medical system.
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The one thing that will reframe your illness from a battle to an ally.
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Why you never need permission to ask questions during cancer care.
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The first step to being more mindful of your wellness.
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Avanti Health Consultants' unique 24/7 personalized patient navigation and support.
Key Moments:
02:06 What's Wrong With Healthcare
05:16 Changing How We See The Cancer Journey
06:42 How Avanti Supports Patients
08:58 Tips For Doctor Visits
11:25 Becoming An Empowered Patient
19:44 It's Okay To Ask For Help
Put Yourself First!
Understand your diagnosis, navigate your treatment options with confidence, and advocate strongly for your own well-being. Learn more at https://drtiffanytroso.com/home
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A place where complex cancer information becomes clear, where cutting-edge science meets real-world guidance, and where you learn to be the CEO of your own care, no matter where you are in your journey.
https://drtiffanytroso.substack.com/
About Me - Dr. Tiffany Troso
I’m a double board-certified medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecological cancers, with over 25 years of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. But more than credentials—I'm here because I know the system doesn’t always see you.
Women like you are used to taking care of everyone else. But cancer is different. You deserve clear answers, fierce advocacy, and guidance that prioritizes you.
That’s what I do. Through one-on-one consults, coaching, and my signature Empowered Patient Method, I help you regain clarity, confidence, and control—without the chaos.