Stage Free

In this raw and heartfelt episode of Stage Free, host Loriana Hernandez-Aldama sits down with her dear friend and AML survivor, Megan Mulvey. Just one year into remission, Megan opens up about the whirlwind of emotions that followed her acute leukemia diagnosis—including the shock of being in peak physical health when she got the news, the trauma of being separated from her kids, and the deep emotional toll of survivo...

In this heartfelt episode of Stage Free, Loriana Hernández-Aldama is joined by Tiah Tomlin-Harris, a two-time breast cancer survivor and powerful voice in the fight for health equity. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at age 38, Tiah shares how she transformed fear and isolation into advocacy and community through her nonprofit, My Style Matters, and her virtual support group with Breastcancer.org. Together...

In this episode of Stage Free, host Loriana Hernandez-Aldama sits down with Dr. Kevin Fox, a leading oncologist, to address the most pressing concerns for breast cancer survivors. They dive into fears of recurrence and progression, the impact of hormone therapy (aromatase inhibitors), and the often-debilitating side effects like bone pain and weight gain. Dr. Fox also breaks down the latest research on GLP-1 medicatio...

In this powerful conversation, Loriana Hernandez-Aldama and Dr. Kate Rosenblum explore the often-overlooked phase of survivorship after cancer. They discuss the emotional toll of cancer, the importance of seeking help, and the complexities of relationships during and after treatment. Dr. Rosenblum shares her personal journey from caregiver to patient, highlighting the challenges of PTSD and the need for self-care. The discussion em...

Do you have dense breasts?? Would you even know if you did? The truth is, the only way to find out for sure is for a radiologist to read your mammogram and make an annotation to your chart. Your breast density matters and understanding your breast density could save your life... so listen up.

Dense breast tissue increases breast cancer risk and can conceal tumors! Getting your annual mammogram may not be enough to detect cancer. M...

If you've ever been diagnosed with cancer, you know that the minute those dreaded words leave the doctor's mouth you pretty much lose your hearing. Studies show that we absorb 10% of what immediately follows "You have cancer." That makes the immediate next steps that much more terrifying. That insight inspired the creation of XpertPatient, a next-gen patient education experience named one of the most innovative healthcare startups ...

When you become a cancer survivor, you are forever changed, and so are the people who love you. Facing mortality and the long-term effects of treatment can leave an elephant in the room that's impossible to ignore.

For millions of Latinos, this "elefante" is particularly challenging as it feeds on cultural norms and gender roles. That's where “Juntos Despues Del Cancer” (Together After Cancer) comes in. 

The massive amount of research and resources that have been directed towards breast cancer are really paying off. At the recent SABCS conference, doctors and scientists shared breakthroughs and follow-up studies that are cause for optimism.

To dig into the news, Loriana is joined by her personal Breast Oncologist, Dr. Kevin Kalinsky, the director of the Glenn Family Breast Center at Emory Winship Cancer Center in Atlanta.

Some of t...

Keeping track of your personal health records can be a challenge for even the healthiest among us; the average cancer survivor sees four to five doctors a year. And while modern-day patient portals can make it easier to access some of your info, portals rely on your various doctors being connected electronically -- which in rural America is rarely.

For cancer survivors, having access to your complex health history can dramatically ...

30 years ago scientists first discovered the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and their link to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. There are genes dozens of genes now - practically an alphabet soup - that can impact how we diagnose and treat cancer. So when should YOU have genetic testing and why? 

Having an expert make those judgment calls is the way to go -- but you still need to advocate for yourself and ask your doctor if you need to g...

Oncology nurses are on the front lines of patient care day in and day out. For patients who require lengthy hospitalization, they literally become your family and trusted confidant.

Case in point, meet Kristy Cheney, Head Nurse of Oncology at Tidelands Health in South Carolina. In 2014, "Picc Line" Kristy was my oncology nurse at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. She had such a magic touch... she was the only one I ...

In football you can't just play a quarterback or lineman and expect them to win the game alone; the same holds for Cancer. Successful cancer treatment requires a team of experts to provide whole patient care.

The typical cancer care team includes a medical oncologist -- your quarterback and survivorship coach -- a surgical oncologist, a radiologist, a even an integrative oncologist. Large cancer centers have the ecosystem in place ...

Battling cancer doesn’t end after the last drip of chemo. There’s another battle ahead in survivorship as we navigate a host of complications. Survivorship care plans matter and play a critical role in our success and outcomes. Meet Dr. Marisa Weiss, she's a "dual citizen." Not only is she an oncologist, but she is also a breast cancer survivor, which gives her a truly unique perspective on what it takes to survive and thrive. D...

Surviving cancer can make it feel like your world is falling apart, which is why whole patient care is so important. Join us as we talk with Top Doc Dr. Santosh Rao, Medical Director of Integrative Oncology for UH Connor Whole Health. 

Integrative Oncology puts YOU at the center of the treatment plan to address symptoms caused by disease and treatment. It includes lifestyle changes, stress management, and symptom management and not...

It's hard to talk about, and even more difficult to experience... but women who undergo chemotherapy and radiation are almost certain to experience another delightful side effect; a very dry vagina. Yep, we said it. Vagina.

In this episode, Loriana talks with Dr. Sandra Reed, an Emory Hospital gynecologist specializing in oncology and post-menopausal symptoms.  Dr. Reed is an expert on the complexity of this journey and has a host ...

Daniel Hughes P.h.D is an assistant professor and researcher at University of Texas Health - San Antonio. A trained kinesiologist with a sport and exercise psychology specialty, Dr. Hughes has been examining the link between stress levels, cortisol production, and cancer. His research is eye-opening -- "Cortisol is like rocket fuel for cancer," he says. Together with a team of experts, he has been testing the impact of therapeutic ...

Prehabilitation typically refers to the healthcare intervention process associated with helping patients prepare for a medical event like surgery or a procedure.  

But what if you don’t have that gift of time? What if you receive a life-threatening medical diagnosis such as cancer that requires immediate action? Then what?

Having faced that exact moment, Loriana has a unique perspective on how lifestyle choices that she likes to ca...