Exercise isn’t just “nice to have” during cancer, it can function like treatment for the side effects: fatigue, muscle loss (sarcopenia), joint pain, neuropathy, weakness, and even lymphedema risk reduction.

In this episode of Patient from Hell, host + cancer survivor Samira Daswani sits down with Sami (exercise + cancer specialist focused on implementation) to break down what the research is finally confirming and what patients can do today, even with low energy, limited time, or zero equipment.We also unpack the headline-grabbing findings from the CHALLENGE Trial in colorectal cancer: a structured, coached exercise program was associated with a 28% lower risk of recurrence or new primary cancer and raises the bigger question: why isn’t exercise prescribed like medicine?

Key takeaways you’ll learn:

- Why strength training is the #1 lever for cancer-related fatigue + muscle loss

- How to reduce joint pain (including hormone-therapy related joint pain)Simple “wake the nerves up” tactics for neuropathy- Lymphedema: prevention vs management + why early assessment matters

- Chemo brain: why “automation” (classes + follow-alongs) can be the hack

- The starter protocol: 10–15 minutes, every other day

Chapter Codes

00:00 Exercise as “treatment” for cancer side effects (fatigue, sarcopenia, function)

00:30 Meet Sami: implementation theory (how she got into exercise + cancer)

02:37 “How I f***ed up into this” — origin story + early patient experiences

05:20 The headline research: what the CHALLENGE Trial showed

07:19 The big number: 28% lower recurrence/new primary (structured group)

08:40 Trial design: education vs coached/supervised exercise

11:03 Symptom playbook begins: what exercise helps most

11:35 Fatigue: why strength training rebuilds your “engine”

14:09 What counts as strength training (real-world examples)

15:46 Joint pain: lubrication, range of motion, yoga/Tai Chi basics

17:22 Hormone therapy joint pain: why feet + shoulders show up big

20:06 Plantar fasciitis: barefoot time + ball rolling + lifestyle traps

21:47 Neuropathy: “wake the nerves up” + balance + sensation tools

24:29 Lymphedema: prevention vs management + catch it early

28:04 Weakness: mitochondria, estradiol, and fast-twitch strength loss

30:34 Chemo brain: automate workouts so you don’t have to think

33:59 Safety fear: “If chemo didn’t kill you, a squat won’t” (starting smart)

38:33 Where to start: 10–15 minutes every other day

40:17 Two starter moves: sit-to-stands + countertop pushups

41:14 Just diagnosed? Keep routine—lower intensity + prioritize strength

42:25 Wrap + the bigger message: independence, quality of life, green light

About Patient From Hell

Patient From Hell is hosted by cancer survivor and founder Samira Daswani, who asks the questions most patients are too overwhelmed—or too afraid—to ask.

The show brings together doctors, researchers, advocates, and survivors to reveal evidence-based answers for patients navigating the chaos of cancer.

Subscribe for episodes that blend science, compassion, and clarity—without the medical jargon.

Connect & Follow Samira Daswani

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiradaswani/

Manta Cares: https://www.mantacares.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Up to 90% of breast cancer survivors experience sexual health changes, yet almost no one is talking about it.

Today on Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani sits down with Dr. Laila Agrawal, a leading clinician in oncology sexual health, to break the silence around libido loss, vaginal dryness, pain, body-image shifts, dating after cancer, orgasm changes, pelvic floor dysfunction, and how treatment impacts intimacy.

This episode answers the questions patients wish they could ask, but rarely get time for in an oncology appointment.

If you've ever wondered:

“Is sex safe during treatment?”

“Will my desire ever come back?”

“Should I use vaginal estrogen?”

“What’s normal to feel?”

— you’re in the right place.

Sexual health concerns in breast cancer are common, treatable, and deeply misunderstood. Dr. Agrawal explains:

- Why oncologists often avoid sexual health conversations

- The real reason libido drops during and after treatment

- The truth about vaginal estrogen and hormone-positive breast cancer

- How to talk to a partner when desire shifts

- How single women can navigate dating after cancer

🧠 Guest:

Dr. Laila Agrawal is a nationally recognized expert in sexual health for oncology patients. She specializes in survivorship care, menopausal symptoms, pelvic health, pain management, and evidence-based approaches to sexual wellness throughout cancer treatment. She is passionate about removing stigma and giving patients the tools, language, and confidence to advocate for their sexual well-being.

Chapter Codes

00:00 – Why sexual health is overlooked in oncology

01:45 – How many breast cancer patients struggle with sexual health

03:15 – Why oncologists avoid the sex conversation

05:02 – Biggest myths about sex during/after treatment

06:07 – Low libido: what’s actually happening

08:20 – Responsive desire vs spontaneous desire

09:50 – Vaginal dryness: causes, range, and treatment

12:34 – Moisturizers, hyaluronic acid & home remedies

13:45 – Vaginal estrogen: safety, controversy & guidelines

15:41 – Menopause, hormone shifts & severity of symptoms

17:30 – Pain during intercourse & pelvic floor dysfunction

19:27 – What to do if your cancer center lacks specialists

20:58 – Body image & sexuality after mastectomy

22:57 – Body image vs desire — how they interact

24:42 – When to see a sex therapist vs medical provider

26:29 – Partner communication and relationship impacts

28:10 – How to set boundaries without losing intimacy

29:55 – Dating during or after treatment

31:19 – How treatment affects ability to orgasm

33:28 – Is sexual recovery tied to treatment timing?

34:58 – Should you feel guilty for wanting sex after cancer?

35:40 – Myth busting: sugar, condoms, recurrence risk & more

36:37 – Is sex safe with a chemo port?

37:10 – Best sexual health resources for cancer survivors

About Patient From Hell

Patient From Hell is hosted by cancer survivor and founder Samira Daswani, who asks the questions most patients are too overwhelmed, or too afraid, to ask.

The show brings together doctors, researchers, advocates, and survivors to reveal evidence-based answers for patients navigating the chaos of cancer.

Subscribe for episodes that blend science, compassion, and clarity without the medical jargon.

🔔 Connect & Follow Samira Daswani

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiradaswani/

Manta Cares: https://www.mantacares.com

We're joined by women’s health advocate and author Leslie Ferris Yerger, founder & CEO of My Density Matters. Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer just two months after a “clear” mammogram and ultrasound, Leslie uncovers how dense breast tissue can hide cancer, why current screening standards fail many women, and what you can do to protect yourself.Leslie’s mission: make sure her story doesn’t become someone else’s. Her nonprofit empowers women to check their breast density, ask the right questions, and push for additional screening when needed.

✅ Listen to learn:

What breast density is — and why it matters

How dense tissue affects mammogram accuracy

When to ask for MRI or advanced imaging

Patient advocacy: how and when to push your doctor

Real steps you can take today

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & background

01:17 – Clear mammogram → diagnosis journey

05:13 – Why dense breast tissue matters

12:58 – Understanding density categories & reports

18:47 – What to ask your doctor next

22:15 – Insurance, screening access & advocacy

26:54 – Leslie’s takeaways & how to take action

Guest Bio:

Leslie Ferris Yerger is a Tedx speaker, author of Probably Benign, and a women’s advocate with a laser focused mission. Leslie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in November 2017 after an ‘all clear’ mammogram and ultrasound, experiencing firsthand the failings of our current breast cancer screening standards.

As Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit My Density Matters, Leslie is determined to empower women to find out their breast density, learn their options, and advocate for themselves to get the additional breast cancer screening they need, so that her story doesn’t become their story. Leslie lives in Hawthorn Woods, IL with her husband John. She has 3 grown children: Evan, Julia, and Megan.

Resources:

My Density Matters → https://mydensitymatters.org/Purchase her book

“Probably Benign” → https://probablybenign.com/

Trigger warning: This episode covers breast cancer and screening challenges.

If you found this helpful, please like, subscribe, and share this with the women in your life. Your next mammogram might just end up different.

#BreastCancer #BreastDensity #WomenHealth #PatientAdvocacy #ScreeningFailure

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All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only.

This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.