The Empowered (Cancer) Patient Podcast
Breast Cancer and Diagnosis: How to Advocate for Yourself Before, During and After Treatment
What do you do when you're 28, newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and suddenly expected to make decisions about your own treatment? For Brooklyn Olumba, the answer was learning to speak up, ask the right questions, and become her own advocate. In this episode, she shares what it was like navigating the healthcare system while feeling completely alone, and how she found her voice, learned to advocate for herself, and eventually built a global support network. Her story offers practical insights and encouragement for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis and trying to feel more confident, informed, and supported along the way. Learn about the one conversation that led to a life-saving early cancer diagnosis. How to effectively advocate for yourself, especially if you are new to healthcare. Why participating in clinical trials can provide you with access to top-tier treatments. Understand how to "know your normal" with a simple guide to self-breast exams. The real challenges of survivorship and managing the fear of recurrence. Ways to find your community and why it can be a powerful form of medicine. Discover the first things to do after receiving a new cancer diagnosis. 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 Follow & Subscribe on Substack 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.
