In this empowering episode, we sit down with Pam Kohl, Patient Advocate, to explore the critical role trusting your intuition when receiving health care. Pam shares her personal journey from an early breast cancer diagnosis to living with metastatic breast cancer, revealing her remarkable resilience and determination. Her story underscores the importance of trusting your instincts, advocating thorough testing, and staying informed to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system effectively.
Find out how you are the best advocate for your health outcomes. Listen to the episode and discover:
Navigating the Challenges of Breast Cancer
Pam Cole's story is one of resilience and determination. After initially being diagnosed with stage 1 ER+ breast cancer in 2009, she underwent a lumpectomy, radiation, and five years of endocrine therapy. Despite being told she was cured, Pam faced a recurrence of her cancer, which eventually led to a metastatic diagnosis. Her journey underscores the importance of trusting one's instincts and advocating for thorough testing, even when faced with resistance from healthcare providers
The Power of Knowledge and Self-Advocacy
Throughout the episode, Pam emphasizes the necessity of understanding diagnostic tools and the need to demand comprehensive testing, such as PET scans, when necessary. Her experiences highlight the challenges many patients face, including misdiagnoses and gaslighting, and the importance of staying informed to make well-informed decisions about one's health.
Advancements in Breast Cancer Care and Nuclear Medicine Safety
The conversation extends beyond personal experiences, touching on advancements in breast cancer management, particularly for ER+ cases. Pam talks about the new findings for extended endocrine therapy due to the risk of recurrence long after initial treatment.
HER HEALTHX Improving Health Outcomes for Women
The conversation explores the implications of mishandled medical situations, highlighting the crucial work of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the broader impact of medical gaslighting on women and their communities.
5 Key Points:
- Self-Advocacy in Healthcare: Pam discusses the importance of trusting one's instincts in managing breast cancer, especially how accurate PET Scans lead to the right medication treatments.
- Discover Health Options: Exploration of treatments for ER+ breast cancer, including the potential benefits of extended endocrine therapy.
- Diagnostic Tools and Testing: The importance of thorough testing and understanding diagnostic tools to make informed treatment decisions.
- Navigating Healthcare Systems: Tips on how to remain vigilant and prepared when consulting with healthcare professionals.
- New Nonprofit HER HEALTHX: Discussion about how HER HEALTHX is focused on reducing medical gaslighting and improve health outcomes for women.
3 Takeaways:
- Feel Empowered: When you understand your diagnosis and the available medical options is crucial for effective self-advocacy. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to make choices that align with your instincts.
- Safety in Nuclear Medicine: The conversation sheds light on the importance of safety standards in medical testing and the advocacy needed to improve these practices. Support H.R.6815 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
- Treatment Options: Discover how critical having accurate tests and the impact on treatment plans.
Quotes:
"You need to be paying attention to your body and trusting your intuition. Trust yourself and advocate for yourself. It's the most important thing you can do."-Pam Kohl
"If you've ever been diagnosed with breast cancer, there is a 30% chance that you're going to have a recurrence. Take yourself seriously, and don't let anybody in the healthcare system gaslight you."- Pam Kohl
"When extravasation happens, it is dangerous because it can damage the tissue, and you're not getting an accurate scan. We deserve accountability and transparency in our healthcare."-Pam Kohl
Tune in to explore the critical nuances of managing ER-positive breast cancer, including the potential necessity of extended endocrine therapy and the vital role of trusting one's instincts.
Pam's insights serve as a guiding light for women navigating their own healthcare journeys, emphasizing the need for thorough testing and awareness in the pursuit of personalized treatment.
Thank you Pam for sharing your story. Join Pam Kohl and host Natalie Benamou on October 23rd for a panel discussion about Extravasation and Step Therapy at 11 AM CT/ 12 PM ET.
About Pam Kohl:
Pam Kohl, a North Carolina native with over 40 years of experience in government and nonprofit management, has dedicated her career to breast cancer advocacy. As the former Executive Director of Susan G. Komen's North Carolina Triangle to the Coast Affiliate, she advocated for equitable breast cancer support and research across 29 counties. Pam led the Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer Collaborative Research Initiative, focusing on finding treatments and cures, especially after her own battles with breast cancer.
Diagnosed initially in 2009 with Stage 1 ER+ breast cancer and declared cancer-free in 2014, she faced a recurrence in 2016 and was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer in 2017. Her treatment regimen includes Verzenio, Fulvestrant, and regular scans. A recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the 2017 Guilford College Alumni Excellence Award, Kohl's work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Coastal Federal Credit Union’s Power of Sharing Lifetime Achievement award in 2019. She resides in Raleigh with her husband, Tom Gongaware, and their two children, Max and Sofie.
Connect with Host Natalie Benamou, Founder HerCsuite®
Natalie Benamou is the host of "Women Leaders on the Move '' and the Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful women's network providing connect circles for women’s careers and businesses. She is dedicated to making it easier for women to achieve success in all aspects of their lives. Natalie is also the Founder and President of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit focused on improving health outcomes for women.
This episode is sponsored by HER HEALTHX
