Eating for Peace and Not Panic After Breast Cancer

Our guest, Cathy Leman, MA, RD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a specialty in eating disorders and an invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast cancer survivor. At the time of her diagnosis, Cathy had just completed the Chicago Half-Marathon and felt at the peak of her health—she was a personal trainer in addition to being a dietitian. Cancer, especially breast cancer, was the last thing on her mind given her active, healthy lifestyle, making the diagnosis all the more shocking.

After completing surgery and 20 rounds of radiation- her surgery didn't require a reconstruction option; it required skin grafting to "rebuild" the area from where the tumor was removed -Cathy felt compelled to combine her personal experience with breast cancer and her professional expertise as a dietitian to help others navigate life after breast cancer. She recognized the unique challenges survivors face, particularly when their cancer is hormone-driven, and this led her to create the Peaceful Plate program, designed specifically for breast cancer survivors looking to make lifestyle changes and adopt healthier eating habits.

In our conversation, we also explore the key differences between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist, along with their distinct specialties and how they can complement each other in patient care.

We are a podcast produced by SHARE Cancer Support. Be sure to check out the SHARE Website for any info or resources you may need.

Thanks for listening!