In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani sits down with Dr. Cara Bohon, a clinical psychologist and researcher, to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors. They discuss the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in cancer care, the complexities of treating cancer-related insomnia, and the shortage of mental health professionals trained in oncology.

Dr. Bohon and Samira also review a PCORI-funded study led by Dr. Jun J. Mao, comparing the effectiveness of CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) versus acupuncture for cancer-related insomnia. Dr. Bohon breaks down step-by-step sleep strategies for cancer patients, offering practical tools to improve sleep, emotional well-being, and cancer-related anxiety—even for those without access to therapy.

This episode was supported by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and features this PCORI study by Jun J Mao, MD.

Check out the free mental health resources mentioned in this episode from Veterans of America here.

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Your Cancer GPS is here! Step-by-step breast cancer maps based on what others have gone through and what oncologists recommend.

Key Highlights:

1. Insomnia is a major issue for cancer patients and survivors alike – beyond just trouble sleeping, it exacerbates pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and emotional distress, making cancer treatment even more challenging.

2. The clinical trial covered in this episode found that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) led to better sleep improvements compared to acupuncture, with lasting effects even after treatment ended. While acupuncture may not be as effective as CBT-I for sleep, it showed short-term benefits for managing cancer-related pain, which can still be valuable for your mental health as well

3. The problem with therapy today is not just accessibility, but also the fact that many therapists aren't trained in psycho-oncology, making it difficult for cancer patients to find mental health support tailored to their unique challenges.

4. Techniques from CBT-I, such as sleep restriction, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation exercises, can significantly improve sleep quality—even for those who can't afford professional therapy.

About our guest:

Dr. Cara Bohon is a clinical psychologist and researcher from Stanford University with experience scaling delivery of evidence-based mental health treatments to meet the huge needs of patients across the United States. She led clinical programs and research at Equip Health, which addressed the demand for effective eating disorder treatment by providing training and virtual delivery of evidence-based eating disorder treatment across the country and is passionate about expanding her work in oncology in the future.

Disclaimer: 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.

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Nine years with no evidence of disease—yet Megan-Claire Chase’s cancer journey isn’t over. As she once fought cancer alongside her mother, she now faces something even harder: losing her. In this episode, Megan-Claire shares a deeply vulnerable side—a daughter losing her mother. Facing your own mortality is one thing, but facing the mortality of your loved ones—friends, family, fellow cancer patients, and survivors—and the hole they leave behind is something entirely different.

Key Highlights:

1. Witnessing her mother’s cancer progression brings anticipatory grief, yet despite that grief, Megan strives to learn as much about her mother as possible, including fond memories from her childhood.

2. Despite the anticipatory grief, Megan and her mother engage in a bonding exercise using question cards, and she records their conversations. One of the most meaningful things she learned was that her mother reflects on her life with joy—ultimately, the greatest goal is to leave this world happy.

3. Facing your own mortality can unearth many emotions: the need to be confident and not tolerate disrespect, the desire to live life on your own terms and to the fullest, yet also a deep sense of loneliness and isolation.

About our guest:

Check out thefirst episode Megan-Claire Chase appeared in here.

Megan-Claire Chase, also known as Warrior Megsie, is the Breast Cancer Program Director and host of theOur BC Life podcast at SHARE Cancer Support. As an invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) breast cancer survivor and passionate patient advocate based in Atlanta, GA, Megan-Claire is a dedicated champion for the needs of breast cancer patients, particularly in addressing the disparities faced by minoritized communities and those in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) communities.

In addition to her pivotal role at SHARE, she serves on Bayer Oncology's Digital Patient Council, is a patient advocate for the Oncology Data Advisor Editorial Board, and recently joined the Worth the Wait Charity advisory board. She also contributes as a writer and advisory board member for Patient Power, amplifying the voices of breast cancer patients.

Megan-Claire’s advocacy efforts include participating as a panelist onLeveraging Technology to Support Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Oncologic Care at the 2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium, co-authoring a podcast and infographic on genetic testing in metastatic breast cancer, collaborating with Pfizer on theAction Guide to Disrupt Inequitable Health Outcomes, and sharing her personal journey on PBS’sBeyond Cancer throughStories from the Stage. Her work has been spotlighted in notable publications likeThe New York Times,People Magazine,Cancer Health,Cancer Today, andCURE Magazine.

Beyond her cancer advocacy, Megan-Claire is a versatile voiceover actor, a dedicated social justice activist, and a proud cat mom to Phoebe.

Disclaimer: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.

Looking for tools to help you take control of your cancer experience? Check out My Cancer GPS™, a step-by-step map that guides you through the entire cancer experience.

In this enlightening episode of the Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani interviews Dr. Sara Tolaney, a leading oncologist specializing in breast cancer. They delve into the evolving landscape of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), exploring advancements in treatment, from targeted therapies to immunotherapy, and the challenges faced by patients in both early-stage and metastatic settings. With her characteristic warmth and expertise, Dr. Tolaney provides actionable insights for patients and caregivers, offering hope and understanding in navigating this complex diagnosis. Key Highlights: 1. A New Paradigm in Early-Stage TNBC Treatment: Dr. Tolaney explains how neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy has revolutionized outcomes, achieving pathologic complete response rates above 60%. 2. Metastatic TNBC Advances: The discussion highlights the critical role of biomarker testing and the introduction of innovative therapies like antibody-drug conjugates, providing extended survival for many patients. 3. Empowering Patient Symptom Management: The episode underscores the importance of patient-reported outcomes and emerging tools like health apps to enhance self-management and real-time support for side effects. About our guest: Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH is the Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and is internationally recognized for her research and education leadership in breast cancer. She also serves as Associate Director of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers and is a Senior Physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Tolaney received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her medical degree from UC San Francisco. She subsequently completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, and fellowships in hematology and medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She obtained her Masters in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the development of novel therapies in the treatment of breast cancer and developing more effective and less toxic treatment approaches. Her work has demonstrated that a relatively low risk regimen is beneficial in women with early stage node-negative HER2-positive cancers, and this works has been incorporated into national and international guidelines. She has developed several follow-up studies looking at novel approaches to early stage HER2-positive disease and has also played a significant role in development of cdk 4/6 inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates, and immunotherapy in breast cancer. She is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications with manuscripts included in many prestigious journals such as the New England Journal, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and JAMA Oncology. Key Moments: At 8 minutes: "It used to be that if someone had a triple negative breast cancer, we would often take someone to surgery and then after surgery give them some chemotherapy to kill any stray cells that might've gotten into the bloodstream and integrate radiation as needed. But we've really changed our approach very dramatically over the last few years where we've learned that if someone has an early stage, stage two or three triple negative breast cancer, it is actually very critical that they not go to upfront surgery, but in fact get chemotherapy with immunotherapy prior to surgery." Disclaimer: 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.

This episode is sponsored by Gilead Oncology. Gilead had no involvement or input in the podcast content. Gilead Oncology is working to transform how cancer is treated. We are innovating with next-generation therapies, combinations, and technologies to deliver improved outcomes for people with cancer. From antibody drug conjugates and small molecules to cell therapy-based approaches, our portfolio and pipeline assets are creating new possibilities for people with cancer.