#37 - A Dietitian’s Honest Talk About Cancer, Food, and Fear
When board-certified oncology dietitian Alison Tierney told patients "food is medicine," she believed it, but she never expected to test that belief against her own breast cancer diagnosis.Having witnessed cancer's impact in her own family, Alison dedicated her career to helping patients heal through nutrition. Her personal journey led her to plant-based eating, which unexpectedly helped her overcome infertility. But when she faced her own breast cancer diagnosis, everything she'd studied and taught collided with the raw reality of being the patient, not the practitioner.In this candid conversation, Alison shares how she merged evidence-based nutrition, strategic fasting during chemotherapy, and unwavering faith to navigate treatment and reclaim her life. She doesn't sugarcoat the fear or the uncertainty; instead, she offers something better: practical wisdom on "controlling the controllables" and finding purpose in the midst of crisis.In this episode:How plant-based nutrition supports prevention, treatment, and recovery from cancerThe science and safety of fasting during chemotherapy (and who it's right for)Shifting from oncology expert to cancer patient: what changed and what didn'tManaging the mental weight of recurrence fear and survivorshipActionable lifestyle strategies for long-term resilience and wellbeingWhether you're facing a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or want to live with more intention, Alison's story proves that healing isn't just physical; it's a daily practice of mind, body, and spirit.WAVS Study: Barnard ND, Kahleova H, Holtz DN, Del Aguila F, Neola M, Crosby LM, Holubkov R. The Women's Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS): a randomized, controlled trial of a plant-based diet and whole soybeans for postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2021 Jul 12;28(10):1150-1156. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001812. PMID: 34260478; PMCID: PMC8462449.Fighting Hot Flashes with Diet: https://www.pcrm.org/clinical-research/fighting-hot-flashes-with-dietAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
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