Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here This week, I was confronted face-to-face with my “why.” I seriously considered delaying my cancer treatment. Not because I was afraid of the medicine, or unsure of my care team, but because the system made it almost impossible to fit cancer into my life. I felt like I …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Stress is not just an individual experience. It is a physiological force with measurable effects on nearly every system of the body. Chronic stress can alter cardiovascular function, weaken the immune system, disrupt digestion, accelerate aging, and contribute to conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer (1,2,3). For patients …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here In our last blog, we talked about everyday healing habits—low-cost, accessible things we can do to feel more like ourselves. Let’s talk about stress. Not the kind of stress that passes quickly, like running late or losing your keys. We’re talking about the kind that lingers. The kind …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Introduction: Healing Isn’t Just Medical When you’re navigating cancer, it can feel like everything costs something – tests, treatments, supplements, support. For many, the financial toll becomes part of the trauma. But here’s the truth: some of the most powerful tools for healing are completely free. The way …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Introduction: What You Can Control When you’re facing cancer, so much can feel out of your control – appointments, test results, side effects, and the overwhelming cost of care. But there are things that can help you feel empowered. Science shows us that nutrition, movement, rest, and even …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here Clinical trials are crucial for many patients, by providing access to cutting-edge treatments and playing an important role in advancing medicine. However, many patients – especially those from underserved communities- face obstacles that limit their ability to participate. Common barriers include logistical challenges, financial concerns, and a lack of information …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here Cancer patients face significant financial challenges, especially when participating in clinical trials. Financial toxicity, the economic burden caused by cancer treatment costs, impacts patients’ ability to engage in trials that offer cutting-edge therapies. Despite the promise clinical trials hold for advancing cancer care, financial barriers—such as out-of-pocket costs, employment disruptions, …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here Financial toxicity, defined as the economic burden associated with cancer care, significantly affects cancer patients and their families. This impact extends beyond the immediate direct costs of treatment, affecting all aspects of a patient’s and their family’s lives, including indirect costs like lost income, employment stability, travel expenses, and …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D, Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here A cancer diagnosis brings an immediate need for support, but navigating the extensive landscape of available resources can be overwhelming for patients and caregivers. With thousands of cancer-related organizations in the United States, each with its own focus, the sheer volume of options often leads to confusion rather than …
