Moderating 'Care Beyond Treatment' with Naturopathica
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I was so honored to moderate a conversation with Naturopathica last week -- 'Exploring Wellness, Stress Management & Advocacy' -- at the gorgeous One United Nations Park.
It was a discussion on all things Care Beyond Treatment, how women who are living with or are recovering from breast cancer can seek whole-person strategies for healing, resilience, and...just living their daily lives.
Stemming from Naturopathica's Oncology Care program, which offers its signature, personalized spa experiences to cancer patients either undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, the conversation was a reminder of how much cancer care extends beyond just the hospital and doctor's office -- it's at home, out in the world, with loved ones and caregivers, within oneself.
Given 4.3 million women in the United States are living with a history of breast cancer today, and there will be an estimated 316,950 total new cases of diagnosed invasive breast cancer by year's end, the stakes couldn't be higher. It touches everyone -- about 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men by the end of this year (statistics: American Cancer Society).
It was so great speaking with Cathy OBrien, MSW, Chairwoman of Naturopathica, Jennifer Cooper Ashton, LMT, a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist, the Clinical Manager for Massage Therapy Services at the Dubin Breast Center - Mount Sinai, and Christina Merrill, an oncology social worker and the Founder and CEO of the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation (BMCF).
(Special shoutout to Andrey&Melissa for making the event possible, and frenchCALIFORNIA's Guillaume Coutheillas)
Photography: Michelle Paradis