Her Health Compass

Lifestyle Medicine & Breast Cancer: Prevention, Treatment Support & Recovery

What actually impacts cancer risk—and what helps you get through it? This episode blends expert insight and lived experience to reveal how lifestyle medicine supports prevention, treatment, and healing. In this episode of Her Health Compass, we explore what it truly means to heal through the lenses of resilience, grief, and lifestyle medicine. Yonni and Heather are joined by Dr. Amy Comander, a breast cancer specialist trained in lifestyle medicine, and Britt Aronson, who shares her powerful firsthand experience navigating cancer alongside profound personal loss. Together, they unpack how nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and mindset can influence not only cancer prevention, but also treatment outcomes and recovery. This conversation bridges science and story—offering both evidence-based insight and lived experience for anyone seeking to better understand their body, their health, and their capacity to heal. Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, MSCP is a breast oncologist and Medical Director of the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham, Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Comander studied neurobiology and psychology as part of the multidisciplinary Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative at Harvard University and received her Doctor of Medicine from the Yale University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency training and Hematology-Oncology fellowship training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. She is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and Lifestyle Medicine. As a breast oncologist, Dr. Comander has witnessed the struggles her patients face during and following completion of primary cancer treatment, and is passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of breast cancer survivors through lifestyle interventions.  In collaboration with Dr. Frates, she launched the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program lifestyle medicine program for breast cancer survivors. She trains other colleagues to run PAVING groups, so that this transformational experience can be offered to a larger group of  cancer survivors.   She has co-authored PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond,  PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual and Workbook, and PAVING a Path Through Menopause and Beyond. Dr. Comander practices what she preaches, having run 12 consecutive Boston Marathons to date.   Dr. Comander was honored to serve as the first oncologist on the Board of Directors of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and proud to serve as Vice President on the Board of the PAVING the Path to Wellness non-profit organization.  She also serves on the Board of the Ellie Fund, a non-profit that provides services and support to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Massachusetts. She is a medical advisor to the non-profit organizations, SurvivingBreastCancer.org [http://survivingbreastcancer.org/] and the Tigerlily Foundation.   She has served as a medical advisor to Oneinforty, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage about the one-in-forty chance of having inherited a BRCA mutation. Britt Aaronson is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles, where she has lived since 1993. She finds great joy in being a mother to Rayce and Eisley. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, and supporting nonprofits including the National Brain Tumor Society, the Hidden Hills Theater Committee, and the Fondle Project. In February 2020, she was diagnosed with Grade 2–3 DCIS breast cancer. Britt underwent seven surgeries—including a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and capsulectomies—and is grateful to now be cancer-free. Deeply appreciative of the technology that led to her diagnosis, she is dedicated to raising awareness and helping redefine conversations around breast health, survivorship, and healing. Sponsor shout-out: Throughout 2026 we are proud to parter with a sponsor who puts puts care, intention, and wellness first. Visit sleepagainpillows.com [http://sleepagainpillows.com/] for their premiere sleep systems and be sure to use code HERHEALTH15 for 15% off your purchase.

The Biological Detour: A podcast about Cancer, Fertility, and the Path to Motherhood

They tell you to fight for your life, but nobody mentions the life you were planning to start. When a diagnosis crashes into your dreams of motherhood, the world doesn’t just stop—it shifts. In this episode of Her Health Compass, we’re talking about something that many people don’t realize cancer can take from patients: their fertility. What does it mean to navigate the dream of parenthood while facing a life-changing diagnosis?   We’re thrilled to be joined by Suzanne Stone, CEO of the Livestrong Foundation, an organization that helps cancer patients access so many different resources, including support around fertility preservation and family planning and Shea Mencel, co-founder of We Are Here.   In this episode, we’ll hear Shea’s incredible journey, talk about why conversations around fertility are so important for cancer patients, and explore how organizations like Livestrong are helping people build families even in the face of cancer.   Suzanne Stone is a graduate of Texas Christian University and a native of Louisiana. Her career began in the television industry in Dallas, earning a regional Emmy Award for her work.  She eventually traded producing television for teaching it in the non-profit sector in 1998, working in public access television both in Naperville, Illinois, and then in upstate New York. After enjoying her four-year tenure as Head Coach of the local New York community college women’s basketball team while running the station, she headed back to Texas. Since arriving, she’s worked and led local non-profits around the state like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Children’s Miracle Network, Lake Travis Education Foundation, and Susan G. Komen Greater Central and East Texas.  Continuing to look for ways to scale social impact, she joined Livestrong to lead their mission initiatives in 2019.  In November of 2023 she became President & CEO where she leads the team to ensure anyone affected by cancer has the resources and tools they need to have the highest quality of life possible.   Shea Mencel is a Co-Founder and the VP of Navigation & Impact at We Are Here, a software platform built to close critical gaps in cancer care by connecting patients and families to the right support—exactly when they need it. As a certified integrative health coach and two-time breast cancer survivor, Shea brings both lived experience and professional expertise to reimagining how care is delivered beyond the clinic. Her journey to motherhood was profoundly shaped by cancer. First diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at 29, followed by a metastatic recurrence at 32, Shea faced the loss of her ability to carry a pregnancy- completely redefining her path to family. Through embryo preservation and ultimately growing her family with the help of a gestational carrier, she experienced firsthand the emotional complexity of fertility after cancer – the grief, uncertainty, and hope that coexist in this journey.   We are proud to partner with a brand that puts care, intention, and real wellness first. Visit sleepagainpillows.com to learn more, and be sure to use code HERHEALTH15 for 15% off your purchase. Better sleep really does change everything!   For more about the Her Health Compass, follow us on Instagram at @yonnihealthandwellness for episode drops, nutritional health support and more.

Read the Report, Not the Room: Decoding Your Mammogram

“You’ve Got Mail” on a patient portal notification can send anyone into a spiral of anxiety. From the mysterious BI-RADS score to the dreaded “callback” for more imaging, the world of breast health often feels like a foreign language we never asked to learn. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the imaging suite with Dr. Pamela Weber MD, a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates.  We’re breaking down the difference between 2D and 3D, decoding the scary words like “asymmetry” and “calcification,” and explaining why a callback is usually a reason for a deep breath, not a panic attack. Whether you’re prepping for your first scan, concerned about your family history, or navigating news of dense tissue, this episode is your roadmap to breast health with less stress and more clarity. Her Health Compass is proud to partner with a brand that puts care, intention, and real wellness first. Visit sleepagainpillows.com [http://sleepagainpillows.com/] to learn more, and be sure to use code HERHEALTH15 for 15% off your purchase. Better sleep really does change everything! For more about this podcast, follow @yonnihealthandwellness [https://www.instagram.com/yonnihealthandwellness] on Instagram today!

Sweet Dreams & the Elusive Nature of Sleep: How a Good Night’s Rest Benefits Physical and Mental Health

Sleep is one of the most fundamental pillars of health, yet it’s often the hardest to protect. In this episode, Sweet Dreams & the Elusive Nature of Sleep, we explore how quality rest supports physical recovery, sharpens mental health and shapes how we show up each day. Join us and our guests, author/singer/songwriter and radio host Carrie Rowan [http://www.carrierowan.com/], and breast cancer survivor and Founder/CEO of Sleep Again Pillows [http://www.sleepagainpillows.com/], Rachael Baumel, as we break down why a good night’s sleep is anything but optional. Sleep Again Pillows (@sleepagainpillows [https://www.instagram.com/sleepagainpillows]) is our 2026 podcast sponsor, founded by Rachel Baumel and Kate Devlin out of real life healing and a simple but powerful need for better sleep during recovery. What started as a personal solution has become a thoughtfully designed therapeutic pillow system that supports proper alignment, elevation, and comfort, whether you are recovering from surgery, managing pain, or just struggling to get truly restorative rest. These are not ordinary pillows. They are doctor recommended, FSA and HSA eligible, and loved by people who feel a meaningful difference in how they sleep and therefore , how they feel during the day. We are proud to partner with a brand that puts care, intention, and real wellness first. Visit sleepagainpillows.com [http://sleepagainpillows.com/] to learn more, and be sure to use code HERHEALTH15 for 15% off your purchase. Better sleep really does change everything!  For more about the Her Health Compass Wellness Retreat, contact info@herhealthcompass.com [info@herhealthcompass.com] and be sure to follow @yonnihealthandwellness [http://www.instagram.com/yonnihealthandwellness] on Instagram for episode drops, nutritional health support and more.

Eat Well, Play Well: A Woman’s Guide to Balanced Nutrition & Wellness in 2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Slayton, M.S., R.D., founder of Foodtrainers (@foodtrainers [https://www.instagram.com/foodtrainers]) and author of The Little Book of Thin, as our featured guest this month! A New York–based registered dietitian who has been helping people make sense of nutrition since 2001, Lauren blends real-world practicality with playful insight to make healthy living feel doable (yes, you can balance fun and wellness!)  Over the years she’s been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, Good Morning America, and O Magazine, offering science-backed guidance with a dose of relatable humor.  In our conversation, Lauren shares her tips for navigating food, body image, and wellness without burnout, and leaves you feeling inspired to fuel your best life. Be sure to check out her site at www.foodtrainers.com [http://www.foodtrainers.com/], sign up for her free newsletter for weekly nutrition gems, and follow her on Instagram @foodtrainers [https://www.instagram.com/foodtrainers] for bite-sized wellness wisdom each week!  We’re so excited to introduce Sleep Again Pillows (@sleepagainpillows [https://www.instagram.com/sleepagainpillows]) as our 2026 podcast partners, sponsors, and most importantly, friends. Founded by Rachel Baumel and Kate Devlin, Sleep Again was born out of real life healing and a simple but powerful need for better sleep during recovery. What started as a personal solution has become a thoughtfully designed therapeutic pillow system that supports proper alignment, elevation, and comfort, whether you are recovering from surgery, managing pain, or just struggling to get truly restorative rest. These are not ordinary pillows. They are doctor recommended, FSA and HSA eligible, and loved by people who feel a meaningful difference in how they sleep and therefore , how they feel during the day. We are proud to partner with a brand that puts care, intention, and real wellness first. Visit sleepagainpillows.com [http://sleepagainpillows.com/] to learn more, and be sure to use code HERHEALTH15 for 15% off your purchase. Better sleep really does change everything!  For more about the Her Health Compass Wellness Retreat, contact info@herhealthcompass.com. [info@herhealthcompass.com]