The Overlooked Emotional Toll of Cancer Care

The Overlooked Emotional Toll of Cancer Care

When we talk about cancer, the focus is usually on treatment plans, survival rates, and physical side effects. And all of that matters. But there’s another part of the experience that often goes unnamed—the emotional weight that surrounds cancer care, especially for women My guest today is Dr. Julia Compton, Vice President of Oncology at Hancock Health, who is here to discuss the role of caregiving and asking for help in an often overlooked side of cancer care. Specifically this episode highlights:  - The quiet stressors that can emerge after a cancer diagnosis - The importance of support systems - Ways to ask for and accept help Episode Timestamps [1:14] - Topic Intro - The Emotional Toll of Cancer Care [3:58] - Guest Interview with Dr. Julia Compton [31:27] - Final Thoughts MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Julia Compton, MD https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/julia-compton-md/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/julia-compton-md/]  Cancer Care at Hancock Health  https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/cancer-care/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/cancer-care/]  Breast Health at Hancock Health  https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/breast-health/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/breast-health/]  Hancock Health Video - A Day in the Life of Our Cancer Care Team https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUVHlfHWW8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUVHlfHWW8]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 10 - Breast Changes Women Should Never Ignore https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/breast-changes-women-should-never [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/breast-changes-women-should-never]  Learn more about Caregiver Support Groups at Hancock Health https://www.hancockhealth.org/2026/04/find-guidance-at-hancock-healths-caregiver-support-group/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/2026/04/find-guidance-at-hancock-healths-caregiver-support-group/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Conditions Women Put Off for Too Long

When we talk about delaying care, we’re not talking about rare, dramatic situations. We’re talking about everyday things. Symptoms that we easily brush off because we don’t want to be a burden. But when little things add up, that can lead to more complex treatment needs.   My guest today is Dr. Michelle Kitsis, a general surgeon at Hancock Health, who is here to share patterns and trends she sees day in and day out.   Specifically this episode highlights:  - What are the typical steps to expect when meeting with a surgeon - Common conditions and symptoms seen in women that often lead to surgical intervention - There’s no such thing as TMI - let’s talk about colonoscopies, gall bladders, hemorrhoids, hernias and more! - The daily mental load we carry and tips to navigate Episode Timestamps [0:51] - Topic Intro - Conditions Women Put Off & Delayed Care [4:00] - Guest Interview with Dr. Michelle Kitsis [39:31] - Final Thoughts MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Michelle Kitsis, MD https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/michelle-kitsis-md/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/michelle-kitsis-md/]  General Surgery at Hancock Health  https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/]  Hancock Health Video - Robotic Assisted Surgical Technology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 3 - The Symptom You Shouldn’t Ignore - One Woman’s Story https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 12 -How to Make Confident Decisions about Undergoing Surgery https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/how-to-make-confident-decisions-about [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/how-to-make-confident-decisions-about]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 2 - The Mental Load is Real https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Cholecystitis (Gall Bladder)  https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/cholecystitis/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/cholecystitis/]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Colonoscopy https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/colonoscopy/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/colonoscopy/]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Hemorrhoids https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/hemorrhoids/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/hemorrhoids/]  Learn more about what it means that Hancock Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network https://www.hancockhealth.org/about/mayoclinic/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/about/mayoclinic/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Your Algorithm Thinks You Need Fixing

Today’s topic feels timely. We’re diving deep into how much the way we consume media has changed and how the comparison game has evolved as we’ve transitioned into the relentless digital media world of social media, AI, and 24/7 news.  Our guest brings a really unique perspective on all of this because she spent years inside the media world itself. Nicole Pence Becker is the owner and operator of Pence Media Group and an award-winning former news anchor, which means she has spent years not only understanding media — but living inside it. Specifically this episode highlights:  - Behavior shifts in media consumption  - Social media content and the power of comparison - The influence of AI in media - Building a healthy relationship with social media Episode Timestamps [1:18] - Topic Intro - Media Consumption & Body Image [5:31] - Guest Interview with Nicole Pence Becker [49.12] - Final Thoughts MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Nicole Pence Becker  https://pencemediagroup.com/team-member/nicole-pence-becker/ [https://pencemediagroup.com/team-member/nicole-pence-becker/]  Learn more about the Connection Center at Hancock Health https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 04 - Your Friend Group Feels Like a Lifeline Because It Is https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 13 - Dealing with Diet Culture https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/dealing-with-diet-culture [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/dealing-with-diet-culture]  SmartHerNews https://smarthernews.com/ [https://smarthernews.com/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Managing Menopause Symptoms at Work

There’s something a lot of women are doing at work that no one really talks about: managing their menopause symptoms. So today we’re talking about it. Because so many of us are navigating this shift without the right language, support, and community when it’s something all women experience.  My guest today is Ashleigh Guenin. Ashleigh is a Nurse Practitioner at Hancock Health, working in  the James T. Anderson Women’s Clinic.    Specifically this episode highlights:  - Menopause symptoms that interfere with work - How to manage disruptive symptoms - Why this is an important topic to discuss Episode Timestamps [1:12] - Topic Intro - Menopause at Work [4:58] - Guest Interview with Ashleigh Guenin [22:27] - Final Thoughts MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Ashleigh Guenin, NP  https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/ashleigh-guenin-np/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/ashleigh-guenin-np/]  Learn more about services at Hancock Health’s Center for Women’s Health https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2023/12/hancock-healths-womens-clinic/ [https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2023/12/hancock-healths-womens-clinic/]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 03 - Menopause Hormone Therapy https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-2-menopause [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-2-menopause]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 06 - How Menopause Impacts Relationships https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-5-how-menopause [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-5-how-menopause]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Menopause https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/menopause/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/menopause/]  Menopause Society - Visit for helpful resources https://menopause.org/ [https://menopause.org/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/]  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Pressure to Have Kids

Pressure is interesting, because it rarely announces itself as pressure. Today, we’re having a conversation that unpacks that pressure and deconstructs the idea that there’s one “right” timeline or path we’re supposed to follow. Wherever you are in this conversation — wanting kids, not wanting kids, grieving kids, raising kids — you’re in good company. My guest today is Shanelle Bender a licensed clinical social worker with the Hancock Health Connection Center Specifically this episode highlights:  - Resources provided by the Hancock Health Connection Center - What outside pressures women face in their life - Boundary-setting exercises and tactics - How to navigate tough and vulnerable conversations Episode Timestamps [0:55] - Topic Intro - Pressure to Have Kids [3:52] - Guest Interview with Shanelle Bender, LCSW [54:55] - Final Thoughts MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES  Learn more about Shanelle Bender, LCSW: https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/shanelle-bender-lcsw/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/shanelle-bender-lcsw/]  Learn more about the Connection Center at Hancock Health: https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/]  Learn more about Counseling at Hancock Health: https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/counseling/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/counseling/]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 02 - The Mental Load is Real: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real]  Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 04 - Your Friend Group Feels LIke a Lifeline Because It Is: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline]  Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Mental Health: Know When to Get Help: https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/mental-health-know-when-to-get-help/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/mental-health-know-when-to-get-help/]  Learn more about Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3877861/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3877861/]  Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ [https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisisjustjenn.substack.com [https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]