On this episode of the F-U Cancer Podcast, host Christina Rollins sits down with Karen Pettengill, RDN, CSO, a board-certified oncology dietitian, to break it all down!

From boosting overall health to supporting the body during and after cancer treatment, we’ll explore:

✅ What a plant-based diet really means 🍎🥦
✅ How it supports cancer prevention & recovery 🏥
✅ The truth about protein & plant-based sources 💪
✅ Antioxidants, fiber, and their impact on health 🔬

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering: What are my treatment options? One therapy plays a key role in nearly 50% of cancer treatments—radiation therapy.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ann Raldow, Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UCLA, to break down how radiation therapy works, who it benefits, and what patients can expect.

On this episode of the F-U Cancer Podcast, we're joined by bestselling author and cancer survivor, Gina Mulligan. Gina is the author of two historical novels and the bestselling non-fiction book, Dear Friend: Letters of Encouragement, Humor & Love for Women with Breast Cancer. She’s been featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, The Steve Harvey Show, People.com, Today.com, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Woman’s Day Magazine.

But Gina’s impact goes beyond the written page. As the founder of Girls Love Mail, a national charity that has delivered over 270,000 handwritten letters to women with breast cancer, she’s proving that a simple note can bring hope, strength, and connection.

In this episode, we discuss the power of personal letters, Gina’s journey as an author and survivor, and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Plus, I’ll share my own experience with Girls Love Mail and how a community came together—one letter at a time.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that proves words have the power to heal. 💌✨

Exercise rehabilitation is important in cancer care because it helps improve physical function, reduce treatment-related side effects, and enhance overall quality of life. Join us as we talk with board certified oncology clinical specialist, Dr. Andrew Congaway, PT, DPT about how to safety and effectively align physical movement with cancer recovery.

We are so fortunate to welcome the official dietitian/nutritionist of the Tulsa Ballet in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amanda Settle, RD, LD, CDE, to the F-U Cancer Podcast. Amanda manages a private practice where she focus on helping clients achieve the healthiest version of themselves. Listen in as she shares advice for healthy eating before and after physical activity, including managing cancer treatment-related side effects.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, there is strong evidence to link increased fiber intake with a decreased risk of cancer. But how much fiber is needed to yield positive health benefits? And are certain fiber containing foods more beneficial than others? Joining us today to answer these important questions is registered dietitian nutritionist, Tuesday Hoelscher.

Grief is a common emotion felt by individuals touched by cancer. It’s a complex response to significant loss, often involving sadness, shock, anger, denial and other feelings as a person attempts to cope with a cancer diagnosis, news of disease progression, an unwelcomed treatment side effect, or I think even the anticipation of missing milestones like graduations or weddings that are far in the future but already close to ones’ heart. Joining us today is licensed clinical social worker and cancer care expert, Paige Soleimani, here to talk with us about cancer related grief, how to cope and when to seek professional help.

Research show 70% of cancer survivors take dietary supplements, and nearly half of individuals do so without first consulting with their healthcare provider. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Krystle Zuniga, PhD, RD, CSO, LD, to breakdown the regulations surrounding dietary supplements and answer the big question -- are they safe??