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The Ricardo Fisas Natura Bisse Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit focused on enhancing well-being through aesthetic skin and hair care services for people undergoing cancer treatment, along with professional education for spa industry professionals on how to safely serve clients with cancer.

Key Highlights:
• One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer, yet many are turned away from spas
• Cancer treatment side effects on skin and appearance may significantly impact quality of life
• Professional education helps create inclusive environments where clients feel safe
• The foundation provides in-person services in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and virtual consultations nationwide
• Brand-agnostic approach focuses on evidence-based ingredients rather than specific products
• Currently working with over 20 hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

To access services, contact the Foundation through Instagram @RicardoFisasFoundation, visit ricardofisasfoundation.org, or call directly.

A medical referral is typically needed, but the team can help coordinate with your healthcare providers.

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Navigating the cancer journey involves much more than medical treatments alone. In this deeply insightful conversation with Andrea Wendich, Director for Navigation overseeing 18 nurses across North Texas, we uncover the critical yet often overlooked role of specialized skincare during cancer treatment.

Andrea reveals why skincare education should begin immediately following diagnosis, preparing patients for the physical changes ahead. "I think having that education about how to take care of your skin, what are some things you can do to promote skincare along the way but also really focus on those side effects not being as severe" becomes an essential part of comprehensive cancer care. While dryness, redness, and sensitivity are expected side effects, patients shouldn't simply accept living with discomfort that can sometimes become debilitating.

The conversation shifts to a powerful revelation about misconception—skincare during cancer treatment isn't about vanity, but necessity and dignity. "I think everybody wants to look and feel their best," Andrea explains, "So why would we not want to provide them with something to help them make them feel a little bit better? Because we all know that when you feel better, you feel healthy." This wellness component provides crucial mental health support, allowing patients to "zone out for an hour, hour and a half, and just pamper themselves and get the needed rest and relaxation."

Most compelling are the stories of patient advocacy that emerge when individuals experience specialized oncology aesthetics services. Andrea shares how patients in support groups spread the word about these life-enhancing treatments, with one patient telling their physician, "You need to go, you need to send all your patients there." This grassroots enthusiasm underscores the profound impact these services have on quality of life during treatment.

Ready to discover how specialized skincare might support your cancer journey or that of someone you love? Subscribe now to hear more expert conversations exploring the intersection of oncology and aesthetics—where science meets compassion to create a more comfortable healing experience.

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When facing cancer treatment, the smallest comforts can make a profound difference. Our conversation with Josanna Gaither, Executive Director at the Ricardo Fisas Natura Bisse Foundation, explores an invaluable free resource that puts control back into patients' hands – the Oncology Aesthetics Skincare Guide.

This comprehensive yet surprisingly digestible guide serves as a lifeline when everything else feels overwhelming. As Josanna explains, "Once someone gets diagnosed and they're in the midst of treatment, they feel like everything they used to know to be true is different." The guide bridges this gap with practical, actionable advice that addresses the unique skincare challenges cancer treatment presents.

What makes this resource particularly valuable is its accessibility and brand-agnostic approach. Rather than pushing specific products, it educates users about beneficial ingredients like organic aloe vera, allantoin, and shea butter while focusing on the three pillars of oncology skincare: cleansing with pH-balanced products, proper hydration, and diligent sun protection. From managing radiation-affected skin to addressing treatment-induced rashes, surgical scars, and hair loss, the guide provides specialized knowledge for each phase of the cancer journey.

Beyond the physical benefits, proper skincare during cancer treatment can significantly impact treatment outcomes. When skin integrity is maintained, patients experience fewer treatment interruptions and infections, potentially improving their medical prognosis. Download this free resource today through the link in our show notes, and discover how simple skincare strategies can restore comfort, confidence, and a sense of normalcy during one of life's most challenging journeys.

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Dryness during cancer treatment isn't just uncomfortable—it's a complex side effect that impacts both body and mind. Alex Huffman, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology at UT Southwestern Cancer Center, reveals why addressing this common challenge requires a holistic approach that nurtures the whole person.

Discover the surprising connection between hydration and mental health as Alex explains how proper moisture levels help transport crucial neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine through the body. "We know that staying hydrated helps move neurotransmitters," she shares, highlighting how this simple practice directly impacts depression and anxiety—critical concerns during cancer treatment.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when discussing the psychological impact of cancer on body image. "A common reaction to going through a life-altering diagnosis that some may consider traumatic is to disconnect from the body," Alex notes. Learn how transforming skincare from mundane routine into meaningful ritual can help patients rebuild their relationship with bodies that feel unfamiliar or betraying. The podcast offers practical recommendations for creating these healing rituals, from ingredient selections to application techniques.

Perhaps most moving is the discussion about how touch becomes essential when words fail. Gentle massage with appropriate moisturizers provides "caring touch, supportive touch, grounding touch" that can transform the treatment experience while strengthening connections between patients and caregivers. As Alex beautifully puts it, "Sometimes touch is the most universal language we can lean on."

Ready to transform your understanding of skincare during cancer treatment? Subscribe to the Oncology Aesthetics Podcast for more expert insights that merge the science of skincare with the art of holistic healing during the cancer journey.

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Chemotherapy's effects extend far beyond targeting cancer cells, impacting the body's fastest-growing tissues including skin, hair, and nails. Oncology nurse navigator Lauren Stafford walks us through this journey with expert compassion and practical wisdom gained from guiding countless patients from diagnosis through survivorship.

Lauren unpacks the science behind why chemotherapy causes specific side effects, explaining how treatment targets rapidly dividing cells throughout the body. She shares valuable insights into managing hair loss, including the potential benefits and limitations of cold cap therapy—a technique that reduces blood flow to hair follicles during infusion. "It reduces the blood perfusion to the skin, which allows for the chemo to essentially not go all the way to the hair follicles on the scalp," Lauren explains, while cautioning that patients should maintain realistic expectations about its effectiveness.

The conversation explores practical strategies for skin and nail care during treatment, emphasizing gentle moisturization, sun protection, and avoiding potentially harmful beauty treatments like manicures and pedicures. Lauren's most powerful insights, however, center on maintaining identity through the cancer journey. "It is so important to make sure that they are seeing themselves outside of cancer," she emphasizes, highlighting how simple self-care routines can help patients reconnect with themselves beyond their diagnosis. Her compassionate approach acknowledges both the temporary nature of treatment and the very real challenges patients face balancing independence with accepting necessary support.

Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable guidance for navigating chemotherapy's side effects while preserving dignity, comfort, and sense of self. Subscribe to our podcast for more expert conversations on enhancing well-being during cancer treatment and subscribe to get notifications about future episodes focused on navigating cancer with confidence and grace.

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Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, but what exactly happens when those high-energy beams target cancer cells? Nurse practitioner Katie Bucholt pulls back the curtain on this often-misunderstood treatment, explaining how radiation breaks DNA strands at the cellular level to prevent cancer cells from repairing themselves.

Katie takes us on a fascinating journey through radiation's effects on the skin and body, highlighting how treatment responses vary based on location, dosage, and individual factors. She dismantles the one-size-fits-all approach, emphasizing that nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle choices significantly impact how well patients tolerate treatment. For anyone facing radiation therapy, her practical guidance on timing skincare applications (nothing within three hours before treatment!), selecting appropriate products (alcohol-free and sterile), and protecting vulnerable skin from sun exposure provides a roadmap for minimizing side effects.

Beyond the clinical advice, Katie offers heartfelt wisdom on navigating the emotional terrain of cancer treatment. She encourages patients to advocate for themselves, bring support people to appointments, and embrace the vulnerability of accepting help. Her gentle reminder that allowing others to help is giving them "the privilege" of supporting you resonates deeply with anyone who's struggled to accept assistance during difficult times. Whether you're undergoing radiation treatment, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about this powerful therapy, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and practical strategies for maintaining dignity and skin health throughout the radiation journey. Subscribe now to access more expert insights on enhancing wellbeing during cancer treatment!

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