7: Your Care Should Fit YOU: How to Advocate for Treatment You Deserve | Dr. Nina Tamarisa

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen sits down with Dr. Nina Tamirisa, breast surgical oncologist and associate professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Known for her patient-first philosophy, Dr. Tamirisa breaks down what every woman should know about breast surgery, treatment options, and advocating for yourself.

From lumpectomy vs. mastectomy to breast reconstruction, shared decision-making, fertility concerns, and the rise of breast cancer in younger Black women, Dr. Tamirisa offers practical, compassionate insight that could save lives. She explains why listening matters as much as treatment, how lifestyle factors like age and density influence care, and what questions women should be asking their doctors.

This conversation is a must for survivors, caregivers, and women who want to understand their choices, reduce fear, and approach their treatment care with confidence.

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KEY POINTS:
[0:00] Introduction
[6:19] Meet Dr. Nina Tamirisa, breast surgical oncologist at MD Anderson
[7:46] The role of breast surgical oncologists vs. medical oncologists
[8:03] Why listening to patients is central to care
[9:07] Lumpectomy vs. mastectomy
[11:02] Options for women with large tumors and reconstruction choices
[14:01] Building trust with patients in moments of fear
[16:06] Questions every woman should ask her surgeon
[17:18] How age, fertility, and lifestyle affect treatment planning
[18:52] The rise of breast cancer in young Black women
[20:11] Treating women with multiple cancers in different breasts
[20:52] “Their outcome is my outcome” – Dr. Tamirisa’s philosophy
[22:22] Challenges after surgery, including lymphedema and healing
[35:34] Dr. Tamirisa’s vision for patient care and reducing disparities

QUOTES:

“What we're offering to you for treatment is really tailored treatment, so we're taking into account that these are the important things in your life, but we also want to offer the best in the oncologic care.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa

“Part of what drew me to surgery, I think, is that I really, really care about my patients. And I think when you make an incision, you kind of own all the things that come with that, so it ties you to that patient forever.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa

“I always try to ask what's important to you, what matters to you, and then we were going to do our best to do whatever we can to treat this and make sure it doesn't come back.” – Dr. Nina Tamirisa


RESOURCES:
Dr. Nina Tamirisa
Website - https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profil...

Website - https://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/
IG -   / sistersnetwork