135: Your Genes Aren’t Your Destiny: Personalizing Breast Cancer Prevention & Healing

In this episode of Keeping Abreast, Dr. Jenn Simmons is joined by Jen Nolan and Sara Stratton of Remission Nutrition for a conversation that cuts through the noise around “healthy living” after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Jen explains how nutrigenomics (genetic-based nutrition + lifestyle guidance) helps women understand what their body actually needs, from detox capacity to fat metabolism to exercise tolerance. Dr. Jenn shares her own example: years of high-intensity endurance workouts that she thought were helping until genetic testing revealed they were doing real harm.

Sara shares her story of being diagnosed with stage 3C triple positive breast cancer at 37, and how she supported her body through chemotherapy and recovery using a metabolic approach, including fasting around treatment, strength training, mindfulness, and carefully chosen supplements. Together, they talk about how to make changes without overwhelm, avoid fear-based restriction and orthorexia, navigate resistance from conventional providers, and build a lifestyle that’s sustainable long-term - with joy included.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What nutrigenomics can tell you about food, detox, sleep, stress, and exercise
• Sara’s approach to supporting her body during chemo: fasting, movement, mindfulness, and recovery
• What to know about supplements during chemotherapy including why antioxidants can be tricky
• Why people get overwhelmed after diagnosis, and how to start with small, realistic steps
• The “crowding out” method: what to add first so healthy habits stick
• Common non-negotiables that move the needle fast (Diet soda + processed snack foods)
• How to avoid orthorexia and stop turning food into fear
• How to advocate for yourself when your oncologist dismisses integrative tools

Episode Timeline:

 01:06 Introducing Jen Nolan + Sara Stratton
 04:10 Nutrigenomics and personalized healing
 10:56 Sara’s diagnosis at 37 + what life looked like before
 13:55 Metabolic approach during treatment (fasting, keto, movement)
 24:14 Fasting around chemo + how she trained through treatment
 28:47 Supplements + what to avoid during chemotherapy
 32:11 Fat metabolism genes + why keto doesn’t work the same for everyone
 35:59 How to start without overwhelm (3 changes at a time)
 44:44 Treatment phase vs. long-term lifestyle (graduating from strictness)
 49:55 Why conventional providers resist integrative support
 51:43 What to do when your oncologist dismisses fasting/nutrition
 54:34 Why breast cancer is usually not an emergency (and time matters)
 58:48 Joy, purpose, and living while healing

To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-call

To get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuide

To purchase the auria breast cancer screening test go here https://auria.care/ and use the code DRJENN20 for 20% Off.

Connect with Dr. Jenn:
Website: https://www.jennsimmonsmd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons