Episode 133: Dr. Renata Braudy on Wearables, Breast Cancer Survivorship and the Invisible Months

Up to 76% of breast cancer survivors develop arm or shoulder problems within three years of treatment. Most of them go home with no one tracking what happens next. Physical therapist and researcher Dr. Renata Braudy explains how wearable data could close that gap in breast cancer survivorship. Dr. Jeremy Koenig talks with Dr. Renata Braudy, oncology lead at Life Cycle Health, about the months after active treatment ends, when the care team steps back and survivors have to work out what’s normal on their own. She explains how early education can cut lymphedema risk by up to 40%. She also explains why radiation can tighten the chest wall enough to pull a healthy shoulder out of position, and how drops in step count, walking speed and gait symmetry can point to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy before a fall happens. She cites data showing the most active survivors have a 42% lower breast cancer mortality risk than the least active. The open question is which wearable signals, from resting heart rate to muscle loss and sarcopenia, actually tell a clinician it’s time to act. Dr. Renata Braudy, PhD, PT, OCS, CLT, is a physical therapist, researcher and certified lymphedema therapist. She is oncology lead at Life Cycle Health and founder of Empowered Recovery and Wellness. Website: https://www.thisisempowered.com/ | Instagram: @breastcancer.empowered LINKS:  https://www.drjeremykoenig.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drjeremykoenig/ https://www.youtube.com/@drjeremykoenig  LINKS: https://www.drjeremykoenig.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drjeremykoenig/ https://www.youtube.com/@drjeremykoenig