H3 Fourth Annual Open Discussion Panel about Cancer

Our last three open discussions covered topics such as the increase in cancer diagnoses, how to raise awareness and provide education on prevention, conventional vs. alternative treatment, problems with the medical system, and the future of cancer care. As we mentioned during the second panel, “It begins with me”.

Now, we are in the age of COVID-19. What does a diagnosis of cancer mean in 2020? How is the identification, diagnosis and treatment of cancer being impacted by the challenges of this global pandemic? Is the fear of COVID-19 leading to postponement of treatment? Is the isolation associated with COVID-19 quarantine making it harder for individuals with cancer to access information and support?

Our hope is, that by working together, we can tackle all the tough questions and build up the trust necessary to conquer this disease: trust in our doctors, trust in our treatments (both conventional and alternative), and trust in each other to reach our ultimate goal of successful survivorship! 

The H3 Fourth Annual Open Discussion panelists will focus on the following question in dept:

1.How is the identification, diagnosis and treatment of cancer being impacted by the challenges of this global pandemic?

H3’s Founder and Director Janinha Piazzetta is moderating the discussion panel. Each participant will address the question above from their unique perspective. The audience will have an opportunity to participate with questions towards the end. 

Our Panelists:

Lisa Blumetti, ERPR+, HER2+, has been a stage IV breast cancer conqueror for 11 years. She is the Chairperson on the Board of Directors for H3 and has tried to use her cancer experiences to help further their mission of improving wellness through education about conventional and non-conventional modalities.

Eric W. Dickhaus, MD, Phd, specializes in Neuropathology, Psychiatry, and Cancer Epigenetics. His research interests include breast cancer epigenetics, targeted therapies, DNA methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. He professionally integrates traditional and non-traditional treatments, including psychology and psychiatry, with the goal of lifelong quality medical care for cancer patients.

Nilza Kallos, MD founded in 1981 the Breast Health Center & Diagnostic Ultrasound, the first multi-modality breast center in Florida. Dr. Kallos is board certified in Nuclear Medicine and a certified menopausal clinician.  She joined University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center as the director of Women’s Imaging at Lennar Foundation Medical Center.

Tamara Filgueiras, LCSW, is a Cancer Survivor, Psychotherapist, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is the founder of Oasis Counseling & Wellness in Hollywood, FL, where she offers mental health counseling to adults, adolescents, and children; as well as to couples and families. She specializes in Anxiety & Mood Disorders, Coping with Trauma & Illness, as well as Stress Management.

Ann Fonfa, ADVOC is a breast cancer survivor, advocate and founder of The Annie Appleseed Project (www.annieappleseedproject.org) whose website now receives 90,000 monthly visitors. The organization runs a national conference each year in West Palm Beach, and smaller events throughout the year.

Steven Roth, DMD has excelled as a general and cosmetic dentist for over 25 years in Downtown Miami. However, he discovered that his passion and talents were for hypnosis and soon after became a certified medical hypnotherapist in 2007 and has been healing the community of South Florida through his Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy private sessions.

Cristina Lopez-Peñalver, M.D., FACS, is a surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer. Utilizing the latest surgical advances, she treats patients diagnosed with all types and stages of breast cancer, including non-invasive and invasive, recurrent and advanced. She collaborates with Miami Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary team to deliver the most-effective, individualized care plans.