Balancing a Healthy Lifestyle with Eating Chocolate Cake: A Conversation with Dr. Iyengar
There’s a lot of research about how diet and exercise can have a positive effect on survivorship for those with early-stage breast cancer, but what about those of us with MBC? In this episode, we are delighted to bring you a conversation with Dr. Neil Iyengar, a prominent oncologist and researcher known for his deep interest in how lifestyle affects a variety of outcomes. Emerging research and patient experiences are showing that exercise and diet can play a vital role in improving quality of life and may even enhance treatment outcomes. We discuss the science behind diet and exercise along with strategies for balancing lifestyle changes while prioritizing what matters most to us. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional, this episode is packed with valuable information and insights!
Episode Notes:
American Institute for Cancer Research
Clinical Trial re: Preventing High Blood Sugar in People Being Treated for MBC
Meet the Guest of the Episode
Neil Iyengar, MD
Dr. Iyengar is a board-certified Medical Oncologist and clinical-translational researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) where he specializes in the care of patients with breast cancer. He also holds joint research appointments at the Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. Dr. Iyengar received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago accelerated degree program where he graduated with the College’s highest honors (University Scholar). He completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center followed by fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at MSK. He now holds a faculty position as an Associate Attending on the Breast Medicine Service at MSK.
Dr. Iyengar’s research program investigates interventions to improve metabolic health as a strategy to reduce breast cancer risk and mortality. His group is testing the anti-cancer effects of structured exercise and nutritional interventions in people at high risk or diagnosed with breast cancer. Dr. Iyengar’s research is also investigating the use of drugs that treat metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies. In an effort to rapidly translate this work, Dr. Iyengar also leads the MSK Healthy Living Program, a novel cancer care model that aims to translate research findings from lifestyle intervention trials into clinical practice during and after cancer therapy. His work has been recognized and awarded by several organizations, including research grants from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Conquer Cancer the ASCO Foundation, and others. He has published numerous original research articles and has been an invited speaker at several international conferences.
You can find him on Twitter (X) @Neil_Iyengar
