Body Esteem provides the psychological support, effective exercise plans and unique support services
bodyesteem is a total mind and body approach to wellness that provides each individual with specific tools needed for a happier, healthier lifestyle.
07/23/2025
Can exercise help prevent colon cancer from coming back? A recent study says: YES.
In a 15-year study of 889 colon cancer survivors, researchers found that those who followed a structured exercise program for 3 years after treatment had a 28% lower risk of recurrence compared to those who didn’t.
Even more astounding?
Some experts say these results rival the effects of drug treatments!
Regular, guided movement can help you stay cancer-free longer and live a longer life, too.
💪 Read the full breakdown on the blog.
07/16/2025
A fascinating study was published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine on the relationship between moderate exercise and colon cancer:
It concluded what I’ve suspected for a long time:
Exercise can prevent cancer recurrence ⬅️⬅️⬅️
This is huge!
What’s even more incredible is that the study showed that exercise may be even more effective at preventing cancer recurrence than medication intervention.
🔗 https://www.bodyesteem.org/blog-1 or follow the link in my bio to read the post!
esteem - therapy, exercise coaching, and nutrition guidance for cancer survivors
07/09/2025
Just because you’re far away doesn’t mean you can’t show up for your family.
When a loved one has cancer, it’s easy to feel helpless, or even a little guilty, for not being closer.
But distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection.
A simple “I’m thinking of you” text or quick check-in call can mean the world. Emotional support matters just as much as being there in person.
And if you’re looking for ways to ‘do’ something, there are helpful tasks you can take off their plate from afar. Things like calling insurance companies, organizing medication lists, or creating appointment schedules, food drop off schedules and online shopping.
I’m talking about this topic, and all the other nuances of dealing with cancer in the family, in this month’s blog post. Read the full post using the link in my bio 💚
07/04/2025
Happy 4th of July, everyone! May you enjoy a relaxing, restful weekend.
And let’s remember today, and every day, that our constitution calls for liberty and justice for ALL Americans. 🇺🇸
07/04/2025
So very true!
"The hardest part comes after."
— Princess Kate of Wales
In her quiet yet powerful words, Princess Kate once opened up about something many don’t talk about:
“You put on a brave face during treatment, but the real struggle begins after.”
She was speaking about her experience with chemotherapy—a journey that doesn’t end when the last session does.
Because once the treatments stop…
The world expects you to bounce back.
To smile.
To “go back to normal.”
But the truth is, that “normal” no longer exists.
What follows is a deep emotional rollercoaster:
The medical team is no longer by your side every day.
The adrenaline of survival fades.
The exhaustion lingers.
And you’re left navigating a new version of yourself—physically, emotionally, mentally.
“It’s a much harder process than I ever imagined,” she said.
This isn’t just a story of resilience.
It’s a reminder: healing takes time.
Not just the body—but the soul.
So if you—or someone you love—is in that space after the storm, don’t rush the calm.
Let it come, slowly. Gently. With grace.
And above all, don’t expect to be who you were before.
You’re becoming someone even stronger.
06/18/2025
A cancer diagnosis almost always takes everyone by surprise. However, there are some aspects of navigating the diagnosis and treatment that can also be unexpected. ⬇️⬇️
1. The recovery phase may last longer than expected
The recovery phase can last a long time — even well after a patient is technically cancer-free. This is because they are still dealing with lots of emotions. There is anxiety of recurrence, and often some emotional trauma to work through at this stage.
This can take friends and family by surprise, because people often expect someone recovering from cancer to resume life as usual right away. If you have a family member or friend going through cancer, keep this in mind as they near the end of their treatment.
2. Roles may change
Every family has a set of roles, such as the parent or child role, and a medical diagnosis like cancer can sometimes force these roles to reverse.
This can catch family members off guard and cause additional stress for the family. Mentally preparing for this role reversal can help families navigate this time with more ease.
3. There might be a need to discuss hereditary aspects of the disease
This one can be particularly challenging. Since many cancers are attributed to gene mutations, it’s beneficial for family members to do genetic testing to gauge their own risk for cancer.
However, this can make for a difficult conversation among family members.
I experienced this during my cancer diagnosis. I have the MLH-1 Lynch Syndrome gene, which increased my risk of developing cancer. Having to talk to my children, and extended family about this, on top of telling them about my cancer, was very hard on all of us.
If your family is currently experiencing some challenges as you navigate through cancer, counseling can often help. Reach out to me to see if family or individual counseling is a good fit for you.
06/12/2025
Anyone who has dealt with cancer, either as the patient or as a family member of the patient, knows that it is one of the most nuanced issues a family can encounter.
Many factors contribute to everyone’s mental health during this stressful time, and this complicates the matter well beyond the medical aspect of the diagnosis.
As both the daughter of cancer survivors and a cancer survivor myself, I’m well-versed in dealing with cancer in the family.
In this month’s blog post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned, both through my own experiences and in my work with clients who have been through this situation as well.
Follow the link in my bio to read the full post!
06/11/2025
Today I celebrate 12 years since my cancer diagnosis. I have been fortunate that my Lynch Syndrome has not decided to express itself in some other part of my body so far. I am very grateful. These 12 years have not been without ups and downs, but I am still here and I am helping to navigate their cancer journeys as well.
05/28/2025
If you have a friend or family member who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, it can be hard to know how to support them best. So, I thought it would be helpful to share some things to keep in mind.
Swipe through for some ideas, and share this post with someone who may benefit from it.
05/21/2025
When we think of the joys of summer, cookouts, picnics, and food cooked on the grill are quintessential summer foods.
While food cooked on the grill can be delicious, it can also pose some health risks.
👉 In fact, quite a bit has been written about the grill being linked to cancer.
Why is this? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The two big issues with grilling are:
1️⃣ The high temperatures that are created by a charcoal or gas grill, and;
2️⃣ The meat drippings
➡️➡️ The char that is created from this produces harmful chemicals that have been associated with a number of different cancers. You can read more about this on my blog!
But— here are some safer ways to grill this Memorial Day ☀️
👉 Make sure that you clean your grill regularly. Old fat and juice deposits can build up on the grill and make it more susceptible to burns from the high heat.
👉 Buy leaner cuts of meat– this will cut down on the amount of fat that drips into the bottom of the grill.
👉 Trim the excess fat from the meat before you put it on the grill. This is especially true if you are cooking steaks.
👉 Precook your meat in the oven and finish it off on the grill. Doing this means less cook time on the grill, but you will still achieve the wonderful grill effect.
👉 Marinating your meat can also help. This can have an anti-carcinogenic effect on the meat. Meats should be marinated for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to cooking.
👉 Heat one side of your grill and cook the meats more slowly on the other burner, away from the intense, direct heat. They may take longer to cook so factor this into your meal preparation time.
👉 Don’t let your meat or veggies get charred. Cook on less intense heat and turn them often. Try to avoid anything that gets charred wherever you are eating.
It is possible to safely enjoy grilled food in the summertime if you are thoughtful enough to take some extra precautions! Enjoy your summer barbecues!
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Hearing the diagnosis of Cancer for the first time can be overwhelming. Life instantly changes. Physically, emotionally, mentally. You now have your own personal Mount Everest to summit.
The team of doctors will be there to see you through life saving care but who can you count on to provide support and guidance for your mental health? Who will help you adjust your diet and exercise to accommodate your new treatments and lifestyle changes? Who can connect you to resources and information on everything from side effect research to finding complimentary therapies like acupuncture and massage therapy?
A cancer navigator is a certified professional who specializes in aiding cancer patients and survivors through the journey of Cancer.
Think of a Cancer Navigator as a Cancer Sherpa.
A Sherpa is a trekking guide with intimate knowledge of the mountain. Climbing expeditions rely on them for the summit and survival. A Sherpa sets up camp, manages porters, carries supplies and makes sure loads are evenly distributed. They even run ahead to set up camp for the expedition. A Sherpa is indispensable to a climbing crew.
Like a Sherpa, a cancer navigator has the tools and experience to guide you through treatment and survivorship of cancer. BodyEsteem is uniquely qualified to be your Cancer Sherpa. Cathy Nobil-Dutton has years of experience as a therapist, licensed personal trainer and personally, as a cancer survivor.
