Entries by Marie Ennis-O'Connor

Men Get Breast Cancer Too: The Forgotten Face of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There is a popular misconception that breast cancer is a disease that only affects women, but it can affect anyone, no matter what their gender. Rod Ritchie, a male breast […]

Giving Cancer Patients a Voice: The Role of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

The diagnosis and management of cancer profoundly impact every aspect of a patient’s quality of life. Yet, despite its importance, quality of life (QoL) is not always a focus in […]

The Potential of Generative AI to Power Patient Advocacy

Previously we looked at how generative AI tools can help patients cope with cancer.  In this article, we’ll discuss how you can leverage this technology to boost the impact of […]

AI Allies: How Artificial Intelligence Can Support Patients To Cope with Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be both physically and emotionally challenging. As cancer patients learn how to cope with the disease[1] and manage side effects[2], artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT […]

Empowering Patient Advocacy: A Guide to Launching Your Voice on Substack

If you spend any time online, you’ve probably heard of Substack, either through a newsletter subscription or from a favorite writer or blogger. But what exactly is Substack, and why […]

Empowering Patients: Bridging the Health Literacy Divide for Informed Decision-Making

Health literacy, as broadly defined by the World Health Organization,  involves the capacity of individuals to “gain access to, understand, and use information in ways which promote and maintain good […]

12 Ways To Become A Stronger Advocate: A Month-by-Month Guide to Achieving Your Advocacy Goals in 2024

As we begin a new year, now is an ideal time to review your advocacy goals and determine how to make a bigger impact in 2024. This article outlines 12 […]

Elevating Cancer Advocacy: 10 Strategies for Effective Information Dissemination

As patient advocates we not only want to educate and support cancer research and awareness, but we also want to inspire hope.  In this month’s article, I discuss 10 types […]

Demystifying Breast Cancer:

Separating Fact from Fiction During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place each October, is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about breast cancer, […]

The Patient Advocate’s Guide to Social Media Content Planning

In our role as patient advocates, social media is an important tool that we use for sharing information, connecting with others, and amplifying our voices. Managing social media effectively can […]

Mastering Instagram for Patient Advocacy: 10 Tips for Success

Boasting more than two billion active users, Instagram provides an excellent platform for patient advocates to reach a wide audience and inspire change. Here are 10 tips to help you […]

Navigating the Dual Nature of Social Media: A Patient Advocate’s Guide

As an early adopter of social media, I readily embraced its power to amplify patient advocacy and connect with others with shared interests and goals.  From sharing stories online to […]

Finding Your New Normal: 7 Steps To Navigating Life After Cancer

 A cancer diagnosis can turn your life upside down, challenging you physically, emotionally, and mentally. It takes a lot of strength, resilience, and support to get through cancer treatment. However, […]

Transforming Your Social Media Presence: 5 Steps to Foster Inclusivity and Advocate for All

In the realm of patient advocacy, inclusivity and accessibility are critical to ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, respected and empowered. With a few simple steps, you can transform your social […]

Patient-Centric Care

Tailoring Information to Meet the Changing Needs of Patients Along Their Healthcare Journey Being diagnosed with cancer can be a frightening experience. The diagnosis can bring up a range of […]