Two Cancers, Decades Apart: How Comprehensive Support Services Have Transformed the Patient Experience

At 16, Cristy Clavijo-Kish battled Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, enduring chemotherapy and radiation and their side effects, as well as the fears and uncertainty that come with a cancer diagnosis at a young age. She survived and built a fulfilling life that included a wonderful marriage, a successful career and the birth of twin daughters who are now in graduate school.

Then, during a routine mammogram in February of 2025, the Miami woman heard the words she never wanted to hear again. It was a second cancer diagnosis. This time, it was breast cancer.

“My worst nightmare came to life,” says Ms. Clavijo-Kish, who was told she had invasive ductal carcinoma.

Returning to Trusted Care

When cancer struck again, she knew exactly where to turn. She sought out Grace Wang, M.D., a medical oncologist with Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, who had cared for her during part of her teenage treatments and through a decade of follow-up appointments.

Because her disease was caught early, she was able to have a lumpectomy and reconstruction. Then Ms. Clavijo-Kish came to the Institute for four rounds of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of proton therapy, a type of radiation treatment that targets a patient’s tumor with precision, sparing nearby healthy tissues. The trust and rapport she’d built with Dr. Wang over those years made the decision to choose the Institute for further care easy.

“The differentiator with Dr. Wang is her level of thoroughness,” Ms. Clavijo-Kish explains. “She asks questions, does follow up. She called me directly after treatments. I felt very comfortable. Her team is well trained and supportive. I felt seen and heard.”

Comprehensive Support Makes the Difference

Ms. Clavijo-Kish understood that she was at an increased risk for developing a second cancer later in life due to her childhood treatment. While the compassion and expertise of the Institute also didn’t surprise her, Ms. Clavijo-Kish was impressed by the remarkable advances in patient support services that had emerged in the time between her two diagnoses.

“Although I faced a life-threatening and life-changing illness as a teenager, I had no accompanying therapy to help support the impact,” she recalls. “With my second cancer battle, I saw firsthand the difference when the whole person is treated. The cancer support services at my disposal, including mental health services and dedicated emergency support services for symptom management, were game changers for me and helped me feel cared for overall, not just for the cancer.”

To help with insomnia and stress, Ms. Clavijo-Kish participated in mental health counseling and meditation at Miami Cancer Institute. A dietitian provided nutritional consultation to assist with inflammation and water retention caused by medications and treatment, and lymphatic drainage and massage helped release the painful buildup of lymphatic fluid in her tissues.

“I didn’t realize how much anxiety, anger, frustration and loss of hope I was holding on to until I started using these services,” she says.

With my second cancer battle, I saw firsthand the difference when the whole person is treated. The cancer support services at my disposal, including mental health services and dedicated emergency support services for symptom management, were game changers for me and helped me feel cared for overall, not just for the cancer.

Cristy Clavijo-Kish, two-time cancer survivor, Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute patient

The services, offered through the Institute’s Cancer Patient Support Center, address the full spectrum of patient needs — physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Among the evidence-based programs are stress management and resiliency training, acupuncture and massage, support groups, individualized exercise and nutrition programs, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and music and art programs. Its Brain Fitness Lab addresses cancer-related cognitive dysfunction.

“Taking care of the whole patient is critical,” says Beatriz Currier, M.D., medical director of the Institute’s Cancer Patient Support Center and chief of Psychiatric Oncology. “You cannot just take care of the disease; you take care of the patient. If not, their health outcomes and quality of life will suffer.”

Advocating for Early Detection

As Ms. Clavijo-Kish celebrated ringing the bell to signify the end of treatment and as National Patient Recognition Week approached, she reflected on the importance of patient-centered care. She calls her nurses her unsung heroes.

She also speaks to other women, urging them to schedule their mammograms and screenings. “I didn’t have any symptoms and my self-exams had not led to finding any lumps. I’m passionate about this subject because now as a two-time survivor, the difference is early detection. The longer you wait, the worse it is. I’m a shining light that early detection works.”

Moving forward, she’s taking one day at a time. She’s back to walking three miles, four to five days a week, and is picking up speed. “It’s a slow process and I’ve had to find grace with myself. But, I feel positive.”