Episode 3 with Jasmin Hundal – Cancer Through My Eyes

In this third episode of Cancer Through My Eyes, we take a closer look at how cancer care continues to evolve beyond the walls of the clinic. This series highlights individuals whose work reflects not only scientific progress, but also a thoughtful approach to patient well-being and long-term recovery.

Today, we speak with Dr. Jasmin Hundal, a Hematology-Oncology Fellow at Cleveland Clinic and Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (DipABLM).

With a focus on breast cancer survivorship, Dr. Hundal brings attention to the often-overlooked aspects of recovery; fatigue, metabolic health, and quality of life after treatment.

Her clinical and research interests explore how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and nutrition, can support cancer outcomes, and how tools like artificial intelligence may help personalize those strategies. Grounded in both evidence and empathy, Dr. Hundal’s approach emphasizes meeting patients where they are and building care plans that reflect their unique needs and goals.

Dr. Jasmin Hundal’s Story

Dr. Jasmin Hundal is a Hematology-Oncology Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic and a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (DipABLM). Her clinical and research focus is on breast cancer survivorship, with an emphasis on improving patient outcomes through lifestyle medicine, cardiometabolic health, and AI-driven strategies.

Dr. Hundal’s expertise spans translational research, clinical care, and medical education. Her research examines the complex relationship between lifestyle factors and cancer treatment outcomes, including how metabolic health and physical activity can influence recovery and long-term survival.

A strong advocate for health equity, Dr. Hundal is working to expand access to survivorship care and ensure that all patients have the tools and support they need to thrive after treatment. Through her work in both research and clinical practice, she is redefining what survivorship means in oncology, shifting the focus from simply surviving to truly living.

Q&A With Dr. Hundal:

1. What inspired you to integrate lifestyle medicine into your work as a Hematology-Oncology Fellow and breast cancer researcher rather than following a conventional oncology path?

Both professional and personal experiences shaped my journey into oncology. Early in my training, I met patients who, after completing treatment, struggled with fatigue, weight changes, and other long-term effects that weren’t always prioritized in follow-up care.

As I sought ways to support survivors better, I came across research highlighting the role of physical activity, nutrition, and metabolic health in improving cancer outcomes. The more I engaged with this evidence, the clearer it became that lifestyle intervention could play a crucial role in survivorship.

Beyond clinical care, I was drawn to the broader impact of lifestyle medicine, particularly how social media can bridge scientific evidence with real-world supportive care. Engaging with patients and the public through digital platforms has shown me the power of education and community support in driving meaningful health changes.

Collaborating with patients and researchers has further reinforced how lifestyle factors influence cancer outcomes at a molecular level, including their impact on epigenetics and immune function.

Rather than following a strictly traditional path, I was motivated to integrate these fields, working at the intersection of oncology, survivorship, and patient advocacy to create a more comprehensive and personalized approach to cancer care.

2. Lifestyle factors often get sidelined in aggressive cancer treatment plans. What moment or patient story convinced you that integrating lifestyle medicine and cardiometabolic health strategies could be a game-changer in breast cancer survivorship?

One of the most memorable experiences was with a patient who had completed treatment yet was struggling with significant fatigue, joint pain, and metabolic changes. She felt as though she had survived cancer, but her daily life remained challenging.

We introduced small, manageable changes through consistent movement, dietary adjustments, and mindfulness, and she reported feeling more in control of her health over time. This experience reinforced that lifestyle interventions don’t have to be overwhelming or secondary; they can be simple, patient-driven, and profoundly impactful.

3. You emphasize the potential of AI in personalizing cancer care. Could you describe a real-world scenario where a data-driven tool could influence a breast cancer survivor’s lifestyle choices and how you’d translate those insights at the bedside?

AI has the potential to make personalized lifestyle recommendations more accessible and effective. For example, a breast cancer survivor using a wearable device could track their activity, sleep, and metabolic markers.

An AI-driven tool could then analyze this data and provide tailored guidance, potentiallysuggesting an ideal exercise schedule or flagging nutritional patterns that could affect recovery.

At the bedside, my role would be to help interpret these insights to align with the patient’s preferences, ensuring that any recommendations are realistic and supportive rather than overwhelming.

4. Having honed skills in translational and clinical research, how do you balance the promise of groundbreaking studies with the practical realities breast cancer patients face in their daily lives?

It’s easy to get excited about cutting-edge research, but I always prioritize the patient’s lived experience. Translational research can often feel disconnected from patients’ real-world challenges, so I concentrate on studies with direct and tangible implications for care.

This approach means prioritizing research that advances science while offering practical solutions for patients, whether that involves refining treatment strategies, developing more accessible interventions, or providing clearer guidance on survivorship.

5. Equity in care is a pillar of your work. In your experience, what is the biggest barrier to delivering equitable breast cancer survivorship support, and how are you directly tackling that challenge in your fellowship?

One of the largest obstacles is access, whether it’s financial, geographical, or educational. Some patients lack the resources to seek specialized survivorship care, while others are unaware of such services. My goal is to contribute to efforts that make survivorship support more inclusive and equitable.

6. Breast cancer survivorship is more than just beating cancer, it’s about thriving afterward. Can you highlight a key lifestyle modification strategy you’ve advocated for that had a transformational impact on a survivor’s quality of life?

One simple yet powerful change I’ve encouraged is structured movement. A patient once told me she felt like her body had failed her after treatment, and she was hesitant to start exercising.

We worked together to find a safe and manageable approach, starting with short walks and gradually incorporating strength exercises. Over time, she gained both physical and emotional strength, and her outlook on survivorship shifted.

Seeing that transformation reminded me how impactful even small lifestyle modifications can be.

7. You’re committed to educating the next generation of physicians. How would you mentor or inspire young aspiring doctors to see lifestyle medicine not as an ‘add-on’ but as an integral part of comprehensive oncology care?

I would emphasize that lifestyle medicine is not an alternative to traditional cancer treatments but a vital component that enhances patient outcomes and quality of life.

Many young physicians aspire to support patients beyond prescribing medications but may not know how to integrate lifestyle strategies into oncology care. By demonstrating how targeted interventions, such as physical activity, nutrition, and stress management, can improve treatment tolerance, reduce recurrence risk, and enhance overall well-being, I aim to shift the perception of lifestyle medicine from an “add-on” to an essential part of comprehensive cancer care.

Encouraging an evidence-based approach and leading by example in clinical practice and research can help the next generation of physicians incorporate these principles with confidence and purpose. In addition, how precision medicine can be integrated.

8. When you envision the future of breast oncology, what do you think will be the single most pivotal advancement or paradigm shift and how are you positioning your research to be part of that breakthrough?

I believe the biggest shift will be the move toward truly individualized care, not just in genomics but also in how we approach survivorship and long-term health. As we learn more about the interactions between metabolic health, immunotherapy, and cancer outcomes, I see a future where lifestyle modifications become just as personalized as treatment plans.

My research on the intersection of obesity, metabolic health, and cancer outcomes is a step toward understanding how we can tailor lifestyle interventions to optimize survivorship.

9. Your background speaks to a passion for personalized medicine. Can you walk us through an instance where you witnessed a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach fall short, and what you learned about tailoring treatment to each patient’s lifestyle and context?

One experience that stands out is a patient who was struggling with severe treatment-related fatigue and joint pain. She was given a standard survivorship plan that included exercise, but it did not take into account her physical limitations.

As a result, she felt discouraged and unable to follow through. After reassessing her needs, we tailored her plan to include lower-impact movements like yoga and water-based therapy, which she could incorporate comfortably. This experience reinforced the importance of personalized survivorship care.

A one-size-fits-all approach may look effective in theory, but real-world application requires flexibility, patient input, and an understanding of individual limitations to create sustainable and meaningful health improvements.

10. Staying motivated in a demanding field like oncology can be challenging. What personal practices or philosophies keep you energized to continue exploring innovative technologies and pushing for better survivorship care?

I remind myself why I started to make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. I also believe in balance. Taking time for things that bring me joy, like hiking or cooking, helps me stay grounded.

Most importantly, I try to approach challenges with curiosity rather than frustration. Instead of focusing on the obstacles in survivorship care, I focus on the opportunities and how we can improve things, even if only one step at a time.

That perspective keeps me motivated to push for better solutions.

Dr. Jasmin Hundal’s story is a reminder that progress in oncology isn’t always defined by dramatic breakthroughs. It often lives in the steady, patient-centered shifts that reshape how we support people through and beyond cancer.

Her work brings attention to the overlooked spaces in survivorship, where lifestyle, equity, and empathy come together to build a more complete vision of care.

Stay tuned to hear the answer to our bonus question, submitted by Madeline Zanin, who asked: “It would be really interesting to hear how oncologists support families when treatment options start running out.” Dr. Hundal will share her thoughtful response exclusively on OncoDaily TV.

If you’d like your question featured in a future episode, don’t forget to leave a comment on our social media or reach out to us directly. Your voice helps shape the conversation.

Cancer Through My Eyes will be back soon with more voices, more insight, and more stories from those rethinking the way we care, connect, and carry forward in oncology.

By Semiramida Nina Markosyan, HBSc.

Read and watch more dialogues and series by OncoDaily.

Episode 1 with Dr. Hadeel Hassan – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 2 with Ziad Abuhelwa – Cancer Through My Eyes