Community Support Is Vital For Breast Cancer Patients: Terri Coutee

Oct 8

In this conversation, Terri Coutee shares her personal journey with breast cancer and the subsequent creation of the Diep C Foundation, which aims to educate and support others facing similar challenges. The discussion covers her experiences with treatment, the importance of using one's own tissue for reconstruction, and the planning and execution of a symposium aimed at providing resources and information to breast cancer patients and healthcare professionals. Terri emphasizes the need for community support and the sharing of knowledge to empower patients in their recovery journey.

Terri Coutee, is a patient advocate with eight years ofnonprofit management experience. She is the Founder of DiepC Foundation nonprofit organization she opened in 2016 two years after her own successful breast reconstruction, toprovide support, education, and resources for those affected by breast cancer facing mastectomy. She is a two-time breastcancer survivor who has had breast surgery and treatment that includes lumpectomies, chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomy, and DIEP flap reconstruction.

As a life-long educator, she believes education is the keycomponent for patients being able to have a shared decision-making conversation with their health care team.

Terri hosts the DiepC Journey podcast interviewingpatient advocates, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in the survivorship journey to provide resources and lived stories to listeners. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, reading, andgardening. She is an avid weightlifter as a prescription for bone health after being on Anastrozole for her breast cancer.