How Self-Advocating Actually Helped Beat Vulvar Cancer

Today we are joined (again) by therapeutic nutrition consultant, LS warrior, and cancer survivor, Heather Cooan. Last episode we heard her diagnosis story. Unfortunately, Heather went undiagnosed for over 25 years, allowing her Lichen Sclerosus to develop into vulvar cancer. This was a gross failure of the medical system. In today’s episode, we learn how Heather advocated for herself and fought for her values. Today her Lichen Sclerosus is in remission and she is now cancer-free! Her story reminds us of the importance of self-advocacy in the medical realm. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode where Heather details how a Nutrition Therapist can help us get healthy. I want to hear from you. What has advocating for yourself done in your life? Email me at kathy@lichensclerosuspodcast or DM me on Instagram @lichensclerosuspodcast. I want to thank our sponsor, the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) for making this podcast possible. LSSN is helping bring awareness, information, education, and most importantly support to all Lichen Sclerosus warriors. Be sure to follow them on IG and FB @lichensclerosussupportnetwork. Resources: If you are in the Phoenix area, check out Dr. Joseph Brook’s here: https://www.arizonaspecializedgynecology.com/provider/joseph-brooks-md Dr. Bhoola: https://arizonaoncology.com/covid19/ If you are battling vulvar cancer, check out the vulvar cancer awareness forum here: https://www.facebook.com/vulvarcancerawarenessforum/ For nutritional consultations, see Heather’s website: https://heathercooan.com/ If you haven't joined the email list for The Lost Labia Chronicles, a blog about beating Lichen Sclerosus, you want to do that today. https://lichensclerosuspodcast.com/lost-labia-chronicles-landing-page/ Be sure to follow her on IG and FB @thelostlabiachronicles.  Mentioned in this episode:Finally Get Clear Answers About LS, Menopause, and Your TreatmentIf you’ve ever found yourself listening to this podcast searching for answers… trying to figure out why your body feels different… why your treatment isn’t working… or whether this is menopause, lichen sclerosus, or something else entirely… You’re not alone. And more importantly— you’re not the problem. Most people with LS are left trying to piece together a care plan from short appointments, conflicting advice, and hours of searching like this. That’s exactly why we created the Wholistic Healing Summit. This free, live event (May 11–15, 2026) brings together 12+ leading specialists to help you finally connect the dots between your symptoms, your treatment, and your next steps. Inside the summit, you’ll get answers to questions like: Why does my treatment stop working? Is this LS progression… or hormonal change? What order should I actually be using my medications? How do I navigate intimacy, pain, and changing skin? And if you choose to upgrade, you’ll also get access to exclusive Q&A sessions, where you can hear real questions from people just like you… and get expert answers you’d normally wait months (and pay hundreds) for. This is where the guessing stops. 👉 Register here: https://lssupportnetwork.org/whs If you’re tired of second-guessing your care… this is your next step. P.S. If you’ve ever wished you had more time with a specialist or left an appointment with unanswered questions, the All-Access Pass gives you direct access to expert Q&As you can revisit anytime.