Cancer Podcasts From Dana-farber

Treatment ends. And you’re home free. That’s what many friends and family think. But cancer patients know that the time after your treatment ends can be unsettling. While the physical and logistical challenges of managing chemotherapy, radiation or surgery may be behind you, the prospect of dealing with cancer without the safety net of weekly, … Continued The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #6: When Treatment Ends appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Stupid things. We all say them. And cancer patients have heard them all — from the insensitive to the absurd, from nutrition tips to fertility advice, and just about everything in between. While patients can laugh (hopefully) at the remarks in hindsight, when they’re first said, they can cut deep, making patients question their decisions. In … Continued The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #5: Stupid Things People Say appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Brain tumors can be among the most challenging cancers to treat. The blood-brain barrier, a natural defense mechanism that shields the brain from harm, can also prevent cancer treatments from reaching tumors. “It can be difficult to get treatments effectively into the brain,” says David Reardon, MD, clinical director of Dana-Farber’s Center for Neuro-Oncology. However, … Continued The post Cancer Conversations Podcast—Episode #17: The Latest in Brain Tumor Research and Treatment appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Prostate cancer affects 230,000 men each year. Although diagnoses are increasing worldwide, most people die with prostate cancer and not of prostate cancer, according to Mark Pomerantz, MD, a medical oncologist in Dana-Farber’s Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Pomerantz discusses genetics, risk factors, and the controversy surrounding the PSA … Continued The post Cancer Conversations Podcast—Episode #16: The Latest in Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women, but lung cancer research is advancing rapidly and treatments are improving at an astonishing pace. “Lung cancer research has changed so much today that it’s even hard to estimate what we’re going to be doing in the future,” says Geoffrey Oxnard, MD, of … Continued The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #15: What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer Treatment and Research appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

If you’re 69 and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, what do you do? For John Barrett, the answer was easy: become a certified physical trainer. But as Barrett and Nancy Campbell, exercise physiologist at Dana-Farber, both point out, you don’t need to be an exercise zealot to incorporate exercise into your life. “Exercise needs to be … Continued The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #4: Exercise and Cancer appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

It was a warm day in November 2013 when Gabby Spear found out she had breast cancer. But even in the midst of the difficult news, her responsibilities as a mom, wife, professional, and community member remained; she knew she still had to pick up her two daughters and make it to temple service later … Continued The post Voices Podcast – Episode #5: Balancing Motherhood and Breast Cancer appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Advances in genetic research may improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s cancers. “More genes are being found and fewer families are having to wonder if there is something genetic that may increase their risk, or future generations’ risk, of developing cancer,” says Judy Garber, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Cancer Genetics … Continued The post Cancer Conversations Podcast—Episode #14—The Latest in Genetics and Women’s Cancers appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Tara Shuman didn’t necessarily set out to be a blogger, let alone a book author. Yet in the throes of a cancer diagnosis she turned to writing as an outlet. Abby Morgan also turned to blogging. A painter since an early age, and an art teacher, writing carried less pressure than painting. “I don’t want ... Read more The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #3: Coping Through Creativity appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

As with many cancers, screening is a crucial step in preventing colorectal cancer. In fact, colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if it is found early. “There are many different ways we can prevent colorectal cancer, ranging from medical tests to dietary and lifestyle behaviors, to taking certain medications,” says ... Read more The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #13: The Latest in Colon Cancer Prevention appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

When Judy Rosenbaum was diagnosed with breast cancer, the thought of serious treatment and surgery, like a mastectomy, was frightening. Working with her doctors and care team, Judy found a “less is more” treatment approach and elected to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. “I was terrified of having surgery,” Rosenbaum says. “The only ... Read more The post Voices Podcast – Episode #4: Mastectomy, or Not — Breast Cancer Surgery Decisions appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Parents face many unique challenges when diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles is learning how to communicate with children about this difficult and emotional subject. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Kelly Drummond, LICSW, a Dana-Farber social worker joins Dana-Farber social worker Allison Dibiaso, LICSW, and Sarah Silvia, a single mom who ... Read more The post Advice for Parenting During Cancer Treatment appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Perhaps more than any other childhood cancer, pediatric brain tumor treatment is incredibly complex and takes a team effort to care for a patient. Doctors and researchers are working to not only improve medicines and treatment methods, they are also striving to improve quality of life and long-term side effects for young patients. “The goal ... Read more The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #11: Advances in Pediatric Brain Tumor Treatment appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For otherwise healthy individuals, a CT scan or an MRI is an uncommon event. But for cancer survivors like Jeremy Pivor, it’s a routine part of life. So too is the anxiety that often accompanies each test – often referred to as “scanxiety.” Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 12, Pivor navigated his way ... Read more The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #2: Fear and ‘Scanxiety’ appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Some people may think of breast cancer as a disease that only affects older women. But many young women can and do get breast cancer – just like Maggie Loucks, NP-C, who was diagnosed one week after her 28th birthday. “Hearing the words ‘the lump is malignant’ isn’t really anything you can prepare yourself to ... Read more The post Voices Podcast – Episode #3: Difficult Decisions as a Young Woman with Breast Cancer appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Although less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is a dangerous disease that can spread rapidly if it is not caught early. In addition to regular self exams, it is crucial to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun — regardless of your age, skin color, or the time of year. ... Read more The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #10: Melanoma — What’s the Latest? appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Although lung cancer is only the second most common cancer in the United States, it is by far the deadliest cancer in both men and women. But thanks to advancements in precision medicine, treatments for lung cancer are improving, and many patients are benefiting from these new, targeted therapies. “When we find we have drugs ... Read more The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #9: Precision Medicine and Lung Cancer appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

No one wants to give their kids bad news, and it’s hard to imagine worse than telling your kids you have cancer. For lymphoma survivors Gina Johnson and Connie Grayson, the challenge was greater, because they not only had their own kids to tell, but as teachers, they also had a school full of children ... Read more The post Beyond Cancer Podcast – Episode #1: Family Dynamics appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Shortly after she was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, Duncan Finigan met with her oncologist, Eric Winer, MD, at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. “I can’t deal with this ‘stage’ thing,” Finigan told him right away. In response, Winer said Finigan didn’t have to refer to her disease as ... Read more The post Voices Podcast – Episode #2: Living Well with ‘Chronic’ Breast Cancer appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Good nutrition plays a key role in cancer prevention and survivorship. With the right pantry items, patients can help manage side effects of treatment and potentially lower risk of recurrence. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, discusses the best diet for cancer patients, as well as tips for ... Read more The post Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #8: The Best Foods and Diet for Cancer Treatment and Survivorship appeared first on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.