Episode 71: From Anger to Advocacy - Lessons Learned from a Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

In this episode we speak with Roger Royse, a Silicon Valley lawyer and pancreatic cancer patient. Roger shares his experience navigating the healthcare system, discussing his approach to treatment, the emotional challenges he faced, and the insights he gained along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being proactive, questioning assumptions, and seeking multiple medical opinions. Roger also delves into the anger he felt during his experience and how he learned to channel it productively. Throughout the conversation, he offers valuable advice for both patients and their loved ones, highlighting the need for personal responsibility and careful communication. Manta Maps are coming! Step-by-step subway maps that guide you through the entire cancer experience. Learn more here!⁠ Key Highlights: 1. The importance of questioning medical assumptions, seeking multiple opinions, and being proactive in your treatment experience. 2. By controlling and channeling emotions like anger, patients can become more effective advocates for their own care. 3. An overview of the dos and don'ts of supporting a loved one facing a cancer diagnosis including the importance of careful communication, the power of offering practical help, and avoiding insensitive or unsolicited advice. About our guest: Roger Royse is a startup lawyer in Silicon Valley and a pancreatic cancer patient. Roger was diagnosed with stage 2B pancreatic adenocarcinoma in July 2022 after taking a multi cancer early detection blood test.  After 6 months of chemotherapy and surgery and an experimental cancer vaccine, Roger currently has no evidence of disease as of July 2024.  Roger has been active for many years with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society having been its Bay area Man of the Year in 2012 and since his diagnosis has joined the board of the Cancer Patient Lab.org, a non profit dedicated to evidence based therapies and has created a community for cancer therapy technology startups to demo their solutions in person and online at www.cancerstartup.com. Roger has since testified to an FDA Advisory committee on multi cancer early detection and has been featured in many publications including the Wall Street Journal on MCED.  Roger believes in the patient being proactive and taking personal responsibility for their health and being very involved in their treatment decisions based on evidence based treatments. Visit the Manta Cares website  Disclaimer: All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only.  This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.