Cancerwise Podcast

Accurate diagnosis and staging are critical for optimizing bladder cancer treatment outcomes. Ashish Kamat, M.D., professor of Urology, and Matt Campbell, M.D, associate professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, discuss how bladder cancer is diagnosed, treatment options and bladder preservation strategies in muscle-invasive and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Cancer research is moving fast, and emerging biomarkers can help inform and accelerate the pace of clinical trials, bringing new cancer treatments to patients more rapidly. Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., and Systems Biology Chair Nick Navin, Ph.D., discuss how new technologies and multimodal data integration are improving precision oncology for advanced cancer care.

Finding the right therapist can make a significant difference in your experience. Erica Taylor, M.D., and Catherine Powers, Ph.D., discuss what to look for and how to get the most out of each session.

Many ovarian cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or surgery still have a small number of cancer cells left in the body, called minimal residual disease (MRD). Amir Jazaeri, M.D., and Roni Nitecki Wilke, M.D., discuss how a minimally invasive procedure called a second-look laparoscopy can help detect MRD, and how clinical trials and immunotherapy could play a role in personalized ovarian cancer treatments.

Cancer treatment can affect intimacy and sex for patients and their partners. Clinical psychotherapist Carmella Wygant and advanced practice provider Donna Herrera Bell discuss common culprits and the importance of speaking up about side effects. 

Jennifer Litton, M.D., breast medical oncologist and chief clinical research officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, recently completed radiation therapy after she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Litton and her radiation oncologist Melissa Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., discuss her experience as a patient undergoing radiation treatment, and how research advancements have led to customized, de-escalated treatment plans.

If persistent, some subtle health symptoms may be cause for gynecologic cancer screening. Pamela Soliman, M.D., and Shannon Westin, M.D., discuss types of cancers in women, such as cervical and ovarian cancer, and the importance of advocating for yourself.  Learn more about Pamela Soliman, M.D. 

If you’re looking for a way to get more active throughout your day, exercise snacks may help get you moving. Health Disparities Researchers Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., and Scherezade Mama, Dr.P.H., talk about how the short bursts of exercise can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness.  Learn more about Scherezade Mama, Dr.P.H.   

Diagnosing appendix cancer can be a challenge. The disease often doesn’t have any symptoms in its earliest stages, and often, patients are initially misdiagnosed. Surgical oncologist Beth Helmink, M.D., Ph.D., and gastrointestinal medical oncologist John Paul Shen, M.D., discuss what’s causing more young adults to get this rare cancer and share the latest treatment advances.  Learn more about John Paul Shen, M.D.   Learn more about Beth Helmink, M.D., Ph.D. 

Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. There are dozens of subtypes of lymphoma, and a correct diagnosis is critical. Jason Westin, M.D., and Sairah Ahmed, M.D., discuss what patients should know when they’re first diagnosed, and possible treatments, including CAR T cell therapy.

Navigating the holiday season while you or a loved one is living with a cancer diagnosis can bring up conflicting emotions like gratitude and stress. Senior Social Work counselors Malory Lee and Traci Newsom discuss ways you can appreciate the holidays and find joy even when faced with cancer.

Leah Phillips was 43 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer after having a persistent cough for several months. Leah shares her treatment experience with Mara Antonoff, M.D., as they discuss why lung cancer should not be considered a smoker’s disease.  Learn more about Mara Antonoff, M.D. 

Andrew Hahn, M.D., and Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph.D., discuss exciting new treatment options for renal cell carcinoma and what makes it different from other kidney cancers.  Learn more about Andrew Hahn, M.D.  Learn more about Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph.D.

Breast cancer surgery can cause many physical and emotional changes throughout the course of treatment. Puneet Singh, M.D., and Deepti Chopra, M.B.B.S., discuss the ways surgery can impact a patient and how providers help patients navigate the changes.  Learn more about Puneet Singh, M.D.  Learn more about Deepti Chopra, M.B.B.S.

Weight loss injection drugs called GLP-1 agonists are gaining popularity for helping people lose weight. Jasmine Sukumar, M.D., and Sonali Thosani, M.D., discuss what effect these drugs can have on cancer patients and what emerging research has found.  Learn more about Sonali Thosani, M.D.    Learn more about Jasmine Sukumar, M.D.

Using nicotine makes youth more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, worsening mental health problems and substance-use disorders. Jennifer Cofer, Dr.P.H., executive director of EndTobacco™, and Mark Moreno, senior vice president for Governmental Relations and Health Policy at MD Anderson Cancer Center, share tips for talking to children and teens about these dangers.

Cancer patients undergoing treatment may wonder if they could benefit from taking vitamins or dietary supplements. Meroë Morse, M.D., and Santhossi Narayanan, M.D., discuss common patient questions and some of the risks supplements pose.  Learn more about Santhosshi Narayanan, M.D.  Learn more about Meroë Morse, M.D. 

Cancer patients often need help and encouragement throughout treatment and survivorship. Clinical Program Manager Lauren Adams and Social Work Counselor Cindy Parker share how you can offer impactful support and why actions are sometimes stronger than words.

Advance care planning is more than just filling out legal forms. Ryan Huey, M.D., and Melanie Cavazos break down the key conversations patients and caregivers should consider to ensure that values, goals and preferences guide medical decisions across all stages of care.

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy seasonal activities, but cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the sun and heat. Radiation oncologist Pamela Schlembach, M.D., and dermatologist Hung Doan, M.D., Ph.D., share hydration and sunscreen tips to help people undergoing cancer treatment stay healthy.

Leukemia includes many different disease types, and unlike most solid tumors, it requires unique approaches to monitor how well treatment works. Naveen Pemmaraju, M.D., and Fadi Haddad, M.D., explain how minimal residual disease, or MRD, is helping doctors monitor leukemia more precisely and personalize treatment. Learn how it’s used across leukemia types and what the future of MRD research could mean for patients.

Patients with head and neck cancer often face challenging treatment side effects that can impact speaking, swallowing, taste and nutrition. These changes can affect everyday life and emotional well-being. Kate Hutcheson, Ph.D., and Clifton David Fuller, M.D., Ph.D., discuss how personalized supportive care can help preserve function and improve quality of life.

Many cancer patients may expect life to go back to “normal” once treatment ends but life after cancer can involve physical, emotional and social challenges. Michael Roth, M.D., and Wendy Griffith discuss myths and misconceptions of survivorship and strategies to help survivors thrive.

A recent American Cancer Society study found the rate of cancer incidence for women under 50 has risen above men’s. Therese Bevers, M.D., and Abenaa Brewster, M.D., share what symptoms women should look for and why regular cancer screenings, such as mammograms and Pap tests, are so important to find cancer early, when it's easiest to treat.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are effective treatments for certain cancers, such as lung and colorectal cancer. However, they frequently cause skin-related side effects that can impact patient quality of life and adherence to treatment. Anisha Patel, M.D., and Christine Parseghian, M.D., discuss why these skin side effects occur, introduce a potential new treatment option, and share practical tips to help patients manage them.

Cell therapy is an emerging treatment option for patients with certain types of blood cancers, such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., and Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., break down the different ways to engineer cells for certain disease types and discuss the advancements that may help patients get treatment sooner.

Many members of the sandwich generation struggle with caring for a parent with cancer while also raising their own children. Senior social work counselors Tatiana Fincham and Mary Dev provide advice on how to manage the many responsibilities parents and caregivers encounter, and share personal experiences.

Fatigue is the most common side effect reported among cancer patients, but there are ways to manage and possibly improve symptoms. Carmen Escalante, M.D., explains why it’s so important for patients to talk to their doctors who can help them cope.

A cancer patient’s diagnosis impacts their entire network of loved ones, including caregivers. Catherine Powers, Ph.D., and Aimee Christie, Ph.D., share tips for preventing and managing the emotional and physical difficulties that many caregivers face.

Incorporating walking into your daily routine is an easy way to exercise and gain health benefits, including reducing your risk of diseases like cancer. Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., explains how to get started and strategies to make it a long-term habit.

Research shows the gut microbiome is critical to our overall health and can improve a patient’s response to cancer treatment. Jennifer Wargo, M.D., and Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., discuss the latest findings in this field and share strategies for changing your gut microbiome, including diet.

Research shows the gut microbiome is critical to our overall health and can improve a patient’s response to cancer treatment. Jennifer Wargo, M.D., and Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., discuss the latest findings in this field and share strategies for changing your gut microbiome, including diet.

Coping with a cancer diagnosis can invoke an array of emotions while navigating appointments, medications and other cancer treatment-related responsibilities. Erica Taylor, M.D., shares why mental health checkups are important for patients and caregivers.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive cancer often excluded from clinical trials. Rachel Layman, M.D., and Bora Lim, M.D., discuss the importance of research in this field and what’s on the horizon for clinical trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Grace Kao, Ph.D., and Saba Javed, M.D., discuss how mental health can impact pain management and share strategies that patients can use to cope.

Jennifer Litton, M.D., discusses lung cancer research and clinical trials with Lauren Byers, M.D. Their chat turns personal when Dr. Litton recalls asking Dr. Byers about her father's diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer.

A cancer diagnosis upends lives and can have a major impact on long-term plans that patients have yet to consider. Preserving fertility should be one of the first things you talk about with your doctor. Reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Laurie McKenzie, M.D., explains why and what questions patients should ask.

Colon cancer is on the rise among young adults in the United States. What do you need to know about the disease, and who is it affecting? Colorectal surgical oncologist Y. Nancy You, M.D., shares important information everyone should know.

Head and neck cancer patients face unique quality-of-life issues that can affect breathing, talking, hearing, vision and swallowing. Ehab Hanna, M.D., shares advice for how to manage these issues before, during and after treatment.

Anisha Patel is an associate professor of Dermatology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. As we approach summer, Dr. Patel will share some advice about sun safety for skin cancer survivors.

Many people think they can put cancer behind they when they’re done with treatment. But that’s not true. In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, Michael Roth, M.D., discusses survivorship and some of the challenges cancer survivors face.

Research has shown meditation can benefit cancer patients as they go through treatment. So what is meditation and how does it work? Senior Mind/Body Intervention Specialist Smitha Mallaiah explains how it can help and guides listeners through a meditation practice.

Tim Yap, M.B.B.S., Ph.D. discusses abstracts 3005, 3018 and 2507 being presented by MD Anderson researchers at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting.