Research and testing are crucial parts of developing new cancer treatments. Clinical trials are how we achieve that research and testing. Cancer clinical trials test new drugs, radiation therapy techniques and surgical procedures. They help us determine what treatments are best for different cancers. That's why it's so important for a diverse group of people to participate in clinical trials. Listen in to hear me discuss the basics of clinical trials. What You'll Learn: It's crucial that cancer ...
Apr 25, 2023•10 min
A lot of people care about their health, but the fear of the unknown can sometimes stop them from being screened for cancer. One way to help is by holding free cancer screenings. Volunteers help put people at ease through education. Free cancer screenings also make the process more accessible to people who otherwise can't afford medical care. Listen in to hear me discuss a recent prostate cancer screening event I participated in where over one hundred people got screened. What You'll Learn: Dr. ...
Mar 17, 2023•10 min
After several misdiagnoses, Jen Singer was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. During her treatment, she was blogging about parenthood for Good Housekeeping and began writing about her cancer experience. That inspired her to become a full-time medical writer. Listen in to learn more about Jen's journey with cancer, COVID, and heart failure. You'll also hear in detail how she's used empathy to become an award-winning medical writer. What You'll Learn: Jen Singer is introduced. (2:35) The...
Feb 21, 2023•38 min
As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so today we will be talking about everything breast surgery with Dr. Elizabeth Arena. Elizabeth is a great friend of mine that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, and I’m excited to have her on the podcast to share some of her insight and expertise in the area of breast surgery. It’s a huge subject to cover, but she will shed light on and introduce things like lumpectomy, mastectomy, and more. You can find show notes an...
Feb 02, 2023•54 min
Bone metastases can happen to many people who have cancer. They are most common in people who have breast cancer or prostate cancer. Bone metastases are often painful which is why it's so important to get an early diagnosis to reduce a patient's pain. Listen in to learn what to expect after being diagnosed with bone metastases. You'll also learn about the different types of bone metastases, the diagnosis process and treatment options. What You'll Learn: Bone metastases are different from bone ca...
Jan 13, 2023•27 min
Dr. Corinne Deurdulian is a radiologist at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles who is committed to improving radiology care for veterans. She has revised many of the MRI and CT protocols, as well as adding new protocols while practicing at the VA Medical Center. She joins the show today to share her passion for medicine and radiology, and discuss how important it is to put together the pieces. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/3...
Dec 20, 2022•40 min
Brain tumors don't get the same amount of attention as the other types of cancers. But they are still very important to talk about. My guest today is Dr. Daniel F. Kelly, a neurosurgeon and founder of Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Listen in to learn about Daniel's non-linear path to becoming a neurosurgeon. You'll also hear how the Pacific Neuroscience Institute uses keyhole surgery to reduce the amount of time patients need to stay in the hospital. What You'll Learn: We learn about Dr. Daniel...
Nov 29, 2022•48 min
Getting a cancer diagnosis can be a very uncertain time in someone’s life. Questions can arise as thoughts and minds race to understand the news. With all of that uncertainty, sometimes we may forget some of the basic things we need to know for an appointment with a physician. We understand and it can be a lot to take in. In this episode, we are going to cover what your oncologist wants you to know to make your time with them easier. Listen in to learn about six crucial things to know when visit...
Nov 08, 2022•14 min
Caregiving can be one of the most important roles a person can take on. These amazing individuals really step up and take on the responsibility of taking care of those who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses or acute illnesses. In this episode, I wanted to bring these often unsung heroes into the spotlight and share some of the incredible work they do behind the scenes. Listen in to learn about the role caregivers have, some of the challenges and issues surrounding caregiving, and what ca...
Oct 18, 2022•22 min
Getting a cancer diagnosis is never easy especially if it comes without warning. My guest today is JW Cheatham, a prostate cancer survivor, and a family friend. JW is Project Compliance and Management Consultant who has spent the last 25 years in the Space Satellite Technology field. Hearing about someone’s cancer journey can really help convey a different aspect or a unique viewpoint from that of someone such as myself. Listen in as JW reveals what his experience was like going through his own ...
Sep 27, 2022•55 min
Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can be pretty rough on your body, so it’s a good idea to be proactive about taking care of it as much as you can. In this episode, you will learn how you can best care for your skin, hair, and nails during your cancer treatments. I’ll share insight into what kinds of changes could happen, as well as the best treatments (and preventatives) that will help you through this process. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https...
Sep 06, 2022•26 min
It’s crucial to explore all of the different team members who are part of the cancer care team, and one of those people is the oncology social worker. My guest today is Dr. June Wiley, who has over 30 years of social work experience with individuals, families, and children. She also teaches masters and doctoral social work courses, and she joins the show today to share insight into social work and the importance it has in the field. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: ...
Aug 16, 2022•33 min
It really is true that what we eat matters to our health. This is such an important subject that I invited an expert to join me today on the show: Melinda Penny-Washington, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and transformation coach. You will get to hear about how nutrition can help in the fight against cancer as she shares her passion for bringing a mind shift into the understanding of health and wellness. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz....
Jul 26, 2022•1 hr
Today I'm joined by ophthalmologist and ocular plastic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Chiang to talk about how she treats skin cancers with ocular plastic surgery. You will hear about the important connections between cancer and ophthalmology, as well as what she commonly sees when it comes to cancers. She also addresses the steps she goes through with her cancer patients and shares insight into the reconstruction process. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfroma...
Jul 05, 2022•34 min
Today, I get the chance to talk to another breast cancer survivor and discuss her incredible journey. Beth Young is a 5-year survivor who was originally diagnosed at age 46, and she shares her experience from treatment to recovery. You will also hear about her career as an architect and how she became a photographer on the side who shares her work with hospitals and treatment centers around the country. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/epi...
Jun 14, 2022•57 min
Today I’m focusing on rectal cancer/colorectal cancer, the fourth most diagnosed cancer and second leading cancer death in the U.S. It is such a big subject to discuss that I’ll be doing another episode about anal cancer at a later date to make sure the most important points are covered, but this episode will explain how colorectal cancer symptoms work, the diagnosis, treatment options, and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/1...
May 24, 2022•37 min
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men worldwide. It is something that has possibly affected your life or the life of someone you know, and it’s a big topic. What does lung cancer look like? What causes it? How do we treat it? In this episode, I’ll provide insight into these questions and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/15
May 03, 2022•36 min
Today’s special guest is the person who trained me in radiation oncology, my mentor, Dr. Richard Jennelle. Having been in practice since 1991, he’s a speaker and an award-winning teacher, so I’m excited to have him on the show today to talk about radiation oncology, what it means for us to connect with our patients, and much more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/14...
Apr 12, 2022•38 min
As of 2019, there were over 16.9 million cancer survivors. Survivorship is a really important part of cancer treatment and we really shouldn’t forget about it. In this episode I will be shedding light on the most important aspects of planning for and navigating survivorship – especially the survivorship care plan. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/13
Mar 22, 2022•16 min
You’ve been told that you need radiation therapy after getting a breast cancer diagnosis—what now? Just hearing the word “radiation” can be really scary and overwhelming, so today I’m talking about radiation therapy and how it helps cure breast cancer. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/12
Mar 01, 2022•18 min
Dr. Sepehr Nowfar is board-certified by the American Board of Urology and serves in many areas of physician leadership. He brings an extensive background in general urology, combined with specialized training in urologic surgical oncology and advanced endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. In this episode, Dr. Nowfar joins the show to discuss all things surgery when it comes to prostate cancer. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/epis...
Feb 08, 2022•48 min
Although listening to physicians share their advice surrounding the topic of cancer is beneficial, it’s also important to hear the stories of those impacted by cancer diagnoses. This allows us to have a deeper understanding of what it is they’re going through. So, today, I have cancer survivor Kimberly Sizemore joining me to share what it was like for her when she was first diagnosed and why it is essential that you put your health first. You can find show notes and more information by clicking ...
Jan 18, 2022•38 min
If you are a parent, breaking the news about a cancer diagnosis to your child or children can be incredibly difficult. Much like many other aspects of parenting, there is no right or wrong way to do this. It is important to recognize that approaching this topic should be less about the specific words you use and more about ensuring your child feels safe. So, in this episode, Dr. Randie Schacter will be offering strategies that may help you broach this tough subject with your children. Listen in ...
Dec 28, 2021•30 min
For many, the world of radiation therapy and oncology is relatively unknown. So, in this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my radiation oncology practice to bring more awareness to radiation therapy and give you an idea of how it works and what a radiation oncologist really does. Listen in as I dive into what my day-to-day work life looks like, including what a full patient assessment consists of and how follow-up appointments with patients take place. I’ll also be discussing how a tr...
Dec 07, 2021•28 min
Dr. Shahrad Aynehchi joins me today to discuss all things kidney cancer. A urologist from West Coast Urology, Dr. Aynehchi has some really important insight when it comes to the different types of kidney cancer, the process for diagnosis, the treatments available, and more. In this episode, he gives us a thorough rundown of what happens throughout the process of dealing with this disease. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/7...
Nov 16, 2021•46 min
As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so today we will be talking about everything breast surgery with Dr. Elizabeth Arena. Elizabeth is a great friend of mine that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, and I’m excited to have her on the podcast to share some of her insight and expertise in the area of breast surgery. It’s a huge subject to cover, but she will shed light on and introduce things like lumpectomy, mastectomy, and more. You can find show notes an...
Oct 26, 2021•54 min
Dr. John Kowalczyk is a urologist based out of Los Angeles, CA, and he joins the show today to share the important aspects of urology that you may need to know about. From how this area of medicine intertwines with cancer diagnosis and treatment to what you need to know about Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, Dr. Kowalczyk covers key information you won’t want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/5...
Oct 06, 2021•48 min
It always surprises me to see and hear all the misinformation circulating about cancer, and today’s episode will be dedicated to the top 5 cancer myths that I have come across. From ways that cancer can (or cannot spread) to things that cause or make it worse, I will break down these common misconceptions so you have a better understanding and less fear when it comes to these areas. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/4...
Sep 14, 2021•11 min
Dr. Corinne Deurdulian is a radiologist at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles who is committed to improving radiology care for veterans. She has revised many of the MRI and CT protocols, as well as adding new protocols while practicing at the VA Medical Center. She joins the show today to share her passion for medicine and radiology, and discuss how important it is to put together the pieces. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/3...
Aug 24, 2021•40 min
In this episode, I want to lay a bit of a foundation that gives you a better sense of what cancer is all about. I’ll be going back to the basics with you to share what exactly cancer is and what causes it. You will get a close-up understanding of what is going on at the cellular level when cancer occurs in the body and how it develops in the early stages. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/2...
Aug 24, 2021•16 min
