Jess shares her work as a social worker specializing in rural care at NaviCare. She he highlights rural health and the pivots to telehealth and how the pandemic has resulted in a resurgence of patients come back for cancer treatment. We explore ethical and moral dilemmas in treating patients in rural areas and the contribution to fragmented care. Jess relates her experience in oncology social work to line dancing and protecting her cubs. You know, like a line dancing Mama Bear. Please follow the...
Jun 16, 2025•48 min•Ep. 26
Dr. Caroline Dorfman, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Duke University School of Medicine. Caroline has conducted extensive AYA cancer research and offers her findings on topics of pain, fatigue, distress and sexual reproductive health. We examine barriers for onco-fertility and reproductive preservation as financial and value-based decisions and the conversation closes on health behavior issues and difficulties in overall well-being f...
Apr 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 25
Mary Baron Nelson, PhD, RN, CPRP, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Keck Medical School at USC. She imparts her previous clinical and research experience as a Nurse Practitioner at the Children Hospital Los Angeles in studying brain injury from childhood cancer treatment and names neurocognitive and psychosocial late effects of brain cancer treatment. She shares her approach on wellness through her various roles and highlights age-related differences between children and adults in the r...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 24
We're pleased to share our conversation with Rushil Patel, MD, on the intersections of religion and spirituality and cancer care. Dr. Patel is a Assistant Professor of Medicine at the O'Neal Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham specializing in hematology/oncology. Our conversation spans his interest in oncology, focus on spirituality and religion in practice, personal research interest in exploring Dharmic faiths (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism) in active treatment and other con...
Dec 31, 2024•53 min•Ep. 23
It's time to break out the periwinkle blue ribbons in support of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. For this episode, we have special guest Jon Florin, who is the Executive Director and Chief Patient Advocate for No Stomach For Cancer. He provides education on gastric cancer by highlighting such issues as prevalence rates, health disparities, and the adjustments needed for a gastrectomy. We're happy to be honoring seahorses and platypuses with this episode to close the Cancer Awareness Series for 2...
Nov 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 22
October is Liver Cancer Awareness month and Sarah Manes explains the Global Liver institute's theme that "October is for livers." She talks about her role within the organization and covers topics on advocacy, prevalence rates, risks, symptoms, treatment and survivorship for those affected with liver cancer. Additionally, Sarah highlights stigmas related to metabolic health and the uniqueness of the liver as a body organ. Please follow the link below for the Global Liver Institute and Sick &...
Oct 10, 2024•33 min•Ep. 21
September marks the celebration of Thyroid Cancer Awareness month and our return to the Cancer Awareness Series with Julia Diaz, RD. Julia shares her personal cancer story and offers a comprehensive overview of thyroid cancer including prevalence rates, risk factors, symptoms, novel treatments and treatment effects. She explains the low iodine diet and speaks to other hot topics related to thyroid cancer. Please follow the links below to access Julia Diaz's professional website and Sick & Go...
Sep 18, 2024•58 min•Ep. 20
Kailey Proctor, MPH, RDN, CSO, details the process for board certification as a specialist in oncological nutrition. She speaks on common fears, myth busters, and fad diets while discussing her approach to personalizing nutrition plans. Kailey illuminates the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guidelines, the "New American Plate" and ultra-processed foods in relation to cancer care. Please follow the link below to the City of Hope Orange County nutrition page: https://www.cityofhope.org/location...
Aug 15, 2024•48 min•Ep. 19
July is Sarcoma Cancer Awareness month and our special guest in continuing the Cancer Awareness Series is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Brandi Felser. During this episode, she covers her personal story on how she got involved with the organization and describes prevalence rates, risk factors and how a sarcoma diagnosis is so unique in comparison to other cancers. Brandi also notes novel treatments, late effects and related survivorship issues often seen with t...
Jul 09, 2024•43 min•Ep. 18
June is National Cancer Survivor Month and we're privileged to have a conversation with you Wendy Hobbie, CRNP, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Wendy was a pioneer in developing survivorship programs and has been at the forefront of creating protocol for survivorship clinics. In this episode, she describes the process of transitioning pediatric patients to adult survivorship, challenges and barriers for survivorship and important aspects of cancer survivorship programs. Bonus content...
Jun 13, 2024•49 min•Ep. 17
May celebrates Bladder Cancer Awareness month and the special guest for this episode is Stephanie Chisolm, PhD, Director of Education and Advocacy from the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN). Stephanie talks on prevalence rates, diagnosis, and risk factors associated with bladder cancer. The conversation also spans from theory (the "field effect") to standards of care for treatment and resources offered by BCAN. Please follow the links to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network website and the S...
May 15, 2024•45 min•Ep. 16
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month and Mike Craycraft the founder of the Testicular Cancer Society (TCS), a testicular cancer survivor and registered pharmacist graces us as our special guest continuing our Cancer Awareness Series. Mike details his personal cancer experience, available forums offered by TCS, his involvement in establishing American Urological Association testicular cancer guidelines, the importance of self-examination and novel treatments. Bonus content on central line d...
Apr 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 15
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and Zac Getty, the Patient Education Manager at Fight Colorectal Cancer, covers topics ranging from risk factors to treatment to survivorship. Zac advocates for screening and dispels common misconceptions and stigmas associated with colorectal cancer. We're honored to partner with Fight Colorectal Cancer and are happy to make a contribution to this organization with any sale of our new merchandise. Please follow the link below to the Fight Colorectal Ca...
Mar 14, 2024•35 min•Ep. 14
February is Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness month and Dr. Juan Valle joins us as the Chief Medical Officer from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to talk about these rare cancers. Dr. Valle cites prevalence rates, distinguishes risk factors including regional-specific diets, illuminates novel treatment options and names common treatment effects. He graciously shares his research on medication efficiency in treating bile duct cancers and effortlessly manages to incorporate our pop-cult...
Feb 03, 2024•36 min•Ep. 13
Hui Amy Chen, MD, kicks off the Cancer Awareness Series with a discussion on cervical cancer. She shares her career path as gynecological oncologist and highlights topics including prevention as general guidelines including HPV screening, novel treatments, and social determinants of health related to cervical cancer. Additionally, Dr. Chen discusses clinical trials and other areas of research including integrative treatment approaches. Please follow the link to the Foundation for Women's Cancer:...
Jan 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 12
Janice Baker, RDN, talks on cancer-related health conditions including diabetes, orthorexia and cachexia. As a diabetes educator, she discusses the comorbidity of cancer and diabetes. She defines orthorexia and challenges faulty thinking habits related to diet for cancer patients. Janice speaks to negative effects of "wasting syndrome." She describes her supportive approach to nutrition in navigating the these intersections. Please follow the link for the Oncology Nutrition Practice Group and Ja...
Nov 28, 2023•50 min•Ep. 11
Wendy Griffith joins the conversation to share her role at MD Anderson as the Program Director for the Adolescent and Young Adult program. Wendy highlights her research, specific areas of concern and expectations of treatment and recovery for AYA cancer patients and writing for the hospitals blog. Wendy names legacy work as an important tool to ensure family traditions and tell unique lasting stories. Please follow the link below for MD Anderson's Cancerwise blog: https://www.mdanderson.org/canc...
Oct 21, 2023•44 min•Ep. 10
Brad Zebrack, PhD, joins us to discuss his expansive experience in cancer research including topics of integrative oncology, and his current role at the University of Michigan. He shares his personal story of being treated as a young adult with cancer and his how his career has been altered by his research interest in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer-related topics. We discuss Brad's involvement with program development and evaluation and advent of peer-to-peer support and outdoor adventu...
Aug 23, 2023•46 min•Ep. 9
Dr. Doose shares a published opinion education piece on navigating through healthcare systems and speaks to the needed improvements for cancer care, holding organizations accountable and transfer of care issues. She highlights challenges of minority populations, the importance of survivorship programs and calls for cancer survivors to participate in research. Please follow the link below for Dr. Doose's LinkedIn account and additional resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doosemichelle/ https:/...
Jul 14, 2023•38 min•Ep. 8
Dr. Rhonda Sherman and her patient Jennifer join for part two of the conversation on psycho oncology. Jennifer shares her cancer diagnosis and treatment history that contributed to seeking out therapy. She highlights her presenting concerns, the benefits of therapy, and how this has inspired her community involvement in peer-to-peer support. Dr. Sherman reflects on the therapeutic process and growth observed within Jennifer's sessions and how she relented to offer a breast cancer support group. ...
Jun 25, 2023•58 min•Ep. 7
Dr. Sherman defines psycho-oncology, describes the referral process for psychological services, and discusses presenting concerns for patients when seeking therapy during cancer treatments and the psychosocial impact. She lists some of the common themes seen in the patients she serves including body image, sexuality and intimacy and social support. Please follow the following links to find a provider in your area: https://apos-society.org/ https://www.ipos-society.org/ https://www.cancer.org/...
May 29, 2023•38 min•Ep. 6
Karla shares her passion and wealth of knowledge as a nurse practitioner and researcher in the survivorship clinic at the City of Hope. During this episode, we discuss secondary cancers, late effects, and preventative care for survivors. The conversation also speaks to multicultural aspects of cancer care, treatment and survivorship. Please follow the link to City of Hope Pediatric and Adolescent and Young Adult Survivorship programs: https://www.cityofhope.org/research/beckman-research-institut...
Apr 11, 2023•44 min•Ep. 5
Ida joins the discussion to share her role as a researcher and medical educator as an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSD , her clinical work at the VA Hospital in La Jolla, CA and her personal experience with her own cancer diagnosis and treatment when she was an adolescent. We talk about current treatment modalities including targeted drugs and immunotherapy, and how the field has changed during her practice as an oncologist/hematologist.
Dec 24, 2022•50 min•Ep. 4
Amy joins the conversation to discuss her work at the Ridley Tree Cancer Center (RTCC) in Santa Barbara, CA . She shares free resources available through RTCC, talks about her role as a social worker and the change the pandemic has had on cancer treatment. Amy also highlights specific barriers to her work and a case that has made her proud. Please follow the link for the Ridley Tree Cancer Center online resources: https://socialwork.ridleytreecc.org/cancer-center/patient-care/medical-services/me...
Jul 30, 2022•33 min•Ep. 3
Sheri joins the conversation and shares her personal cancer story and her interest in holistic nutrition. She offers dietary suggestions to prevent cancer, for those in active treatment and survivors. The discussion also discusses "soul food," probiotics, the Mediterrean diet and changing dietary recommendations in the approach to cancer treatment. Added bonus: odd food recommendations to treat cancer. Please follow this link for Sheri's for website: www.movetowellness.net...
Jul 13, 2022•29 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to the Sick & Good Podcast! Hosted by cancer survivors Dustin Mesick, RDN and Colin Goodwin, PsyD, the podcast explores cancer-related topics from a wellness perspective. To start the conversation, Dustin and Colin share their cancer stories, the impact cancer had on their career paths, their role as hosts and vision for the podcast. Please follow the link for Dustin's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSdXIWRPjmAWyk9-EQRakJw/videos...
Jul 10, 2022•22 min•Ep. 1
