Ep 9: Cancer Explained: what cancer is and how it starts

Most people hear the word cancer thousands of times in their lives, but very few are ever actually taught what it is. In this foundational episode of The After. Cancer Podcast, Leslie J. Waltke, PT, DPT breaks down the biology of cancer in clear, human language so you can better understand what is happening inside the body. This is Episode 9 and the first in a 4-part Cancer 101 series where we will walk step by step through what cancer is, how it develops, and how treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation actually work. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with CURE, a leading resource for cancer education, support, and survivorship information. For more information, visit CUREtoday.com. Chapters 00:00 Episode Hook – What is cancer, really? 02:10 Why cancer is rarely explained clearly 04:25 How normal cells work 07:40 DNA and mutations explained simply 11:30 Why mutations happen (and why it’s not your fault) 15:20 How cancer cells break the rules 19:10 Tumor growth and why it takes years 23:45 Angiogenesis – how tumors build blood supply 26:30 Metastasis – how cancer spreads 30:10 Why cancer risk increases with age 33:00 Cancer is not one disease 35:20 The immune system and cancer 38:00 Reflection and what this means for you Resources Mentioned For more information on cancer education and survivorship, visit CUREtoday.com ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org Related Episodes Episode 10: Cancer Surgery 101 (coming soon!) Episode 11: Chemotherapy 101 (coming soon!) Episode 12: Radiation Therapy 101 (coming soon!) Episode 5: When Your Brain Stops Processing After Hearing “You Have Cancer” Episode 6: Survivor Guilt in Cancer: Learning to Live When Others Don’t Community Shout Outs A special shout out to ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. ABCD provides free, virtual, personalized emotional support by matching anyone impacted by breast cancer with a trained volunteer mentor who has a similar lived experience. Learn more at ABCDBreastCancerSupport.org. About the Host Dr. Leslie Waltke is an internationally respected oncology physical therapist, educator, and advocate for evidence-based cancer rehabilitation. She is the founder of the Waltke Cancer Rehabilitation Academy and has spent over three decades helping people live stronger lives during and after cancer. About the Podcast The After. Cancer Podcast is where medicine meets real life. Rooted in science and spoken in human terms, this podcast helps you understand your body, your experience, and what comes next after a cancer diagnosis. Subscribe / Follow Follow The After. Cancer Podcast so new episodes are delivered directly to you. You’ll find the link to join the email list in the show notes so future episodes come straight to your inbox. https://drwaltke.myflodesk.com/aftercancer Work with Dr. Waltke For organizations, health systems, and professional groups looking to improve cancer rehab care delivery: Dr. Leslie Waltke provides medical and rehab continuing education (CEU/CME), conference and keynote speaking, and consulting services through the Waltke Cancer Rehabilitation Academy. Whether you are building, expanding, or refining a cancer rehabilitation or survivorship program, these offerings are designed to help teams implement evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes and system performance. Learn more or inquire about booking: https://www.drlesliewaltke.com Contact Info Website: WaltkeAcademy.com Email: dr.waltke@waltkeacademy.com Topics Cancer basics, cancer biology, what is cancer, DNA mutations, tumor growth, metastasis, survivorship, cancer education If you are navigating cancer, survivorship, treatment side effects, or the emotional realities of life after diagnosis, The After. Cancer Podcast is here for you!