Episodes

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Brian Burnette and Dr. Michael Guiou about the importance of having transparent and honest discussions with cancer patients about their prognosis and treatment options. We discussed how many doctors struggle to answer the question of how long a patient with Stage IV cancer will live and the negative impact this can have on patients. Dr. Burnette emphasized the need to set realistic expectations and prepare for the worst while maintaining ...

In this episode, we’re joined by the pioneering founders of Green Bay Oncology – Dr. Paul Koch, Dr. Skip McGovern, Dr. Jules Blank, and Dr. Gerald Bayer – along with Dr. Tony Jaslowski, a dedicated oncologist and hematologist at GBO. Our conversation delves into our practice’s roots, exploring the establishment of a service and ethics-driven team approach. We reflect on how this ethos and culture, which prioritize teamwork, camaraderie, and equality, have flourished at GBO since its inception. O...

Cancer research and treatment has come a long way over the last few decades. From having only a handful of treatment options and medications at our disposal in the late 1970s and early 80s to now having a wide range of treatment options, the ability to diagnose and treat cancer earlier, and even cure many different types of cancer – the evolution of cancer treatment and care has significantly evolved. Our founders – Dr. Paul Koch, Dr. Skip McGovern, Dr. Jules Blank, and Dr. Gerald Bayer – witne...

Mitch and I delve into hair loss during cancer treatment in today’s episode. We explore why certain therapies cause hair loss and discuss the emotional impact it can have on patients. We also touch on the treatments more likely to cause hair loss, such as anthracyclines and taxane drugs. Mitch shares insights on the temporary nature of hair loss and how patients can cope with the distress it may cause. We also discuss the option of scalp cryotherapy as a preventative measure, although it comes w...

In this week’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Brian Burnette and Dr. Michael Guiou to discuss the importance of cancer staging. We delve into cancer staging and how it helps guide treatment decisions. We also explore the evolving nature of cancer staging, shifting towards considering molecular characteristics and functional status in addition to traditional staging systems. Dr. Brian Burnett: A native of Upper Michigan, Dr. Burnette completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at the Mayo C...

In this episode, Dr. Mitch Winkler and Kyla King discuss the discomfort that often arises when talking to someone with cancer. They explore the reasons behind this anxiety and offer insights into how to navigate conversations with cancer patients. Dr. Winkler emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and avoiding common missteps and provides valuable tips for supporting friends and loved ones with cancer while acknowledging the individuality of each person’s experience. “Companio...

Tony joins us today to discuss why providing cancer care close to home is essential. We discuss the travel expenses often associated with receiving cancer treatments and why they often cause patients to delay their treatment. We discuss how often many cancer patients need to visit the oncologist for cancer treatments and how they typically feel after a round of treatment. We also discuss the psychological benefits of receiving cancer treatment at medical facilities closer to home, as well as how...

In today’s episode, we discuss advanced directives and how they support patients at the end stages of life. We describe the historical context of advanced directives and explain how doctors solely made end-of-life decisions until the recognition of patients’ rights in the 70’s. We outline the consequences of not having an advance directive. We also emphasize the need to proactively plan for advanced directives and underscore how parents and caregivers can encourage younger adults to create advan...

Tom joins us today to discuss denial and why it is a fundamental part of the human experience. He describes how denial, while unhealthy in some situations, can be a healthy coping strategy when facing difficulties. He also explores different strategies to overcome unhealthy denial, underscores the power of having a trusted supporter when facing fear, and highlights how overcoming denial gives individuals confidence and mastery over hardships. Tom Bekkers, MSW, APSW, is an oncology social worker...

Bradley joins us today to discuss the historical use of immunotherapy treatment to treat cancer. We discuss how immunotherapy works and the positive and negative impact it can have on a patient’s immune system. We discuss why immunotherapy treatment works well for some types of cancers but not for others and how it has made significant improvements in the survival rates of patients. We discuss some of the current limitations of using immunotherapy to treat cancer and the need to conduct further ...

The 20th century saw the fast development of medicine and medical intervention. Alongside this incredible advancement came the assumption that medicine could cure anything—and the refusal to believe that something is incurable. For most of medical history, however, palliative care and relief from suffering was not just the norm but the only option. Though medical advancements have lengthened the life expectancy of people, terminal illness and death will always be with us. As Dr. Skip McGovern—co...

Dr. Bradley Heraly joins us today to delve into the world of blood tests in cancer clinics. We demystify the reasons for frequent testing, clarify the misconceptions about the information they provide, and discuss the present and potential future role of these tests in cancer treatment. We discuss how routine blood tests help doctors determine if patients have sufficiently recovered from treatment and the potential of DNA-based testing in identifying cancer. We also discuss the realities of pati...

Matthew and Brian join us today for an insightful discussion discussing the pivotal role of evidence-based medicine, a cornerstone in optimizing patient outcomes and healthcare strategies. This conversation navigates through the historical tapestry of medical research, spotlighting James Lind’s 1753 seminal scurvy experiment as a monumental benchmark initiating systematic medical experimentation. We dissect the principle of equipoise, a crucial element ensuring the ethical integrity and scientif...

Alisa, Mary Jo, and Tony join me today to discuss Alisa’s breast cancer diagnosis and how it impacted her fertility. Tony explains the rarity of breast cancer in young adult women and the unique challenges younger cancer patients face during treatment. He illustrates his experience working with Alisa as both her oncologist and colleague and discusses why her story continues to inspire him. Alisa shares her fertility journey after cancer, as well as her decision to use a surrogate and donor eggs....

Alisa and Mary Jo join us today to share their story of resilience, familial support, and the power of hope and love in the face of adversity. They describe Alisa’s journey through breast cancer and how her diagnosis impacted her fertility. They explain how the cancer diagnosis and treatment brought them closer together and illustrate how Alisa navigated her life between cancer and college. They also celebrate Alisa’s son, Bodhi, and how his presence in their lives has brought them joy and hope ...

Chris joins us today to share her cancer treatment journey while facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide quarantines. We discussed why she chose to attend her care appointments in person instead of virtually and the challenges many cancer doctors faced in treating patients during the quarantines. We discuss how Chris leveraged her passion for quilting, embroidery, and crafting to not only manage the loneliness and emotional strain of the COVID pandemic and cancer treatment b...

Dr. Ryan joins us again today to discuss the origins of chemotherapy treatment. We discuss how earlier chemotherapy treatments were initially derived from poison and how chemotherapy research and development have improved over the years. We discuss the challenges researchers and medical oncologists faced during the early days of using chemo to treat cancer and how the mustard gas leak in Bari, Italy, impacted medical science’s research into cancer. We discuss how early cancer research paved the ...

Dr. Brian Burnette joins us again today to discuss the myths surrounding clinical trials. We debunk some of the biggest myths around clinical trials and cancer research and why doctors are required to request a patient’s informed consent prior to starting any treatment. We discuss how the enactment of the Affordable Care Act impacted patients’ ability to participate in clinical trial research and why Brian believes it’s in the health insurance industry’s best interest to cover and invest in clin...

In this episode of Cancer Covered: Dr. Mitch Winkler and Dr. Kamal Abbi delve into the complex dynamics of cancer treatment in the palliative setting, exploring the struggle between curative goals and the potential toll aggressive therapies can take on a patient’s quality of life. Kamal highlights the challenges patients and physicians face in understanding the trade-offs between quantity and quality of life. We also discuss the difficult decisions patients and doctors must make when weighing tr...

In this episode of Cancer Covered: Highlighting the impact of gene therapy on Mason’s life and the potential for this treatment to revolutionize the lives of individuals with bleeding disorders, Dr. Mitch Winkler, Andrea Miller, Dr. Matthew Ryan, and Mason Buxton discuss the Hemophilia Outreach Center and the advancements in gene therapy for Hemophilia B. Mason, who has Hemophilia B, shares his experience as the first patient to receive gene therapy since its FDA approval. Andrea Miller is the ...

Dr. Ruth Warren joins us today to discuss alcohol, cancer risk, and society’s relationship with alcohol consumption. We explore how our relationship with alcohol is conditioned at a young age and how we’re taught to love the drink as we grow up, even if we don’t like the taste. We describe the two ways of connecting and our tendency to use substances—alcohol, cannabis, and others—to enhance our experiences and the way we connect with ourselves and others. We also discuss the sober-curious moveme...

Michael joins us today to discuss the history of radiation treatment for various types of cancers. We discuss why it was initially perceived as a magical solution to treating cancer and why regulations were eventually implemented on the use of radiation therapy for cancer patients. We discuss how doctors obtained the radiation they needed to treat their patients in the early days of its discovery. We discuss why the public wasn’t afraid or concerned about radiation therapy to treat different ail...

This week on Cancer Covered: Differentiating between evidence-based research and myths Debunking common myths around cancer and cancer care Where we believe these myths began How oncologists decide when it’s appropriate to remove cancerous tumors surgically Addressing ‘accurate adjacent’ myths around cancer The dangers of changing the human body’s pH levels to try to cure a cancer diagnosis The true relationship between cancer and sugar The impact of a positive mindset and emotional resil...

This week on Cancer Covered: Why oncologists need to order scans How scans help doctors diagnose, treat, and monitor cancer Common misconceptions about getting follow-up scans after a cancer diagnosis Only three cancer diagnoses that early detection has been proven to change the survival rate of patients The difference between PET scans and CT scans and why your doctor may choose one over the other Why a clear scan does not always mean a patient is cured Why doctors may order a different t...