Episodes

Caner Saygin, MD A diagnosis of cancer can cause significant emotional distress to a patient. A diagnosis of a rare leukemia can leave patients and caregivers feeling unsure and nervous about the future. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Caner Saygin of University of Chicago Medicine about hairy cell leukemia, a rare, but treatable cancer. Dr. Saygin delves into this disease, highlighting the need for an accurate diagnosis, as well as current and emerging treatments. Patients will be given hope ...

Colin Vale, MD Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) is a group of diseases that have a variety of different treatments and outcomes. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Colin Vale of Emory University in Atlanta, GA, about the treatments for MDS, the potential for transforming into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and new strategies to give patients the quality of care that they deserve. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: Myelodysplastic Syndr...

Adriana Rossi, MD Testing for minimal or measurable residual disease (MRD) in blood cancer has transformed the way we look at remission and treatment planning. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Adriana Rossi of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York about how MRD testing is being utilized for blood cancer patients. Join us as we explore minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) testing for blood cancer and its role in guiding treatment decisions and predicting relapse and prognosis. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIP...

Cliff Davis Cliff Davis was only sixteen weeks away from graduating medical school when he received the shocking news that he had Hodgkin Lymphoma. His path has been unique and his story will inspire you. Cliff has a story that is familiar to many patients –a cancer diagnosis that resulted in pausing his schooling and career aspirations. In this case, going back to finish medical school proved much more difficult than expected when he took a leave of absence. Be sure to tune into this incredib...

Have you ever wondered how doctors determine the treatment for a blood cancer patient? In this episode, we’re speaking with Dr. Eric Severson of Labcorp Oncology and Dr. John DiPersio of Washington University in St. Louis, MO, about genomics testing, what it is, and how it benefits blood cancer patients. You will learn about the crucial collaboration between pathologists and oncologists to make sure patients are getting the most accurate diagnosis and best possible treatments for their particula...

Iris Cohen Fineberg, PhD, MSW, OSW-C Caregivers can come from many places in a patient’s life. They may be a spouse, family member, neighbor or “chosen family”. When caring for a cancer patient takes a village, caregivers come together to do what’s best for the patient. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Iris Cohen Fineberg, an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, who specializes in oncology social work and palliative care. In this episode, we discuss planned family meetings, communicati...

Aerial Donovan Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH Peter Drahms, RN, BSN, C. Robert Bennett, PhD, CPNP-AC Please join us for this second live episode from CancerCon® 2023, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®. In this episode, we’ll be speaking with experts who discussed “chemo brain”, palliative care, and healing through writing. Cancer patients and survivors of all ages, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment or post-treatment, can benefit from hearing from these experts. Be s...

Click image to view full size. Please join us for this special episode live from CancerCon®, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®. In this episode, we’ll be speaking with patients and survivors about where they are along the road of survivorship. In the exhibit hall, we displayed a roadmap of survivorship, which had many detours and pit stops along the way towards long-term survivorship. The responses from young adult patients and survivors varied and each person had diff...

Tune in to the latest episode of the Patient-Doctor Perspectives series, featuring an enlightening conversation with Dr. Judith Shizuru of Stanford Medicine and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor, Peter Feinberg. Delve into the world of cutting-edge ALL treatments and gain insight from a patient who shares his personal story of treatments, bone marrow transplantation and re-vaccination challenges. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this e...

Deborah Stephens, DO Join us as we sit down with Dr. Deborah Stephens from the University of Utah, as we discover the latest breakthroughs in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We also gain valuable insights into enhancing patient’s quality of life. In this episode, Dr. Stephens emphasizes the importance of effective communication with your healthcare team, unveiling strategies that not only optimize disease management, but also minimize the impact of side effects. Your path to empow...

Kieron Dunleavy, MD Delve into the complex landscape of non-Hodgkin lymphoma research, where a cure is pursued amidst a backdrop of over 100 subtypes of this disease. In this episode, Dr. Kieron Dunleavy, of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, breaks down the differences in treatments, prognosis and goals for both slow-growing and aggressive subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Discover the remarkable momentum of scientific progress that increased the understanding and management of lymphoma,...

Mrinal Patnaik, MBBS While chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare disease, it is not rare to the patients and loved ones who are affected by it. In this episode, Dr. Mrinal Patnaik of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, discusses the unique aspects of CMML and how it is classified and treated. Dr. Patnaik shares the latest treatment advances and discusses the importance of patients’ quality of life. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on thi...

When adolescents and young adults (AYA) are diagnosed with cancer, they face unique challenges that aren’t seen as frequently in other age groups. Healthcare and nonprofit professionals around the world are listening to patients and researching these issues to improve quality of life during and after treatment. In this episode, we are taking you onsite to the 5th Annual Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress in Long Beach, CA. Elissa met with experts who discussed mental health, the ...

Brian Connell Cancer related costs can be an overwhelming burden for patients on Medicare. However, new changes in Medicare will directly impact cancer patients and ease this financial burden. In this episode, Brian Connell, the Vice President of Federal Affairs at LLS, discusses the new changes in Medicare for 2024 and 2025, as a result of the recent Inflation Reduction Act. Medicare recipients will benefit from these important changes, making cancer treatment more affordable and accessible. ...

Mia Johnson Please join us for the latest episode of our Community Outreach In The Field series, where our field correspondents, comprised of LLS Staff, will be on the ground interviewing health advocates, patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in the communities in which they serve. These episodes will make listeners feel like they are right in the middle of the action! In this episode, Mia Johnson, the National Community Outreach Manager for LLS’s Myeloma Link program, hosted an e...

Angela Fleischman, MD Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNS) is an umbrella term that includes myelofibrosis (MF), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). In this episode, Dr. Angela Fleischman of the Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center in Orange, CA, delves into these disorders in more detail. She shares how a patient’s quality of life can be improved with the latest advancements in treatment. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this...

Carlos Silva, MD and Margie Únase a nosotros mientras hablamos sobre la terapia de células T con receptores de antígenos quiméricos (CAR-T, en inglés) con el Dr. Carlos Silva, hematólogo/oncólogo, especialista en trasplante de médula ósea y terapia celular del equipo de Hematología Maligna y Terapia Célular de Moffitt en el Sistema de Salud Memorial en Pembroke Pines, Florida. En este episodio, exploramos los últimos avances y lo que se espera en el futuro para esta terapia transformadora. Vea...

Nourishing your body after a cancer diagnosis can seem like an impossible task when your mind is focused on survival. Join us as we talk to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient, Jonathan Daige, and Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Redlich, about healthy eating and the benefits of a balanced diet. In this episode, Jonathan, a three-time cancer survivor, shares his journey of nutrition and exercise through his cancer treatments. Jennifer gives tips on putting together balanced meals that provide ...

Cancer-related fatigue can be a tremendous burden on patients and caregivers. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Mariam Nawas and oncology nurse, Mary Lappe, of University of Chicago Medicine, about how cancer-related fatigue is identified and managed. Patients and caregivers will be empowered to work with their treatment teams, addressing cancer-related fatigue to improve quality of life during cancer treatments and survivorship. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode surv...

Join us as we highlight how pivots in therapy and self-advocacy were used to treat a young woman’s diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In this episode, Caitlyn Householder, diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 2019, shares her incredible journey after finding out that she was pregnant the day she was admitted to the hospital to treat her lymphoma. An ever-evolving plan was then set into motion to not only save Caitlyn’s life but allow for her pregnancy to continue. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIP...

Tina Bhatnagar, DO Most blood cancer patients can experience side effects from their cancer diagnosis, or its treatments. In certain blood cancers, an urgent condition called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) can develop. Dr. Tina Bhatnagar of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute joins us in this episode to explain why tumor lysis syndrome occurs and how it is treated. Although considered a medical emergency, Dr. Bhatnagar reviews how prevention and treatment can be successful in the treatmen...

Steve Buechler As a cancer patient or caregiver, telling your story can not only be a way to update loved ones about your condition or be a comfort to current patients, it can be healing for yourself. In this episode, we speak to Steve Buechler about his treatment for acute myeloid leukemia as well as his experience through survivorship. Steve shares how writing helped him heal from the emotional effects of cancer. As an LLS volunteer, he now facilitates writing workshops for our LLS Community...

Carlos Silva, MD and Elissa Please join us as we speak about CAR T-cell therapy with Dr. Carlos Silva, a Moffitt Cancer physician at Memorial Healthcare System in Pembroke Pines, Florida. In this episode, we explore the latest advances and what the future holds for CAR T-cell therapy. This comprehensive view of CAR T-cell therapy will give blood cancer patients and their families hope. Through the utilization of targeted therapies, we can now see a future filled with better outcomes and potent...

Join us live from Miami, FL, as we talk about healthcare disparities and equity with Dr. Erin Kobetz of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Seth Berkowitz, Director of Patient and Community Outreach at LLS. In this episode, we discuss how organizations like Sylvester and LLS work together to address healthcare gaps and barriers that patients may face in accessing quality and affordable cancer care. The diverse population in South Florida has provided opportunities for researchers, cancer...