Patient from Hell

Samira, a breast cancer survivor and CEO of Manta Cares, discusses the latest advancements in cancer treatment with Dr. Doug Blayney at the ASCO conference. They explore the significant impact of exercise on cancer treatment tolerance and survival, the de-escalation of chemotherapy, the introduction of new therapies like SERDs and antibody drug conjugates, and the role of circulating tumor DNA in...

Dr. Barbara Moscicki discusses the critical role of HPV in women's health, particularly its association with various cancers, including cervical cancer. She explains the dual nature of HPV as both a commensal organism and a pathogen, emphasizing the importance of understanding its oncogenic potential. The conversation also covers the significance of screening methods, such as Pap smears, in detect...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani speaks with oncology pharmacist Megan Hartranft about the critical role of oncology pharmacists in cancer care. They discuss the unique responsibilities of oncology pharmacists, the importance of patient education, and the growing field of oral chemotherapy. Megan shares insights on medication adherence, the use of mobile health technol...

Dr. Anita Srinivasan, a surgical oncologist, discusses her journey in oncology, the challenges faced in safety net hospitals, and the importance of patient-centered care in surgical oncology. The discussion covers the pain comparison between mammograms and cosmetic treatments, the impact of fear on surgical choices, and the significance of advanced care planning and patient education in making inf...

Dr. Shannon McLaughlin-David discusses the complexities of cervical cancer, HPV, and the role of gynecologic oncology. The dialogue explores the emotional and clinical challenges faced by both patients and clinicians, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and empathy in patient care. The discussion also highlights the various types of gynecologic cancers, surgical interventions, an...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani speaks with Dr. Sara Char about her journey into oncology, the evolution of cancer biology, and the significant role of the microbiome in colon cancer. They discuss the complexities of cancer survivorship, the effectiveness of different methods of delivering survivorship care plans, and the importance of colonoscopy in monitoring colore...

In this episode, Dr. Tejas Jayakrishnan discusses the rising incidence of young onset colorectal cancer (CRC) and the potential environmental factors contributing to this trend. The conversation delves into the importance of screening protocols, the challenges faced in early detection, and the role of education in increasing awareness and understanding of cancer risks. Dr. Jayakrishnan emphasizes...

Join us as we welcome Dr. Fauzia Riaz, Samira’s oncologist, who believes in treating the whole person—not just the cancer. In this episode, we explore survivorship care: What does it truly mean? What insights does a thousand-person study reveal about different cancer survivorship care models? How can oncologists optimize treatment plans to improve quality of life for survivors? And what gaps must...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell , host Samira Daswani speaks with oncology nurse Joshua Carter about his path into cancer care, shaped by personal experiences with family illness. They explore the differences between palliative and hospice care, the complexities of pain management, and the vital role nurses play as advocates. Josh also discusses misconceptions around pain medication, the...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Patient from Hell, we sit down with Samira and Dr. Samantha, two storytellers who delve into the power of personal narratives, cultural identity, and representation. They share their experiences navigating different spaces, finding their voices, and embracing authenticity. Whether you’re interested in storytelling, personal growth, or the intersections of cu...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani sits down with Dr. Cara Bohon, a clinical psychologist and researcher, to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors. They discuss the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in cancer care, the complexities of treating cancer-related insomnia, and the shortage of mental health professionals tr...

Nine years with no evidence of disease—yet Megan-Claire Chase’s cancer journey isn’t over. As she once fought cancer alongside her mother, she now faces something even harder: losing her. In this episode, Megan-Claire shares a deeply vulnerable side—a daughter losing her mother. Facing your own mortality is one thing, but facing the mortality of your loved ones—friends, family, fellow cancer patie...

In this enlightening episode of the Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani interviews Dr. Sara Tolaney, a leading oncologist specializing in breast cancer. They delve into the evolving landscape of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), exploring advancements in treatment, from targeted therapies to immunotherapy, and the challenges faced by patients in both early-stage and metastatic settings. Wit...

Maimah Karmo shares her story with triple-negative breast cancer and how she founded the Tiger Lily Foundation. Maimah emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, community support, and education in traversing healthcare challenges. She shares her experience of being dismissed by doctors due to her age and ethnicity, and how this motivated her to create an organization that empowers women of color...

In this enlightening episode of The Patient From Hell podcast, Dr. Doug Blayney and host Samira Daswani dive deep into the key insights from the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). They explore four critical areas of breast cancer care: CDK4/6 inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), de-escalation strategies for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and the emerging role of artificial...

In this heartfelt episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani talks to Jill Massey, a pharmacist and pharma industry veteran whose path through cancer has been both personal and professional. Jill shares her experiences as a caregiver for her sister, mother, and husband—all cancer patients—before becoming a patient herself. They discuss the emotional and practical challenges of navigatin...

In this episode of the Patient from Hell podcast, we speak with Dr. Milana Dolezal, an oncologist from Stanford University, and learn about cutting-edge advancements in cancer treatments, particularly antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and precision medicine. Dr. Dolezal shares her journey from childhood inspiration to a career in oncology, the evolution of cancer therapies, and how recent innovation...

Chris Schuler opens up about his experience as a caregiver, navigating the challenges of neurodegeneration, particularly his father’s glioblastoma diagnosis. He shares the emotional turmoil, confusion, along with the overwhelming process of navigating the healthcare system. The conversation underscores the importance of raising awareness and understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and their im...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Eneida Nemecek, a pediatric oncologist specializing in bone marrow transplants and cellular therapies. Dr. Nemecek provides an in-depth look at the science behind these treatments, the process patients go through, and the challenges faced by both patients and caregivers. She emphasizes the importance of caregiver well-being, particularly sleep, and discusses a PC...

In this episode of the Patient From Hell, Samira sits down with Megan-Claire Chase, known in the cancer community as "Warrior Megsy." Megan-Claire shares her deeply personal experience of navigating breast cancer and its aftermath. From managing the physical and emotional toll of treatment to finding new ways to regain a sense of self, Megan-Claire offers a powerful account of resilience, self-adv...

In this episode of the Patient From Hell, we talk to Mike and Megan Scherer, a couple who faced fertility challenges after Mike's testicular cancer diagnosis at age 26. They share their personal journey through cancer treatment, fertility preservation, and eventually becoming parents through assisted reproductive technologies. The Scherers also discuss their non-profit organization, Worth the...

In this captivating episode of "The Patient From Hell" podcast, Dr. Sydney Barned shares her unique perspective as both a practicing physician and a seven-and-a-half-year survivor of stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr. Barned offers invaluable insights into the challenges of navigating a cancer diagnosis, the importance of patient advocacy, and the gaps in understanding betwe...

In this episode, we hear the remarkable story of Wenora Johnson, a three-time cancer survivor who faced the challenges of job loss, single motherhood, and pursuing an education, all while navigating her diagnoses. Wenora shares her experiences with warmth, humor, and wisdom, offering valuable insights for anyone facing adversity. We delve into the cultural taboos surrounding cancer in her communit...

In this episode we speak with Roger Royse, a Silicon Valley lawyer and pancreatic cancer patient. Roger shares his experience navigating the healthcare system, discussing his approach to treatment, the emotional challenges he faced, and the insights he gained along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being proactive, questioning assumptions, and seeking multiple medical opinions. Roger also d...

In this episode we speak with Bellinda King-Kallimanis, PhD, an expert in oncology research and patient advocacy. Bellinda shares her diverse experience in the field, from academia to the FDA and now her role at LUNGevity Foundation. The conversation covers various aspects of lung cancer, including screening procedures, risk factors, and common misconceptions. Bellinda emphasizes the importance of...