Let's Talk Cancer

This episode talks with Amanda Rice, CEO of an incredible company called Chick Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to fertility preservation for patients with cancer. Amanda Rice: Amanda Rice was a former cancer patient and now CEO of the Chick Mission. The idea "hatched" when Amanda's fertility preservation coverage was denied by her insurance company. Staring down a...

This episode talks with Lauren Shea, MSW, a social worker and cancer survivor herself who unpacks the types of supportive services available to patients with a special focus on fostering support for patients who are single, widowed or divorced. Specifically we discuss: What is Supportive care? Whole person care- care that not only treats the cancer but also improves the quality of life of the pers...

This episode talks with Dr. Anna Levin, who explains how cancer can impact sexual functioning, people’s relationships with their bodies around sex and some of the ways people can get treatment. She emphasizes that these side effects are common but often not spoken about and hopes to encourage people to start talking about it- with their doctors, partners, friends or other people who share a cancer...

This episode talks with Dr. Lauren Boreta about the different types of radiation treatment, the common side effects and common questions people have about radiation. Specifically we discuss: What is radiation treatment? High intensity X-rays that damage DNA of cancer cells and induce oxygen free radicals to preferentially kill cancer cells What is a gray? Fraction? Gray- the dose that the body fee...

This episode talks with Dr. Natalie Marshall, who explains how exercise can prevent cancer as well as improve side effects and prevent recurrence for patients with cancer. Specifically we discuss: What are basic recommendations for patients with cancer and exercise? Continue to what you did prior to diagnosis Something is better than nothing How much exercise? 3 hours of moderate intensity exercis...

This episode talks with Greta Macaire, a registered dietician, who explains how nutrition plays a role during cancer treatment and preventing cancer or cancer recurrence Specifically we discuss: What are basic Principles of Nutrition and cancer? - Keeping up with nutrition needs during cancer care by eating frequent small meals, Prioritize Nutrient Dense foods - Improving overall health: Plant bas...

This episode talks with Dr. Kavita Mishra, an integrative oncologist, who explains how you can integrate many other aspects of health and wellbeing to supplement medical care to improve quality of life and cancer risk Integrative oncology topics include nutrition, physical activity, mind-body practices, yoga, sleep hygiene, acupuncture, bodywork therapy, guided imagery, meditation and more! Specif...

This episode talks about with two social workers, Erin Schwartz and Rachel Dornhelm, who work at the UCSF Cancer Center. Specifically we discuss how social workers help with both the logistical aspects of cancer care (lodging, travel, employment) as well as the emotional aspect of a cancer diagnosis (mental health resources, advanced care planning, finding a support group). Find a social worker in...

This episode talks about with an incredible palliative care doctor who specializes in symptom management during cancer. We talk about how to reduce the symptom burden during cancer care to improve quality of life. Specifically we discuss: Cancer related pain therapies Improving cancer fatigue, sleep Benefits of massage therapy, acupuncture, exercise, pyschedelics What is a palliative care speciali...

This episode talks in detail about chemotherapy and what the most common side effects are (fatigue, nausea, hair loss, low blood counts). She gives great tips about how to combat nausea, and when you should be concerned about your symptoms (fever, shortness of breathe, loss of consciousness) and more!  Ana I. Velázquez Mañana, MD Dr. Ana Velázquez Mañana will be joining the thoracic oncology...

This episode talks about practical tips for preparing for cancer treatments including answering the following questions: What is a port? How to take care of your port at home? What is a day at the infusion center like? Some key takeaways include: Ask for lidocaine cream to help make days at the infusion center less painful Wear lose fitting or button down clothing for easier access to your port Su...

This episode outlines the different cancer treatment modalities including radiation, surgery and systemic therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy).  Shagun Arora, MD Dr. Shagun Arora is an hematologist-oncologist (blood cancer doctor) who specializes in the care for patients with cancerous and noncancerous blood disorders at the University of California...

What is cancer? This episode talks about what cancer is, how it is diagnosed and staged.  Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd Dr. Sam Brondfield is an oncologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he treats patients who are hospitalized with cancer. He received his undergraduate degree at from Harvard University and went to UCSF for his medical school, residency and oncology fell...

Jordyn Silverstein, MD host of this podcast introduces what the podcast is all about, take a listen!