Bladder Cancer Matters

In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs is joined by the esteemed Dr. Ashish Kamat of MD Anderson Cancer Center to dive into the often-overlooked world of histologic subtypes, or variants, of bladder cancer. These rare subtypes can significantly alter how bladder cancer behaves and responds to treatment. Dr. Kamat breaks down the science behind these variants in a way that's bo...

Join Bladder Cancer Matters host Rick Bangs as he sits down with BCAN CEO Andrea Maddox-Smith, who reflects on her remarkable tenure leading the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. From dramatically increasing research funding to building a powerhouse team and expanding programs, Andrea has transformed BCAN into a vital lifeline for bladder cancer patients and families. Hear her personal journey, her...

Discover how groundbreaking advancements in bladder cancer care are transforming lives in our latest Bladder Cancer Matters podcast episode! Host Rick Bangs kicks off BCAN's 20th anniversary "Partners in Progress" series with Karishma Parikh of Ferring Pharmaceuticals . Learn about Adstiladrin, an innovative gene therapy offering hope and bladder preservation for some patients with high-risk, BCG-...

What if bladder cancer treatment could spare your bladder and transform your life? In this must-listen episode of  Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs dives deep with Dr. Roger Li, a leading urologic oncologist, to explore revolutionary advancements in bladder-sparing therapies, the emotional journey of patients, and life-changing options that weren't available just a few years ago. Hear how...

Join host Rick Bangs and expert Dr. Kent Mouw, a radiation oncologist from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, as they dive deep into the transformative role of radiation therapy in treating bladder cancer. From debunking myths about radiation to exploring cutting-edge advancements like adaptive radiation and personalized treatment plans, this episode offers a comprehensive lo...

In this insightful episode of Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs engages with Dr. Marc Bjurlin, a leading urologic oncologist and smoking cessation advocate, to explore the profound link between smoking and bladder cancer. Timed with the Great American Smokeout 2024, the episode delves into how smoking increases cancer risks, the rise of e-cigarettes, and the challenges of quitting. Dr. Bjur...

In this compelling episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs speaks with Cindy McCreery, a screenwriter and professor, and Ryan Cooper, an actor and producer, about their powerful new film, I'll Be There. The movie tells the story of Cindy's brother's battle with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, inspired by her experience as his caregiver and his journey to survivorship with a neobladder....

In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs speaks with Dr. Armine Smith, Director of Urologic Oncology at Sibley Memorial Hospital and a leading expert in bladder cancer. They dive deep into the significant disparities in bladder cancer diagnosis and outcomes between men and women, exploring the biological, socioeconomic, and healthcare-related factors behind these differences. Dr...

In this informative episode of Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs welcomes back Dr. Ashish Kamat, an expert in urology and bladder cancer research from MD Anderson Cancer Center. They dive into the latest updates on BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) and its crucial role in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Dr. Kamat provides an insightful overview of BCG's effectiveness, the current...

In this compelling Bladder Cancer Matters episode, host Rick Bangs sits down with David McKenzie, a bladder cancer survivor, who shares his deeply personal and inspiring journey. From the initial shock of diagnosis to navigating multiple treatments, including the new, FDA-approved ANKTIVA, David opens up about the emotional and physical challenges he faced along the way. He offers invaluable advic...

In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters , host Rick Bangs sits down with Sarah Paul, Senior Director of Social Work at Cancer Care , to discuss the vital support services offered through Cancer Care's partnership with BCAN. Sarah explains how Cancer Care provides free, professional assistance for bladder cancer patients, caregivers, and families, covering emotional, practical, and financial chal...

In this compelling episode of "Bladder Cancer Matters," host Rick Bangs revisits a vital conversation with Dr. Bernard Bochner from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. They dive into the findings of a groundbreaking quality of life survey involving over 400 bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Dr. Bochner shares insights on how urinary diversions impact physical, sexual, a...

Meet Tim Stanley, a retired educator and two-time cancer survivor who faced a shocking bladder cancer diagnosis after battling thyroid and neuroendocrine tumors. In this heartfelt episode of "Bladder Cancer Matters," Tim shares his journey from an unexpected diagnosis to the life-altering decision of a radical cystectomy. He talks about the emotional rollercoaster, finding the right doctor, and th...

In a rerelease of a highly popular 2021 "Bladder Cancer Matters" podcast, Rick Bangs sits down with Dr. Ashish Kamat to dive deep into the critical aspects of managing bladder cancer risks. From understanding the stages and grades of tumors to discussing the potential for progression and the role of surgeries like TURBT and radical cystectomy, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone impacted...

In this powerful episode of " Bladder Cancer Matters ," Frank Boyer takes us on an unfiltered journey through his diagnosis of stage IV bladder cancer, revealing the raw reality of facing such a life-altering challenge. He shares how he navigated the overwhelming decisions about treatment and the critical importance of building an exceptional medical team that became his lifeline. Frank's candid d...

In Part 3 of our three-part podcast about radical cystectomies, Dr. Sia Daneshmand, a leading bladder cancer specialist, shares vital insights on the radical cystectomy process. He covers pre-surgery preparations, including clinic visits, chemotherapy, meeting with a stoma nurse, nutrition, quitting smoking, and pelvic floor physical therapy. Dr. Daneshmand emphasizes the importance of pre-habilit...

Tune into Parts 2 of 3 part episode about what to expect with a radical cystectomy, where Rick Bangs interviews Dr. Sia Daneshmand on the intricate aspects of the surgery. Discover insights on surgery duration, hospital stays, pain management, and post-surgery activities. Dr. Daneshmand shares the significance of early mobilization and the various types of urinary diversions, highlighting that sur...

Join Dr. Sia Daneshmand, a renowned bladder cancer specialist, as he delves into the comprehensive process and expectations surrounding radical cystectomy in part 1 of this fascinating 3-part podcast episode. Dr. Daneshmand covers the critical steps from pre-surgery clinic visits, chemotherapy, and clinical trials, to essential preparations like meeting with a stoma nurse, nutrition and weight man...

Dive into the deeply personal and inspiring story of Liliana Martin, a bladder cancer survivor, on this episode of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast. Join us as Liliana candidly shares her journey from the initial shock of her diagnosis to the tough decisions she faced, including surgery and chemotherapy. Discover how she navigated the emotional and physical challenges with resilience, using uniq...

In this episode of "Bladder Cancer Matters," host Rick Bangs interviews Dr. Khurshid Guru, Chair of the Department of Urology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and a pioneer in robotic-assisted bladder cancer surgery. Dr. Guru discusses his popular book, "A Patient's Guide to Bladder Cancer," which provides comprehensive information for patients and their families about the disease and i...

Tune in to the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with Frank Sadowski, a survivor of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and neobladder recipient.   Frank shares his gripping journey from diagnosis to recovery, revealing the raw challenges he faced, including enormous fatigue, digestive issues, and even hallucinations after his radical cystectomy. Discover the em...

In this captivating episode of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast, host Rick Bangs delves into the intricacies of upper tract urothelial carcinoma with renowned experts Dr. Jeannie Hoffman-Censits and Dr. Phil Pierorazio. Together, they explore the complexities of diagnosing and treating this challenging disease, offering valuable insights into patient prognosis. The discussion highlights cutting-...

Tune in to Episode 70 of Bladder Cancer Matters podcast in which Howard L., a bladder cancer survivor and recovering alcoholic, candidly shares his inspiring journey. Howard discusses his battle with alcoholism, the pivotal role Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) played in his recovery, and his challenging path to a bladder cancer diagnosis, including the critical steps of misdiagnosis and the pursuit of a...

Join us on the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast as host Rick Bangs interviews Dr. Bishoy Faltas, director of Bladder Cancer Research at the Englander Institute of Precision Medicine at Weill Cornell. Dive into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing and treating bladder cancer. From automated technologies in everyday life to advanced applications in diagnostics and pati...

Join us for an enlightening episode of Bladder Cancer Matters with Dr. Donald Lamm, a trailblazer in bladder cancer treatment and the driving force behind the groundbreaking Lamm Protocol. Discover the journey of BCG immunotherapy from its inception in the 1970s to becoming a the gold standard in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer care. Delve into Dr. Lamm's insights on the nuances of BCG therapy,...