Cancer Aware

Andrew Sweeney, now 35, was aware of his risk for colorectal cancer – his mother had had been diagnosed with it when she was 41. When he was 31, a CT scan at University of Michigan Health’s University Hospital revealed that Sweeney had a mass in his colon and potential metastases in his liver and lymph nodes. A colonoscopy confirmed that he had stage 4 colorectal cancer. After 1.5 years of chemoth...

After a patient has a biopsy, the samples are sent to pathology to determine if it is cancerous or not as well as how aggressive it might be. Many patients will see their results before hearing from the medical team in their patient portal – leaving them anxious or confused on what it all means. Pathologist, Dr. Cathyrn Lapedis, talks about the role of pathology in a patient’s care plan, as well a...

Those with an elevated prostate-specific antigen test are referred for a biopsy of their prostate to help diagnose prostate cancer or other prostate concerns. This can bring anxiety and discomfort for the patient.  Dr. Chad Ellimoottil, a urologist and division chief of men’s health and reconstruction at Michigan Medicine, shares information on prostate biopsies. He discusses those who need i...

When treating for localized prostate cancer, surgery and radiation are usually what people hear about. However, there are other treatments that could be options under a heading of focal therapy. Dr. Andrew Wood, a urologic oncologist with the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center’s Weiser Center for Prostate Cancer talks about these options and which patients could benefit from them. P...

Four University of Michigan faculty members have served as president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a rare distinction that only two other institutions can claim. ASCO is the world's leading professional organization for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer. In this episode, Nicole Fawcett, director of communications for the Rogel Cancer Center, sat do...

In the United States, unnecessary tests and treatments not only drive-up health care costs but may also contribute to a waste of valuable resources and avoidable patient harms. Today we talk with Michigan Medicine assistant professor of surgery Dr. Lesly Dossett, M.D., MPH about an effort to reduce such practices through a process called de-implementation. You can learn more about Dr. Dossett here...

In recent years, researchers have been studying the relationship between pets and overall cancer patient health outcomes. Today we talk with University of Michigan investigators Dr. Nina Francis-Levin, Ph. D., MSW, and Dr. Jess Francis-Levin, Ph. D. who are taking a closer look at this relationship within in the LBGT community. You can learn more about Dr. Nina Francis-Levin here . You can learn m...

On this episode of Cancer Aware, we are talking with Maria Silveira who is a palliative care specialist at Michigan Medicine and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs. She has over 20 years of experience working in the hospital and in clinic, taking care of patients with serious illness, supporting them and their families through what is often the toughest time of their lives. She helps train the next ge...

It’s estimated that one in three Americans experience medical cost distress, and many fear the high cost of debt will leave them financially destitute. As a result, many may decline needed treatments or therapies. Here to address this issue is Dr. Mark Fendrick , Professor of Internal Medicine and Professor of Health Management and Policy in the U-M School of Public Health. Dr. Fendrick directs th...

Drs. Elena Stoffel and Jennifer Griggs , co-principal investigators of the Michigan Genetic Hereditary Testing (MiGHT) Study, discuss the importance of knowing your family health history. Additional resources: MiGHT Study Family History Tool Rogel Cancer Center Genetics Genetic Testing For Inherited Risk For Cancer The transcript can be found here . Cancer Aware is a part of the Michigan Medicine...

Michigan Medicine neurosurgeon, Nicholas Szerlip , discusses cancer metastasis to the spine and how the Rogel Cancer Center is addressing this through their Metastatic Spine Oncology clinic . The transcript can be found here . Cancer Wise is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network . You can subscribe to the Cancer Wise podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Stitcher or wherever you...

In this episode, head and neck surgical oncologist Andrew G. Shuman, M.D., FACS, HEC-C , discuses the current cancer drug shortages and how they’re impacting patient care nationwide. Additional resources: https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/news/archive/combatting-critical-drug-shortages The transcript can be found here . Cancer Wise is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network . You can subsc...

University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center , surgical oncologist, Dr. Melissa Pilewskie , sits down and talks to us about surgical options for breast cancer . The focus being on helping women determine whether lumpectomy or mastectomy is appropriate for them and their type of breast cancer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

University of Michigan School of Public Health professor, Dana Dolinoy, explains the role of epigenetics in environmental exposures and health. The epigenome is the instruction book that tells our genes when and how to turn on - and how to react to environmental influences. Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center and School of Public Health are studying how changes in...

Fourth-year radiation oncology resident Dr. Jamie Takayesu, discusses her research on whether health care providers talk to women receiving radiation for genitourinary cancer about sexual health and function as much as they do men. Listen to her break down the multifaceted disparity and suggests some potential solutions to bridge the gap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center urological oncologist, Lindsey Herrel, MD , discusses what people should know about bladder cancer.   Additional resources: https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/bladder-cancer Bladder cancer awareness video: https://youtu.be/79mooyzh3eM   The transcript for this episode can be found here .   Cancer Wise is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podca...

Lynn Henry, M.D., Ph. D., disease lead of the Rogel Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Program, discusses metastatic breast cancer. This is the process of breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, including bones, liver, lung, and brain.   Additional resources: Breast Cancer Metastases:   https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/breast-cancer/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-m...

In 2011, Ruth was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Understanding that it is an incurable disease, she puts her best foot forward by starting each day with gratitude, receiving her treatment, and staying healthy. She cherishes the opportunity it is to wake up each day and choose her inner strength. This is her story and advice to others. Additional resource: rogelcancercenter.org/multiple-myeloma T...

University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center’s Cancer AnswerLine and infusion nurse, Christie Bryne, talks about multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer.   Additional resources:  www.rogelcancercenter.org/multiple-myeloma The transcript for this episode can be found here .   Cancer Wise is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network . You can subscribe to the Cancer Wise...

University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center physician assistant, Maureen Pickle, talks about screening, treatment and understanding one’s risk for colon and rectal cancer.   Additional resources: www.rogelcancercenter.org/colorectal-colon-cancer https://youtu.be/CnlT-s0xdHs The transcript for this episode can be found here .   Cancer Wise is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast...

University of Michigan Health thoracic surgeon, Dr. Rishi Reddy , discusses treatment options and prevention for lung cancer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

University of Michigan Health surgical oncologist, Dr. Hari Nathan , talks about pancreatic cancer treatment options and diagnosis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

University of Michigan Health breast oncologist, Dr. Erin Cobain discusses breast cancer risk, treatment and the importance of understanding family history . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

University of Michigan Health, hepatologist, Dr. Neehar Parkih sits down and discusses liver cancer diagnosis and treatment options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. John Krauss , medical director of the multidisciplinary colorectal cancer clinic at the Rogel Cancer Center talks about how detection for colon and rectal cancer are similar while their treatment options can be different. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.