Cancer Care Connections

Cancer changes more than your body. It can shake your sense of control, rewrite your identity, and make everyday life feel like it’s happening in a different language than everyone else is speaking.    We sit down with the Virginia Oncology Associates oncology social work team to talk plainly about mental health during the cancer journey for both patients and caregivers. We walk through the emotio...

We sit down with Dr. Gary Simmons and Fred Varewyck to explain CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma and what it can mean for deeper remission and real time away from treatment. Dr. Gary Simmons unpacks how CAR T works, why it’s a major advancement in blood cancer care, and what “treatment-free time” can look like when it succeeds.    We also get specific about the lived experience. Fred walks t...

Cancer doesn’t just change lab results; it reshapes daily life. Our Virginia Oncology Associates Social Work team opens the door to whole-person care, starting at diagnosis. They show how early outreach, clear planning, and steady advocacy can turn fear into manageable steps. They share how they coordinate transportation, housing, grants, insurance, and disability applications while offering the k...

Forget the old narrative that lung cancer belongs only to smokers. We open the door to a different reality: a rising number of women, many in their 30s to 50s, who never smoked, face late-stage diagnoses and limited options. With Dr. John Xie from Virginia Oncology Associates, we break down the biology that sets non-smoker lung cancers apart and the practical steps that can save lives through earl...

Most thyroid cancers are not just treatable; they’re highly curable, and the newest guidelines make the path to cure gentler than ever. We welcome Dr. Michael Miller, radiation oncologist at Virginia Oncology Associates, to break down who thyroid cancer affects, how it’s found, and why the 2025 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines lean into less invasive care without sacrificing outcomes....

When cancer enters the room, clarity can vanish. We dive straight into that moment—what gets heard, what gets lost, and how mental health care can restore focus when everything tilts. With medical oncologist Dr. Nina Balanchivadze, palliative care psychiatrist Dr. Kyle Lavin, and patient Melissa, we map the real terrain: shock at diagnosis, sleepless nights, caregiver overload, survivor guilt, and...

A shattered helmet, a rebuilt face, and a diagnosis that changed everything...Kevin Johnson’s story grabs you by the hand and walks you from crisis to clarity. We sit down with the longtime educator turned advocate to unpack the hard-won lessons he learned after a near-fatal cycling crash that led to the discovery of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and, later, a rare eye involvement that many clinici...

The future of cancer care is happening right now through clinical research, and patients in Hampton Roads have front-row access to these groundbreaking treatments at Virginia Oncology Associates (VOA).   Wendi Gobhardt, Director of Research Operations, and Chris Morris, Clinical Research Manager, reveal how clinical trials work and why they matter. With backgrounds deeply rooted in cancer care, We...

One of the most powerful tools in cancer prevention is sitting right in front of us, yet many of us delay using it. Dr. Edwin Lee, gastroenterologist with Capital Digestive Care, joins us to demystify colon cancer screening and explain why catching this disease early changes everything.    Dr. Lee takes us through the critical importance of colon cancer screening and the significant guideline chan...

Dr. Yue Zhang breaks down the complex world of GI malignancies, explaining how colorectal, pancreatic, liver, esophageal, and stomach cancers each present unique challenges. She explains why these cancers are often detected too late—when treatment options become limited—and how proper screening can dramatically change outcomes.    While screening guidelines continue evolving, Dr. Zhang emphasizes...

What if understanding your genetic makeup could transform your approach to health care? Genetic testing is revolutionizing how we approach hereditary cancer risks, offering hope for prevention and personalized care. Dr. Ranjit Goudar shares insights on the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at Virginia Oncology Associates, emphasizing individualized approaches and the importance of genetic counseling for in...

Join us as we welcome Gina Bright, an infusion nurse and remarkable author. She offers a heartfelt narrative about her early encounters with AIDS patients amid the fear and stigma of the 1980s and shines a light on the compassion and resilience required in nursing. Her unique blend of caregiving and literary talent offers an enlightening perspective on the vital role nurses play in the healthcare...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Jacob Hall, a radiation oncologist at Virginia Oncology Associates (VOA). Dr. Hall is on a mission to bring the technological advances of oncology into the realm of osteoarthritis management to VOA, offering an alternative that provides lasting pain relief without the invasiveness of surgery. Discover how six sessions of low-dose radiation treatmen...

Experience the advances in cancer treatment with Dr. Michael Miller from Virginia Oncology Associates as he shares his inspiring journey into the field of medicine, rooted in the influence of his sister’s nursing career. Discover the game-changing technologies revolutionizing radiation oncology, such as the TrueBeam Varian Linear Accelerator. Dr. Miller provides an in-depth look at how these advan...

Ever wondered how simple lifestyle changes can drastically reduce your cancer risk? On this episode of Cancer Care Connections, Cheryl sits down with Dr. Ligeng Tian from Virginia Oncology Associates to uncover the powerful role of healthy habits in cancer prevention. Dr. Tian shares practical advice on embracing a plant-based diet, incorporating whole grains, and steering clear of processed and r...

How can young women facing breast cancer preserve their dreams of motherhood? Discover the essential insights from Dr. Nina Balanchivadze of Virginia Oncology Associates as she shares her profound expertise in oncofertility and the critical importance of preserving ovarian function amidst cancer treatments. Dr. B delves into the rising trend of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer and...

During this episode, we sat down with Dr. Devin Miller, a gynecologic oncologist with Virginia Oncology Associates. Our conversation was not only informative but also a call to action for women to become advocates for their health. Dr. Miller's dedication to her field is obvious as she discusses the complexities of fighting cancers unique to the female reproductive system and shares breakthro...

When Kara DeMott's sister-in-law faced leukemia, it ignited a passion in Kara that transformed her career path, leading her to combine her love for emergency medicine with the world of oncology. In our latest episode, Kara, a dedicated Physician Assistant at Virginia Oncology Associates, candidly shares her experience in creating an urgent care program for cancer patients. By offering immedia...

Discover the transformative advances in treatment as Dr. Graham Watson of Virginia Oncology Associates sheds light on the power of personalized medicine in the battle against cancer. His passion for the subject is evident, as he navigates the complexities of cutting-edge therapies like immunotherapy and targeted treatment. Not only do these innovative approaches offer a tailored fit to individuals...

Discover the groundbreaking strides made in the fight against lung cancer as we welcome Dr. Christopher Paschold from Virginia Oncology Associates to share his expertise on the latest in cancer treatment and screening. Our conversation sheds light on the silent progression of non-small cell lung cancer and the critical role early detection plays in improving outcomes. Dr. Paschold emphasizes the i...

Do you wonder how to navigate the holiday season while battling a cancer diagnosis? Join us as we seek answers in a holiday edition of Cancer Care Connections with Susan Miller and Andrea Edwards from Virginia Oncology Associates. These women are here to provide some much-needed guidance on combating stress during the holiday season. They offer an assortment of strategies, from practicing meditati...

Early detection and self-advocacy are the keys to combating prostate cancer. As a medical oncologist, as well as president of Virginia Oncology Associates, Dr. Fleming not only shares his professional insights but also his personal journey dealing with prostate cancer. He emphasizes the importance of the PSA test, which plays a critical role in early diagnosis.  Dr. Mark T. Fleming is board-certif...

On this week’s episode of Cancer Care Connections, Cheryl Tan discusses with Dr. Sonia Hepburn, hematologist oncologist for Virginia Oncology Associates, the pros and cons of genetic testing, specifically as it relates to breast cancer and other associated cancers.     Dr. Sonia Hepburn received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. She received her medical degree...

On this week’s episode of Cancer Care Connections, Cheryl Tan discusses with Tifany Lewis, the important role genetic counselors play in the genetic testing process. They also discuss how genetic testing in the oncology setting provides personalized testing based on medical and family history vs the one-size-fits-all approach you get with the direct-to-consumer tests ordered online.  Tifany Lewis,...

On this week’s episode of Cancer Care Connections, Cheryl Tan spoke with Dr. Gary Simmons.  Dr. Simmons is a hematologist oncologist and part of the transplant and cellular therapy team for Virginia Oncology Associates. Cheryl and Dr. Simmons dove into CAR T-cell therapy, how it is a revolutionary treatment for fighting blood cancer, and how continued research of CAR T could change the landscape o...