Cancer Clear and Simple

Michelle Robinson never expected to hear the words “you have cancer” before 40. In this episode of Cancer Clear and Simple , Michelle shares how bariatric surgery led to the discovery of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The cancer was caught early, without symptoms, and resolved through surgery, followed by oncology care and clear follow up scans. While the outcome was positive, the emotional and...

In this episode of Cancer Clear and Simple , Willie Scott Cooper reflects on caring for his younger brother during the final days of his life after a sudden cancer diagnosis. What unfolds is a story of brotherhood, responsibility, and love carried across a lifetime into hospital rooms, late nights, and moments no family is ever ready for. Willie speaks candidly about caregiving, masculinity, medic...

Care can feel like a private storm—until someone holds the door, sends a goofy gif, or says me too. We sat down with comedian Jesús Trejo at the Carbone Cancer Center’s Fall Cancer Conference to unpack what caregiving really looks like across a lifetime: advocating for an aging parent, showing up through late-stage needs, and learning patience all over again with a six-month-old at home. The threa...

Caregiving changes you. Under the pressure of serious diagnoses and relentless decisions, we talk candidly about what keeps caregivers and clinicians going—and where the system falls short. With Dr. Noelle Loconte, a GI medical oncologist and community outreach leader at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, we unpack the skills that protect empathy, the boundaries that prevent collapse, and the uncomfort...

Caregiving doesn’t pause for work shifts, school pickup, or broken cars—and it definitely doesn’t pause for a two-hour drive to chemo. We sit down with Kelsey Swenson, a pediatric nurse practitioner in hematology and oncology, to talk candidly about the human side of cancer care: the relief of remission, the weight of dual roles, and the countless micro-decisions that shape a family’s survival pla...

Caregivers carry cancer care far beyond the hospital walls. We sit down with Dr. Christian Capitini, acting director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, to explore the unseen work families do—learning medical language on the fly, managing beeping pumps at 2 a.m., navigating insurance snags, and keeping life moving for kids and adults facing treatment. Our conversation pulls back the curtain on what a...

Dr. Monica Patel, medical oncologist at UW Health, shares her expertise on clinical trials in cancer care and the importance of ensuring equitable access for all communities. She challenges common misconceptions while providing practical guidance for patients considering clinical trials as part of their treatment journey. • Clinical trials test new ways to prevent, find, and treat cancer, ensuring...

 What happens when the person designing cancer treatment technology suddenly becomes the patient? In this powerful episode, software engineer Michael Wilson shares his journey from coding radiotherapy machines to battling stage 3 melanoma. He explains cancer in simple terms, reveals how immunotherapy and radiation work, and talks openly about his family’s experiences with leukemia and melanoma. Mi...

Dr. Joshua Lang from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center discusses liquid biopsies, a revolutionary approach that uses simple blood samples to detect and monitor cancer, offering less invasive alternatives to traditional tissue biopsies. • Liquid biopsies detect cancer cells or materials in blood, finding as little as one cancer cell among a billion blood cells • These tests...

Cancer evokes mixed emotions ranging from fear to scientific curiosity, especially for those in medical fields like medical physics where practitioners help develop radiation treatment plans and support imaging technologies. • Medical physics bridges abstract physics concepts with practical healthcare applications • Screening differs from testing - screening is preventative while testing investiga...

What happens when a family of healthcare professionals faces cancer within their own ranks? Ellie, a University of Wisconsin-Madison student who works in a hospital laboratory, opens up about her grandmother's battle with a complex blood cancer diagnosis and the profound choices that followed. The conversation takes us through the deeply personal journey of Ellie's grandmother, who after...

Gary brings his unique perspective as a member of the African-American Cancer Advocacy Board and shares his experiences working with organizations like the Prostate Conditions Education Council. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities in promoting prostate cancer awareness and the critical importance of regular health check-ups. Through honest conversations about family history and t...

Join us for a compelling episode featuring Ms. Andrell Davis, an inspiring educator who has profoundly impacted her community and beyond. As the recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award, Ms. Davis shares her extraordinary journey of teaching her son and his classmates from third to fifth grade, revealing her unique insights into fostering academic growth and engagement. Discover her pion...

Discover what it takes to ensure equity in healthcare with our insightful guest, Dr. Anand Narayan, an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and vice chair of health equity. Dr. Narayan's inspiring journey into radiology began with a focus on mammography screening outreach for indigenous populations and was further shaped by his medical training experiences in Baltimore. These ex...

Discover the inspiring journey of Dr. Erin Bailey, whose personal experiences and family history with breast cancer have fueled her relentless advocacy and transformative work in community health education. Hear her recount the pivotal moments that led her from volunteer advocacy with the Witness Project of Madison to her influential role as the Associate Director for Community Engaged Research at...

Welcome to 'Cancer Clear and Simple,' the podcast dedicated to simplifying cancer. Join us as we navigate the intricate world of cancer, breaking down complex concepts for our listening audience. Our mission is to empower individuals and families dealing with cancer by providing clear, and concise insights. Through expert interviews, personal stories, and practical tips, we unravel medic...

What happens when a nurse's intuition and caregiver's dedication intersect to shape the recovery path for bladder cancer patients? Join us on Cancer Clear and Simple as we welcome Dr. Brandon Sterling, an advanced practice registered nurse with a heartwarming journey from Houston, Texas, to earning a PhD in nursing from Texas Women's University. Learn how the influences of his grand...

In this episode, George Randolph shares his personal experience with cancer, highlighting the challenges he faced in the medical system. He discusses his cancer type and stage, the signs and symptoms he experienced, and the timeline of his diagnosis. George also talks about how he dealt with the diagnosis and the horror story of his biopsy process. He shares his treatment experience, including the...

The Cancer Clear and Simple podcast, hosted by Joshua Wright, introduces the Cancer Health Disparities Initiative (CHDI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center. The CHDI aims to reduce inequities and the cancer burden through research, outreach, education, and training. The conversation explores the underserved populations in Wisconsin, including African Americans, Latinx, Am...