Cancerwise Podcast

Do you know any men who avoid going to the doctor? Lisly Chéry, M.D., and Amy Hassan, M.D., discuss men’s health problems, important cancer screenings and tactics to help convince your loved ones to get the care they need.

Hannah Kahn was a newlywed marathon runner when she suffered a sudden seizure. Diagnosed with astrocytoma just two days before her 32nd birthday, Hannah talks about recovering from her brain tumor surgery and her survivorship experience with Adolescent and Young Adult Program Director Wendy Girbach. They explore topics like fertility planning, enduring treatment side effects like hair loss, and th...

Lung cancer treatment is evolving, with combination therapies providing a more personalized approach to care. Lauren Byers, M.D., and Ferdinandos Skoulidis, M.D., Ph. D., discuss how targeted therapy and immunotherapy are being used together to improve outcomes, the importance of biomarkers in guiding treatment decisions and new advances in KRAS research. They also explore the growing role of pers...

Have you ever wondered if UPF clothing is an effective way to prevent skin cancer? UT MD Anderson dermatologists Susan Chon, M.D., and Hung Doan, M.D., Ph. D., talk about how sun protective clothing works and why you should consider incorporating sunglasses, hats and items like driving gloves or sleeves into your daily sun safety plan.

Accurate diagnosis and staging are critical for optimizing bladder cancer treatment outcomes. Ashish Kamat, M.D., professor of Urology, and Matt Campbell, M.D, associate professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, discuss how bladder cancer is diagnosed, treatment options and bladder preservation strategies in muscle-invasive and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Cancer research is moving fast, and emerging biomarkers can help inform and accelerate the pace of clinical trials, bringing new cancer treatments to patients more rapidly. Chief Scientific Officer Albert Koong, M.D., Ph. D., and Systems Biology Chair Nick Navin, Ph. D., discuss how new technologies and multimodal data integration are improving precision oncology for advanced cancer care.

Finding the right therapist can make a significant difference in your experience. Erica Taylor, M.D., and Catherine Powers, Ph. D., discuss what to look for and how to get the most out of each session.

Many ovarian cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or surgery still have a small number of cancer cells left in the body, called minimal residual disease (MRD). Amir Jazaeri, M.D., and Roni Nitecki Wilke, M.D., discuss how a minimally invasive procedure called a second-look laparoscopy can help detect MRD, and how clinical trials and immunotherapy could play a role in personalized ovarian canc...

Cancer treatment can affect intimacy and sex for patients and their partners. Clinical psychotherapist Carmella Wygant and advanced practice provider Donna Herrera Bell discuss common culprits and the importance of speaking up about side effects. 

Jennifer Litton, M.D., breast medical oncologist and chief clinical research officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, recently completed radiation therapy after she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Litton and her radiation oncologist Melissa Mitchell, M.D., Ph. D., discuss her experience as a patient undergoing radiation treatment, and how research advancements have led to customized, de...

If persistent, some subtle health symptoms may be cause for gynecologic cancer screening. Pamela Soliman, M.D., and Shannon Westin, M.D., discuss types of cancers in women, such as cervical and ovarian cancer, and the importance of advocating for yourself.  Learn more about Pamela Soliman, M.D.  

If you’re looking for a way to get more active throughout your day, exercise snacks may help get you moving. Health Disparities Researchers Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph. D., and Scherezade Mama, Dr. P.H., talk about how the short bursts of exercise can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness.  Learn more about Scherezade Mama, Dr. P.H.    

Diagnosing appendix cancer can be a challenge. The disease often doesn’t have any symptoms in its earliest stages, and often, patients are initially misdiagnosed. Surgical oncologist Beth Helmink, M.D., Ph. D., and gastrointestinal medical oncologist John Paul Shen, M.D., discuss what’s causing more young adults to get this rare cancer and share the latest treatment advances.  Learn more about Joh...

Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. There are dozens of subtypes of lymphoma, and a correct diagnosis is critical. Jason Westin, M.D., and Sairah Ahmed, M.D., discuss what patients should know when they’re first diagnosed, and possible treatments, including CAR T cell therapy.

Navigating the holiday season while you or a loved one is living with a cancer diagnosis can bring up conflicting emotions like gratitude and stress. Senior Social Work counselors Malory Lee and Traci Newsom discuss ways you can appreciate the holidays and find joy even when faced with cancer.

Leah Phillips was 43 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer after having a persistent cough for several months. Leah shares her treatment experience with Mara Antonoff, M.D., as they discuss why lung cancer should not be considered a smoker’s disease.  Learn more about Mara Antonoff, M.D.  

Andrew Hahn, M.D., and Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph. D., discuss exciting new treatment options for renal cell carcinoma and what makes it different from other kidney cancers.  Learn more about Andrew Hahn, M.D.   Learn more about Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph. D.

Breast cancer surgery can cause many physical and emotional changes throughout the course of treatment. Puneet Singh, M.D., and Deepti Chopra, M.B.B.S., discuss the ways surgery can impact a patient and how providers help patients navigate the changes.  Learn more about Puneet Singh, M.D.   Learn more about Deepti Chopra, M.B.B.S.

Weight loss injection drugs called GLP-1 agonists are gaining popularity for helping people lose weight. Jasmine Sukumar, M.D., and Sonali Thosani, M.D., discuss what effect these drugs can have on cancer patients and what emerging research has found.  Learn more about Sonali Thosani, M.D.     Learn more about Jasmine Sukumar, M.D.

Using nicotine makes youth more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, worsening mental health problems and substance-use disorders. Jennifer Cofer, Dr. P.H., executive director of EndTobacco™, and Mark Moreno, senior vice president for Governmental Relations and Health Policy at MD Anderson Cancer Center, share tips for talking to children and teens about these dangers.

Cancer patients undergoing treatment may wonder if they could benefit from taking vitamins or dietary supplements. Meroë Morse, M.D., and Santhossi Narayanan, M.D., discuss common patient questions and some of the risks supplements pose.  Learn more about Santhosshi Narayanan, M.D.   Learn more about Meroë Morse, M.D.  

Cancer patients often need help and encouragement throughout treatment and survivorship. Clinical Program Manager Lauren Adams and Social Work Counselor Cindy Parker share how you can offer impactful support and why actions are sometimes stronger than words.

Advance care planning is more than just filling out legal forms. Ryan Huey, M.D., and Melanie Cavazos break down the key conversations patients and caregivers should consider to ensure that values, goals and preferences guide medical decisions across all stages of care.

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy seasonal activities, but cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the sun and heat. Radiation oncologist Pamela Schlembach, M.D., and dermatologist Hung Doan, M.D., Ph. D., share hydration and sunscreen tips to help people undergoing cancer treatment stay healthy.

Leukemia includes many different disease types, and unlike most solid tumors, it requires unique approaches to monitor how well treatment works. Naveen Pemmaraju, M.D., and Fadi Haddad, M.D., explain how minimal residual disease, or MRD, is helping doctors monitor leukemia more precisely and personalize treatment. Learn how it’s used across leukemia types and what the future of MRD research could...