Cancerwise Podcast

Patients with head and neck cancer often face challenging treatment side effects that can impact speaking, swallowing, taste and nutrition. These changes can affect everyday life and emotional well-being. Kate Hutcheson, Ph. D., and Clifton David Fuller, M.D., Ph. D., discuss how personalized supportive care can help preserve function and improve quality of life.

Many cancer patients may expect life to go back to “normal” once treatment ends but life after cancer can involve physical, emotional and social challenges. Michael Roth, M.D., and Wendy Girbach discuss myths and misconceptions of survivorship and strategies to help survivors thrive.

A recent American Cancer Society study found the rate of cancer incidence for women under 50 has risen above men’s. Therese Bevers, M.D., and Abenaa Brewster, M.D., share what symptoms women should look for and why regular cancer screenings, such as mammograms and Pap tests, are so important to find cancer early, when it's easiest to treat.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are effective treatments for certain cancers, such as lung and colorectal cancer. However, they frequently cause skin-related side effects that can impact patient quality of life and adherence to treatment. Anisha Patel, M.D., and Christine Parseghian, M.D., discuss why these skin side effects occur, introduce a potential new treatment option, and...

Cell therapy is an emerging treatment option for patients with certain types of blood cancers, such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph. D., and Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph. D., break down the different ways to engineer cells for certain disease types and discuss the advancements that may help patients get treatment sooner.

Many members of the sandwich generation struggle with caring for a parent with cancer while also raising their own children. Senior social work counselors Tatiana Fincham and Mary Dev provide advice on how to manage the many responsibilities parents and caregivers encounter, and share personal experiences.

Fatigue is the most common side effect reported among cancer patients, but there are ways to manage and possibly improve symptoms. Carmen Escalante, M.D., explains why it’s so important for patients to talk to their doctors who can help them cope.

A cancer patient’s diagnosis impacts their entire network of loved ones, including caregivers. Catherine Powers, Ph. D., and Aimee Christie, Ph. D., share tips for preventing and managing the emotional and physical difficulties that many caregivers face.

Incorporating walking into your daily routine is an easy way to exercise and gain health benefits, including reducing your risk of diseases like cancer. Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph. D., explains how to get started and strategies to make it a long-term habit.

Research shows the gut microbiome is critical to our overall health and can improve a patient’s response to cancer treatment. Jennifer Wargo, M.D., and Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph. D., discuss the latest findings in this field and share strategies for changing your gut microbiome, including diet.

Research shows the gut microbiome is critical to our overall health and can improve a patient’s response to cancer treatment. Jennifer Wargo, M.D., and Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph. D., discuss the latest findings in this field and share strategies for changing your gut microbiome, including diet.

Coping with a cancer diagnosis can invoke an array of emotions while navigating appointments, medications and other cancer treatment-related responsibilities. Erica Taylor, M.D., shares why mental health checkups are important for patients and caregivers.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive cancer often excluded from clinical trials. Rachel Layman, M.D., and Bora Lim, M.D., discuss the importance of research in this field and what’s on the horizon for clinical trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Grace Kao, Ph. D., and Saba Javed, M.D., discuss how mental health can impact pain management and share strategies that patients can use to cope.

Jennifer Litton, M.D., discusses lung cancer research and clinical trials with Lauren Byers, M.D. Their chat turns personal when Dr. Litton recalls asking Dr. Byers about her father's diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer.

A cancer diagnosis upends lives and can have a major impact on long-term plans that patients have yet to consider. Preserving fertility should be one of the first things you talk about with your doctor. Reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Laurie McKenzie, M.D., explains why and what questions patients should ask.

Colon cancer is on the rise among young adults in the United States. What do you need to know about the disease, and who is it affecting? Colorectal surgical oncologist Y. Nancy You, M.D., shares important information everyone should know.

Head and neck cancer patients face unique quality-of-life issues that can affect breathing, talking, hearing, vision and swallowing. Ehab Hanna, M.D., shares advice for how to manage these issues before, during and after treatment.

Anisha Patel is an associate professor of Dermatology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. As we approach summer, Dr. Patel will share some advice about sun safety for skin cancer survivors.

Many people think they can put cancer behind they when they’re done with treatment. But that’s not true. In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, Michael Roth, M.D., discusses survivorship and some of the challenges cancer survivors face.

Research has shown meditation can benefit cancer patients as they go through treatment. So what is meditation and how does it work? Senior Mind/Body Intervention Specialist Smitha Mallaiah explains how it can help and guides listeners through a meditation practice.

Tim Yap, M.B.B.S., Ph. D. discusses abstracts 3005, 3018 and 2507 being presented by MD Anderson researchers at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting.