Dr. Chovanec podcast

👉 Free Biopsy Checklist (1 page): Don’t go to your appointment unprepared. Download and print: “Before Prostate Biopsy: 5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Urologist”https://drchovanec.kit.com/30968ddb5c📘 Optional PSA Guide (14 pages):If you want everything organised in one place, this printable guide walks you step-by-step through PSA interpretation, MRI decisions, and biopsy pathways. All inform...

There’s a new blood test being called 94% accurate for prostate cancer. It sounds like a breakthrough. But before you trust that number, you need to understand what it actually means. Because right now, many men are still being sent for biopsy based on a test — PSA — that was never designed to diagnose prostate cancer. And that’s where things start going wrong. In this video, I explain:Why PSA is...

For many men, those words immediately mean one thing:👉 “This is the end.”But that assumption is often wrong. In this video, I explain what metastatic prostate cancer actually means — what is happening inside the body, why it spreads (especially to bone), and how modern treatment has changed what this diagnosis looks like today. We’ll break down:What metastasis really is (and what it is NOT)Why pr...

Spotify Episode Description If you are waking up at night to urinate, dealing with a weak stream, or feeling like your bladder never completely empties, you might be asking yourself the question every man dreads:  "Is this prostate cancer?" In this episode, Dr. Chovanec breaks down the crucial differences between Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. We separate the fac...

Hearing the words "you have cancer" triggers an immediate instinct: cut it out or radiate it. But what if the smartest, safest medical decision you can make is to do absolutely nothing? In this episode, Dr. Chovanec breaks down the paradox of prostate cancer. Because many prostate tumors grow incredibly slowly, rushing into aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation can permanently...

A prostate cancer diagnosis often leads to a single, urgent thought: "Get it out of me." However, rushing this decision can be dangerous, as the treatment you choose today will shape your urinary control, sexual function, and daily life for decades to come. In this episode, we break down how doctors categorize risk—low, intermediate, or high—using PSA levels, Gleason scores, and MRI findings. We e...

The fear of prostate cancer isn't just about survival—it’s about the life that comes after. Will I have an erection again? Will I leak urine? These are the questions that keep men awake at night, yet the answers in the doctor's office are often rushed or incomplete. In this episode,  Dr. Chovanec , associate professor of oncology, breaks down the medical evidence behind post-surgical recov...

Episode Description If you logged into your patient portal tomorrow and saw your PSA rising, what would be your next move?  Most men—and many doctors—panic and rush straight into a blind biopsy. As an oncologist, I see this mistake every day. In this episode, I’m taking off the white coat to share my personal playbook. If my own PSA spiked tomorrow, here is the exact 4-step sequence I would follow...

Episode Description Most men are never told the full truth about prostate cancer screening. When a single PSA test comes back high, the medical "conveyor belt" often kicks into high gear, moving you straight toward a biopsy without a second thought. This is what I call the  Biopsy Trap . In this episode, I explain why a reflex biopsy can lead to "battleship medicine"—a blind sa...

You’ve been told your PSA is “normal” because it’s under 4.0. But what if that number doesn’t tell the full story? For decades, men were reassured that anything below 4.0 ng/mL was safe. Today, we know that prostate cancer risk is far more nuanced. PSA must be interpreted in context — including age, prostate volume, PSA density, and changes over time. In this episode, I explain: • Why the 4.0 cuto...

Many people notice symptoms like blood in the stool or changes in bowel habits and assume it’s “just hemorrhoids” or something benign. Most of the time, that assumption is correct — but sometimes, it’s exactly how colon cancer gets missed. In this episode, I walk through the  most common warning signs of colon cancer  that people tend to ignore, explain why early colon cancer is often silent, and...

Prostate supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry — and many men take them hoping to protect their prostate or lower their cancer risk. In this episode, I explain what the evidence actually shows. We talk about vitamin E, saw palmetto, vitamin D, lycopene, green tea extracts, and why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe or helpful. I also discuss an important lab-testing issue that can mislea...

You can’t control your age. You can’t control your genetics. But you  can  control what you eat — every single day. In this episode,  Dr. Chovanec , a medical oncologist, explains the  practical nutrition strategy  he discusses with patients concerned about prostate cancer risk and rising PSA levels. This is not about fad diets or selling supplements. It’s about the  chemistry of food  — and how w...

We are told the PSA test is a simple lifesaver. But for 12 out of 13 men, it can lead to a "trap" of unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, and permanent side effects. In this episode, Dr. Michal Chovanec reveals the hidden risks of prostate cancer screening that most doctors don't have time to explain. You will learn why a "high number" doesn't always mean cancer, and the exac...

Is your daily vitamin routine actually helping you, or are you just creating "expensive urine"? 🚽💊 In this episode, Dr. Chovanec breaks down the uncomfortable truth about the supplement industry. Many of us take pills in good faith, believing we are investing in our longevity, but without the right knowledge, we might be wasting money—or worse, risking our health. We cover the 5 major...

Every month, millions of women put their hands under a UV or LED lamp to get their gel manicure. We are told it's just light. We are told it's safe. But as an oncologist, I don't see a beauty tool. I see a miniature tanning bed for your fingers. In this episode, Dr. Chovanec breaks down the controversial 2023 study from UC San Diego that found significant DNA damage caused by nail drye...

Everyone wants a simple blood test that finds cancer early. It sounds like the Holy Grail of medicine. But for many healthy people, relying on tumor markers is actually a statistical trap that can lead to unnecessary surgery and life-altering damage. In this episode, I expose the "False Assurance Trap" of tests like CEA and CA-125. We break down the massive PLCO trial, where thousands of...

In 2014, NFL linebacker Alex Singleton did the unthinkable: he failed a drug test because he tested positive for pregnancy. It sounds like a joke or a lab error, but it was actually a biological warning sign that saved his life. In this episode, I break down the fascinating medical science behind why a male elite athlete would produce hCG (the "pregnancy hormone") and how this "biol...

You rang the bell. You finished the chemo. Everyone tells you that you should be happy. But for many, the reality of "Life After Cancer" is harder than the treatment itself. In this episode, Dr. Michael Chovanec (Professor of Oncology) debunks the myth that you should just "pick up the pieces" and return to your old self. Instead, he explains why survivorship is a distinct phas...

Episode Summary:  Men are taught to be tough and push through pain. But when it comes to prostate cancer, "pushing through" can cost you your life. In this episode, Dr. Chovanec breaks down the 5 specific changes in your body that you cannot afford to ignore. We often dismiss these symptoms as "just getting older" or a simple infection, but the data tells a different story. Dr....

If you just heard the words "You have cancer," you are likely feeling overwhelmed. You need a map. In this video, I break down the 10 practical, immediate steps you should take in the first 48 hours to regain control—from organising your medical team to managing your mental health. Trusted Resources Mentioned: National Cancer Institute (NCI): https://www.cancer.gov American Society of Clinical Onc...

Does sugar really feed cancer? Can deodorant cause cancer? In this video, I debunk the 5 biggest cancer myths I hear in my clinic every day. As an Associate Professor of Oncology, my goal is to separate the scary fiction from the scientific fact. About me: I am Dr. Michal Chovanec, an Associate Professor of Oncology. My scientific background was shaped at the Indiana University Cancer Center, wher...

Welcome to the Dr. Chovanec Podcast. I am an Associate Professor of Oncology, bringing you clear, evidence-based answers on cancer, health, and survivorship. Subscribe now for our first episode launching this Tuesday.