The Cancering Show

On this inspiring episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Dr. Phillip Fields, professor of anatomy at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. In 2007, Dr. Fields was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and told to give up his passion - running. Refusing to let leukemia dictate his life, he has run more than 100 marathons, including one in every state and Canadian P...

On this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Dr. Martin Heslin, a surgical oncologist and the director of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, about the future of cancer treatment, what it means to cure cancer, the advancements in genetics and the importance of building personal relationships throughout the cancer journey. Key Takeaways - Your physician needs to be more than biology,...

Did you know that there is a blood test that can tell you whether you are at higher risk to develop cancer during your lifetime? Today, we have Cassie Gurganus , a Certified Genetic Counselo r at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, and she explains the inherited cancer risks that are passed from parent to child and the testing options that are available. Plus, she shares the latest breakthro...

On this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Blair Pringle, CRNP, a supportive care nurse practitioner at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, and she shares her insights on palliative care and how it is often misunderstood. With a focus on the comfort level of patients and their quality of life, supportive care is more than end-of-life care. It asks, "How can you live with cancer?"...

For many cancer survivors, a support group can be a lifeline. This is the case with a local Mobile, Alabama, cancer support group called BFF, Breast Friends Forever, which meets monthly at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Today, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Darlene Chavers, the founder of the BFF group, about how important it is for survivors and caregivers to have a support group...

In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with USA Health cardiologist Dr. Christopher Malozzi , who treats all types of patients (not just cancer patients) with heart problems. Dr. Malozzi explains his role in the field of oncology and how there can be a connection between heart problems and some chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Plus, he shares his unique perspective and concerns as both a doctor and...

Meet Miranda Stewart Williams. Miranda is an experienced and talented nurse who has spent most of her career on the oncology floor at USA Health University Hospital. On this episode, she takes Dr. JYP behind the scenes to see what it's really like to be a frontline worker on a cancer ward. Plus, she shares her daily routines, the hardest and most rewarding parts of her job, how her life is nothing...

Statistically, Black women are more likely to develop aggressive forms of breast cancer and die from the disease than white women. And, unfortunately, for too many of our patients, this isn't a statistic; it's their lives. On this episode, Dr. JYP does a deep dive on health equity with Lori Pierce, M.D ., a radiation oncologist and the new president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology , t...

Have you ever wondered who would play you in a movie? On this episode, our guest Matthew Teague no longer has to wonder (It's Casey Affleck, by the way.) Matt's wife, Nicole, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 34 while they were raising two daughters in Fairhope, Alabama. Following her death, Matt wrote about their cancer journey and about their close friend Dane, who upended his own...

Who would have believed when we launched The Cancering Show over a year ago that we'd be talking about a real-life pandemic during Season 2? For cancer patients, either in treatment or after treatment, it's a really scary time. And social distancing sure makes all of our lives even more complicated. On this episode, Dr. JYP talks with Dr. Michael Chang , the chief medical officer for USA Health. H...

On this special episode, Dr. J.Y.P. has a candid discussion with her friend and U.S.A. Health Mitchell Cancer Institute colleague Dr. Casey Daniel . Dr. Daniel's unique perspective from being a cancer survivor, researcher and now a supportive and concerned aunt of a cancer patient makes her the best guest to end the first season of the Cancering Show. Hear her amazing and inspirational personal hi...

On this episode, Dr. JYP talks with Dr. Ron Franks , professor and chair of psychiatry at the USA College of Medicine, about dealing with the fear and anxiety that can be a side effect of a cancer diagnosis. Plus, he shares some common tactics patients can use to help get through this phase of their cancer journey. A cancer diagnosis can produce the same effects as PTSD, and if these feelings are...

This is a special edition of The Cancering Show. Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce and guest Dr. Jennifer Scalici discuss some of the most critical and unique information concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and how it relates explicitly to cancer patients and their cancer treatment. The pandemic is a serious health situation, especially for anyone with any pre-existing medical conditions,...

On this episode, Dr. JYP talks hormone therapy with Dr. Teja Poosarla, a medical oncologist at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Hormones can aid the growth of cancer cells; so adding, blocking or removing a patient's hormones can help cure or prevent the spread and the recurrence of certain cancers, especially breast and prostate cancers. Dr. Poosarla explains how this use of systemic drugs d...

Studies have shown that if you're on a clinical trial, your survival and cancer outcome are actually better than just having standard care. - Dr. Rod Rocconi Every significant cancer discovery has come from a clinical trial and the patients who have paid it forward to participate. On this episode, Dr. JYP and Dr. Rodney Rocconi , interim director of USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, discuss th...

When I think about the future of cancer therapy, I tell medical students that somebody in their generation is going to say how silly we were that we gave chemotherapy and radiation therapy to cancer patients -- treatments that we knew harmed their immune system when what we should have been doing this whole time was immunotherapy. - Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce Immunotherapy is a 180-degree change in...

In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with radiation oncologist Dr. Bill Hixson about the most mysterious cancer treatment – radiation -- and the role that a radiation oncologist plays. Dr. Hixson shares his views on patient care and explains how he works with an interdisciplinary team. Plus, they discuss the newest innovations in radiation treatment as well as side effects and how to manage them. Never...

In this episode, Dr. JYP has a candid and enlightening chemotherapy conversation with her friend, colleague, and USA Health University Hospital oncologist Dr. Sachin Pai. Dr. Pai shares what chemotherapy really is, and he addresses some of the myths, misconceptions, and fears associated with this incredibly common and effective treatment. Listeners can learn about the many innovative treatment opt...

In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with Facebook Live celebrity and Cancering Warrior Princess Gina Gregory. Gina is a patient at the Mitchell Cancer Institute and has completed two surgeries, lost her hair, finished chemo and radiation treatment for breast cancer, and rang the bell twice. Her experience makes her an expert to give a detailed blueprint preparing physically and mentally for anyone's ca...

Cancer surgery is more than likely to be a part of everyone's cancer journey. It's a first step of many on the road to survivorship and is still a patient's best chance of cure. In this episode, Dr. JYP has a candid discussion with Dr. J. Harrison Howard, Surgical Oncologist, and Asst. Professor of Surgery at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Dr. Howard explains his role as a Surgical Onco...

So, you've been diagnosed with cancer. What happens next? Can you turn this shocking news into something that's a part of your life but not running your life? Is it even possible for patients to still live their lives with a cancer diagnosis? In this episode, Dr. JYP consults with MCI oncologist and supportive care physician Dr. Thomas Butler about delivering and managing the emotional side of a c...

In most patients' cancer stories and journeys, cancer didn't start with the diagnosis. First, there are symptoms, pain and probably a visit to the family doctor, Urgent Care or student health center before the diagnosis is made. In this episode, Dr. JYP and studio guest Dr. Robert Israel, an internal medicine physician in Mobile, Alabama, talk about common and uncommon cancer symptoms, early tests...

  Welcome to the Cancering Show. On this first episode, Dr. Mike Finan, a senior gynecologic oncologist and professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute introduces you to the show's host, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce, or "JYP" to many of her colleagues and friends. Dr. JYP is a GYN oncologist at the Mitchell Cancer Institute and also the program leader for...