The James Cancer-Free World Podcast

Decades into an esteemed oncology career, an Ohio State expert's own cancer journey has taught him new lessons about care and research. Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, the director emeritus of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares his thoughts on the progress made during his long career as an oncology leader. He also discusses a "silver lining" of his two cancer dia...

As younger patients are increasingly diagnosed with colorectal cancer, oncology experts are focusing on screening, prevention and specialized care. Matthew Kalady, MD, the director of Ohio State's Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, discusses some of the possible reasons for the increase in early onset colorectal cancer cases, and what his team is doing to improve care for younger patients w...

An Ohio State clinical trial has given new hope to an Idaho pancreatic cancer patient without requiring extensive travel for care. After being diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in her home state, Stefanie Balm enrolled in a groundbreaking telemedicine clinical trial led by Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD, which has shown promising results without requiring patients to travel to the stud...

Pelotonia 2026 is right around the corner, with riders, hikers, volunteers and donors preparing for another great season of support for Ohio State's cancer research. Watch as CEO Joe Apgar shares need-to-know info about Pelotonia's big 2026 events, including new routes for Ride Weekend in August, and important info about Gravel Day, which has quickly become a highlight of the fall. Learn m...

Acclaimed surgical oncologist and researcher Monica Bertagnolli, MD, discussed the past, present and future of cancer care and research during a recent visit to The Ohio State University. Bertagnolli, a former National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute director and the incoming president of the National Academy of Medicine, came to Columbus to accept the 27th Herbert and Maxine Bl...

As cancer care continues to improve, Ohio State oncology experts are working to increase access to innovative treatment, screening, diagnosis and more. OSUCCC – James COO David Cohn, MD, MBA, explains how Ohio State leaders are emphasizing access — including launches of new facilities, programs and tech — and how that can lead to life-saving cancer care, early detection and even prevention. Learn...

W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, is leading Ohio State into a future of oncology innovation through collaboration. The OSUCCC – James CEO, shares her thoughts on the present and future of cancer care, research and support at Ohio State and beyond, including new programs, initiatives and more. Learn more about cancer care and research at The Ohio State University: · Home: https://cancer.osu.edu · Blog:...

Supportive care researchers are paving the way for improved quality of life for cancer patients during and after treatment. Jessica Merlin, MD, discusses a new Ohio State research program that goes beyond traditional treatments to focus on pain reduction, addiction prevention and other support-based interventions are core components of comprehensive cancer care. Learn more about cancer care and re...

Breast cancer rates are rising among younger patients, making accurate info about risks, symptoms and screening more important than ever. Margaret Gatti-Mays, MD, shares need-to-know details about early onset breast cancers, which can  be more aggressive than other forms of the disease, and often diagnosed at later stages. Learn more about cancer care and research at The Ohio State University: Hom...

The benefits of cancer screening go beyond diagnosis to improve the chances of successful treatment—and even prevention. Renowned epidemiologist Electra Paskett, PhD, shares important info about cancer screening, including why knowledge can be power when it comes to cancer prevention. Learn more about cancer care and research at The Ohio State University: Home: https://cancer.osu.edu Blog: https:/...

Cervical cancer rates are rising for some women, but screening and the HPV vaccine can improve patients' outcomes and even prevent new diagnoses. Laura Chambers, DO, shares important info about cervical cancer, including risks and symptoms, and explains how early detection through screening and prevention via vaccination are keys to saving lives, and eventually, eliminating new cases. Watch Th...

As cancer rates rise among younger patients, a new Ohio State program revolutionizes care, research and support to improve outcomes and reverse the trend. Sara Myers, MD, and John Alexander, MD, explain how the new BRIDGE Program they co-lead expands comprehensive care for today's early-onset cancer patients (ages 18-50) while funding research that could reduce diagnoses in the future. Follow...

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment, but it doesn't work for every patient. In a new landmark study, Ohio State researchers shed new light on the reasons why cancer immunotherapy can fail. Listen to learn how T cell exhaustion can lead to this failure—and how that knowledge could lead to improved immunotherapy treatments—from Zihai Li, MD, PhD, the founding director of the Pelotonia...

Ohio State researchers spent 2025 working to bring us all closer to a cancer-free world. Several OSUCCC – James researchers shared details about their innovative cancer research, including immunotherapy, telemedicine, new breast cancer treatments and more. Follow The James Cancer-Free World Podcast: · YouTube: go.osu.edu/C27H · Spotify: go.osu.edu/C8pY · Apple Podcasts: go.osu.edu/C2n6 Subscribe t...

Karilyn Larkin, MD, is leading a new clinical trial that could change and improve the way acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is treated. “AML is a good example of how the better you understand the disease and the more clever you are in designing the clinical trial allows you to start to see successes where there were none before,” said Larkin, a James physician and hematologist. “In the past 10 year...

“We have made great progress in treating lung cancer, but we still have a long way to go,” said Triparna Sen, PhD, a James scientist who specializes in translational research to better understand and treat lung cancer. Listen as Sen explains the biology and differences between the two different types of lung cancer (non-small cell and the less common, but more aggressive small cell); the latest tr...

Fasting and intermittent fasting have been in the news in recent months. In this episode, Faiza Kalam, PhD, MD, director of the James Food, Activity Sleep and Time (FACT) Lab explains the basics and how fasting and intermittent fasting can lead to improved cholesterol, LDL and blood pressure levels and rates and help people lose weight without the use of weight-reducing drugs that can have side ef...

While researchers work to improve lobular breast cancer screening, innovative treatments are improving outcomes for patients with a condition diagnosed in more than 40,000 Americans each year. Ohio State medical oncologist Arya Roy, MD, shares details about lobular breast cancer, also called invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), including risks, symptoms and treatments.

“We develop, evaluate and test interventions to help empower people to live healthier,” explained Roberto Benzo, PhD, an Ohio State health promotion and behavioral scientist and director of the James Lifestyle Lab. “We focus on empowering people to eat and exercise better and better manage their stress … helping people find the right solutions at the right time.” In this episode, Benzo explained h...

Second opinions change the course of cancer care for many patients, and Ohio State experts are now using telehealth tech to increase access to these life-saving services. Head-and-neck cancer surgeon Ricardo Carrau, MD, discusses the OSUCCC – James Online Second Opinon Program, which helps cancer patients make treatment decisions with clarity and confidence. Follow The James Cancer-Free World Podc...

The James is a leader in an advanced surgical technique that delivers heated chemotherapy directly to the cancerous cells in patients with rare and advanced types of cancers in the abdomen. “The heat helps the effect of the chemotherapy when it comes into contact with the cancer cells,” said Dr. Pamela Lu, a surgical oncologist and the lead of the James Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (H...

Pelotonia is where memories are made. In this episode, co-hosted by David John, MD, we asked several members of the James team who participate in this annual bike ride that has raised more than $300 million for research here at the James to share their favorite Pelotonia memories. For Robert Baiocchi, MD, “one of the coolest memories is seeing one my patients who was still in the midst of treatmen...

A new clinical trial at the James is pioneering the use of telemedicine to create better treatment options for patients with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. “This is the first nationwide telemedicine therapeutic clinical trial for cancer,” said Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD, a physician scientist and leader in creating innovative ways to look at, understand and treat cancer. “It’s a new way of th...

The James Sarcoma Program continues to grow, with the recent opening of the multidisciplinary Sarcoma Clinic, new and cutting-edge clinical trials and a project in Ecuador to train doctors to treat sarcoma patients. “The entire continuum of cancer care is improving and that’s why it’s important to have a multi-disciplinary team and clinic, so patients have access to all these advances,” said Joel...

“Wouldn’t it be cool if …” is an expression the team at Pelotonia say on a regular basis. And, over the years, many of these “what if” ideas have become new programs and events and ways to engage and involve more people. “We’ve been cognizant and thoughtful about listening to our community,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia. “We get an amazing amount of feedback from people and that leads to impro...