The James Cancer-Free World Podcast

Pelotonia's Doug Ulman tells us all about the new, creative and exciting My Pelotonia platform, which will replace the traditional mass ride this year (due to Covid-19). "This allows people to create their own journeys and challenges," Ulman says, adding My Pelotonia is a way to get even more people involved in Pelotonia and that it will continue even when it's safe to ride together again. Ulman s...

When the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute opened on July 9, 1990, a new era had begun. “Dr. James had the honor of wheeling the first patient [from University Hospitals] into the new James,” says David E. Schuller, MD, the first CEO of the hospital. Schuller is among the giants in the history of the James and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Ce...

“This is an amazing, beautiful hospital that gives such phenomenal care to our patients. When you meet the staff and leaders of The James, you know you’re in the right place as a patient.” Those are the words of Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, former CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (2008-17), and former director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (200...

In this episode of The James 30th Anniversary Celebration podcast, William B. Farrar, MD, the current CEO of The James, fills us in on the vision and determination of Arthur G. James, MD. “What we’ve been able to accomplish would really make him proud — to know that what he first envisioned decades ago has actually occurred, and has occurred to a larger level than he could have ever imagined." Thi...

OSUCCC – James Chief Medical Officer David Cohn, MD, MBA, describes how the new James Cancer Diagnostic Center is providing immediate and safe access to cancer diagnoses during these challenging times. Cohn explains the benefits of detecting cancer in its early stages, the importance of screenings and how James experts are working to ensure that underserved populations in central Ohio and beyond r...

Stefanie's Champions is the annual award that recognizes four great caregivers, the unsung heroes of so many people's cancer journeys. “It’s just love. It’s what you do when you love someone," says Chris Spielman, who joins us with his daughter, Maddie, to talk about the history and importance of Stefanie's Champions and the legacy of Stefanie Spielman. In Part 1, we'll also meet two of the four 2...

"It wasn't an option ... I had to do something," says Sam Gifford, who was 11 when his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sam is one of the four 2020 Stefanie's Champions, the award created by Stefanie Spielman to honor the contributions of caregivers. In Part 2 of this episode, Chris and Maddie Spielman fill us in on this year's Step Up For Stefanie's Champions walk/run, and Stefanie's endurin...

Clinical trials are one of the most powerful tools in the effort to create a cancer-free world. "To me, they are the way to see the light at the end of the tunnel," says Claire Verschraegen, MD, the director of the division of medical oncology and the associate director of translational research at The James. In this episode, Verschraegen explains the four stages of clinical trials — with an empha...

Screenings for breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer, as well as elective surgeries, can now be scheduled at The James. Chief Medical Officer David Cohn, MD, MBA, explains why it's important to schedule screenings that were put off during the pandemic, and provides details about safety protocols at The James.

"It's no longer a death sentence, when [my head and neck cancer] goes metastatic," said James patient Terry Keegan. Join us as Terry describes the ups and downs of his in-going cancer journey, and the connection and relationship he's developed with his James doctor: Matthew Old. Terry was first diagnosed in 2011 and his undergone several operations, rounds of radiation and chemo, and was enrolled...

"We are a small, but mighty team" says Annie Trance, the JamesCare for Life (JCFL) associate director. In this episode, Trance describes how JCFL has adjusted to continue to help patients with cancer navigate, cope and thrive, as physical distancing has become the new normal. “It’s been so great to see our team brainstorm and problem solve and put so many different virtual and online opportunities...

Peter Shields, MD, the deputy director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) fills us in on how cancer research has safely continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to learn how the OSUCCC – James and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have prepared for the surge of new patients and developed rapid testing measures while investigating how COVID-19 impa...

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts everyone, especially cancer patients and the larger medical community. David Cohn, MD, the chief medical officer of The James talks about how the Ohio State doctors have adapted, including the postponement of many elective surgeries and the conducting of some visits via video or phone.

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center is moving forward with new programs, centers of excellence and collaborations that could lead the way to a cancer-free world. Join OSUCCC director Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, as he shares details about the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, a new cancer engineering center, and the cancer prevention and survivorship initiative. “We want t...

Cancer science is complicated, but David Cohn, MD, The James' chief medical officer, breaks it all down during this easy-to-understand conversation. Learn about cancer cells, how they grow and spread and its different stages. Also, Cohn explains some of the ways cancer is treated — surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy — and how those treatments work in the body. Finally, learn how we...

“We’re so excited about this new technology,” says Arnab Chakravarti, MD, medical director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the OSUCCC – James. “With FLASH, we will be able to deliver the entire course of radiation in less than a second, in one day, rather than in smaller doses spread out over six to eight weeks, and without the side effects of traditional radiation. This will be revolut...

William Farrar takes a look at exciting new and future programs, initiatives and treatments at The James, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the growth of clinical trials and their importance, the cutting-edge proton radiation facility, the west campus outpatient center and a new, FDA-approved drug developed by our researchers.

Joel Mayerson, MD, is one of the world’s leading sarcoma surgeons. He has pioneered several innovative types of surgery, including: An expandable femur prosthesis, the revolutionary rotationplasty, and a new shoulder surgery that’s the first to replace the actual shoulder socket. One of Mayerson's patients (Jared Sylvester) joins us to discuss his surgery, a total knee replacement and how he's abl...

Is vaping creating a new generation of smokers and increasing the cancer risk? Ted Wagener, PhD, director of the OSUCCC – James Center for Tobacco Research, tackles this question and other important, related issues: Why nicotine is so addictive; cessation strategies; and the history of vaping. Wagener discusses whether vaping is safe and/or safer than cigarettes; is reducing the number of smokers,...

Join us as we celebrate two years of our podcast, and listen to excerpts from some of our favorite conversations: Bill Farrar, MD, on the history of The James and his friendship with the actual Dr. James; Doug Ulman on riding in his first Pelotonia; Don Benson, MD, PhD, and his patient, Matt Hare, on their special bond; Darryl Gray, MD, on how colonoscopies save lives, and the results of my very-o...

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients face a unique set of challenges and hurdles during and after their cancer treatment. Samantha Hulett, a James social worker and the navigator of the hospital's growing AYA programs describes these challenges: Where to be treated, a children's or adult cancer hospital; sexual health and fertility issues; feelings of isolation from their peer group an...

Do soy products increase your cancer risk? Should cancer patients eliminate sugar from their diet, go vegan or vegetarian? Candice Schreiber, a James clinical dietician and food educator walks and talks us through these questions, and the many myths and misconceptions out there connected to food and cancer.

Amyloidosis is a rare and often hard-to-diagnose disease that can fill the heart, kidney and liver with dangerous fibrils (or fibers), cause nerve damage and chronic inflammation. Join us as Dr Yvonne Efebera explains the three types of amyloidosis, the research and treatment advances being made at the James Comprehensive Amyloidosis Clinic, a world leader. Pat Jordan, one of Dr. Efebera patients,...

The number of colorectal cancer diagnoses are on the rise. “It’s the leading cause of cancer deaths in this country, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Darrell Gray, MD, a James colorectal cancer expert. Screening is the key. Colonoscopies detect pre-cancerous polyps that can be easily removed before they become cancerous; and can detect early-stage cancers when they are much easier to treat and cur...

When Matt Hare was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, his life changed in ways he never could have imagined. He met a James physician, Don Benson, who would become part of his family, and he met the love of his life, Kate McGuinness, an extraordinary woman and caregiver. "I knew coming out of my (bone marrow transplant) that if I was able to achieve remission I was absolutely going to ask her to mar...