The James Cancer-Free World Podcast

The new Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) will revolutionize cancer treatment and save lives. Join us, as Dr. Li, the founding director of the PIIO describes the progress being made in immuno-oncology, the plans for the new institute, which include hiring 30-plus world-class scientists, and his first-ever ride in Pelotonia, the bike ride that more than a bike ride and will donate $102...

A lot happens every day at the James. In this special, expanded episode, we follow four top docs, plus two of their patients, through all the emotions, treatments, clinical trials, research, medical decisions and doctor/patient relationships that are formed. The day was June 19, and everything in this podcast happened on that day, as hundreds of cancer patients and their caregivers came to the Jam...

The National Cancer Institute has awarded the James and Comprehensive Cancer Center an $11 million grant to reduce cervical cancer in women in several Appalachian states. The program is led by Electra Paskett of the James/CCC, and includes smoking cessation, as well as HPV screening and education about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccination in eliminating cervical cancer. This program will preve...

Cancer treatment such as surgery, chemo and radiation can have a negative impact on a man's fertility and sexual function. Dr. Lawrence Jenkins, Director of the James Men's Health and Male Fertility Preservation Program explains the issues, challenges and treatments available for cancer patients.

More people are diagnosed with skin cancer & melanoma than all other cancers combined, and one in five will be diagnosed with this type of cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Spaccarelli is a James expert in this area and explains what skin cancer and melanoma are, the differences, how you can reduce your risk and prevent this type of cancer, and some treatment breakthroughs that are saving lives.

The James is at the forefront of digital pathology, which utilizes advances in genetics and computer technology to create digital slides/images of every tumor sample. This allows for faster and more accurate diagnosis, helps researchers create better and more targeted treatments and enables physicians to understand the specific cancer profile of each patient's cancer. Plus, physicians around the w...

Dr. Wesolowski of the James explains how researchers here and around the world are working on individual vaccines for patients with cancer or who have a high-risk of cancer. Scientists extract a tumor specimen and identify the genetic mutations causing the cancer that are hiding from the immune system. An immunotherapy-type vaccine is synthesized and injected into the patient. While still in the e...

Survivorship at the James starts from day one of a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Maryam Lustberg fills us in on the growing James program, which has four major components: Psychosocial oncology (counseling); cancer rehabilitation; fertility preservation; sexual health. The program also offers patients a wide variety of programs, services, specialists, educational seminars and events to help them learn, ma...

A healthy diet can reduce your risk of getting cancer. Candice Schreiber, a James nutritionist, takes us through how a plant-based diet bulks up the immune system and she provides some practical and tasty advice on how to increase your intake of fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains, and eliminate red meat and processed meats. We even provide some recipes and talk about grain bowls.

Ibrutinib is an FDA-approved drug developed by the lab of John Byrd here at the James. It’s a real game changer in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common form of adult leukemia and is extending and saving lots of lives all over the world. Dr Woyach is a principle investigator in Dr. Byrd’s lab and fills us in on how Ibrutinib was developed and how it works, and some n...

Members of Jay McDaniel's family were being diagnosed with and dying from colon cancer at an alarming rate. It wasn't a matter of if, but when, Jay believed. He was diagnosed at the James, and his doctors and geneticists discovered he has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation that greatly increases the risk of several types of cancer, including colon cancer. And could be passed down to Jay's three ch...

Cancer patients require specific and special physical therapy and occupational therapy in order to attain the best quality of life after their treatment. The James has a large, multi-disciplinary team - led by Karen Hock - who are certified and experts in providing these services.

Cancer treatment can make it harder for women to have children. Leslie Appiah, MD, leads the James Oncology Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Health Clinic. Leslie and her team are making it possible for more women to have children with the help of some amazing research and treatment breakthroughs.

This is the special episode of our podcast we produced and that aired on WCBE radio on Feb. 23. It features the top docs at the James (Pollock, Shields, Farrar, Cohn & Carbone). We look at immunotherapy and how this new treatment is revolutionizing cancer treatment and saving lives. And how comprehensive cancer centers are leading the way. Plus an interview with Charlie Graeber, the author of "The...

Pelotonia has become an amazing and emotional yearly ritual for thousands of people, and has raised more than $184 million for cancer research at the James. In this episode, we talk with Doug Ulman, the leader of Pelotonia, a three-time cancer survivor and one of the leading voices for cancer advocacy. Plus, he's a great conversationalist.

A nutritious, plant-based diet helps your immune system fight infections, disease and cancer. It sounds simple, but in our fast-paced, pizza- and burger-filled world, eating healthy can be difficult. Katie McCurdy, the chef manager of the Bloch Cafe in the James, provides a menu full of tips and advice on how to buy, plan and prepare tasty and healthy meals.

In a new and cutting-edge, body donation clinical trial, Sameek Roychowdhury and his lab perform autopsies on cancer patients. The goal is to examine their tumors to better understand how the cancer spread and resisted treatment, in order to develop new and better treatments. Carol Gibbs tells us about her husband, Jeff, and why they thought it was important to be part of the study.

The history of cancer treatment dates back more than a thousand years and has come a long way. Come on along as the Chief Medical Officer of the James fills us in on the evolution in cancer treatment and the great strides forward in: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted medicine and immunotherapy.

Doreen Agnese, MD, is the director of the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center’s High-Risk Breast Cancer Program here at the James. Dr. Agnese and her team use genetics, screenings, early detection and advances in research & treatment to save a lot of lives.

Annie Trance and her JamesCare for Life team provide James patients, family members & caregivers with an incredible variety of free programs, classes and workshops. These programs address the physical, emotional and practical needs of cancer patients and their families during their ongoing and life-changing cancer journeys.

There's a growing market for direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests that promise to detect some of the genetic mutations that increase the risk for certain types of cancer. Hampel, a James genetic counselor, discusses the value of these tests, what to look for, what to avoid, their accuracy - and inaccuracy.

Dr Sardesai is a breast cancer specialist at the James. His research focuses on the link between obesity and breast cancer. He also talks about how several members of his family have the BRCA genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Dr Sardesai carries the mutation.

Dr. Lee is a breast-cancer micro-surgeon. Her research focuses on helping provide women with the information they need to make better and more informed decisions about their treatment and reconstruction options.

What exactly is a comprehensive cancer center ... and why are they so vital in creating a cancer-free world? Dr Shields, the deputy director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, answers these questions and explains how and why the OSUCCC has become a world leader.

Should a patient newly diagnosed with cancer seek a second opinion? Dr Cohn, chief medical officer of the James, takes us through this stressful and difficult time ... and provides answers and insight to this important question.