Overcoming Ocular Melanoma with Ashley McCrary
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , a mother of four and survivor of ocular melanoma. Diagnosed in 2012, Ashley recalls that two of her college friends from Auburn University had also suffered from this rare eye cancer. She tells the story of having her right eye removed and how she later learned that the cancer had spread to her liver. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Ashley shares how she stays positive and finds purpose through her faith and intentional interactions with fellow eye cancer survivors and others. She talks about her foundation, , which helps fund travel for cancer...
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Meet Your Cancer Team
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce focuses on the importance of building a strong cancer care team. She explains the roles of various medical team members, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, and different types of nurses and nurse practitioners. She also highlights nonmedical support staff like social workers, nutritionists, and counselors. Dr. JYP emphasizes the value of relying on your caregivers and fellow patients for support, and the need to inform primary care doctors and other specialists about your cancer diagnosis. She briefly...
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Summertime Cancering
The Cancering Show
In this episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. JYP discusses the importance of cancer patients taking extra precautions during summer activities. She explains the sensitivity of chemotherapy patients' skin to sunburns and advises using mineral sunscreen and protective clothing. Dr. JYP also highlights the risks of swimming in certain types of water, the importance of proper head and hair care, and the need for hydration and avoiding strenuous activities in the heat. She offers other practical tips for those who are traveling, gardening, fishing and picnicking. Don’t worry; cancer patients can...
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Clinical Trials, Biomarkers and Cancer Astronauts with Fred Neubauer
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Fred Neubauer, a stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma survivor, shares his inspiring journey with Dr. JYP. Fred’s rare bile duct cancer was discovered during imaging for a kidney stone. Facing a challenging diagnosis, he explored advanced treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and innovative clinical trials, which helped shrink his tumors. Despite the difficulties, Fred remains hopeful and proactive in managing his cancer. Dr. JYP emphasizes the significance of biomarker testing, which helped Fred access treatments tailored specifically to his cancer's characteristics. Fred...
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A Caregiver's Journey Through Brain Cancer With Michelle Matthews
The Cancering Show
In the episode, Dr. JYP delves into the heart of living with, and beyond, brain cancer with Michelle Matthews. Michelle shares her husband Matt's journey with glioblastoma and how they remained hopeful throughout the diagnosis and treatment. Despite the challenges, they cherished every moment together and found solace in support from their loved ones and community. Michelle also stresses the importance of self-care and the role of caregivers in cancer treatment and survivorship. Dr. JYP emphasizes the significance of shared experiences and compassionate care in the cancer journey. Ultimately,...
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Advance Care Planning with Stephanie Broussard
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with licensed clinical social worker about the importance of patients sharing their wishes regarding palliative and end-of-life care. Broussard stresses the need to include a social worker as part of the cancer care team from the point of diagnosis to address emotional distress. She explains that palliative care, which focuses on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, is different from hospice care, which is a Medicare benefit and service for those with a terminal diagnosis. shares why it's vital for everyone, even young adults, to have a...
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Five Years of Survivorship with Gina Gregory
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , a breast cancer survivor and a second-time Cancering Show guest. Gina shares her journey five years after her initial diagnosis, discussing the difficulties of living with cancer and the side effects from treatment, such as receding gums and ringing ears. She is open about the challenges, as well as the strength and faith she gained along the way. Gina offers advice on how survivors can manage their health after cancer, including eating a balanced diet (and finding a middle ground with organic foods), and making time for regular workouts. Having...
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Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Dr. Ayesha Munir
The Cancering Show
In this Cancering episode, Dr. JYP is joined by oncologist as they tackle the complex and crucial topic of breast cancer and health disparities. Together, they explore the impact of socioeconomic status on health inequalities, the challenges faced by different racial groups in accessing breast cancer screening, and the concerning prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among African American women. They discuss the research into the biological underpinnings of triple negative breast cancer and the promising developments in immunotherapy. This is an episode you won't want to...
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Therapeutic Gardening With Barbara Boone
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with guest Barbara Boone, who shares her journey with endometrial cancer and how gardening has helped her through the tough times. Barbara emphasizes the benefits of gardening, such as stress relief, a sense of achievement and being part of a nurturing gardening community. Even during her cancer treatment, Barbara stayed positive by focusing on daily achievements and supporting others. Dr. JYP points out the need for cancer patients to take safety precautions in the garden, such as wearing a mask to protect against harmful microbes. They also...
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Cancer as a Chronic Disease
The Cancering Show
In the latest episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce delves into the topic of cancer as a chronic disease. It's a thought-provoking discussion that challenges our understanding of cancer and survivorship. Dr. Pierce emphasizes that cancering is not just a phase or a battle to be won, but an ongoing journey that requires long-term management and adaptation. She shares insights on the concept of cancer as a chronic disease and its implications for patients, survivors and caregivers. 3 Key Episode Takeaways 1. Chronic Disease: Dr. Pierce emphasizes that cancer is an ongoing...
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This episode of the Cancering Show focuses on the importance of caregivers in the cancer journey. Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Dr. Nick Dionne-Odom, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and co-director of Caregiver and Bereavement Support Services in the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care. They discuss what it means to be a caregiver, how caregiving for someone with a terminal diagnosis is different from caring for those with earlier stage cancers, the physical and mental toll that caregiving can take, and the resources available to help caregivers.
Plus, Dr. Nick Dionne-Odom discusses his research on cancer caregiving. Dr. Dionne-Odom has developed several programs to help family caregivers of cancer patients manage stress and cope with the challenges of caregiving. He discusses his research findings, which show that these programs are beneficial for caregivers, and provides advice on how family and friends can help caregivers. He also talks about the importance of having access to one-on-one support for caregivers, no matter where they live. Lastly, he discusses the grieving process and the types of support available for those who have recently lost a loved one.
"We find that many caregivers that we work with have this feeling that they need to be available 24/7 to this person, be there at all times, and that all activities, all priorities need to be centered around the patient. If one does that and you do not take care of your own health, that is not a sprint; it is a marathon. And being able to take care of yourself is actually a very important way that you can take care of this person."
– Dr. Nick Dionne-Odom
Episode Takeaways:
Caregivers are essential in the cancer journey.
Caregiving for someone with a terminal diagnosis is different than caring for those with earlier stage cancers.
Caregiving can have a physical and mental toll on the caregiver.
It is normal to feel anxiety and depression when caring for someone with cancer.
There are resources available to help caregivers.
Dr. Dionne-Odom has developed programs to help family caregivers of cancer patients manage stress and cope with the challenges of caregiving.
Caregivers often experience isolation and may not want to burden their social networks.
Offering specific types of assistance (e.g. cutting the grass, walking the dog, picking up the mail, doing the laundry, making meals etc.) is more likely to be accepted.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grieving. Everyone processes loss differently, and it can take months and even years to go through the process.
There is support available for those who have recently lost a loved one, such as the Medicare hospice benefit.
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The Cancering Show is brought to you by USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. MCI is a cutting-edge cancer research and treatment center built to fight cancer smarter in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama. Our researchers and clinicians focus daily on the struggle against cancer, serving a potential catchment population of more than 4.1 million people, with a singular focus of advancing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond with science, technology and hope.
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