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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
Choosing Previvorship with Haley Orillion
The Cancering Show
In today's episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce is joined by the brave and resilient Haley Orillion, who shares her powerful story of undergoing risk-reducing surgeries after learning she carries a BRCA gene mutation. From the societal pressures she faced to the emotional aftermath of her surgeries, Haley opens up about her experiences and ongoing challenges. Dr. Pierce guides us through Haley's journey, emphasizing the importance of support and advocacy, and breaking down complex information for listeners. Join us as we delve into the emotional and practical aspects of genetic mutations,...
info_outline
Miss Mobile Bay: Childhood Cancer Survivor Turned Activist
The Cancering Show
In this inspiring episode, we meet , a 13-year cancer survivor and an extraordinary advocate for childhood cancer research. Hannah shares her story of overcoming cancer at a young age, her journey to becoming Miss Mobile Bay and her relentless pursuit of her dreams. Hannah's resilience and dedication are truly remarkable, from her experience lobbying in Washington, D.C., to founding the nonprofit H.U.G.S. 4 Childhood Cancer. Prepare to be moved by her inspiring journey and her message of hope and empowerment. Join us as we delve into Hannah's incredible story and her impactful work in the...
info_outline
Cancering through the Holidays: Navigating Emotions and Celebrations
The Cancering Show
In this holiday special episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce discusses the unique challenges that cancer patients face during the holiday season. Drawing on classic Christmas and holiday movies, she offers guidance on managing mixed emotions, navigating events, adapting to food restrictions, and providing support as a caregiver. Additionally, she addresses the financial hardships many cancer patients experience and emphasizes the gift of presence as the most meaningful present during the holidays. Throughout the episode, Dr. JYP extends support and encouragement to...
info_outline
Managing Mental Health With Cancer
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce discusses mental health and its impact on cancer patients. She emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns and seeking help, as they can affect the overall quality of life and even survival. Dr. Pierce explains that mental health encompasses external factors (such as basic needs and purpose) and internal factors (such as anxiety and depression). She advises patients to assess their ability to engage in daily activities and seek help if they cannot. The oncology team is a good starting point for support, as they have expertise in...
info_outline
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with licensed clinical social worker Stephanie Broussard 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.
Broussard shares why it's vital for everyone, even young adults, to have a plan for the person who will make medical decisions on their behalf. She stresses the importance of having conversations about what matters most to us in our care, especially when we are faced with a serious illness. Dr. JYP shares her own wishes to encourage listeners to think and talk about their end-of-life care goals and intentions. They conclude the episode with the agreement that advance care planning is “an act of love.”
3 Episode Key Takeaways
1. The Crucial Role of Advanced Care Planning:
Stephanie Broussard underscores the importance of advanced care planning as a necessary step to empower both patients and their families in making informed decisions regarding end-of-life care. This is an ongoing conversation that centers around identifying personal goals, values, and priorities, ensuring that one's wishes are respected and that these discussions are recognized as acts of love that unite families during challenging times.
2. Distinguishing Palliative Care and Hospice:
Broussard clarifies that while hospice care is a form of palliative care designed for individuals with a terminal prognosis of six months or less, palliative care in itself is broader and can benefit anyone with a serious illness, regardless of their stage of disease or age. The conversation with Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce delves into how palliative care encompasses the management of emotional, physical, and spiritual distress, aiming not just to alleviate symptoms but to improve overall quality of life for patients and their families.
3. The Role of Social Workers and the Need for Comprehensive Palliative Care:
The episode explores the specialized role and training required for social workers within the domain of palliative care, with an emphasis on the necessity for a more comprehensive palliative care intervention. There's a discussion about how reactive versus proactive integration of social work can affect outcomes, advocating for a holistic approach where every team member, including social workers, is involved from the beginning to manage symptoms, provide support to caregivers, and address psychosocial needs.
Show Overview
01:21 Palliative care explained
04:12 Social worker Stephanie Broussard addresses emotional suffering in patients.
11:34 Different roles for social workers involved in palliative care
15:13 Hospice focuses on a person’s quality of life.
20:18 Advance care planning is an ongoing process.
21:16 Importance of advance directives and conversations with family
25:21 Discussing end-of-life care and medical power of attorney
28:45 Broussard shares insights on palliative care and planning