AI in Cancer Care with Brian Persing, M.D.
The Cancering Show
A patient recently came to see with a list of questions about their lung cancer, every one of them written by AI. He answered them all, and he noticed that a few were tailored to that patient in ways even an attentive doctor might not think to raise. That story opens Dr. JYP's conversation with Dr. Persing, a hematologist and medical oncologist who has returned to the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute as its new director. Most people hear "artificial intelligence" and picture a chatbot, but at MCI much of the work happens out of sight. checks in with patients on treatment by text...
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The Night Everything Changed: Surviving Sudden Trauma
The Cancering Show
In this emotional episode of the Cancering Show, Dr. JYP shares a deeply personal story about the unexpected health crisis that disrupted her and her family’s life. After her husband, Chris, suffered a heart attack, she was suddenly thrust from her role as a physician into the roles of wife, caregiver, and mother navigating trauma and healing. She opens up about their journey through crisis, the challenges of caregiving, the realities of post-traumatic stress, and the ongoing process of healing as a family. Throughout the episode, Dr. JYP emphasizes the parallels between the journeys faced...
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Cancer and Menopause with Dr. Constance Dabezies
The Cancering Show
In this episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. JYP sits down with menopause specialist Dr. Constance Dabezies for a candid conversation about where cancer care and menopause meet. They talk about why menopause deserves real attention in survivorship, how cancer treatments can trigger or intensify symptoms, and what women can do to feel better. From hormone therapy to non-hormonal options and everyday lifestyle shifts, they walk through practical ways to manage symptoms. The episode highlights the importance of personalized care, the latest evidence-based guidance from the Menopause Society, and...
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Chemo 101 with Mary Lucy Mattei
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , a nurse practitioner specializing in gynecologic oncology, all about chemotherapy basics: "Chemo 101." They explain what chemotherapy is, why it's used, and what patients can expect during treatment. Mary Lucy shares practical advice on what to wear and what to bring on the first infusion day. She covers common side effects such as fatigue, nausea, constipation, hair loss, and nerve problems, and provides guidance on how to manage them.They discuss the emotional impact of losing hair and explore options such as wigs, scarves, and even eyebrow tattooing....
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New Frontiers In Cervical Cancer Screening with Dr. Rebecca Perkins
The Cancering Show
In this episode of The Cancering Show, host Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Dr. Rebecca Perkins, a nationally recognized expert in cervical cancer prevention, about the latest updates in HPV testing and cervical cancer screening. They emphasize that HPV (human papillomavirus) is linked to virtually all cervical cancers (and several other cancers in men and women), and that testing for high-risk HPV is better at catching problems early compared with the traditional Pap test. The episode highlights new self-collection kits, in which patients can collect their own sample, usually at a...
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The Power of Oncology Yoga with Michelle Ryan-Day
The Cancering Show
In this episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. JYP welcomes certified oncology yoga instructor Michelle Ryan-Day to discuss the transformative impact of yoga for cancer patients and survivors. Michelle shares her journey into oncology yoga, emphasizing its evidence-based benefits, including reducing recurrence risk, managing treatment side effects such as fatigue and neuropathy, and supporting emotional health. The conversation highlights the accessibility of chair-based yoga tailored for all fitness levels, the power of the breath, and the importance of self-compassion in healing. Listeners also...
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Zapping Liver Tumors with Dr. Natalie Bath
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , M.D., a USA Health surgical oncologist, about a new groundbreaking cancer treatment for liver tumors called histotripsy. is a non-invasive technology that uses high-intensity sound waves to break up liver tumors without surgery, incisions or long recovery times. Patients go under general anesthesia, and the machine delivers sound waves to the cancer cells while the physician uses imaging to monitor the treatment. Most people go home the same day and recover quickly, needing only over-the-counter pain medication. This treatment works for different types...
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From Doctor To Patient with Dr. Thomas Butler
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP welcomes back , a seasoned oncologist who specializes in supportive oncology. Dr. Butler shares his journey from humble beginnings and a fascination with science to a career in cancer care, emphasizing the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional needs of patients. He discusses the distinction between palliative and supportive care, advocating for an approach that supports patients throughout their cancer journey — not just at the end of life. Dr. Butler also offers personal insights from his own cancer diagnosis, reflecting on what he has learned...
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Understanding Skin Cancer with Dr. Harrison Howard
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , a surgical oncologist who specializes in melanoma. Dr. Howard explains that not all skin cancers are the same, emphasizing that melanoma is more dangerous compared with basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. He highlights the importance of detecting melanoma early, as it is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. They discuss surgical and systemic treatment advancements, including the practice of sentinel lymph node biopsy and the game-changing benefits of immunotherapy. Dr. Howard says clinical trials are essential in improving treatment methods and...
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Art Therapy for Cancer Patients with Margaret Wielbut
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP welcomes , a trained art therapist who works with patients at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Margaret delves into her personal journey, from discovering art therapy to implementing it in cancer care in Mobile, Alabama. She describes art therapy as a marriage between art and psychology, emphasizing its benefits for cancer patients in creating hope, reducing anxiety, and bringing purpose to the cancer journey. She shares stories about how art can turn clinical spaces into environments of light and creativity. Sponsored by the , the MCI’s art therapy...
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A patient recently came to see Brian Persing, M.D. with a list of questions about their lung cancer, every one of them written by AI. He answered them all, and he noticed that a few were tailored to that patient in ways even an attentive doctor might not think to raise. That story opens Dr. JYP's conversation with Dr. Persing, a hematologist and medical oncologist who has returned to the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute as its new director.
Most people hear "artificial intelligence" and picture a chatbot, but at MCI much of the work happens out of sight. Canopy Care checks in with patients on treatment by text or email and alerts the care team when a symptom can't wait. LeanTaaS studies the clinic schedule to shorten wait times, and other software follows lung nodules that turn up on scans taken for unrelated reasons, so a finding from a car accident doesn't slip through the cracks.
The two doctors are just as candid about the limits of artificial intelligence. Information generated by chatbots can be months out of date and sometimes even fully invented. Security measures dictate that patient information has to stay private, so what can be inputted has to omit any identifying information. For these reasons and more, no algorithm will ever replace the professionals in the exam room, Dr. Persing says.
Relevant Links
Persing named director of USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute
Submit your questions for the show at cancering.com
3 Key Listener Takeaways
1. Much of the AI in cancer care Is invisible
Patients on treatment at MCI receive a short weekly survey from Canopy Care by text or email. If an answer crosses a threshold, such as unexpected vomiting or new shortness of breath, the care team is alerted right away and the patient gets clear instructions on what to do next, even if they hadn't thought to call. Behind the front desk, LeanTaaS learns which appointments tend to run long and adjusts the schedule to match. Persing admits he is one of the clinicians who gives it reason to.
2. Speed is not the same as accuracy
Persing recently joined a panel that tested the NCCN and ASCO guidelines against Claude and ChatGPT. The clinicians loved getting answers in 15 to 30 seconds, but they didn't trust them, and the experts who reviewed the results found they weren't always right. Pierce has her own cautionary tale: a chatbot once sent her to a Paris café that doesn't exist. For medical questions, both doctors recommend vetted sources like UpToDate and OpenEvidence, and they encourage patients to lean on their own physician to help make sense of what they find online.
3. The human stays in the room
AI may help oncologists keep pace with the 15 to 20 new cancer drugs now approved each year, flag interactions buried in a long medication list, and turn an eighth-grade drug information sheet into one written at a first-grade level. Even so, when Canopy Care raises an alert, someone from the care team still picks up the phone to confirm it, and every new AI tool at USA Health goes before a special committee to make sure it is safe. When asked what he hopes AI will be doing in 10 years, Persing keeps it simple. He wants it to work so seamlessly that it fades into the background and gives clinicians more time face to face with their patients.
Show Overview
00:00 A patient arrives with questions written by AI
03:07 What AI really means in cancer care
05:22 When chatbots make things up
07:28 Turning medical jargon into plain language
08:43 How Canopy Care keeps tabs on patients between visits
11:01 Shorter waits through smarter scheduling
12:02 Ambient recording and protecting patient privacy
14:37 Catching cancer earlier
17:51 Moving from precision medicine to personalized medicine
21:15 The next five to 10 years, including virtual tumor boards
25:42 Why AI will never replace the human touch