The Cancer SIGNAL

The Cancer SIGNAL brings together experts from the cancer community to discuss the latest innovations transforming cancer detection and shifting the cancer paradigm. The podcast is presented by GRAIL and hosted by Kim Thiboldeaux, former CEO and Executive Chair of the Cancer Support Community.

20 – Improving Cancer Screening in the LGBTQ+ Community 05/07/2024

20 – Improving Cancer Screening in the LGBTQ+ Community Jon Rendina and Dwight Venson of Whitman-Walker, a healthcare center historically focused on the LGBTQ+ community, join us to delve into how LGBTQ+ people and people of color face disparities in cancer incidence. Whitman-Walker, Cancer Support Community, and GRAIL are collaborating on INCLUDE, a study to evaluate multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing’s impact within federally qualified health centers. The goal: make this kind of cancer screening available to more people in the future. Jon and Dwight discuss barriers to access, how LGTBQ+ and minority experiences of cancer care can be different, and how MCED testing may play a role in helping underserved groups. Help shape future episodes by taking our survey: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/31151093

19 – The Power of Diverse Representation in Clinical Trials 03/25/2024

19 – The Power of Diverse Representation in Clinical Trials Diverse clinical trials provide more meaningful data to researchers, but too many trials are based around monolithic audience groups. In early disease detection, particularly in conditions like cancer, diversity in clinical trials is especially important. Our guests, Eucharia Borden of the cancer nonprofit Family Reach and Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum, discuss why diversity in clinical trials is critical and how to foster inclusivity in clinical research, getting us closer to healthcare equity. Help shape future episodes by taking our survey: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/30484768

18 – When a Proactive Cancer Screening Leads to a Surprising Diagnosis 02/26/2024

18 – When a Proactive Cancer Screening Leads to a Surprising Diagnosis After supporting her husband through his shocking cancer experience, Cindy decided to take a multi-cancer early detection test as recommended by her doctor. She was once again shocked when she received a “cancer signal detected” result, leading to a cancer diagnosis. Join us to hear about Cindy’s experience with early detection, treatment, and eventual remission, and what she learned along the way. We want your feedback! Please take our podcast survey: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/30068673

17 – Navigating Hereditary Cancer Risk – Part 2 01/23/2024

17 – Navigating Hereditary Cancer Risk – Part 2 Join host Kim Thiboldeaux and Krissa Smith, VP of Mission Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, as they continue unraveling how the BRCA gene and other DNA mutations impact hereditary cancer risk. In this episode, Krissa shares personal stories about her family's experiences with genetic testing and how they’ve chosen to respond. Krissa also discusses cancer screening best practices and how multi-cancer early detection testing can play a role. Please take our survey to help us shape future episodes: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/29448383

16 – Understanding BRCA Mutations and Hereditary Cancer Risk – Part 1 01/16/2024

16 – Understanding BRCA Mutations and Hereditary Cancer Risk – Part 1 Krissa Smith, Vice President of Mission Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, joins us to discuss the complexities of the BRCA gene and its impact on hereditary cancer risk. Krissa shares her family's experiences with genetic mutations, including the p53 gene, and explains the importance of genetic testing and how it can work in partnership with evolving cancer screening technology. Stay tuned for part 2 to learn more about genetics, cancer risk, and the importance of early detection. Please take our survey to help us shape future episodes: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/29448278

15 – Meet Tami: Cancer Survivor Turned Advocate 12/19/2023

15 – Meet Tami: Cancer Survivor Turned Advocate Meet Tami, manager of a Christmas tree farm in rural Oregon. Cancer has had a profound impact on Tami’s life, from her grandmother's diagnosis more than 30 years ago to her own 2017 diagnosis to her participation in the PATHFINDER study. Tami shares what she’s learned about cancer and the importance of proactive screening, including her own experiences with multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing. Please take our survey to help us shape future episodes: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/29135493

14 – The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Cancer Screenings 11/30/2023

14 – The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Cancer Screenings In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, cancer screening has changed, necessitating inventive strategies. Epidemiologists Dr. Alpa Patel (Senior Vice President of Population Science, American Cancer Society) and Dr. Tina Clarke (Vice President of Epidemiology and Distinguished Scientist, GRAIL) return to The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss how the pandemic changed access to cancer screening, the impact it had on diagnosing cancer, and where that leaves the screening landscape today. Please take our survey to share your thoughts on The Cancer SIGNAL: Transcripts: Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/28852668

13 – What did the PATHFINDER Study Reveal about Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing? 10/31/2023

13 – What did the PATHFINDER Study Reveal about Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing? What did researchers learn when they studied a multi-cancer early detection test in a population of more than 6,000 patients? The PATHFINDER study, recently published in The Lancet, explored that question and produced useful insights. Dr. Chuck McDonnell, a radiologist with Sutter Medical Group and principal investigator for PATHFINDER, joins this episode to discuss how the study worked, highlights of the results, and what they could mean for the future of cancer screening. Transcripts available at Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/28466495

12 – Improving Cancer Screening and Care in Native American Communities 09/18/2023

12 – Improving Cancer Screening and Care in Native American Communities The American Indian Cancer Foundation is on a mission to eliminate the cancer burdens of Indigenous people through improved access to prevention, early detection, treatment and survivor support. Melissa Buffalo, CEO of the Foundation, discusses the cancer burden faced by Native Americans and what her Foundation is doing to reduce disparities in care. Transcripts available at Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/28034382

11 – Roger’s Story: Detecting Pancreatic Cancer in its Early Stages 07/24/2023

11 – Roger’s Story: Detecting Pancreatic Cancer in its Early Stages When Roger received a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, an aggressive, fast-growing and often deadly cancer, one doctor called him “lucky,” since Roger’s cancer was found at an early stage and before he showed any symptoms. Roger had been screened with a multi-cancer early detection test as part of his efforts to take care of his health. Learn more about Roger’s story and hear how he is doing today. Transcripts available at Sign up for GRAIL’s newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/27535095

10 – Lynch Syndrome: An Inherited Disorder Associated with Increased Cancer Risk 06/20/2023

10 – Lynch Syndrome: An Inherited Disorder Associated with Increased Cancer Risk Lynch syndrome is an inherited disorder associated with many different cancers including ovarian, uterine, pancreatic and, most commonly, colorectal. It is estimated that about one in 279 people are Lynch syndrome carriers, or about 1 million people in the U.S. Dr. Jordan Karlitz, Senior Medical Director at GRAIL, and Robin Dubin, Executive Director and Co-founder of AliveandKick’n – a patient advocacy organization focused on Lynch syndrome – join The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss risks associated with hereditary cancer predispositions, the need for tailored screening programs and how multi-cancer early detection could be used to look for cancers associated with Lynch syndrome. AliveandKick’n: Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/27161913

9 – Understanding Genetic Testing, Cancer Screening and Cancer Genomics 05/15/2023

9 – Understanding Genetic Testing, Cancer Screening and Cancer Genomics When it comes to cancer, there are many types of tests that can provide critical information–tests that can determine one’s risk of getting cancer, tests that screen for the presence of cancer, and tests that assess mutations or specific characteristics of a person’s cancer to inform treatment paths. Dr. Eric Klein, Distinguished Scientist at GRAIL, joins The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss the different types of cancer tests and each of their purposes. Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/26814483

8 – Tackling Health Disparities to Improve Cancer Outcomes 04/24/2023

8 – Tackling Health Disparities to Improve Cancer Outcomes Despite significant progress in cancer care, critical health disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes still exist. Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum, joins The Cancer SIGNAL to share his thoughts on improving diversity in clinical trials, the impact of health disparities on cancer outcomes, and why we need to move quickly to expand early cancer detection among underserved and marginalized communities. National Minority Quality Forum: Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/26613795

7 – Exploring How We Address Cancer Risk 04/10/2023

7 – Exploring How We Address Cancer Risk Cancer is expected to claim the lives of more than 609,000 Americans in 2023 alone, according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Alpa Patel, Senior Vice President of Population Science at the American Cancer Society, and Dr. Tina Clarke, Epidemiology Vice President and Distinguished Scientist at GRAIL, explore the evolution of how we measure and approach cancer risk and what steps people can take to prevent and detect cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful. Learn more about the American Cancer Society: Read Dr. Patel’s and Dr. Clarke’s paper, “Rethinking risk assessment in the era of multi-cancer early detection”: Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/26467392

6 – The Case for Early Detection in Colorectal Cancer 03/13/2023

6 – The Case for Early Detection in Colorectal Cancer March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we had the opportunity to feature two guests from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide support to people affected by colorectal cancer, raise awareness of preventive measures and inspire efforts to fund critical research. Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Alliance, and Dr. Charles R. Rogers, an endowed associate professor of epidemiology and social sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an advisor to the Alliance, discuss why they’re passionate about colorectal cancer awareness, the newest guidelines for screening, and efforts to make colorectal cancer care and outcomes more equitable. Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/26182140

5 – How AI and Genomics Make Multi-cancer Early Detection Possible 02/15/2023

5 – How AI and Genomics Make Multi-cancer Early Detection Possible From the early 20th century discovery that cancer is a disease of the genome to having sequenced more than one million humans’ genomes today - this is just some of the history Amoolya Singh, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Chief Scientific Officer at GRAIL discusses when she shares the role of genomics and AI in cancer detection, what’s needed for population-scale screening tests, and what she’s excited about for the future. Full transcript available at Sign up for GRAIL’s monthly newsletter: /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/25935120

4 – Valerie’s Story: How Early Cancer Detection Led to Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis 01/10/2023

4 – Valerie’s Story: How Early Cancer Detection Led to Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis Valerie kept active, felt healthy, and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Although she didn’t have symptoms, she took the Galleri test, which found a positive cancer signal. After additional evaluations, it was confirmed she had early-stage gallbladder cancer and was able to take action. Valerie shares her experience taking the test, what the results meant, her treatment journey and outlook for the future. /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/25559160

3 – Behind the Galleri Test: From Blood Draw to Result 12/07/2022

3 – Behind the Galleri Test: From Blood Draw to Result Step into the lab with Rita Shaknovich, vice president of medical affairs and head of clinical laboratories at GRAIL, as she dives into the science behind the Galleri test and brings to life the process that a Galleri test sample goes through from beginning to end. /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/25244634

2 – Early Cancer Detection for Veterans 11/11/2022

2 – Early Cancer Detection for Veterans Many U.S. veterans may be at an increased risk of cancer, making access to early detection critical to their health. Dr. Charles Atwood, pulmonologist and lead researcher for the REFLECTION Study at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, joins The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss the work being done to expand early cancer detection for veterans. /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/24960141

1 – The Promise of Multi-Cancer Early Detection 10/04/2022

1 – The Promise of Multi-Cancer Early Detection GRAIL’s founder, Dr. Rick Klausner and president, Joshua Ofman, join host Kim Thiboldeaux to discuss the science behind multi-cancer early detection, the technology being pioneered, and how the tests have the potential to help find cancer earlier in people with elevated risk. /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/24544872

Welcome to The Cancer SIGNAL Presented by GRAIL 09/19/2022

Welcome to The Cancer SIGNAL Presented by GRAIL Each month, Kim Thiboldeaux, former CEO and Executive Chair of the Cancer Support Community, will host a discussion around multi-cancer early detection, its origin and promise for anyone at high risk for cancer, the science behind the screening tests, and insight into how this technology has the potential to shift the cancer paradigm. Guests will include healthcare pioneers and providers, advocates, policymakers, and others who will share their perspectives and experiences with multi-cancer early detection testing. Subscribe to The Cancer SIGNAL to hear more. /episode/index/show/71ba1139-de03-4fb3-a0be-a9a4164a90d0/id/24387138

The Cancer SIGNAL

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