This is Cancer

It’s Cancer: Now What? Finding Direction After the Diagnosis

After a diagnosis, every Siteman patient and their medical team develops a treatment plan, and every treatment plan becomes as unique as the patient it supports. Chuck learned how to tailor a treatment plan firsthand as he acted as a caregiver to his son, and again when he faced a cancer diagnosis himself. In this episode, Chuck shares his experience alongside Tate Rondot, Siteman’s Manager of Support Services. Both are involved in Siteman’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a group dedicated to helping every patient create the plan they need during their cancer care. They offer considerations and resources that personalize patients’  treatment from diagnosis to hospice and every stage in between.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/about/committees/patient-and-family-advisory-committee-pfac/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/brain-tumor-center/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/prostate/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/
 

Caring for the Caregiver

Caring for a cancer patient can be a daunting undertaking, but also a meaningful act of love. In this episode, Courtney shares her journey as a caregiver for her husband, Charlie. She supported him as he battled a brain tumor for 18 of their 19 years of marriage. Patrick and Laura also share their experiences of caring for their fathers. Washington University clinical psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Romo, offers her expertise in helping caregivers. Through Siteman’s support groups and individual sessions she helps them find balance in their lives, and validates their need to express and process the full spectrum of emotions.   
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/
https://annieshope.org/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers.html
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/caregiver-support
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/

Mind Over Cancer: Mental Health Support for Patients and Families

Cancer throws a lot of challenges - physical and mental - at patients. It can impact many areas of life, whether it’s deciding if or how to tell loved ones, how to navigate relationship changes or even dealing with depression or anxiety. Licensed clinical psychologist Jessica Vanderlan, PhD, returns to the show to discuss these effects and how to boost mental and emotional well-being. The head of psychological counseling at Siteman Cancer Center, she emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health and offers insight and hope for patients and family members alike.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/coping.html
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/

The Complex World of Survivorship: What does it Really Mean?

A moment of joy and a moment of deep change converge as patients ring the bell at the end of their treatment. This shift often calls for a different kind of care. Jessica Vanderlan, PhD, a clinical psychologist and manager of Siteman Psychology Service, and Rochelle Hobson, RN, MSN, CHPN, manager of Siteman’s Survivorship Program, explain how their specialized training helps patients address the complexities of life after cancer treatment. And Jay, a Siteman Cancer Center patient, shares his first-hand experience navigating anxiety, change, and follow-up scans with help from the program’s free mental health services.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/

The Physical and Mental Toll of Breast Cancer: Part 2

In Part 2 of our Season 2 premiere we hear from Chelsea, who was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer at age 37. She talks about why the one treatment she didn’t want – five months of chemotherapy before undergoing her mastectomy – became her only option. Chelsea also reflects on how daily life as a mom of three became much more difficult. She reached her lowest point but pulled through with support from family and friends. Washington University breast surgeon Katherine Glover-Collins, MD, PhD, and Washington University plastic surgeon Terence Myckatyn, MD, join to explain why Chelsea’s treatment plan required aggressive chemotherapy, and the strategy behind her reconstructive surgery. 
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/breast-cancer/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/8-ways/8-ways-to-prevent-breast-cancer/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/breast-cancer/patient-stories/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/virtual-support-services/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-approach/chemotherapy/scalp-cooling/
 

Hearing, Processing, and Sharing “the News”

Aleta joins the show to share her battle with breast cancer. Her story begins with her diagnosis and what it was like to share the news with her family. She continues on to talk about going through treatment, only to have the cancer come back and eventually lead her to have a double mastectomy. Washington University radiologist Debbie Bennett, MD, chief of breast imaging, and Washington University clinical psychologist Jennie Romo shed light on the importance of mental and emotional support during those hard days, as well as the therapeutic resources Siteman offers.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/locations/mammography-van/ 
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/siteman-psychology-service/
 
 

3x Cancer Survivor: “I adjusted my attitude, my pace and my face.”

Siteman Cancer Center patient, Cheryl, shares the motivation that helped her endure three separate cancer diagnoses, a stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy. Her Washington University medical oncologist, Amanda Cashen, MD, joins to explain the scientific advancements that saved Cheryl’s life and allowed Cheryl to hold her first grandchild. Dr. Cashen also highlights new positive trends in treating all blood cancers.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/specialized-programs/stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapies-center/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/lymphoma/

Fertility and Cancer: What to Expect When You’re (Not) Expecting

Diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 28, Mindy faced the emotional turmoil not just of surviving her diagnosis but also of how treatment could affect her plans for making a family. In this episode, she sits down with her Washington University Physicians, gynecologic oncologist Lindsay Kuroki, MD, MSCI and reproductive endocrinologist Kenan Omurtag, MD, to discuss the surgery that saved her life, as well as the physical and emotional complexities of fertility preservation and options available to women and men who face cancer.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/cervical/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/specialized-programs/gynecologic-oncology/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/facts-about-hpv-cervical-cancer/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/infertility-fertility-preservation/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/payment-information/
 

A “PSA” on PSA Tests for Prostate Cancer: Saving Men’s Lives

“If I can save one man’s life, I’ll have done my job.” In this episode, Kevin, prostate cancer survivor, talks about his crusade to save lives through awareness, with Washington University surgeon and urologist Arnold Bullock, MD, and Washington University medical oncologist Russell Pachynski, MD. They talk openly about a topic that many men find taboo to dispel myths and lay out facts about the No. 2 cause of cancer deaths among men.
 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/prostate/our-approach/
https://getscreenednow.com/prostate-cancer/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/for-your-health-understanding-prostate-cancer-screening-and-prevention/

Addie’s Buckets of Joy: A Siteman Kids Journey

In 2022, 11-year-old Addie traveled from central Illinois to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a brain tumor so rare that the type wasn’t widely known anywhere. Addie and her mom, Ashley, are joined by Addie’s child life specialist, Nikki, to discuss the surgery, proton therapy and emotional support that saved Addie’s life – and the joy they found along the way. 
Later in the episode, Washington University radiation oncologist Stephanie Perkins, MD, and Washington University hematologist-oncologist Margaret Shatara, MD, discuss childhood cancer, the latest advancements and the future of treating pediatric patients. 
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
 
For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/childhood-cancers/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/kids/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/8-ways/8-ways-to-better-health-and-a-lower-risk-of-cancer-for-early-adults/