This is Cancer

Nurses: Teachers, Counselors & Friends in Cancer Care

When patients describe their nurse, they often use words such as caregiver, teacher, counselor or friend. Three nurses at Siteman Cancer Center (Shannon, Pam and Julie) join the podcast to share their passion for taking care of cancer patients. Hear what inspired each of these nurses to get into the field – and the advice they share with 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/patient-experience/ 
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-approach/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/

It Takes Two: One Diagnosis Becomes a Journey for Partners

It wasn’t Pam’s first cancer diagnosis. In fact, because of a rare genetic disorder she has, Pam and her husband, Charlie, expected she would be diagnosed more than once. Together, they faced routine screenings and tests. But pancreatic cancer wasn’t expected. An evening call in the fall of 2021 began Pam and Charlie’s journey. While she received treatment, he supported her. Washington University medical oncologist Kian-Huat Lim, MD, PhD, and Washington University gastroenterologist Koushik Das, MD, explain how clinical trials, chemotherapy, surgery and new daily med
ication make surviving pancreatic cancer possible.
 
“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/pancreatic/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/research/learn-about-clinical-trials/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/genetic-counseling/

A Shot at Prevention: HPV and Head & Neck Cancers

Ron had referred patients for biopsies before, but the dentist didn’t expect the lump in his own neck to be cancer. As one of a growing number of people diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer, Ron shares about his treatment and why he advocates children being vaccinated against it. Though these cancers are on the rise, Washington University Otolaryngologist, Chief of Surgery at Siteman Cancer Center, Sidharth Puram, MD, PhD explains how HPV vaccines are key for preventing them entirely.
 
“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/head-and-neck/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/head-and-neck/hpv-head-and-neck-cancer/
 https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/8-ways/8-ways-to-better-health-and-a-lower-risk-of-cancer-for-early-adults/

The Physical and Mental Toll of Breast Cancer: Part 1

Do I need to have my breast removed? Will I lose them both? What about my nipples - will I get to keep them? How long before I can get reconstruction? Will I ever feel the same again? The unknowns women face after getting a breast cancer diagnosis are staggering. Our Season 2 premiere launches into the physical and emotional toll that breast cancer survivors endure. The experience and honesty they share took two whole episodes to convey. In Part 1, survivors Melanie and Tamara open up about their mastectomies, the challenges they were prepared for and the impact(s) they didn’t expect.
 
“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/survivorship/body-image/ https://psychiatry.wustl.edu/patient-care-3/services-treatments/

Season 2 Trailer

"This is Cancer" returns for a second season - honest, compelling, and inspiring stories from cancer patients and the physicians who put forth miraculous efforts to treat them. This series is the perfect companion podcast - not only for people who’ve been touched by cancer, but for those of us who simply love the human experience. Brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, National Leaders in Cancer. "This is Cancer" premieres everywhere May 10th.
“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, visit siteman.wustl.edu

Bonus Episode: Cancer Treatment is Never One-Size-Fits-All

Resources, age, and mindset each play a key role in developing cancer treatment plans. Washington University radiation oncologist Lannis Hall, MD, MPH and former Siteman radiation therapist Larissa Bullock discuss how they take patients’ unique challenges, like food insecurity, transportation, fertility, and psychological health, into account. Both explain why expert cancer care includes real support for tangible needs. 
 
“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 Siteman Cancer Center, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/pecad/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/
 

Bonus Episode: Differentiating Leukemia and Lymphoma

Why are two dissimilar cancers so commonly confused? Washington University radiation oncologist Maria Thomas, MD, PhD, and Washington University medical oncologist Neha Mehta-Shah, MD explain the differences and similarities of leukemia and lymphoma.
 
“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/cancer-types/leukemia/https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/lymphoma/ 

Bonus Episode: The Agony of the Biopsy Wait

Host, Laura Susic, recently underwent genetic counseling - which resulted in her qualification for increased screenings. In this bonus episode, Laura shares the anxiety and stress she felt when Washington University physicians found a suspicious lump during her first breast MRI. Laura relates to co-host, Patrick, about the agony of waiting for the biopsy results and the fear of hearing, “This is 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 Siteman Cancer Center, go to:
https://siteman.wustl.edu/
 

”Keep Choosing Positivity”

In Episode 8 of This is Cancer, we honor the life of our colleague and dear friend, Jenny Miller. In the summer of 2022, the 33-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with a rare, stage-4 adrenal cancer. While Jenny was in treatment, she wanted to share her story on the podcast. Sadly, she passed away just two months later. You'll hear Jenny's inspiring attitude and the unwavering positivity she used to face her diagnosis. Her colleague and close friend, Rachel Cliffe, joins us to share the joy of knowing her and the grief that came with losing her. We want to thank Jenny's husband and family for allowing us to share this episode. We love you, Jenny. 
 
“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/

Losing a Loved One

In 2021, our host Patrick (a cancer survivor himself) lost his father, Paul, to skin cancer. Washington University medical oncologist Jesse Keller, MD, who cared for Paul for years, joins us to reflect on the relationships that form between doctors, patients and their families. We also explore the value of hospice care as another form of treating 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/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/kidscan/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/genetic-counseling/
https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/skin/symptoms-risk-and-prevention/