This is Cancer

It can be scary, difficult and complicated, but it doesn’t always have to be. … Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths — not just because of its aggressive nature, but because it’s also frequently diagnosed late. But why? Hear from two survivors about their experiences and the importance of screening, which can catch lung cancer earlier, when it’s more treatable. 

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Cent...

After minor blurred vision prompted Ellen to get an eye exam, she was surprised to learn she had a mass in the middle of her brain near the nerve connected to her left eye. A referral to Siteman quickly led to the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Fortunately, it was noncancerous and had a surgical solution. Washington University neurosurgeon Albert Kim, MD, PhD, director of The Brain Tumor Center at Siteman, explains minimally invasive ...

When Byron was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he underwent surgery to have it removed. But when doctors noticed his PSA levels were still rising following the procedure, they offered him access to an open clinical trial. Byron shares his experiences from the 6-month trial along with his Washington University radiation oncologist Lannis Hall, MD. From upsides, to side effects, Byron and Dr. Hall use his story to illustrate the bene...

Former NHL player Kelly Chase is known as one of the toughest guys to wear a St. Louis Blues jersey, racking up more than 2,000 penalty minutes in his career. But when his Washington University medical oncologist Dr. Ramzi Abboud diagnosed him with acute myeloid leukemia in 2023, Chase learned he was facing an opponent different than anything he challenged on the ice – one needing more than brute force. 

Listen as Chase and Dr. A...

In January of his senior year, Thomas was stretching and noticed a painless bump on the back of his hamstring. The 3-sport athlete thought nothing of it. But by the spring, the lump had grown to the size of a baseball. Thomas was immediately directed to Siteman kids where Washington University pediatric oncologist, Dr. Amy Armstrong, confirmed the mass was a sarcoma. Listen as Thomas, his mom Amelia, and Dr. Armstrong describe the ...

The early symptoms were not clear. But after feeling “off” for a few days following a trip abroad, Candice took herself to the ER. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrial cancer. She was just 41. With the guidance and expertise of Washington University gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Premal Thaker, Candice welcomes each day, meeting it with unrelenting tenacity and spirit. Dr. Thaker shares about the rise of endometrial ...

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...

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...

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...

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 tr...

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. W...

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 ...

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 i...

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 emotion...

“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 m...

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 radiatio...

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 Hospit...

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, M...

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, Ph...