Podcasts about American Cancer Society

The causes, physiology, signs & symptoms, and treatment of cardiac tamponade as an ACLS H&T reversible cause of cardiac arrest.When blood, or other fluids, accumulate in the sac around the heart it's called a cardiac tamponade or pericardial tamponade.The effects of tamponade on the electrical system and chambers of the heart.Cardiac tamponade can be acute or chronic and caused by traumatic, iatrogenic, or pathological etiologies.Common traumatic events, medical procedures, and diseases that can result in a pericardial tamponade.Signs & symptoms of cardiac tamponade.Treatment of cardiac tamponade with pericardiocentesis.For additional information on cardiac tamponade, check out the Pod Resources page at PassACLS.com.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

The role of team leader, code team responsibilities, and the use of reference cards during your ACLS class megacode and written exam.Two things have changed in recent years to aid students that don't use ACLS in their daily practice.1. The role of the team leader; and2. The ability to use your quick reference cards.The team leader's roles and responsibilities.Using closed-loop communication and speaking up if there's any doubt about an order or action.Use of your course's approved text book and quick reference cards during the megacode and written exam.Tips to help you pass the ACLS written exam.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Early CPR and defibrillation improve cardiac arrest outcomes. Here's why CPR is important and five ACLS tips to reduce CPR interruptions.Two factors to cardiac arrest survivability that have been clearly shown to make the biggest difference is continuous, high-quality CPR and early defibrillation.The most common dysrhythmia present during the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.The chance of defibrillation converting to a perfusing rhythm decreases every minute that passes.How our chance of successfully defibrillating a patient into a perfusing rhythm significantly changes when good CPR is delivered vs when it isn't.Why bystander CPR is important for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes.The role of the CPR coach.Five tips to aid us in limiting CPR interruptions to less than 10 seconds so we can maintain a chest compression fraction (CCF) of at least 80%.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Four uses for Quantitative waveform capnography in ACLS.Waveform capnography use with, and without, an advanced airway in place.Monitoring end tidal CO2 during rescue breathing.Use of capnography to objectively measure good CPR.Capnography is a preferred method of confirming endotracheal tube (ETT) placement over x-ray during a code.During CPR, a sudden increase in ETCO2 may indicate ROSC.Quantitative waveform capnography use in the post-cardiac arrest algorithm.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Patients with a narrow complex tachycardia with a rate over 150 BPM are in SVT.Unstable patients in SVT, or V-Tach with a pulse, should be cardioverted with a synchronized shock. Assessment & treatment of stable tachycardic patients.Commonly used vagal techniques.A less common technique to stimulate the vagus nerve. Indications and use of Adenosine for stable patients in SVT refractory to vagal maneuvers.Possible treatments for patients found to be in A-Fib or A-Flutter with RVR after administration of Adenosine.Carotid sinus massage.Additional medical podcasts that have episodes on tachycardia can be found on the pod resources page at passacls.com. **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Remembering all the different energy setting needed for synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation used to be confusing for a lot of people.Defibrillators can be broken down into three basic categories:1. Automated External Defibrillator (AED);2. Biphasic defibrillators; and3. Monophasic defibrillators.Use of an AED to rapidly deliver a shock.Advantages & use of Biphasic defibrillators.Energy for monophasic defibrillators to defibrillate V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.AEDs must not be used on patients with a pulse.Cardioversion of patients in unstable SVT or V-Tach with a pulse using biphasic vs monophasic monitor/defibrillators.Team safety when performing synchronized cardioversion.Energy needed to cardiovert unstable patients with a narrow vs wide complex tachycardia. **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

One of the most important years in American history was 1913, and everything really changed after that. The bankers took control of the United States banking system and the US Dollar with the Federal Reserve Act, lighting the slow fuse towards economic destruction and the subjugation of the general public. The collection arm of the Federal Reserve was also born in 1913 when the Internal Revenue Service was created by Congress, and the battle against Americans began. The Rockefeller Foundation began the process of taking control of the American medical industry, all while pushing eugenics through think tanks such as the Population Council. Even the American Cancer Society turns out to be a Rockefeller scam, also launched in 1913. The Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMm Hypocrazy Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4aogwms Website: www.Macroaggressions.io Activist Post: www.activistpost.com Sponsors: Chemical Free Body: https://www.chemicalfreebody.com Promo Code: MACRO C60 Purple Power: https://c60purplepower.com/ Promo Code: MACRO Wise Wolf Gold & Silver: www.Macroaggressions.gold LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.com EMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com Promo Code: MACROChristian Yordanov's Health Program: www.livelongerformula.com/macro Above Phone: abovephone.com/macro Promo Code: MACRO Van Man: https://vanman.shop/?ref=MACRO Promo Code: MACRO My Patriot Supply: www.PrepareWithMacroaggressions.com The Dollar Vigilante: https://dollarvigilante.spiffy.co/a/O3wCWenlXN/4471 Augason Farms: https://augasonfarms.com/MACRO Activist Post: www.ActivistPost.com Natural Blaze: www.NaturalBlaze.com Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/macroaggressionspodcast

Patients with a heart rate less than 60 are bradycardic. Some people can have a resting heart rate in the 40s without any compromise. For others, a heart rate of 50 or less could signify the need for immediate intervention and warrants additional assessment.Signs & symptoms that indicate a bradycardic patient is unstable.Monitoring oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry and indications for administration of oxygen. Calcium channel blockers and beta blocker medication as treatable causes of bradycardia.The indications and dosage of Atropine.Precautions for Atropine use in patients with second or third degree AV blocks.The use of transcutaneous pacing (TCP) for unstable bradycardic patients refractory to Atropine.The use and dosing of Dopamine and Epinephrine drips.For additional information about causes and treatment of bradycardia, check out the pod resources page at PassACLS.com.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

The goal of CPR is to keep the brain and vital organs perfused until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is achieved.Post-arrest care and recovery are the final two links in the chain of survival.Identification of ROSC during CPR.Initial patient management goals after identifying ROSC.The patient's GCS/LOC should be evaluated to determine if targeted temperature management (TTM) is indicated.Recently published studies on TTM and ACLS's current standard.Monitoring the patient's core temperature during TTM.Patients can undergo EEG, CT, MRI, & PCI while receiving TTM.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Nichelle Morey joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the 2025 Henry and Stark Counties Relay for Life. Hope and community spirit take center stage as Relay For Life marks its 40th anniversary at Windmont Park in Kewanee, Illinois, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Scheduled from 6 to 10 PM, this annual event pays tribute to all those touched by cancer, shining a light on survivors at every stage. An opening ceremony is at 6 PM, and the highlight of the evening is the Survivor Lap at 6:30, symbolizing collective strength and determination. The open walk is from 7 to 9 PM, followed by the luminary ceremony at 9. The silent auction is from 5 to 9 PM inside the shelter house. Participants can find support for registration and get involved by visiting the event's official website or connecting via the Relay for Life of Henry and Stark Counties Facebook page. The event features an inspiring Survivors Lap, an open walk for all participants, and the moving Luminary Ceremony to honor those affected by cancer. Supporters can purchase fundraising luminary bags for $10, floating luminaries for $25, or torch luminaries for $50, which will be displayed throughout the evening. To learn more or to get involved, head to relayforlife.org/henrystarkil. Join neighbors and friends in the fight against cancer and light up the night in support. A remarkable milestone for the Henry & Stark Counties Relay For Life, as the event has now raised over one million dollars since its first walk in 1999. Organizers and supporters recently celebrated by unveiling a commemorative banner. Leading the local effort are co-chairmen Amy Sternes and Amanda Bickett, joined by American Cancer Society representative Annie Hogan. Proceeds from the relay support cancer research, patient resources, and awareness campaigns. Organizers credit the achievement to years of community participation and steady commitment to the fight against cancer, emphasizing that every donation makes a difference in local and national efforts. Over 40 years ago, Dr. Gordy Klatt started a movement by circling a Tacoma track for 24 hours, raising $27,000 for cancer research and support. From that personal undertaking, Relay For Life has evolved into a worldwide effort, uniting communities in the fight against cancer. Since 1985, participants and volunteers have raised over $6.9 billion, fueling advances in advocacy, research, and patient care across more than 35 countries. The Relay For Life Hall of Fame now honors those whose dedication and leadership continue to inspire hope, support survivors, and honor the memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt was inducted in 1997. He previously battled stomach cancer and passed away from heart failure on August 3, 2014, at the age of 71. 

The chain of survival for ACLS is the same as was learned in your BLS class.The beginning steps of the Cardiac Emergency and Stroke chain of survival.ACLS's timed goals for first medical contact to PCI for STEMI and door-to-needle for ischemic stroke.Characteristics of areas that have significantly better stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Heart muscle contraction and repolarization is dependent on Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium ions crossing cellular membranes.When a patient's potassium levels get too low or too high, hypokalemia or hyperkalemia results respectively.Two things that may lead us to suspect hypo or hyperkalemia.Medical conditions & medications that can cause potassium imbalance.ECG changes seen in hypo and hyperkalemia.Critical lab values that would indicate a need for treatment.Emergent, ACLS interventions for hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.Additional information on causes of hypo and hyperkalemia can be found on Ninja Nerd podcast. Check out the pod resources page at passacls.com.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

On this week's episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Leia Hunt — cancer survivor, inspirational speaker, author, and founder of Leia's Kids - a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families battling cancer. Leia's own cancer journey began when she was just two years old, after being diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. She endured 26 surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, ultimately losing sight in one eye. But instead of letting her struggles define her, Leia turned her pain into purpose — speaking at the White House, working alongside the American Cancer Society and the Eye Tumor Research Foundation, and inspiring countless others through her story. At just 18 years old, while still in high school, Leia founded Leia's Kids — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families battling childhood cancer. As a survivor herself, Leia knows firsthand the challenges these children and their families face. Her organization provides financial grants, hosts dream parties, organizes mental health retreats, and so much more — offering not just support, but joy, hope, and a sense of community during some of life's hardest moments. In this episode, you'll hear: ✨ Leia's incredible journey as a child with cancer and now as a cancer survivor; ✨ How her childhood experiences inspired her to start Leia's Kids at just 18; ✨ The heart and mission behind Leia's Kids — and the life-changing impact they have on families; ✨ Stories from the dream parties, retreats, and programs she's created; ✨ How faith and resilience have guided her through challenges; ✨ What she's learned about life, hope, and community from the children she serves; ✨ And so much more!

When treating patients having an MI or stroke, more minutes equals more dead cells.Because the majority of strokes are the ischemic type, the treatment for stroke is similar to an MI – to reestablish perfusion to the ischemic tissues.The first four steps in the Stroke Chain of Survival.Time criteria for the administration of tPA (or a similar fibrinolytic medication) or EVT of LVO strokes.Stroke benchmarks for door to:assessment;completing a non-contrast CT; andadministration of fibrinolytic medication such as tPA (door-to-needle).EMS interaction with stroke teams and destination protocols to reduce time to definitive care.The difference for timed goals for the identification & treatment of AMI vs Stroke.Additional information about timed goals for stroke and how EMS affects outcomes, can be found on the PassACLS.com pod resources page.**American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support! Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

Ever wondered what happens when you mix high fashion, premium bourbon, and fighting cancer? The Suits and Sneakers charity event delivers a uniquely exhilarating experience that's changing the fundraising landscape in Northwest Arkansas.This fifth annual celebration, scheduled for Friday, October 17th at the Fayetteville Town Center, brings together bourbon enthusiasts, sneakerheads, and philanthropists for an unforgettable night of giving. As Lisa Bores of Sazerac and Catherine Tapp from the American Cancer Society share with the B-Team crew, this year's theme, "Cheers to Five Years", promises a birthday party atmosphere on a grand scale, complete with new surprises that build on the event's stellar reputation.Bourbon takes center stage thanks to Sazerac's exceptional offerings. This year's whiskey pool allows attendees to enjoy unlimited pours of allocated bourbon throughout the evening, take home a commemorative glass, and receive a surprise bottle, all for a $100 contribution. The signature auction will feature an exclusive Eagle Rare barrel experience, following last year's Buffalo Trace barrel that raised an impressive $30,000.What truly sets Suits and Sneakers apart is its fashion component. "Sneaker police" roam the event, issuing "citations" to guests with exceptional footwear, directing them to a sneaker stage for recognition. Categories include most innovative, most spirited, and most sparkly, with winners receiving coveted prizes. The event has even spawned a thriving custom sneaker industry in Northwest Arkansas, with artists creating one-of-a-kind designs specifically for the occasion.Beyond the bourbon and fashion, entertainment abounds with a human slot machine featuring Buzz Balls, a fashion show showcasing cancer survivors alongside athletes, and Buffalo Trace root beer floats during the dance party. All proceeds support the American Cancer Society's critical mission of funding cancer research and providing essential services like transportation and lodging for patients.Don't miss your chance to participate in this extraordinary event where doing good feels this good. Tickets and sponsorships are available now at suitsandsneakersAR.com. Secure yours before they're gone!

Adenosine is the first IV medication given to stable patients with sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) refractory to vagal maneuvers.Symptoms indicating a stable vs unstable patient.Common causes of tachycardia.Cardiac effects of Adenosine. Indications for use in the ACLS Tachycardia algorithm.Considerations and contraindications. Adenosine as a diagnostic for patients in A-Fib or A-Flutter with RVR.Dosing and administration.Other podcasts that cover common ACLS antiarrhythmics in more detail and another covering Brugata Criteria used to differentiate V-Tach from SVT with an aberrancy, can be found on the Pod Resources page at passacls.com.Good luck with your ACLS class!Links: Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/savePass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com@Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.I hope you'll consider contributing.Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer! Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylorTHANK YOU for your support!

Dauzat St. Marie—that's dō-zaht saynt mah-ree—the husband-and-wife duo of Mat Dauzat and Heather St. Marie can strip a song to its bare bones and still hit you right in the heart. They started out in the alt-rock-leaning Hydrovibe, but traded the volume wars for something sharper: acoustic-forward, harmony-rich, folk-Americana with a backbone. Their debut EP Falling Again set the tone—grit, heart, and zero filler—and they've been relentless road warriors ever since, sharing stages with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Rick Springfield, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Schuyler Fisk. Along the way, they've had viral success, deeply personal triumphs, and globe-spanning side gigs—Mat with Seal and The Buggles, Heather turning her breast cancer recovery into an anthem for the American Cancer Society. With new music like “Burn” and their soulful cover of Seal's “Crazy,” Dauzat St. Marie continues to make music for midnight highways, small rooms, and the moments you need a voice—or two—in your corner. This is our conversation with Heather and Mat of Dauzat St. Marie. LINKS Dauzat St. Marie on the web Dauzat St. Marie on BandCamp Dauzat St. Marie on YouTube Dauzat St. Marie on IG

About our guest:Steven Gaffney is a leading expert on increasing business profit through change  management, honest communication, and high performing teams. An author, speaker, and trusted advisor, Steven works directly with top leaders from Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, Marriott, Allstate Insurance, and even the U.S. government and military. Steven has authored four ground-breaking books: Just Be Honest: Authentic Communication Strategies that Get Results and Last a Lifetime, Honesty Works! Real-World Solutions to Common Problems at Work and Home, Be A Change Champion, and co-author of Honesty Sells: How to Make More Money and Increase Business Profits. He is currently working on two books: Reboot: How to Create and Sustain High Performing Teams, and The 9 Pillars of Sustainable Profitable Business Growth. His latest release, Unconditional Power, is available everywhere.Steven helps leaders across many industries.  Some of his clients include: Amazon, Marriott, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, SAIC, Allstate  Insurance, BP, World Bank, Congressional Budget Office, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of the Navy, Citigroup, Texas Instruments, NASA,American Cancer Society, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers,  Best Buy, and Johns Hopkins University. Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

Judyth Vary Baker was a teenage science prodigy who caught the attention of the top cancer researchers in the country, including Dr. Alton Ochsner – past president of the American Cancer Society and head of the prestigious Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. In the summer of 1963 Judy accepted a summer job at the Oschner Clinic in return for a promise to enter Tulane Medical School in the Fall. Arriving in New Orleans – a city she had never been to before – she learned that instead of working on a cure for cancer, she was actually there to help create a bioweapon  – a fast-acting cancer virus for the purpose of killing Cuban leader Fidel Castro. This top-secret project put her in the company of prominent medical researcher Dr. Mary Sherman, the brilliant but bizarre David Ferrie, mobster Carlos Marcello, nightclub owner Jack Ruby, and a charming young man named Lee Harvey Oswald with whom she fell in love.Two days before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lee confided to Judyth that he suspected he was being set-up to take the blame for the death of the president – a crime that she claims he was trying to prevent. He also named some of the powerful figures involved in the conspiracy.Emotionally shattered by Lee's death at the hands of his old friend Jack Ruby four days later, Judyth was warned to keep silent and abandon her dreams if she wanted to live.Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Whether you're going on a beach holiday, city break or camping trip, the chances are you'll be soaking up the sun's rays. Sunshine activates vitamin D production in the body, which has numerous benefits like protecting us from disease and improving mental health. But on the other hand, being exposed for too long can accelerate skin ageing. Excessive UV can even lead to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 100,000 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the United States alone in 2022. How should I compare all the different products? Do sunscreens only protect us from UVBs? How often should we be topping up on sunscreen? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How long do I have to wait to swim after eating?⁠ ⁠What are the world's least safe travel destinations?⁠ ⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Date of first release : 29/6/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we spotlight Drew Magid ('11 Com), a music industry leader and founding member of Track Management.Drew has toured the globe with superstar acts including Imagine Dragons, Charlie Puth, alt-J, and Florida Georgia Line, earning the Live Production Summit's Young Gun Tour Manager of the Year award. After a decade on the road, he transitioned into artist management with Big Loud in Nashville, guiding top talents like Chris Lane, Ernest, and MacKenzie Porter.In 2025, Drew became a founding member of Track Management, with clients such as McCoy Moore and Dallas Smith, as well as Default, and continues to build his reputation for shaping the careers of major artists.A five-time Half Ironman and Full Ironman finisher, Drew also champions causes close to his heart through partnerships with KultureCity and the American Cancer Society.

Welcome to the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast! In today's episode, we're helping midlife professionals design their next phase.Kellie Grutko, known as the "Spark Strategist," is a transformative leader empowering accomplished women to navigate life's transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose. As Founder and Chief Pivot Officer of Purposeful Pivot, she draws from her own reinvention—from corporate executive to certified transition coach—to guide others from burnout to brilliance.With 35+ years of leadership experience, Kellie held senior marketing roles at Trane Technologies, Comcast Spotlight, and King of Prussia & Coventry Malls. Her strengths lie in building high-performing teams, rebranding, and leading strategic growth and engagement.After reaching a personal crossroads, Kellie launched Purposeful Pivot to help women create fulfilling paths beyond the boardroom. As a coach, speaker, and strategist, she values sisterhood, reinvention, and authenticity.She is active in nonprofits like the American Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation, and holds a BA in Advertising from Penn State, with additional training in coaching, speaking, and leadership.Kellie's mission: to help women embrace life's next chapter—purposefully, confidently, and with a spark.Connect with Kellie Here: WEBSITE: www.purposefulpivot.netLINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purposeful-pivot/?viewAsMember=true LINKEDIN GROUP:  bit.ly/PurposefulPivotLinkedInGroup  FACEBOOK PAGE: bit.ly/PurposefulPivot-FB EMAIL: Kellieg@purposefulpivot.netGrab the freebie here: https://www.purposefulpivot.net/small-wins===================================If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the like button and subscribe. Then share this episode with your friends.Thanks for watching the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast. This podcast is part of the Digital Trailblazer family of podcasts. To learn more about Digital Trailblazer and what we do to help entrepreneurs, go to DigitalTrailblazer.com.Are you a coach, consultant, expert, or online course creator? Then we'd love to invite you to our FREE Facebook Group where you can learn the best strategies to land more high-ticket clients and customers. QUICK LINKS: APPLY TO BE FEATURED: https://app.digitaltrailblazer.com/podcast-guest-applicationDIGITAL TRAILBLAZER: https://digitaltrailblazer.com/

The American Cancer Society says colonoscopies on people aged 45 to 49 increased by 43% from 2019 to 2023. The tests are finding cancer cases earlier, when they're more curable. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook explains what to know. In a rare move, Oprah Winfrey revives a 20-year-old novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo. The pair joined "CBS Mornings" to talk about the power of revisiting older stories, and the challenges of writing. "CBS Mornings" exclusively reveals select nominees for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, with big names featured across Best Pop, Best Country and Best Album categories. Emmy winner Julia Garner plays a teacher whose life unravels after her students disappear without a trace. She joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about the role and working with Josh Brolin. Named one of TIME's 100 most influential people of 2025, Daniel Dae Kim stars and serves as executive producer in the upcoming series, "Butterfly." He joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the show's high-stakes story. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 As cigarette smoking gradually declines in Oklahoma and the U.S., other nicotine products are being marketed to attract and addict new consumers – especially youth and young adults. What are these products, what should be known about them and how can Oklahomans addicted to any tobacco product find help to quit for good? Episode 53 of the TSET Better Health Podcast explores and answers these questions with guests Matt Glanville of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network and TSET Brand Manager Chase Harvick. In addition, Dr. Emily Hebert of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center explains her innovative new five-year research grant to study behaviors and trends of young adults who vape from information gathered in real time.

My guest today is Valerie David. NYC-based performer/playwright Valerie David wrote and performs her award-winning solo show, The Pink Hulk: One Woman's Journey to Find the Superhero Within, to inspire and empower others through the courage and inner strength she found to become a 3-time cancer survivor—Stage III Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage II Breast Cancer, and Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. Through medical advancements, Valerie currently has no evidence of disease. The Pink Hulk has been accepted into over 60 different play festivals and 25 different cities worldwide, including England, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland, garnering multiple awards. Valerie and her show have impacted audiences since its 2016 debut with its motto: NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! She received the President's Lifetime Achievement Award: Resilience in Action for her patient advocacy work from the Biden administration. Her second award-winning solo show, Baggage From BaghDAD: Becoming My Father's Daughter, is about her Middle Eastern Jewish family's true inspirational journey of being forced to flee from religious persecution during the 1941 “Farhud” pogrom in Baghdad. It is the story of Valerie's father and his family's struggle to transcend their harrowing past and build a new home in America. It celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit and finds humor, even in the darkest of times. In this episode we discuss cancer, self-advocacy, speaking your truth, healing and performance.Website: https://pinkhulkplay.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriedavid/FB - https://www.facebook.com/pinkhulkplay/ https://www.facebook.com/valerie.david.96558/IG - https://www.instagram.com/valeriedavid_pinkhulkplay/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyDPITlLi5AwO_1beXL2Ogw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXRTfJ7EdCBEjlhsZw3bI-wIn this episode you will learn:1. The power of laughter to help get through immense challenges.2. The importance of finding and using your voice to advocate for yourself .3. How empathy can help lead to opening your heart and understanding others. “I think what inspired me was the fact that I had two different cancers. So in breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, less than 1% of all men get breast cancer."- 00:07:35“If you're not in perpetual motion Then there's something wrong and I think that's the opposite because you need time to take a break You need time for yourself." - 00:25:46“I think it taught me to be in the now, in the present moment what can I do now and not to worry, look too much into the future because you don't, you're only in control of what you can do now.” 00:47:33

Beau Simmons has been a professional photographer since 2009. Initially known for his work as a fashion photographer, collaborating with renowned brands like Marc Jacobs, Guess Jeans, and Converse, he became a sought-after photographer for top modeling agencies like Elite Models, IMG, and Ford Models. However, Beau's heart lies in the Western lifestyle and the beauty of the American landscape. Transitioning away from fashion, he now focuses on capturing the essence of this culture through medium and large-format film photography. He has worked on some of the largest ranches in the United States, both on and off horseback, documenting the lives of cowboys across diverse landscapes. Inspired by masters like Richard Avedon, Slim Aarons, and Steven Shore, his work evokes nostalgia and emotion, preserving authentic moments from a forgotten era. A strong advocate for veterans, Beau's storytelling culminated in his first coffee table book, The Twenty-Year War, created in collaboration with combat veterans, followed by a traveling exhibition in various museums after its release in 2021. He actively supports numerous causes, including cancer research, partnering with organizations like The American Cancer Society and the Careity Foundation. His collaboration with writer and Director of the hit television series Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan, unveiled the timeless allure of the Four Sixes Ranch, offering an indelible tribute while championing cancer support services. In just three years as an artist, Beau showcased his work at Art Miami, one of the world's largest art fairs, where he gained significant recognition and established a strong presence in the art community. This experience has since opened doors for further leading art fairs, exhibitions, and collaborations, allowing him to share his unique vision with a broader audience. His dedication to authenticity and storytelling continues to inspire, paving the way for new and exciting opportunities in the art world. Beau Simmons Photography: https://www.beausimmonsphotography.com/ Today's Sponsors: Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com Incogni: Use code "clearedhot" at https://incogni.com/clearedhot to get an exclusive 60% off. 

How did Tripadvisor become every traveler's starting point?Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet's trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by understanding the traveler, but faster, smarter, and at scale.Guest: Steve Kaufer, co-founder of TripAdvisorChapters:(00:00) Trailer(00:45) Introduction(01:32) Early days of Tripadvisor(08:14) Catching the startup bug(18:42) Luck and timing(26:54) $200M: a combo of money and risk(37:37) I love creating stuff(40:45) Hardest part of being a public CEO(46:21) Never let a good crisis go to waste(51:54) An average traveler(55:49) Social proof vs artificial intelligence(1:02:59) Back in the saddle(1:09:54) Not for the faint of heart(1:12:16) What “grit” means to Steve(1:12:31) OutroMentioned in this episode: Google, Expedia Group, Barry Diller, Interactive Corporation (IAC), Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, OpenAI ChatGPT, IMDb, CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction), Amazon, Google Chrome, Give Freely, Honey, Rakuten, Macy's, American Cancer Society, Google GeminiLinks:Connect with SteveXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

The tour is going strong and New Found Glory is having a great time with The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World!Jordan and Cyrus joined me for a fun conversation where we complained about the humidity, how it's a high energy rock show all night, our favorite songs from The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World, the new song "100%" with more music coming soon, doing a video at the wrong time, working on the Disney Pop Punk covers album and other soundtrack songs they love, New Found Glory & The News, supporting the American Cancer Society with Cymbals For Change (cymbalsforchange.band) and we're sending our love to Chad Gilbert!Big thanks to Jordan and Cyrus for a great interview. "100%" is out now and there's more music on the way, keep a watch out for that. And go see New Found Glory with The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World on tour! 

For many cancer patients, treatment can be an isolating and overwhelming journey; marked by fear, fatigue, and the constant burden of travel. But what if chemotherapy could be delivered at home? In this episode, our host Cathy Wurzer explores the growing movement to bring cancer care into the comfort of patients' homes with Dr. Roxana Dronca, Hematologist & Oncologist at Mayo Clinic and Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at American Cancer Society. Could this shift not only ease the experience but also improve outcomes? Join us as we examine how innovation is transforming the future of cancer treatment.Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic's experts, subscribe to Mayo Clinic's newsletter for free today:  https://mayocl.in/3EcNPNc

Send us a textReal Housewives of Miami Season 7 Episode 5 Miami GodIn this episode of Real Housewives of Miami, Alexia seeks advice from a young self-help guru named Daniel, whom she found on Instagram. Despite his age, she feels he has wisdom and invites him to her upcoming Greek-themed "narcissist party," which she insists is not about her husband Todd—but actually about everyone in the group.Meanwhile, Lisa vents to Jody about her ongoing issues with Lenny and jokes that Larsa needs "Imodium for her mouth." Stephanie celebrates the success of her Shoma Bazaar business and opens up about her estranged twin sisters, who once worked with her but are now out of her life despite her attempts to reconnect. She's proud of her leadership role but doesn't exactly win over the audience with her delivery.Kiki, Larsa, and Stephanie have a heart-to-heart about family, encouraging Kiki to rebuild a relationship with her father for her son Shamar's sake. Shamar, notably, is the first in Kiki's family to go to college—a touching moment in an otherwise drama-filled episode.Guerdy, absent from Julia's baby shower, reveals that she was in New York ringing the bell at the Stock Exchange with the American Cancer Society. She feels misunderstood and ignored by the group. Alexia dismisses her feelings, ironically mirroring the same defensiveness she criticizes in Guerdy. Later, Guerdy meets with Julia, and the two have a tense but emotional conversation about broken trust. Julia accuses Guerdy of exposing her facelift secret while her wife was undergoing chemo, but Guerdy defends herself, saying she was only responding to Julia's energy. After hashing it out, they agree to move forward—slowly.Amid all the emotional reckonings, the cast prepares for a hurricane. Stephanie and her husband rescue puppies, while Lisa, unsurprisingly, shows up an hour and a half late to Alexia's event. The women wait for her for over two hours, which frustrates everyone, especially Stephanie, who openly calls her out. Lisa, for her part, shows no remorse. The party, complete with togas and philosophical speeches, wraps up the episode with lingering tension and plenty of side eyeTakeawaysGina expresses skepticism about Todd's commitment to his marriage with Alexia.Kelli and Gina discuss the financial dynamics of the cast members.The hosts share their opinions on the new cast member, Stephanie.Gina highlights the importance of family relationships in the show.Kelli mentions the upcoming BravoCon and its implications for the cast.The conversation reflects on the staged nature of the current season.Gina emphasizes the significance of genuine relationships among the cast.Kelli and Gina critique the production quality of the season.The hosts discuss the conflict between Gertie and Julia and its resolution.Kelli expresses her dislike for the character Stephanie, calling her a 'flex'.Support the showhttps://www.wewinewhenever.com/

What would you do if there was a way to reduce your risk of cancer by 40%?  Andrea Radford of the American Cancer Society joined RHV to discuss their new cancer risk screening tool. CancerRisk360 flyer to post in public areas Rural Health Voice Conference webpage    

A Return on Humanity: How the American Cancer Society Uses AI to Improve Patient Care by i3 Health

The American Cancer Society in Utah works to support local cancer patients and their families by connecting them to vital information about cancer and to resources like the Hope Lodge, a home away from home in Salt Lake City for patients and their caregivers. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Senior Development Manager Anja McCracken and Development Coordinator Jeneanne Locke who share details on the "Community Kick-Off" Roller Skate Night on July 11th and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in October  that support survivors, patients, and their loved ones.  

In this episode, host Shikha Jain, MD, speaks with Don Dizon, MD, about innovation throughout times of uncertainty in medicine, challenges currently facing physicians and more. •    Welcome to another exciting episode of Oncology Overdrive 1:34 •    About Dizon 1:44 •    The interview 2:27 •    How did you decide to become an oncologist and navigate a traditional academic career with many non-traditional “add-ons”? 3:01 •    Jain and Dizon on the importance of providing humanity to physicians. 7:19 •    Jain and Dizon on finding balance when providing patients with information.  9:03 •    Jain and Dizon on federal funding challenges facing oncology advancements.  10:17 •    Can you tell us more about transitioning to your new role at Tufts? 12:50 •    Jain and Dizon on the growing amount of career shifts in medicine. 17:22 •    How do we move forward with these new guardrails up from corporatization? 18:34 •    Jain and Dizon on how the age of social media has changed the perception, training and demands of doctors. 24:56 •    Dizon and Jain on the power of being able to admit “I don't know.” 28:22 •    What are some tips that you have for new attendings and people just starting in their careers? 33:54 •    Dizon and Jain on the importance of humanizing patients during their care. 38:34 •    If someone could only listen to the last few minutes of this episode, what would you want listeners to take away? 44:17 •    How to contact Dizon 44:57 •    Thanks for listening 45:51 Don Dizon, MD, is a professor of medicine at Tufts University and is the system chief of hematology and oncology for Tufts Medicine. He is also the editor in chief of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of the American Cancer Society as well as the vice-chair of membership and accrual at the SWOG Cancer Research Network. We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to Dr. Jain at oncologyoverdrive@healio.com. Follow Healio on X and LinkedIn: @HemOncToday and https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemonctoday/. Follow Dr. Jain on X: @ShikhaJainMD. Dizon can be reached on Tiktok @drdonsdizon, Instagram @drdonsdizon and LinkedIn.  Disclosures: Jain and Dizon report no relevant financial disclosures. 

Valerie David, also known as The Pink Hulk, is a three-time cancer survivor (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, stage 2 breast cancer, and stage 4 metastatic breast cancer) who turned her journey of resilience into an award-winning one-woman show. Through humor, raw honesty, and advocacy, she inspires audiences worldwide—proving that even cancer won't stop her from taking center stage.Check out Valerie's show, The Pink Hulk here: https://pinkhulkplay.comKey Highlights:- Valerie trusted her inner voice when symptoms appeared, even when doctors initially dismissed them. If you are able to get second opinions, advocate for yourself, and listen to your gut, you'll find this to be useful in other parts of your own life.- Balancing intuition with fear over symptoms can be tricky, but Valerie advises: don't panic over nothing, don't choose to live in fear. Instead, stay proactive by communicating with your care team about any arising symptoms.About our guest:Valerie David is an actor, playwright, writer and editor. Her greatest accomplishment in life is being a three-time cancer survivor. She was diagnosed and treated for Stage III Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1999, Stage II Breast Cancer in 2014 and 2015, and Stage IV Breast Cancer in 2018. As of April 2019, she has beaten cancer again! Valerie reactivated her superhero within, and exactly 5 months after receiving hormone treatment only in pill form–no surgery, no radiation, no chemotherapy, Valerie no longer has active disease. She has since kept up a full schedule of performances–nothing has stopped her. Valerie's inspirational solo show, The Pink Hulk, has been accepted into almost 50 different play festivals worldwide since its 2016 debut, won multiple awards and has been touring since its very first performance, impacting audiences with the show's universal message of hope and empowerment. She has performed in over 25 different cities and globally, including in England, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, her credits include the Off-Broadway production of A Stoop on Orchard Street, Cookie in Rumors and Claudia Shear's Blown Sideways Through Life. Films: How I Became that Jewish Guy, which premiered at a November 2015 NYC Film Festival, and Bridges and Tunnels. Valerie volunteers as a motivational speaker at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training events and Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a marathon cyclist, she co-founded Cycle of Hope, which raises money for national and international cancer organizations through bike marathons. Her most recent biking event raised almost $5,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Key Moments:At 7 minutes 28 seconds “What is my choice? Is my choice going to live in fear every single day? Is it going to be well, we'll deal with it when it happens. So I think what I've learned from cancer is don't worry until there's something to worry about.”Disclaimer: All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with a prostate condition during their lifetime. Focused ultrasound offers a noninvasive, radiation-free treatment option for prostate conditions and has been approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States. In this episode of Curing with Sound, we explore focused ultrasound for prostate cancer through the lens of a patient and a patient advocate. Bob Palmer, who underwent the TULSA-PRO procedure—a minimally invasive, incision-free focused ultrasound treatment—discusses his decision-making process and treatment experience. He is joined by Eve Satterthwaite, a registered nurse and patient educator at Profound Medical. She provides an overview of what patients can expect from the procedure and her role in guiding them through treatment. Bob shares how Eve helped him evaluate treatment options after his prostate cancer diagnosis and what led him to choose focused ultrasound, particularly in light of potential side effects associated with surgery and radiation. Eve explains how she helps patients understand their options, outlines the clinical benefits of the TULSA procedure, and addresses common patient concerns. Discussion highlights: Modern Prostate Treatment Options – An overview of the TULSA-PRO procedure, an FDA-approved focused ultrasound treatment that offers an incision-free alternative to traditional prostate cancer treatments, with minimal downtime and reduced risk of side effects affecting quality of life. Informed Choices Through Education – Insights into how clear, comprehensive information about available treatments can help patients make confident, well-informed decisions. All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual's experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient's situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs. Visit TULSAprocedure.com for more information EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.  Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.  FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn X Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/

Did you know that according to research provided by the American Cancer Society, more than 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Mohit Manrao, Senior Vice President of US Oncology at AstraZeneca, on the rising caner rates among younger adults.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate! https://www.kmet1490am.comMohit Manrao, Senior Vice President and Head of the US Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca, is responsible for leading commercial strategy and maximizing performance of their expansive oncology portfolio. Prior to assuming his current role in 2022, Mohit served as Vice President, Global Franchise Head Lung Cancer since 2020. Mohit joined AstraZeneca in 2012, holding various roles at the market, regional, and global-level across geographies, including Head of UK Oncology and Head of Daiichi Sankyo Alliance Europe. Mohit's education includes Bachelor of Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Punjab Technical University and Masters of Business Administration, Indian School of Business. https://www.astrazeneca.comFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

Dr. Nathan Pennell and Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis discuss challenges in lung cancer screening and potential solutions to increase screening rates, including the use of AI to enhance risk prediction and screening processes. Transcript Dr. Nate Pennell: Hello, and welcome to By the Book, a monthly podcast series for ASCO Education that features engaging discussions between editors and authors from the ASCO Educational Book. I'm Dr. Nate Pennell, the co-director of the Cleveland Clinic Lung Cancer Program and vice chair of clinical research for the Taussig Cancer Center. I'm also the editor-in-chief for the ASCO Educational Book.  Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages where curative treatment options are limited. On the opposite end, early-stage lung cancers are very curable. If only we could find more patients at that early stage, an approach that has revolutionized survival for other cancer types such as colorectal and breast cancer.  On today's episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis, a professor of medicine and thoracic medical oncologist at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, to discuss her article titled, "Broadening the Net: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Novel Technologies in Lung Cancer Screening." The article was recently published in the ASCO Educational Book and featured in an Education Session at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode.  Cheryl, it's great to have you on the podcast today. Thanks for being here. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Thanks, Nate. It's great to be here with you. Dr. Nate Pennell: So, I'd like to just start by asking you a little bit about the importance of lung cancer screening and what evidence is there that lung cancer screening is beneficial. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Thank you. Lung cancer screening is extremely important because we know that lung cancer survival is closely tied to stage at diagnosis. We have made significant progress in the treatment of lung cancer, especially over the past decade, with the introduction of immunotherapies and targeted therapies based on personalized evaluation of genomic alterations. But the reality is that outside of a lung screening program, most patients with lung cancer present with symptoms related to advanced cancer, where our ability to cure the disease is more limited.  While lung cancer screening has been studied for years, the National Lung Screening Trial, or the NLST, first reported in 2011 a significant reduction in lung cancer deaths through screening. Annual low-dose CT scans were performed in a high-risk population for lung cancer in comparison to chest X-ray. The study population was comprised of asymptomatic persons aged 55 to 74 with a 30-pack-year history of smoking who were either active smokers or had quit within 15 years. The low-dose CT screening was associated with a 20% relative risk reduction in lung cancer-related mortality. A similar magnitude of benefit was also reported in the NELSON trial, which was a large European randomized trial comparing low-dose CT with a control group receiving no screening. Dr. Nate Pennell: So, this led, of course, to approval from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) for lung cancer screening in the Medicare population, probably about 10 years ago now, I think. And there are now two major trials showing an unequivocal reduction in lung cancer-related mortality and even evidence that it reduces overall mortality with lung cancer screening. But despite this, lung cancer screening rates are very low in the United States. So, first of all, what's going on? Why are we not seeing the kinds of screening rates that we see with mammography and colonoscopy? And what are the barriers to that here? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: That's a great question. Thank you, Nate. In the United States, recruitment for lung cancer screening programs has faced numerous challenges, including those related to socioeconomic, cultural, logistical, and even racial disparities. Our current lung cancer screening guidelines are somewhat imprecise and often fail to address differences that we know exist in sex, smoking history, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. We also see underrepresentation in certain groups, including African Americans and other minorities, and special populations, including individuals with HIV. And even where lung cancer screening is readily available and we have evidence of its efficacy, uptake can be low due to both provider and patient factors. On the provider side, barriers include having insufficient time in a clinic visit for shared decision-making, fear of missed test results, lack of awareness about current guidelines, concerns about cost, potential harms, and evaluating both true and false-positive test results.  And then on the patient side, barriers include concerns about cost, fear of getting a cancer diagnosis, stigma associated with tobacco smoking, and misconceptions about the treatability of lung cancer. Dr. Nate Pennell: I think those last two are really what make lung cancer unique compared to, say, for example, breast cancer, where there really is a public acceptance of the value of mammography and that breast cancer is no one's fault and that it really is embraced as an active way you can take care of yourself by getting your breast cancer screening. Whereas in lung cancer, between the stigma of smoking and the concern that, you know, it's a death sentence, I think we really have some work to be made up, which we'll talk about in a minute about what we can do to help improve this.  Now, that's in the U.S. I think things are probably, I would imagine, even worse when we leave the U.S. and look outside, especially at low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Yes, globally, this issue is even more complex than it is in the United States. Widespread implementation of low-dose CT imaging for lung cancer screening is limited by manpower, infrastructure, and economic constraints. Many low- and middle-income countries even lack sufficient CT machines, trained personnel, and specialized facilities for accurate and timely screenings. Even in urban centers with advanced diagnostic facilities, the high screening and follow-up care costs can limit access. Rural populations face additional barriers, such as geographic inaccessibility of urban centers, transportation costs, language barriers, and mistrust of healthcare systems. In addition, healthcare systems in these regions often prioritize infectious diseases and maternal health, leaving limited room for investments in noncommunicable disease prevention like lung cancer screening. Policymakers often struggle to justify allocating resources to lung cancer screening when immediate healthcare needs remain unmet. Urban-rural disparities exacerbate these challenges, with rural regions frequently lacking the infrastructure and resources to sustain screening programs. Dr. Nate Pennell: Well, it's certainly an intimidating problem to try to reduce these disparities, especially between the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries. So, what are some of the potential solutions, both here in the U.S. and internationally, that we can do to try to increase the rates of lung cancer screening? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: The good news is that we can take steps to address these challenges, but a multifaceted approach is needed. Public awareness campaigns focused on the benefits of early detection and dispelling myths about lung cancer screening are essential to improving participation rates. Using risk-prediction models to identify high-risk individuals can increase the efficiency of lung cancer screening programs. Automated follow-up reminders and screening navigators can also ensure timely referrals and reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. Reducing or subsidizing the cost of low-dose CT scans, especially in low- or middle-income countries, can improve accessibility. Deploying mobile CT scanners can expand access to rural and underserved areas.  On a global scale, integrating lung cancer screening with existing healthcare programs, such as TB or noncommunicable disease initiatives, can enhance resource utilization and program scalability. Implementing lung cancer screening in resource-limited settings requires strategic investment, capacity building, and policy interventions that prioritize equity. Addressing financial constraints, infrastructure gaps, and sociocultural barriers can help overcome existing challenges. By focusing on cost-effective strategies, public awareness, and risk-based eligibility criteria, global efforts can promote equitable access to lung cancer screening and improve outcomes.  Lastly, as part of the medical community, we play an important role in a patient's decision to pursue lung cancer screening. Being up to date with current lung cancer screening recommendations, identifying eligible patients, and encouraging a patient to undergo screening often is the difference-maker. Electronic medical record (EMR) systems and reminders are helpful in this regard, but relationship building and a recommendation from a trusted provider are really essential here. Dr. Nate Pennell: I think that makes a lot of sense. I mean, there are technology improvements. For example, our lung cancer screening program at The Cleveland Clinic, a few years back, we finally started an automated best practice alert in our EMR for patients who met the age and smoking requirements, and it led to a six-fold increase in people referred for screening. But at the same time, there's a difference between just getting this alert and putting in an order for lung cancer screening and actually getting those patients to go and actually do the screening and then follow up on it. And that, of course, requires having that relationship and discussion with the patient so that they trust that you have their best interests. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Exactly. I think that's important. You know, certainly, while technology can aid in bringing patients in, there really is no substitute for trust-building and a personal relationship with a provider. Dr. Nate Pennell: I know that there are probably multiple examples within the U.S. where health systems or programs have put together, I would say, quality improvement projects to try to increase lung cancer screening and working with their community. There's one in particular that you discuss in your paper called the "End Lung Cancer Now" initiative. I wonder if you could take us through that. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Absolutely. "End Lung Cancer Now" is an initiative at the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center that has the vision to end suffering and death from lung cancer in Indiana through education and community empowerment. We discuss this as a paradigm for how community engagement is important in building and scaling a lung cancer screening program.  In 2023, the "End Lung Cancer Now" team decided to focus its efforts on scaling and transforming lung cancer screening rates in Indiana. They developed a task force with 26 experts in various fields, including radiology, pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, public health, and advocacy groups. The result of this work is an 85-page blueprint with key recommendations that any system and community can use to scale lung cancer screening efforts. After building strong infrastructure for lung cancer screening at Indiana University, they sought to understand what the priorities, resources, and challenges in their communities were. To do this, they forged strong partnerships with both local and national organizations, including the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, and others. In the first year, they actually tripled the number of screening low-dose CTs performed in their academic center and saw a 40% increase system-wide. One thing that I think is the most striking is that through their community outreach, they learned that most people prefer to get medical care close to home within their own communities. Establishing a way to support the local infrastructure to provide care became far more important than recruiting patients to their larger system.  In exciting news, "End Lung Cancer Now" has partnered with the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and IU Health to launch Indiana's first and only mobile lung screening program in March of 2025. This mobile program travels around the state to counties where the highest incidence of lung cancer exists and there is limited access to screening. The mobile unit parks at trusted sites within communities and works in partnership, not competition, with local health clinics and facilities to screen high-risk populations. Dr. Nate Pennell: I think that sounds like a great idea. Screening is such an important thing that it doesn't necessarily have to be owned by any one particular health system for their patients. I think. And I love the idea of bringing the screening to patients where they are. I can speak to working in a regional healthcare system with a main campus in the downtown that patients absolutely hate having to come here from even 30 or 40 minutes away, and they'd much rather get their care locally. So that makes perfect sense.  So, under the current guidelines, there are certainly things that we can do to try to improve capturing the people that meet those. But are those guidelines actually capturing enough patients with lung cancer to make a difference? There certainly are proposals within patient advocacy communities and even other countries where there's a large percentage of non-smokers who perhaps get lung cancer. Can we expand beyond just older, current and heavy smokers to identify at-risk populations who could benefit from screening? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Yes, I think we can, and it's certainly an active area of research interest. We know that tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. However, other risk factors include secondhand smoke, family history, exposure to environmental carcinogens, and pulmonary diseases like COPD and interstitial lung disease. Despite these known associations, the benefit of lung cancer screening is less well elucidated in never-smokers and those at risk of developing lung cancer because of family history or other risk factors. We know that the eligibility criteria associated with our current screening guidelines focus on age and smoking history and may miss more than 50% of lung cancers. Globally, 10% to 25% of lung cancer cases occur in never-smokers. And in certain parts of the world, like you mentioned, Nate, such as East Asia, many lung cancers are diagnosed in never-smokers, especially in women. Risk-prediction models use specific risk factors for lung cancer to enhance individual selection for screening, although they have historically focused on current or former smokers.  We know that individuals with family members affected by lung cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. To this end, several large-scale, single-arm prospective studies in Asia have evaluated broadening screening criteria to never-smokers, with or without additional risk factors. One such study, the Taiwan Lung Cancer Screening in Never-Smoker Trial, was a multicenter prospective cohort study at 17 medical centers in Taiwan. The primary outcome of the TALENT trial was lung cancer detection rate. Eligible patients aged 55 to 75 had either never smoked or had a light and remote smoking history. In addition, inclusion required one or more of the following risk factors: family history of lung cancer, passive smoke exposure, history of TB or COPD, a high cooking index, which is a metric that quantifies exposure to cooking fumes, or a history of cooking without ventilation. Participants underwent low-dose CT screening at baseline, then annually for 2 years, and then every 2 years for up to 6 years. The lung cancer detection rate was 2.6%, which was higher than that reported in the NLST and NELSON trials, and most were stage 0 or I cancers. Subsequently, this led to the Taiwan Early Detection Program for Lung Cancer, a national screening program that was launched in 2022, targeting 2 screening populations: individuals with a heavy history of smoking and individuals with a family history of lung cancer.  We really need randomized controlled trials to determine the true rates of overdiagnosis or finding cancers that would not lead to morbidity or mortality in persons who are diagnosed, and to establish whether the high lung detection rates are associated with a decrease in lung cancer-related mortality in these populations. However, the implementation of randomized controlled low-dose CT screening trials in never-smokers has been limited by the need for large sample sizes, lengthy follow-up, and cost.  In another group potentially at higher risk for developing lung cancer, the role of lung cancer screening in individuals who harbor germline pathogenic variants associated with lung cancer also needs to be explored further. Dr. Nate Pennell: We had this discussion when the first criteria came out because there have always been risk-based calculators for lung cancer that certainly incorporate smoking but other factors as well and have discussion about whether we should be screening people based on their risk and not just based on discrete criteria such as smoking. But of course, the insurance coverage for screening, you have to fit the actual criteria, which is very constrained by age and smoking history. Do you think in the U.S. there's hope for broadening our screening beyond NLST and NELSON criteria? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: I do think at some point there is hope for broadening the criteria beyond smoking history and age, beyond the criteria that we have typically used and that is covered by insurance. I do think it will take some work to perhaps make the prediction models more precise or to really understand who can benefit. We certainly know that there are many patients who develop lung cancer without a history of smoking or without family history, and it would be great if we could diagnose more patients with lung cancer at an earlier stage. I think this will really count on there being some work towards trying to figure out what would be the best population for screening, what risk factors to look for, perhaps using some new technologies that may help us to predict who is at risk for developing lung cancer, and trying to increase the group that we study to try and find these early-stage lung cancers that can be cured. Dr. Nate Pennell: Part of the reason we, of course, try to enrich our population is screening works better when you have a higher pretest probability of actually having cancer. And part of that also is that our technology is not that great. You know, even in high-risk patients who have CT scans that are positive for a screen, we know that the vast majority of those patients with lung nodules actually don't have lung cancer. And so you have to follow them, you have to use various models to see, you know, what the risk, even in the setting of a positive screen, is of having lung cancer.  So, why don't we talk about some newer tools that we might use to help improve lung cancer screening? And one of the things that everyone is super excited about, of course, is artificial intelligence. Are there AI technologies that are helping out in early detection in lung cancer screening? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Yes, that's a great question. We know that predicting who's at risk for lung cancer is challenging for the reasons that we talked about, knowing that there are many risk factors beyond smoking and age that are hard to quantify. Artificial intelligence is a tool that can help refine screening criteria and really expand screening access. Machine learning is a form of AI technology that is adept at recognizing patterns in large datasets and then applying the learning to new datasets. Several machine learning models have been developed for risk stratification and early detection of lung cancer on imaging, both with and without blood-based biomarkers. This type of technology is very promising and can serve as a tool that helps to select individuals for screening by predicting who is likely to develop lung cancer in the future.  A group at Massachusetts General Hospital, represented in our group for this paper by my co-authors, Drs. Fintelmann and Chang, developed Sybil, which is an open-access 3D convolutional neural network that predicts an individual's future risk of lung cancer based on the analysis of a single low-dose CT without the need for human annotation or other clinical inputs. Sybil and other machine learning models have tremendous potential for precision lung cancer screening, even, and perhaps especially, in settings where expert image interpretation is unavailable. They could support risk-adapted screening schedules, such as varying the frequency and interval of low-dose CT scans according to individual risk and potentially expand lung cancer screening eligibility beyond age and smoking history. Their group predicts that AI tools like Sybil will play a major role in decoding the complex landscape of lung cancer risk factors, enabling us to extend life-saving lung cancer screening to all who are at risk. Dr. Nate Pennell: I think that that would certainly be welcome. And as AI is working its way into pretty much every aspect of life, including medical care, I think it's certainly promising that it can improve on our existing technology.  We don't have to spend a lot of time on this because I know it's a little out of scope for what you covered in your paper, but I'm sure our listeners are curious about your thoughts on the use of other types of testing beyond CT screening for detecting lung cancer. I know that there are a number of investigational and even commercially available blood tests, for example, for detection of lung cancer, or even the so-called multi-cancer detection blood tests that are now being offered, although not necessarily being covered by insurance, for multiple types of cancer, but lung cancer being a common cancer is included in that. So, what do you think? Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Yes, like you mentioned, there are novel bioassays such as blood-based biomarker testing that evaluate for DNA, RNA, and circulating tumor cells that are both promising and under active investigation for lung cancer and multi-cancer detection. We know that such biomarker assays may be useful in both identifying lung cancers but also in identifying patients with a high-risk result who should undergo lung cancer screening by conventional methods. Dr. Nate Pennell: Anything that will improve on our rate of screening, I think, will be welcome. I think probably in the future, it will be some combination of better risk prediction and better interpretation of screening results, whether those be imaging or some combination of imaging and biomarkers, breath-based, blood-based. There's so much going on that it is pretty exciting, but we're still going to have to overcome the stigma and lack of public support for lung cancer screening if we're going to move the needle. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Yes, I think moving the needle is so important because we know lung cancer is still a very morbid disease, and our ability to cure patients is not where we would like it to be. But I do believe there's hope. There are a lot of motivated individuals and groups who are passionate about lung cancer screening, like myself and my co-authors, and we're just happy to be able to share some ways that we can overcome the challenges and really try and make an impact in the lives of our patients. Dr. Nate Pennell: Well, thank you, Dr. Czerlanis, for joining me on the By the Book Podcast today and for all of your work to advance care for patients with lung cancer. Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Thank you, Dr. Pennell. It's such a pleasure to be with you today. Thank you. Dr. Nate Pennell: And thank you to our listeners for joining us today. You'll find a link to Dr. Czerlanis' article in the transcript of this episode.  Please join us again next month for By the Book's next episode and more insightful views on topics you'll be hearing at the education sessions from ASCO meetings throughout the year, and our deep dives on approaches that are shaping modern oncology. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers:     Dr. Nathan Pennell    @n8pennell   @n8pennell.bsky.social Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis Follow ASCO on social media:     @ASCO on X (formerly Twitter)     ASCO on Bluesky    ASCO on Facebook     ASCO on LinkedIn     Disclosures:    Dr. Nate Pennell:        Consulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, Lilly, Cota Healthcare, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Amgen, G1 Therapeutics, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Viosera, Xencor, Mirati Therapeutics, Janssen Oncology, Sanofi/Regeneron       Research Funding (Institution): Genentech, AstraZeneca, Merck, Loxo, Altor BioScience, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Jounce Therapeutics, Mirati Therapeutics, Heat Biologics, WindMIL, Sanofi    Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis: Research Funding (Institution): LungLife AI, AstraZeneca, Summit Therapeutics

In the first episode of a special daily series during the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, Dr. John Sweetenham discusses the results of 2 studies on the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer plus an additional study exploring the association of Medicaid expansion with cancer survival outcomes. Transcript Dr. John Sweetenham: Hello, and welcome to our special coverage of the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting on the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. John Sweetenham, and I'll be bringing you brief analysis on selected abstracts from each day of the Meeting. My disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode.  Today, I'll be reviewing three abstracts, the first two of which address the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Today's first study is Abstract 3501. These data were presented by Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and report on the expanded analysis of the CheckMate-8HW trial. This was a phase 3, international, multicenter trial in patients with MSI-high/MMR-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer, who were randomized between nivolumab (nivo) alone, nivolumab plus ipilumomab (ipi) or investigators' choice of chemotherapy (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab. The study showed that nivo plus ipi demonstrated superior progression-free survival compared with chemotherapy in the first-line setting and superior progression-free survival compared with nivo alone across all lines of therapy. These results led to the approval of nivo + ipi in the first-line setting in patients with MSI-H/dMMR mCRC in the U.S., the EU, and many other countries.  In today's presentation, Dr. Lenz reported on the expanded analyses of nivo plus ipi versus nivo across all lines of therapy and longer follow-up results for nivo and ipi versus chemo in the first-line setting. With longer follow up (the median is now at 47 months) nivo and ipi continued to show progression-free survival benefit compared with chemotherapy with a median PFS of 54.1 months versus 5.9 months, for a hazard ratio of 0.21.  Additionally, the analysis of the effects on PFS2, defined as the time from randomization to progression after subsequent systemic therapy, start of second subsequent systemic therapy, or death, showed that compared with chemotherapy, first-line nivo and ipi was associated with a 72% reduction in the risk of death or disease progression, despite the fact that 71% of those who progressed following chemotherapy crossed over to receive subsequent immunotherapy. The study also showed that across all lines, nivo and ipi demonstrated superior progression-free survival compared with nivo alone, the median not reached versus 39.3 months, for a hazard ratio of 0.62. No new toxicity signals emerged after further analysis. Most treatment-related adverse events with possible immune etiology were observed within the first six months of therapy. The results for PFS2 are particularly significant. Up to now, there has been some reluctance to use nivo and ipi as first-line therapy, partly because of its toxicity profile and based on the rationale that it would be active after other frontline therapies. The observation in this study that the beneficial effects of nivo and ipi are maintained downstream is compelling. The results suggest that delaying the use of this combination to the second line or later may compromise subsequent PFS and supports the use of nivo and ipi as a standard-of-care frontline option for MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer. Moving on, the next study I'm featuring today is Abstract 3503, presented by Dr. Jeanne Tie from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Institute of Medical Research from Melbourne, Australia. This study reported the impact of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-guided adjuvant chemotherapy escalation in stage III colon cancer, focused on the primary analysis of the ctDNA-positive cohort from the randomized DYNAMIC-III trial. As background, about 30% of patients with stage III colon cancer will recur following standard-of-care adjuvant therapy with oxaliplatin-based regimens. And current data show that for those patients with high-risk disease, 6 months of chemotherapy is associated with a lower recurrence rate than 3 months. Circulating tumor DNA following initial surgery has been shown to be a strong independent prognostic factor for these patients, but questions remain about how ctDNA can be used for adaptation of treatment. Questions regarding treatment adaptation were addressed in the DYNAMIC-III trials – specifically, does treatment escalation benefit those who are ctDNA positive following surgery, and can therapy be de-escalated for those who are ctDNA negative. The first of these 2 questions – treatment escalation in the positive group – is the subject of this report. One thousand and two patients were randomized in this study, between ctDNA-informed therapy (502) or standard management (500). Of those patients included in the intent to treat cohorts, 129 were ctDNA positive in the ctDNA-informed arm compared with 130 in the standard management arm. Various pre-planned treatment escalation protocols were used, depending on the choice of first-line therapy. With a median follow up of 42.2 months, there was no difference in 3-year relapse free survival between the ctDNA informed group (48%) and the standard management group (52%). There was, however, a highly significant difference in relapse-free survival for patients who cleared ctDNA by the end of treatment compared with those who didn't. The authors concluded that the recurrence risk for this group remains high, at about 50%, after adjuvant therapy and that it increases with higher ctDNA burden, but treatment escalation didn't appear to reduce the recurrence risk. Clearance of ctDNA was associated with a favorable outcome, suggesting that as more effective treatments are developed in the future for this group, ctDNA will likely prove to have major utility. Changing gears now, my final selection for today is Abstract 11006, presented by Dr. Elizabeth Shafer from the American Cancer Society. This study explored the association of Medicaid expansion with 5-year survival after a cancer diagnosis.  Dr. Schafer began her presentation by providing some historical perspective on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on reducing the number of uninsured adults aged less than 65 years in the United States. She then reviewed some recent data on the impact of Medicaid expansion on cancer care, including improved screening rates, improved access to cancer surgery, and an increase in earlier cancer diagnosis. The current study builds on earlier data from the American Cancer Society which showed improved 2-year overall survival for patients with newly diagnosed cancer following Medicaid expansion. The new study reported by Dr. Schafer examined 5-year cause-specific survival in individuals with cancer since Medicaid expansion, analyzed according to cancer type and various demographic and social factors. Using data from more than 813,000 individuals from 26 states that expanded Medicaid compared with more than 610,000 from 12 states that did not, the authors reported that similar improvements in 5-year cause-specific survival were observed in the expansion and the non-expansion states, but when analyzed by other factors, differences in outcome emerged. For example, although similar improvements in survival between expansion and non-expansion states were seen in urban communities, there was a significant improvement of 2.55 percentage points in survival for individuals in rural communities in expansion states compared with those in non-expansion states. Similar trends were observed in high poverty areas, where improvements in survival were superior in expansion versus non-expansion states.  When examined by cancer type, the authors observed greater improvements in 5-year survival for those with pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer, possibly due to improvements in screening and early access to treatment.  The authors concluded that those residing in rural and high-poverty areas experienced the most improvement in cause-specific cancer survival following Medicaid expansion. In summary, it's encouraging to see an improving trend in cancer mortality overall, independent of Medicaid expansion, but it's also important to remember that this is yet another study which confirms how implementation of the ACA has improved cancer outcomes and begun to address some of the disparities in cancer care. Join me again tomorrow to hear more top takeaways from ASCO25. And if you value the insights that you hear on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please remember to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.   Disclaimer:   The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.     Find out more about today's speaker:  Dr. John Sweetenham    Follow ASCO on social media:  @ASCO on Twitter  @ASCO on Bluesky  ASCO on Facebook  ASCO on LinkedIn        Disclosures:  Dr. John Sweetenham:  No relationships to disclose 

The "Big Beautiful Act" turned into a big disappointment for Medicaid reform. Instead of adding ways to improve Medicaid benefits, like cutting non-medical spending, Republicans caved. Work requirements and eliminating provider taxes will help, but the failure to fix Medicaid spending now creates major debt headaches just a few years down the road.AnneMarie Schieber, managing editor of Health Care News, and Devon Herrick of the Goodman Institute Health Blog discuss how this golden opportunity was lost in the U.S. House.Also on tap: tips beyond the obvious to bring down your prescription drug bill. Plus, what happened to baby powder? Why does it now feel like chalk? Trial lawyers. Even the American Cancer Society isn't convinced talc is dangerous. And what's a realistic way to understand risk? Vox had a good read on how to consider risk. Devon and AnneMarie agree it's time to "take a deep breath, relax, and educate yourself." We all die; the only difference is when and how. In The Tank broadcasts LIVE every Thursday at 12pm CT on on The Heartland Institute YouTube channel. Tune in to have your comments addressed live by the In The Tank Crew. Be sure to subscribe and never miss an episode. See you there!Climate Change Roundtable is LIVE every Friday at 12pm CT on The Heartland Institute YouTube channel. Have a topic you want addressed? Join the live show and leave a comment for our panelists and we'll cover it during the live show!

The news last week of former President Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer has more people thinking and talking about the condition.About 1 in 8 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. It's the most-diagnosed cancer in men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in American men after lung cancer. That's according to the American Cancer Society.In this installment of our series, "In Good Health," we talk about how to detect and treat prostate cancer. Then, we switch gears to talk about the Food and Drug Administration's plans to potentially restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On this Shop Talk episode, delve into water usage and policy, as well as skin cancer prevention, with Brad Haire, Farm Press executive editor.Episode linksTornado aftermath story – Delta Farm PressUSDA Secretary discusses water policy in TexasBrad's skin cancer awareness month articleSkin cancer preventionSkin cancer identification – American Cancer Society

This featured podcast includes a discussion with 3 experts on managing patients with hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2–) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) from a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the 42nd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference® in March 2025. In observational studies of treatment patterns in older women with mBC, approximately half of the patients were undertreated, and only half received a CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i)-based regimen in the first-line setting. Reasons for undertreatment include concerns about the patient's age, perceived frailty, and underlying health issues. Aging is a heterogeneous process; older patients must receive individualized treatment that is not based solely on their age but on a comprehensive assessment that objectively assesses their overall health and ability to tolerate treatment. This program is designed to help clinicians assess the fitness of older patients with HR+/HER2– mBC, review the efficacy and safety of CDK4/6i in this patient population, and individualize treatment decision-making appropriately. Acknowledgment of Educational Grant Support This activity is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. Today's faculty are: Hope S. Rugo, MD Director, Women's Cancers Program Division Chief, Breast Medical Oncology Professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center Duarte, CA Professor Emeritus, UCSF Disclosures: Grant/Research Support: Ambrx; AstraZeneca; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc; F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG/Genentech, Inc; Gilead Sciences, Inc; Lilly; Merck & Co., Inc; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; OBI Pharma; Pfizer; Stemline Therapeutics. Consultant: Napo Therapeutics; Puma Biotechnology; Sanofi. Honoraria: Chugai; Mylan/Viatris. Neil M. Iyengar, MD Associate Attending, Breast Medicine Service Program Lead, MSK Healthy Living Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Associate Professor of Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York, NY Disclosures: Consultant/Adviser: Arvinas, AstraZeneca, BD Life Sciences, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, Menarini-Stemline, Novartis, Pfizer, Puma, Seagen, TerSera Therapeutics. Speaker: Cardinal Health, Curio Sciences, DAVA Oncology, IntrinsiQ Health. Editorial Position: npj Breast Cancer, Oncology®. Equity/Ownership: Complement Theory, Bettering Company. Research Support (to institution): American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Conquer Cancer Foundation, Kat's Ribbon of Hope, National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health. Contracted Research: Novartis, SynDevRx. Komal Jhaveri, MD, FACP Patricia and James Cayne Chair for Junior Faculty Associate Attending Physician, Breast Medicine Service and Early Drug Development Service Section Head, Endocrine Therapy Research Program Clinical Director, Early Drug Development Service Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York, NY Disclosures: Consultant/Advisory Board: AbbVie Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Blueprint Medicines, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Eisai Inc, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Gilead Sciences Inc, Jounce Therapeutics, Loxo Oncology Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company, Menarini Group, Novartis, Olema Oncology, Pfizer Inc, Scorpion Therapeutics, Seagen Inc, Stemline Therapeutics Inc, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd, Taiho Oncology Inc. Research Funding: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Debiopharm, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Gilead Sciences Inc, Loxo Oncology Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Puma Biotechnology Inc, Scorpion Therapeutics, Zymeworks Inc. The staff of Physicians' Education Resource®, LLC, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. PER® mitigated all COI for faculty, staff, and planners prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process. Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Learners are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this accredited activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a health care professional relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient's medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER® or any company that provided commercial support for this activity.

Health care workers in Texas would have whistleblower protections for reporting legal, regulatory and ethical violations under a bill the Senate passed Thursday. The lawmakers voted 21-10 to send the proposal to the House. In other news, police are seeking the public's help to find a 76-year-old woman who was taken from an assisted living facility in Denton earlier this week. Karen May Taube was last seen about 5 p.m. Monday. A Silver Alert was issued Tuesday. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Eva Haron of Michigan. Haron and Taube's whereabouts were unknown Thursday, but police said the pair may be traveling together in a white 2018 Ford F150 with Michigan license plate DXZ9489. Also, Post Malone will headline the 2025 Cattle Baron's Ball, an annual North Texas party that's the world's largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. And the Dallas Stars will at the very least, need another game to clinch their spot in the Western Conference finals. With a chance to end the series at Canada Life Centre in Game 5 in Winnipeg, the Stars offense went cold again, as the Jets secured a 4-0 win to force Game 6. The Stars still hold a 3-2 series lead with the opportunity to end it on home ice on Saturday.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Estás escuchando #JUNTOSRadio:        Si alguien de mi familia tiene cáncer, ¿yo también lo tendré?, ¿En qué consiste una prueba genética?, ¿Qué puedo hacer para reducir el riesgo si los análisis dan positivo?      Estas y otras preguntas nos responden nuestras invitadas: Laura Moreno, Consejera Genética especializada en cáncer en City of Hope e Isamara Cortés Cruz, Promotora de Salud en la comunidad del Centro Médico de la Universidad de Kansas.      Sobre nuestras invitadas:      Laura Moreno, también ocupa el cargo de profesora adjunta en Bay Path University. En 2020, obtuvo su maestría en Salud Pública con una concentración en Consejería Genética.      Laura ha sido autora de varias publicaciones que abordan las disparidades en salud dentro del campo de la consejería genética y que exploran estrategias educativas sobre el cáncer dirigidas a poblaciones minoritarias.       Además de su rol como consejera genética en cáncer, Laura comparte el curso de investigación para estudiantes de consejería genética en Bay Path University, donde fue reconocida con el premio de profesora distinguida en 2024. Laura está profundamente comprometida con incrementar la diversidad en el campo de la consejería genética y busca reducir las barreras que enfrentan las comunidades minoritarias para acceder a servicios genéticos. Ha creado y liderado numerosas sesiones de capacitación y seminarios web sobre el riesgo hereditario de cáncer, ofrecidos tanto en español como en inglés, diseñados especialmente para educadores de salud que trabajan predominantemente con la comunidad hispana.            Isamara Cortés Cruz, también ocupa el cargo como coordinadora de investigación clínica en el programa de investigación All of Us y participa en un programa de pruebas genéticas para personas con riesgo de cáncer hereditario. A través de diversas actividades de divulgación, eventos educativos y presentaciones, ella se esfuerza por mejorar la salud y el bienestar de su comunidad.      Recursos informativos en español:       American Cancer Society      https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/prevencion-del-riesgo/genetica/sindromes-de-cancer-familiar.html      Clínica Mayo      https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/departments-centers/familial-cancer-program/overview/ovc-20198527            Facebook: @juntosKS           Instagram: juntos_ks           YouTube: Juntos KS   Twitter: @juntosKS           Página web: http://juntosks.org           Suscríbete en cualquiera de nuestras plataformas de Podcast: Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music y Apple Podcast - Juntos Radio           Centro JUNTOS Para Mejorar La Salud Latina           4125 Rainbow Blvd. M.S. 1076,           Kansas City, KS 66160          No tenemos los derechos de autor de la música que aparece en este video. Todos los derechos de la música pertenecen a sus respectivos creadores. 

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Deborah Lang discuss the rise of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, and its causes. Dr. Lang explains that skin cancers are derived from different skin cells: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, both linked to UV exposure, and melanoma, which can be UV-independent and linked to genetic susceptibility. Dr. Lang emphasizes the importance of early detection and personalized medicine, noting that melanoma can metastasize early. She also highlights the role of genetic mutations in cancer development and the impact of funding cuts on cancer research.    Key Takeaways: There are three major types of skin cancer. About 80% are basal cell carcinomas.  Because we are living longer, we have an increased chance of cancer. However, other reasons for increased skin cancer include increased UV exposure and tanning beds.  We are all born with moles, but if you notice a change or have a lot (such as over 100), it is worth getting them checked out.  Between 5 and 25 minutes of sun exposure per day is enough for your vitamin D production (less for lighter skin). However, sunlight has other benefits for your health and circadian rhythm.    "Melanomas are derived from a different type of cell - from cells that produce pigment called melanocytes. While this type of cancer is much rarer than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, it is the most lethal type of skin cancer." —  Dr. Deborah Lang   Episode References:  NIH: https://www.nih.gov/  American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.gov/  Leo Foundation: https://leo-foundation.org/en/    Connect with Dr. Deborah Lang: Professional Bio: https://profiles.bu.edu/Deborah.Lang  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-lang-691158208/  ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Deborah-Lang-38651370    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.  

GDP Script/ Top Stories for May 3rd Publish Date: May 3rd PRE-ROLL: From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Saturday, May 3rd and Happy Birthday to James Brown I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. GGC’s patient navigation program one of only a handful in the country Georgia Banking Company names new executive team members Truck driver, train crew walk away from collision in Buford without injuries Plus, the Stripers report with Dylan Dodd All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 1: GGC’s patient navigation program one of only a handful in the country Patient navigators, a growing role in healthcare, help patients overcome barriers to care, improving outcomes for chronic and complex conditions. Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) offers one of the few bachelor’s programs in patient navigation, growing from 24 to 276 students since its 2021 launch. Eduardo Montero, a GGC student, chose this path to assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, emphasizing compassion and advocacy. Originating from a 1990 pilot program by the American Cancer Society, the field addresses financial, access, and emotional barriers. With demand projected to grow 14% by 2032, GGC’s program prepares students for diverse healthcare careers or advanced studies. STORY 2: Georgia Banking Company names new executive team members Georgia Banking Company CEO Bartow Morgan Jr. announced two leadership promotions. Jeff Kraus is now Chief Financial Officer, bringing 25 years of financial expertise, including roles as CFO and treasurer. He’ll oversee financial operations and strategic growth. Margaret Whieldon steps into the Chief Experience Officer role, leveraging her 25+ years in marketing to enhance customer and employee experiences. She’ll focus on fostering collaboration and ensuring customer voices are heard. Both joined the bank in 2021, and Morgan praised their leadership as key to the bank’s future success. STORY 3: Truck driver, train crew walk away from collision in Buford without injuries A train collided with a semi-truck in downtown Buford on Tuesday at the Little Mill Road railroad crossing, causing significant debris but no injuries. Videos on social media show the truck stopped on the tracks despite signage warning against it. The Norfolk Southern train, blowing its horn, struck the truck, tearing its trailer apart and scattering debris. Some trailer pieces remained attached to the train as it stopped further down the tracks. Gwinnett County Police confirmed the truck driver ignored posted warnings, and the accident report is pending release. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: STRIPERS INTERVIEW Break 3: STORY 6: Lawrenceville Announces Schedule For Summer Concert Series Lawrenceville’s LIVE in the DTL outdoor concert series returns this summer at the Lawrenceville Lawn, running from May 16 to September 12. The series kicks off with the Ultimate Dolly Parton Tribute, featuring a Dolly Look-Alike Contest with a $250 prize. Concerts are free, with food trucks starting at 6 PM, and VIP packages available for an upgraded experience. Guests can enjoy live music, local food, and explore downtown shops and breweries. Free parking is available, and event details, including food truck info, will be shared on The DTL website. STORY 7: Brookwood High grad wins Flavor of Georgia award for best barbecue sauce James Argo’s Oconee Gold Georgia Sweet Peach barbecue sauce won the Barbecue Sauce category in the 2025 UGA Flavor of Georgia competition, which featured over 170 entries. Argo, a Statham resident and Brookwood High graduate, has been perfecting his sauces since the early 2000s. Oconee Gold products are sold locally in Gwinnett County and online. The Flavor of Georgia contest, organized by UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, highlights innovative Georgia-made food products, boosting sales and recognition for participants since 2007. This year’s winners showcase the state’s rich culinary heritage. We’ll have closing comments after this Break 4: Ingles Markets 2 Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: ingles-markets.com kiamallofga.com #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are more young adults getting cancer? It's a question researchers are racing to answer. In January, the American Cancer Society released a report detailing how despite the cancer mortality rate in the U.S. decreasing by 34% from 1991 to 2022, the progress is jeopardized by an increase in diagnoses of many types of cancer, especially in younger adults. As our guests this hour explain, navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment as a young person has unique challenges. We talk with them about the state of research and how to support young adults living with the disease. Our guests: Lauren Spiker, founder and executive director of 13thirty Cancer Connect Jamie Flerlage, M.D., chief, academic director, and associate professor of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division at Golisano Children's Hospital and assistant director of clinical research at the Wilmot Cancer Institute Ashley Chittenden, survivor of acute myeloid leukemia and nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division at Golisano Children's Hospital/Wilmot Cancer Institute

*DISCLAIMER* This episode covers adult topics that are not intended for young ears.   260. Sex After Cancer with Dr. Kris Christiansen   James 1:19 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,   **Transcription Below**   Questions We Discuss: What is common mis-information that you want to set straight as it relates to cancer and sex? If someone is walking their own cancer journey right now, what would you advise them to both do and avoid doing so that they can still enjoy the healthiest sex life possible with their spouse? What hope do you have to share with people who have battled cancer and still desire to connect intimately with their spouse?   Dr. Kris Christiansen is a board-certified family physician who specializes in sexual medicine. She attended medical school and completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Minnesota. She practiced full spectrum family medicine for 10 years and then pursued additional training to specialize in sexual medicine. She works as a sexual medicine specialist at two different clinics in the twin cities.   Her clinical interests include both male and female sexual dysfunction, and she loves working with individuals and couples to restore an important part of life. Dr. Christiansen is involved with teaching medical students and residents at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and she has presented at multiple local, national, and international medical conferences. She is involved with the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and serves on committees, collaborates with other experts to publish articles for medical journals, and edits informational articles for the society's new patient facing website. She is passionate about teaching patients, students, and colleagues about the importance of sexual health and well-being. In her free time, she started her own business called Intimate Focus which provides information and quality products to enhance and restore sexual health and wellness. She also enjoys shopping, hiking, and spending time with her family.   Dr. Kris Christiansen's Website   Previous Episodes featuring Dr. Kris Christiansen on The Savvy Sauce: 215 Enriching Women's Sexual Function, Part One with Dr. Kris Christiansen 216 Enriching Women's Sexual Function, Part Two with Dr. Kris Christiansen   Additional Place to Find More Episodes from The Savvy Sauce Related to This Topic: One-Stop Shop for Marriage and Intimacy Resources   Dr. Kris Christiansen's Recommended Websites for Sexual Health: The Menopause Society Mayo Clinic National Institutes of Health International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health American Urological Association International Society of Sexual Medicine Sexual Medicine Society of North America American Cancer Society ISSWSH International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health SMSNA Sexual Medicine Society of North America  ISSM International Society of Sexual Medicine The Menopause Society   Find a provider: For a women's sexual health provider, pelvic floor physical therapist, (non-Christian) sex therapist ABCST American Board of Christian Sex Therapists (for a Christian sex therapist)   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   **Transcription**   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 1:22) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.    Leman Property Management Co. has the apartment you will be able to call home, with over 1,700 apartment units available in Central Illinois.   Visit them today at lemanproperties.com or connect with them on Facebook.    Today's message is not intended for little ears. We'll be discussing some adult themes, and I want you to be aware before you listen to this message.   Not many people specialize in the same thing as our returning guest for today, Dr. Kris Christiansen. She specializes in sexual medicine, and today she's going to provide clarity, information, and direction for how to maximize sexual pleasure with our spouse after one receives a cancer diagnosis. Here's our chat.   Welcome back to The Savvy Sauce, Dr. Christiansen.   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (1:23 - 1:30) Well, thank you so much, Laura. We had so much fun last time, and I'm looking forward to this conversation again today.   Laura Dugger: (1:31 - 1:57) Likewise. I feel the same way. And it really wasn't that long ago that you were on The Savvy Sauce two times, so I'll make sure and link to both of those episodes in the show notes for today.   But hopefully everybody's already well acquainted with you, and that's why we're just kind of diving right into our topic today. So, for starters, how did this topic of sex after cancer become an interest of yours to study?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (2:00 - 2:32) Well, so Laura, my job as a sexual medicine physician is that I work with both men and women and helping them with their sexual lives when they have problems or whatever. So, cancer is often a big part of that. So, through my journey with work, I've just developed a significant interest in learning how to really care for people to help restore this important part of life.   Laura Dugger: (2:33 - 2:52) Absolutely, because a lot is taken away when somebody gets that awful diagnosis, and so I'm very grateful for people like you who are experts. But is there any common misinformation that you would like to set straight as it relates to cancer and sex?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (2:55 - 6:42) Well, interesting you say that, because there is so much misinformation out there just about sex in general. And then when we throw cancer in on top of that, it just makes it even more complicated. So, I think a common fear that people experience when they get that diagnosis that they hope they never hear, the C word, is that it's going to have a significant impact on their sexual intimacy.   And you know what, it can, but that doesn't mean that that chapter in life is closed. We just have to remember that sexual intimacy is much, much broader than just intercourse. So, if we can refer to this as PIV sex, penis in vagina sex, many people view it as kind of an all or none thing.   If they can't have vaginal intercourse or that PIV sex, then they don't want anything at all. Unfortunately, that just rules out or shuts out so much of sexual intimacy that God has intended for us. We may not be able to engage in the same activities for a time or even long term, but that doesn't mean that we can't connect.   So, if we try to remember that intimacy, sexual intimacy is all about giving and receiving pleasure, then there are so many more opportunities. So, we have to get beyond the fact that sexual intimacy, sexual intercourse is just vaginal intercourse because it's not. It's giving and receiving pleasure.   And however people want to connect or comfortable connecting, that they can still enjoy a very fruitful sex life. The other thing that is misunderstood and misconceptions is estrogen, vaginal estrogen, especially. Because, well, all women who enter menopause and you're in menopause for the rest of your life do experience some changes.   And it's so common that women experience the genital urinary syndrome of menopause. That's vaginal atrophy, or when the tissues get drier and thinner and there can be tearing and pain as well as bleeding and decreased sensation, decreased sensitivity. These things are common with aging, but oftentimes cancer treatments emphasize that or accelerate it or make it even worse.   And vaginal estrogen is really, really safe. It does not cause cancer. And most of the studies show that even in women who have breast cancer, that it doesn't cause recurrence.   So vaginal estrogen, being so safe, can really save our vaginas. And we're talking about vaginal health and bladder health. It's not just about sex, but it helps keep our bodies functioning properly and minimizing pain and discomfort.   So, if a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and she's on treatment, then obviously we have to talk to the oncologist, make sure they're okay with that. But we get more and more studies showing it's safety and it's definitely effective and can help keep our tissues young.   Laura Dugger: (6:42 - 7:25) This is really helpful and brand new information to me. So someone, like you used that example, if they have breast cancer diagnosis and there's different types, but if they're doing the treatment where perhaps they go into early menopause or they have a hysterectomy or remove their ovaries and they even have an estrogen blocker so that they're not producing estrogen, for that type, you're still saying as long as you're working with the oncologist for that personal client, even in those situations, vaginal estrogen, which would be, I'm assuming, more of a cream or something you insert to the vagina, is that right? That that would be safe?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (7:25 - 10:55) So, where it gets a little gray is if the woman is taking an aromatase inhibitor, which is the estrogen blocker. So, it pretty much wipes all estrogen out of her system. There's a little more risk there.   So most definitely we need to double check with the oncologist. But it often comes down to quality of life. I have a patient who, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, I believe, in her early 60s.   And she came to me at the sexual medicine clinic and she was just miserable. I mean, when we think of vaginal dryness, you think of, okay, it's annoying. You use a lubricant, right, and it's going to be just fine.   In the beginning, yes, that's the case. But this genital urinary syndrome of menopause, GSM, gets worse with time, especially with those anti-estrogen treatments. And for this poor woman, she couldn't exercise.   She loved to go hiking. She loved to go skiing. And just any kind of movement was painful.   And we don't think of that. We kind of take it for granted. But for some women who really experience severe side effects of the breast cancer treatments and causing dryness and irritation, it affects everything.   And for her, we tried all the non-hormonal things first. They didn't work. And her oncologist gave us the blessing saying, you know, we tried it.   This is really important to you. Let's give it a try. And so, we've monitored her, and the vaginal estrogen hasn't caused any problems.   So, a couple points on that. With the vaginal estrogen, yes, it comes as a cream. There's a tablet, which is like a little pill with an applicator that you insert in the vagina.   There are vaginal inserts. They look like little caplets that you just insert with the finger. There's a vaginal ring.   But with the localized treatment, it's meant to just act locally, meaning just on the vaginal tissues. And, oh, package insert. So, you know, here we tell patients, vaginal estrogen is safe.   Don't worry. It's not going to cause cancer, heart attack, strokes, or blood clots. But then they go home.   They get their prescription. They open up the patient insert, package insert, and it talks about risks and bad things that can happen and side effects. Unfortunately, the FDA says we have to use the class labeling or the side effects that are associated with systemic estrogen.   And it automatically gets applied to the localized or vaginal estrogen treatments. So, patients go home, they read that, and they think we're lying to them. But, unfortunately, it's just very misleading because we have plenty of studies to show that vaginal estrogen doesn't cause those terrible things.   And it's very safe. So, they just have to trust us. And there are groups and people out there trying to work with the FDA to get that class labeling effect removed because it just scares everybody away from using estrogen, which can be so helpful.   Laura Dugger: (10:57 - 11:04) Wow, that is helpful. Is there any other common misinformation you want to make sure we don't overlook before we continue on?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (11:05 - 11:29) Well, I made a few notes here. No, I don't think so. Except that media, television, and all that other stuff that we see out there is so misleading when it comes to sexual intimacy.   Because sex in real life doesn't look like what you see in the movies. Yeah.   Laura Dugger: (11:30 - 11:45) Great, great point. And so, when somebody does get, like you said, that dreaded C-word diagnosis, what's a common path that they may experience as it affects them sexually?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (11:48 - 14:00) Well, so, the different cancers are so different and treatments are so different that it's hard to generalize for everybody. But, you know, first thing most people experience is fear. What's this mean for me?   What's this mean for my life, my family? Am I going to be around in five years? So, it's that fear.   And the initial part of that journey is often involved with meeting with lots of doctors, having all the tests, trying to figure out what's going on, what we're going to do. And sexual intimacy often isn't part of that first steps that they take. So, but when things kind of finally settle down, then those questions start popping up.   What does this mean? It's important to talk with your cancer journey, your cancer team, the oncology team to find out what's going on. And it's important to ask all these questions because doctors really aren't very good about asking about sexual health and what that means to you.   Oncologists, generally speaking, they want to treat the cancer and their job is done when the cancer is treated, under control, gone, whatever. And they've done a good job. However, so many of us are just left afterwards saying, okay, thanks, cancer's gone, but now what?   And so, it's a matter of really trying to figure out what's important over time, learning what's going to work and what's not. And know that there are people out there to help you and that want to help you if it's not going as planned. You know, I just want to reiterate that people really need to advocate for themselves and they need to ask questions.   And if they're not getting the answers that they want, don't give up because there are people, organizations, information out there that can be helpful. So rather than just worrying about what's next, seek help.   Laura Dugger: (14:02 - 14:18) That's really great advice. And I think this may be an appropriate place to pause and just get some of those recommended places. Because if somebody, this is new to them and they don't know where to turn, do you have any places or websites off the top of your mind that you would recommend?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (14:20 - 15:41) Well, so cancer.org, the American Cancer Society has a lot of resources on there. When it comes to menopause-type symptoms and such, menopause.org is the Menopause Society, which has a lot of information. And a website called PROSAYLA, it's P-R-O-S-A-Y-L-A.com, is a website that's managed by ISHWISH.   We've got all these acronyms. The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. So that is my go-to.   Okay, so that's the organization where there's so much research and science and such happening. And the PROSAYLA.org or prosayla.com, either one works, is a website where there are several articles written by experts in the field. So, these are articles backed by science.   It's not just somebody's opinion or somebody's blog. And I know there's an article on there about sex or cancer and sexuality. So, some generalities and some other references on that site too.   Laura Dugger: (15:42 - 15:51) Okay, that is super helpful information. We'll make sure and add links to those places as well. Anything else that you want to make sure we don't miss?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (15:52 - 17:36) Well, when we talk about sexual concerns or sexual problems, we always try to approach it from a biopsychosocial aspect. Because those three different entities all play a big role in what works well and what doesn't. So, from the biological section, that's pain, medications, nerve problems, chronic medical problems.   So obviously cancer plays a big role in that. And with cancer treatments and such, pain may be part of that, nausea, fatigue. And so, we just don't feel the same going through these treatments because it's really hard.   As far as the psych bubble, I'm usually referencing a Venn diagram here. Psychological, so when we experience anxiety or depression or performance anxiety, that plays a big role. So, we need to take a step back and realize that what happens up here in our brain has a huge impact on how our bodies function physically.   And then as far as the social aspect, that's our relationships, our interpersonal relationships with our partner, our spouse, with our family and how things are going on at work. A cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect all of those. And so, it's not just a magic pill to improve your libido because if we don't treat all these other things, people continue to struggle with their sexual function.   Laura Dugger: (18:01 - 19:46) Duplexes, studios and garden style options located in many areas throughout Pekin. In Peoria, a historic downtown location and apartments adjacent to the OSF Medical Center provide excellent choices. 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Check them out on Facebook today or email their friendly staff at Leasing@LemanProps.com. You can also stop by their website at lemanproperties.com.   That's LEMANproperties.com. Check them out and find your place to call home today.    Also, Dr. Kris, are there any certain cancers or treatments that have the most detrimental impact on a person's sex life?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (19:48 - 23:15) We know that cancers that affect the breast, for women, but men too get breast cancer, and also the genital area have the biggest impact. We've talked a fair amount about breast cancer. Many of the treatments for breast cancer result in early menopause.   If a woman is premenopausal when this happens, menopause can have a definite impact. The treatments can cause the pain and dryness and decrease sensitivity. Also, if surgery is involved in a mastectomy, it can affect our own body self-image.   From a more physical standpoint too, when we have the mastectomy and those nerves are cut, it decreases the sensitivity. For a lot of women, breast stimulation is really important as part of their sexual play. If now her breasts are gone and she can't feel anything when her husband is touching her breasts, that can be a really hard adjustment.   Any cancers that affect the genital area, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or anal rectal cancer for both men and women, and prostate cancer for men, those all have a huge impact. In addition to working with a lot of women who have breast cancer and overcoming and improving those areas, I work with a lot of men who have prostate cancer. Those treatments usually result in erection problems and urinary incontinence, which can be hard to deal with.   Men who have a prostatectomy, so if they have their prostate removed, then 100% of them are going to have erectile dysfunction in the beginning. It's going to take time for those nerves to recover, and it may take up to two years to see that full recovery. In those first few months when I'm working with men, I'm trying to be their cheerleader, saying, don't lose hope, don't give up, because this is going to get better.   It just takes time for those nerves to regrow. In the process, though, it is important to do whatever we can to make sure that that tissue stays healthy. Remember that the penis is actually muscle, muscle tissue, smooth muscle.   If we don't use a muscle for several months, atrophy sets in, which is a bad thing. With atrophy, the penis can shrink in size, and scar tissue potentially can set in, and it just makes that recovery less optimal than what it would have been. Trying to maintain the blood flow during those first few months or first year is really helpful.   Just to help maintain the blood flow and the oxygen to help keep the tissues healthy, so when the tenders do recover as best as they're going to, we get the best outcome.   Laura Dugger: (23:16 - 23:36) This may be an ignorant question, but then if erectile issues are present during that first time period, but it's crucial to have the blood flow to that area, what can men do to increase blood flow there, even if erection is difficult or impossible?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (23:36 - 25:01) That's a great question. Taking a medication like Viagra or Cialis. Cialis is my favorite because it stays in the system for a good 36 to 48 hours every time you take it.   If you're just taking a low dose every day, it just encourages a little bit of that blood flow every day. Using a vacuum device, which I just happen to have one right here, looks like this. A penis goes inside the cylinder, we create a vacuum or suction, and it pulls the blood flow in.   It's not the most sexy thing, but using it and using the vacuum device several times a week just to get that blood flow going is a very helpful way to keep the tissues healthy. Getting an erection with the vacuum doesn't get those arousal-type feelings, so it looks a little weird, but it does work. For men who want to use this for sexual activity, you can get the erection within the tube, and then it comes with these tight rings that are stretched over the edge of the cylinder.   Once you get the full erection within the tube, you slide that ring off to maintain the erection.   Laura Dugger: (25:04 - 25:14) That's incredible just to pause and think of God's grace and these inventions and how incredible that there are solutions. Please continue, but I find that encouraging.   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (25:16 - 27:39) There are all kinds of encouraging things, but if you're in the middle of this journey, it can be sometimes hard to keep going when you're not getting the results that you want to. But we believe in a big God, and he created sexual intimacy, and it's a gift. Other ways to help manage erectile dysfunction and a couple other show-and-tell things here.   This medication is called Muse. The actual medication is a pellet that comes preloaded in this applicator. You insert it in the tip of the penis, the medication gets absorbed, and 10 minutes later, magic happens.   I don't prescribe this very often because it's really, really expensive, a little harder to find. But the advantage to this medication is that it doesn't need the nerves to work, whereas the medications like Viagra and Cialis, they need the nerves. Guys usually kind of turn white when I pull this out.   For our listeners, I'm holding an insulin syringe and needle. There is such a treatment where you can actually inject a tiny amount of medicine directly into the penis, and it will give you an erection. I tell men that with the pills like Viagra and Cialis, just in general with ED, it works in about 60% of men.   We can get this to work, the injections to work, in 90-95%. It's such a tiny needle that men say it feels like a poke or a pinch once they get past that initial shock that they think is going to hurt. The usual response is, oh, that wasn't so bad, and it's very effective.   This can work within four to six weeks, so whenever your surgeon says it's okay to engage in sexual activity again, this will work. Then last but not least is a penile implant. That's surgery, and that you have to wait at least a year, if not two, after the prostate surgery.   That works in 99.99%. Wow.   Laura Dugger: (27:40 - 27:56) We were focusing a lot on men for that one. Is there any medication or any other injections or anything like that for women, other than the vaginal cream or different ways to get estrogen in the vagina?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (27:58 - 31:15) Yes, we've got all kinds of treatments. If a woman has breast cancer, or for whatever reason we want to avoid hormones as much as possible, then generally we're starting with a vaginal moisturizer, which is different than a lubricant. A lubricant is just for sexual activity and just to make things slipperier and feel better.   That often helps in the beginning, but as the GSM or the atrophy continues, the lubricant isn't enough. A moisturizer, think of like a facial moisturizer or a moisturizer for your hand, in order for it to work, you have to use it regularly, which is probably at least three times a week. These moisturizers can come in forms of a liquid that gets injected.   They're little capsules that you can insert. Reveri is a hyaluronic acid suppository, which you insert in the vagina and over time that can be really helpful. One of my favorites is this Rosebud Everyday Balm.   It's a really nice balm that you can put on the tissues inside the lips and inside the vagina. It's just really, really soothing. Again, you've got to use these things regularly.   It will take a good two months at least to see the full effect, so it doesn't work right away. Just like with the guys where they've got to be patient with the nerves, we have to be persistent and patient with things that can work. A vaginal moisturizer is really helpful.   A lubricant for sexual activity. There are over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help with arousal and orgasm. There are two approved medications for the treatment of low libido in premenopausal women.   One is Addi, which is a pill that you take every day, also known as the pink pill. Another treatment is Vilece, which is an injection. It comes in a pen, so you never see the needle and really don't feel the needle.   You give it to yourself about 45 minutes to an hour before sexual activity. Both of these medications are working on the brain chemistry because the brain is the biggest sex organ in the body. It's the most important sex organ.   It works on the brain chemistry and improving the dopamine and norepinephrine and the good sex positive hormones. Like I said, it's only approved for premenopausal women, but many of us do prescribe it for postmenopausal women. We have studies to show that it's safe and it's effective.   The drug companies didn't go through with all the rigmarole they had to do to get the FDA-approved indication for that. We've got all kinds of tricks up our sleeve.   Laura Dugger: (31:16 - 31:26) Absolutely. Just piggybacking on that, they wouldn't oftentimes follow through on all those studies, would you say primarily because of financial restraints?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (31:27 - 31:41) Totally. To get a medication approved for female sexual function, it's multi-million, if not a billion dollars. Studies and everything that needs to be done, it's crazy.   That's why these meds are so expensive.   Laura Dugger: (31:42 - 32:14) Then you also mentioned earlier bringing in the quality of life. There are so many options to consider, but such a personal basis. I had another question that arose.   You kind of were answering that because this one works with the brain chemistry. I'm thinking the body parts may be functioning and you can do different things to have an erection or be aroused with your genitalia, but how is desire affected with cancer?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (32:16 - 35:03) It's huge, unfortunately. Again, if we go back to that biopsychosocial model and for everything to work well, everything's got to be working well. If we have pain, of course that drives down desire.   We use the analogy of putting your hand on a hot stove. Pain with sex can hurt just as badly as that. I have women tell me it's 10 out of 10 pain feels like shards of glass.   Obviously, that's not pleasant. If we compare that to putting your hand on a hot stove, why in the world would you want to do that? We've got to take care of the pain.   When it comes to pain, it becomes imprinted in the brain and the body responds by just amplifying that pain. You've got more pain and you have less desire. Part of GSM or surgery or chemotherapy and other treatments, radiation, can affect the nerves.   We don't get those positive sensations and the arousal anymore. There's arousal in the brain as well as arousal in the genital area. If we're not getting that positive feedback that this just isn't fun anymore, it's hard to get enthused about engaging in that.   Sex therapy can be really helpful. Sex therapy isn't going to fix thin tissues, but a sex therapist is very skilled and trained at working with people and working with couples on trying to process this, working through the process and the changes that are happening. Sometimes it is a permanent change in sexual function, so there's grief involved.   Helping to process through some of that is really important. But again, if we take a step back and remember that sexual intimacy is more than just PIV sex, that there are all kinds of ways to be able to give and receive pleasure, as long as each person is comfortable with this. And moving beyond the thinking that, well, if I can't have intercourse, I'm not going to have anything at all, then that may mean you might not have anything at all for the rest of your life.   That makes me sad. We just have to take a step back, work through some of this, because it's a journey, it's a cancer journey, it's an aging journey, and try to make the most of it.   Laura Dugger: (35:04 - 36:32) I want to make sure that you're up to date with our latest news. We have a new website. You can visit thesavvysauce.com and see all of the latest updates. You may remember Francie Hinrichsen from episode 132, where we talked about pursuing our God-given dreams. She is the amazing businesswoman who has carefully designed a brand-new website for Savvy Sauce Charities, and we are thrilled with the final product. So, I hope you check it out.   There you're going to find all of our podcasts, now with show notes and transcriptions listed, a scrapbook of various previous guests, and an easy place to join our email list to receive monthly encouragement and questions to ask your loved ones so that you can have your own practical chats for intentional living. You will also be able to access our donation button or our mailing address for sending checks that are tax deductible so that you can support the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and help us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. So, make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com.   What are some of those examples for someone if they can't have PIV sex anymore? What are ways that you encourage continuing to build intimacy and a knowing of one another and offering and receiving pleasure?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (36:34 - 41:17) Well, starting with making sure each person is on the same page as far as what they're comfortable with. Okay? Communication is key.   To be able to talk about what you want, what you desire, what your needs are, and listening to your partner say that same thing, trying to make no judgments and not forcing anybody into anything, but just so that we can help understand each other. And when it comes to actual giving and receiving pleasure, whether that's with manual stimulation, with your hands, with your fingers, or if you have a massager, oral stimulation, using a vibrator. And a vibrator can be really helpful for women in menopause, women dealing with cancer treatments, and also for men if they need a little extra help with the stimulation because their nerves aren't working so well.   A vibrator, using it together in the context of giving and receiving pleasure can help, just help with the response, help with the enjoyment, and make it a little more fun, as long as everybody's okay with that. Using a lubricant is really important. And a good lubricant, you want to use a good lubricant because some of the more common ones, unfortunately, have ingredients in them that can actually hurt or irritate.   And like KY and Astroglide, sorry to name names here, but they're basic water-based lubricants, have either glycerin, parabens, or propylene glycol in them, and those can irritate, so we want to try to avoid those. A silicone-based lubricant doesn't have those preservatives, and it stays slippery longer. Where we have to be careful with that is that if you're using a silicone tool, otherwise known as a vibrator, you don't want to use those together because it can ruin the tool.   And if the man is struggling with ED, using too much, especially of a silicone lubricant, can make it too slippery. And too slippery is not so good for him. Oil-based lubricants, they're very nice, except if you're using condoms, it will degrade the condom and create other problems, potentially.   Other ways to stimulate, manually, orally, and when women have pain with intercourse, I'm going to bring in another show-and-tell here, the pain is often coming from the vulva, not so much in the vagina. We talk about vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy, but the part that's most sensitive is often just right inside the little lips here. And so, if we have terrible pain with penetration, we want to avoid that.   However, the whole surrounding vulvar area is very rich in nerves, can be very much stimulated, and it can feel really good, however each person is comfortable stimulating that area. And another fun fact is that this entire structure is the clitoris. You know, when we think of the clitoris, we think of the glands, this tiny little magic button right here, which, by the way, has 10,000 nerve endings in it.   It's incredible. But the legs, the legs are the cruise of the clitoris, as well as the bulbs. They come down on either side of the vagina.   So, the vagina is here. However, this part of the clitoris can easily be stimulated, so the legs of the clitoris can be easily stimulated, just inside the labia majora, or the outer lips. So, using a vibrator here can be really pleasurable, and you're avoiding the part that hurts.   So, stimulating externally the clitoris, the labia, and wherever else feels good can be very fun. And so, if you try to approach it may be like a game, making it fun and exploring each other's bodies so that you can really figure out ways to make the other person feel good or experience pleasure without causing pain.   Laura Dugger: (41:18 - 41:43) That's so great. And like you had mentioned, if they go see a Christian sex therapist, they would say the same thing as you to stop when there is pain, because it just makes it worse over time. And so, I love that you've given us other options, if that is the case.   Is there ever a time where orgasm is no longer possible after cancer?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (41:46 - 43:14) It's possible. Yes. Depending on the cancer and the treatment, that it can make it really difficult or even impossible to get there.   But that's where we want to not focus on orgasm as the ultimate goal, because if we engage in sexual activity with orgasm as the ultimate goal, your brain's not going to let you go there, whether it's the male or the female, either one, the brain is the biggest sex organ in the body. Just trying to go for the gold just won't let you get there. So, you have to relax and enjoy the journey regardless.   So even if the cancer or the treatment didn't necessarily affect orgasm or if it's just our brains, my encouragement is to approach a sexual encounter as an experience. Enjoy the experience. It's not a performance.   We don't want to perform because then we get in our head, and we get nervous and our muscles all tighten up. So, we don't want to perform. We want to enjoy the experience, and it can be very pleasurable.   Even if orgasm isn't part of the picture anymore, it doesn't mean you can't have fun and can't connect because you can.   Laura Dugger: (43:15 - 43:25) But then I guess also to offer the hope, if I ask it a different way, are there times that orgasm is still possible after a cancer diagnosis?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (43:27 - 44:01) Absolutely. We always have hope. We always have hope.   Just because you're diagnosed with cancer doesn't mean you're not going to be able to engage in PIV sex or be able to experience an orgasm because that's always a possibility. Don't focus on just getting to the big orgasm. You want to slow down, enjoy the journey, and oftentimes it will come.   There are medications that help with blood flow, that help with arousal and orgasm, and sometimes they can be helpful. Sometimes they're not, but usually it doesn't hurt to try them.   Laura Dugger: (44:02 - 44:26) There you go. That's a very helpful reminder. It's a piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing.   But if someone right now is walking through their own cancer journey, what else would you advise them both to do and to avoid doing so that they can still enjoy the healthiest sex life possible with their spouse?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (44:29 - 47:19) That's going to involve several pieces. One, first and foremost, maintain the communication about wants and desires, what hurts, what doesn't, what can we do, what do you want to try tonight? Maintaining the communication.   It's much better to prevent problems like the vaginal dryness and pain than to try to treat it after you've been dealing with it for years sometimes, or even months. If you have, say, breast cancer, just getting in the habit of using one of those vaginal moisturizers from the get-go even before the dryness starts can help prevent problems. Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist can be really, really helpful.   A pelvic floor physical therapist is a physical therapist who specializes in these pelvic floor muscles that help support everything on the inside. And so if these muscles are too tight, causes pain, and if they're already too tight, doing tangles is the last thing that you want to do, because sometimes it means being able to relax them. Or women who have, who need pelvic radiation, say for uterine cancer, the gynecologic oncologist is usually really good about giving you a vaginal dilator and to use it, but they're not always really good at telling you exactly how to use it, how frequently and how long, so be sure and ask.   Because again, we want to maintain the integrity of the tissues, because it's better to maintain them than try to get it back. That's often quite hard. For guys, especially with prostate cancer, it means participating in that, we call it penile rehabilitation.   So, it's basically physical therapy for the penis. You know, its muscle, so we want to keep that muscle healthy and to help maintain healthy tissues. And just trying to be as good to ourselves as we can, giving ourselves and our partners grace when we need it, because it's a journey and it's not an easy one.   But we believe in a big God and he's there to help us through this and he delights when husband and wife can unite as one, whatever that looks like. And it makes him happy and he's there to try to keep this going for us.   Laura Dugger: (47:21 - 47:40) And you may have already answered this question with that, but I love how you're always encouraging and gentle and full of hope. So, any other hope that you want to share with anyone who's battled cancer or is in the midst of their journey, but they're still desiring to connect intimately with their spouse?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (47:47 - 48:33) Sometimes it means asking for help. So, for finding a provider, whether that's a therapist, a gynecologist, a sexual medicine provider, or even your pastor counselor to help you through this. In the show notes, we'll put in websites where you can find a provider because not everybody is educated.   Hardly anybody's educated on this, unfortunately. But there are people out there throughout the country, throughout the world, where you can find to help guide you on this journey. Don't suffer in silence.   We're here to help. So be sure to reach out so we can help you.   Laura Dugger: (48:33 - 48:50) That's so good, Dr. Christiansen. And are there any other proactive measures that all of us can take to set us up for a healthy sex life into aging or any diagnoses that we may get in the future?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (48:53 - 50:38) Well, treating our body like a temple, like God says. We have to take good care of ourselves. And just in general, going for your preventative visits and checking your cholesterol and your blood sugar and your blood pressure and screening for cancer so we can prevent them or catch them really early.   And it's so much easier to treat. But things like smoking and diabetes and being overweight and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, they impact sexual function very negatively, especially smoking. Guys are still surprised when I tell them, or I show them a picture of a cigarette with ashes that are kind of wilting off the end.   This is your penis. This is what happens with smoking. Okay.   So quitting smoking. And in women, we have those same little blood vessels and nerves that men do. And so not taking care of ourselves as far as weight, exercise and diabetes and all that stuff, that affects our sexual function, too.   So just making sure that we take a proactive stance on just taking really good care of our medical and our mental health because that's so important. And our spiritual health. Can't forget that, too.   Yeah. Just, you know, taking care of ourselves because aging does impact sexual function. As we get older, our endurance isn't quite what it used to be.   Certainly not as flexible as we used to be. Things kind of hurt. Achy joints and whatever.   So, the more we can take care of ourselves, the more we can enjoy that sexual intimacy, which does involve a little bit of physical exertion.   Laura Dugger: (50:39 - 51:03) Absolutely. Well, you've shared a lot of places where we can go to seek help. But I would love to know where we can continue to learn from you or a website where people can find out more of your offerings because you mentioned not many people are educated in this field or on this topic, but you are a great resource.   So where would you direct all of us after this chat?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (51:05 - 52:23) Well, I started my own business called Intimate Focus, Intimate-Focus.com. Where my goal is to offer education and quality products that people can use to help equip them and enhance sexual intimacy. As part of my clinical career where I see patients, we'd often talk about using a good lubricant or getting a vibrator to help with those nerves that just aren't quite as effective anymore.   And so many times they told me they were just not comfortable going to an adult store or they didn't want to purchase them on Amazon because it could be a shared account and kids or whatever may see what they're ordering. So, this is a private and secure site and I don't even know how to sell your email so don't worry, that's not going to happen. Where you can purchase good quality products, I vet them out myself to make sure that they don't contain the ingredients that I encourage women to avoid and no pictures with nudity or anything like that because I want it to be a comfortable space or at least as comfortable as we can make it for everybody.   Laura Dugger: (52:24 - 52:43) Wonderful. Well, I'll certainly link that in the show notes as well. And Dr. Christiansen, you are already a friend of The Savvy Sauce, so you know that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your Savvy Sauce?   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (52:46 - 53:15) Well, you know, James in the Bible is a very practical kind of guy and I love his advice that we should all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. And if we were all able to do that or at least just a little more of that, I think our world would be a much better place to live.   Laura Dugger: (53:16 - 53:42) This is so good. I cannot hear that verse enough and I just truly look so forward to the times that I get to spend with you. You are such a calming presence full of wisdom.   That's what we prayed for before we had the recording begin for today. And I am just overflowing with gratitude. So, thank you, Dr. Christiansen, for all that you've shared. Thank you so much for being my returning guest.   Dr. Kris Christiansen: (53:43 - 53:48) Well, thank you, Laura. This has been great. It's an honor to be on your show.   Laura Dugger: (53:50 - 57:32) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you. But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him. You get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started? First, tell someone.   Say it out loud. Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes & Noble and let me choose my own Bible.   I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ.   I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps, such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you. We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ. We also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

What's up Bros? This is a great season of Summer House. In this episode, Paige deals with major anxiety as the Craig situation is clearly coming to a head. Jesse and Lexi get into an argument because Jesse didn't like how Lexi was "flirting" with West... This dude needs to reel it in. Yesterday. West has one of his more relatable episodes as he nurses a hangover from hell. Carl broke the streak up in Montauk last weekend and he and Ciara continue to... bond? Imrul rubs the house the wrong way with the repeat ladies staying over. We agree, maybe play some away games pal. Is there more to him? can we call bad edit? Time will tell. Jesse takes the group to the Hope Lodge at the American Cancer Society in a touching scene that was overshadowed by Jesse "joking" with Ciara not to touch him. This seemed like the last straw for Ciara and hopefully she moves on from these Bravo dudes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices