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Meredith Hilliard, armed with the knowledge of her BRCA gene and her family's history, decided to have a robotic prophylactic mastectomy to avert the disease that haunted her relatives. Supported by her community and inspired by her mother’s experience, she became one of the first in Texas to try this innovative procedure. Her story is one of preparation, courage, and hope for a cancer-free future. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. Who is Meredith Hilliard, and what makes her story unique? 2. How did Meredith learn about breast cancer at a young age? 3. What is the BRCA gene, and how did Meredith’s family discover they were carriers? 4. How did having a family history and the BRCA gene influence Meredith’s decisions about her health? 5. What is a prophylactic mastectomy and why did Meredith choose to have one? 6. How did Meredith feel during the regular surveillance (MRI and mammograms) before surgery? 7. What support did Meredith have during her decision and surgery? 8. What is a robotic mastectomy, and how did Meredith become a candidate for this procedure? 9. What was Meredith’s experience with reconstruction following her mastectomy? 10. How does Meredith feel about her decision in hindsight? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Secret Struggles with Cancer 04:23 Early Diagnosis Key to Discovery 08:03 BRCA Gene and Cancer Anxiety 11:23 Robotic Mastectomy Experience 15:02 Family Health and Surgery Discussion 18:26 Referral to MD AndersonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Host Matt Burgess interviews Gidon Schwartz from Genetics, a UK charity offering pre-conception carrier screening and partnering with the NHS to increase access to BRCA and carrier testing for people with Jewish ancestry. They discuss why ancestry matters for certain recessive conditions, how testing and outreach have evolved, ethical and identity challenges around asking about ethnicity, and where to find resources and genetic counseling.
" When I eventually figured out my food intolerances and a better relationship with fueling, I brought [my marathon PR] down to 2:44 within a little under a year." Jenny Grimshaw, VP of marketing at EQUIP*, and now a 2:36 marathoner, joins us on the Lane 9 podcast. Jenny is also a mom of 2, and navigating prophylactic surgeries to reduce her risk of breast and ovarian cancers (with the BRCA-1 gene). Her postpartum running experiences have been full of PRs, as she has figured out her own fueling needs, how to balance her identity as a runner with all the other things she does, and has worked with a coach to better balance her training volume and find her confidence as a runner. Jenny shares: her early experiences with food intolerances and GI distress that were assumed by physicians to be anorexia, but would later be more correctly classified as ARFID the anxiety and panic attacks that she dealt with as a young runner, and injuries that plagued her through college, related to fueling, mental health, and wanting to explore life outside of running why she got into longer distances after her collegiate T&F years the gastroenterologist appointment that changed everything for her how she brought her marathon PR from a 3:13 to a 2:36 (not to say "you can, too!" but to give just one example of how fueling and mental health impact our experiences in sport) why she was drawn to EQUIP, and her role there *EQUIP is a virtual eating disorder treatment company that offers care in all 50 states. They're also part of the Lane 9 Directory. Connect with Jenny Grimshaw on Instagram @jenny_gshaw, and follow her training for her next marathon! Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!
Can we talk about how we've been fed complete BS about menopause and our hormones? I mean, seriously—the amount of fear-mongering and misinformation out there is making me want to throw things. But lucky for us, Dr. Kelly Casperson is here to set the record straight, and trust me, this conversation is about to blow your mind. If you've ever felt like you're going crazy during perimenopause or been told you're "too young" or "too old" for hormone therapy, this episode is your wake-up call.Dr. Kelly is a urologist turned women's health warrior who's dedicating her life to educating women about what's actually happening to our bodies during this transition. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the real facts about hormone replacement therapy, busting myths that have kept women suffering unnecessarily, and talking about why the medical establishment has failed us so spectacularly. This isn't just another menopause chat—this is your roadmap to reclaiming your power during midlife.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study created decades of hormone fear and how the media completely twisted the resultsThe truth about hormone pellets and why they might not be the silver bullet you think they areHow to advocate for yourself when doctors dismiss your symptoms as "natural"The real story behind "estrogen dominance" and why that lab test might be misleading youWhy testosterone isn't just for men and how it can transform your energy and moodThe connection between hormones and brain fog, and why your forgetfulness isn't early dementiaHow to find qualified menopause specialists and what questions to askThe surprising ways exercise and protein can impact your hormone healthReady to stop suffering in silence and start living your best midlife? Let's dive into this game-changing conversation that every woman over 40 needs to hear. Have you been struggling with symptoms that doctors keep dismissing as "just part of getting older"? WATCH ON YOUTUBE if that's your jam: https://youtu.be/9SlS4F-QtLcConnect with me on Instagram and let me know what resonated most with you from this episode. Resources MentionedDr. Kelly Casperson's book: "The Menopause Moment"Dr. Kelly's Instagram: instagram.com/kellycaspersonmd/Dr. Kelly's website: kellycaspersonmd.comInternational Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISHWISH)MIDI Health, Evernow, Alloy, GenEv, InterludeThe Casperson Clinic (Washington State) Quotes from Dr. Kelly Casperson"Women get, you're either too young for this or you're too old for this. Men never get told they're too young or too old for something." (08:29)"If there is a drug that you could take between the ages of 50 and 60, and several studies have shown it decreases your risk of death and helps you live maybe about two years longer, do you think everybody would be on that drug? Yeah, that drug's called estrogen." (30:47)"The best way to control a woman? Give her fear. Control her. How do we control her? Keep her afraid." (38:58)"Don't just brace yourself for hell, people. Get educated and advocate." (37:30)"Hair hates drastic changes. And that's why like if you have low hormones and you throw a pellet in, some people might experience some hair loss with it." (35:23) Key Timestamps00:03 - Introduction and the five orgasms story 01:54 - Dr. Kelly's background as a urologist 06:20 - The 2002 Women's Health Initiative study explained 08:04 - Myths about being "too young" or "too old" for hormones 10:11 - The truth about hormone pellets 14:24 - Lab testing and "estrogen dominance" myth 16:39 - Why we treat symptoms, not just numbers 20:27 - Brain fog and hormone connection 28:17 - Hot flashes and what causes them 32:01 - The benefits of taking estrogen 34:41 - Testosterone for women 37:05 - BRCA patients and hormone therapy Tips/TakeawaysStop using "natural" as an excuse not to treat symptoms - erectile dysfunction and cancer are natural too, but we treat those."Estrogen dominance" is just a snapshot of one day - don't hang onto that label as a fixed trait.Treat symptoms, not just lab numbers - if you're suffering, that's reason enough for treatment.Hair follicles hate sudden hormone changes - start low and go slow with any hormone therapy.Exercise is brain medicine - quadriceps strength is directly linked to dementia prevention.Protein needs increase with age - aim for about 1 gram per pound of body weight to build muscle. Be sure to rate, review, and follow this podcast on your player and also, connect with me IRL for more goodness and life-changing stuff.Schedule a FREE podcast clarity call with me - Your future audience is out there. Talk to them!Sign up for the free Reinvention Roadmap weekly emailAllisonHare.comFollow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.DOWNLOAD the free podcast equipment guide- No guesswork, no google rabbit holes, start recording todayReb3l Dance Fitness - Try it at home! Free month with this link.Personal Brand - need help building yours? Schedule a call with me here and let's discuss.Feedback and Contact:: allison@allisonhare.com
We're back—and it's Season 6 of the GOSH Podcast!
Send us a textOvarian cancer, the second most common gynecologic malignancy, can be cured 90-95% of the time when caught early. Speaking of Women's Health Podcast Host talks through the risk factors like family history, BRCA gene mutations, obesity, and personal reproductive factors that are essential for early detection and prevention.• Risk increases with age (over 50), family history, and BRCA gene mutations• BRCA1 carriers face 35-70% lifetime risk compared to less than 2% in general population• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormonal contraceptives reduce risk by decreasing ovulation• Tubal ligation, especially salpingectomy, dramatically lowers ovarian cancer risk• Common symptoms include abdominal swelling, urinary changes, bloating, early satiety• Regular pelvic exams and prompt reporting of symptoms are crucial for early detection• Ashkenazi Jewish women have ten times higher rate of BRCA mutations• Avoid using talcum powder near genital area as it's been linked to increased risk• Consider genetic counseling if strong family history exists• Prophylactic removal of tubes/ovaries after age 40 may be recommended for high-risk womenPlease follow the Speaking of Women's Health podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember Be Strong, Be Healthy, and Be in Charge!Support the show
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What if your DNA could hold the answers to your migraines, mental health struggles, or even your future risk of disease?
In this episode of HYDRATE, Tracy sits down with Kashif Khan, the CEO, and Founder of The DNA Company and bestselling author of The DNA Way, where he pioneers a functional approach to genomic interpretation.Growing up in an immigrant household, Kashif developed an industrious entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. After building and advising numerous high-growth start-ups, the high-paced environment led to his health declining in his mid-30s. Faced with multiple chronic diseases and offered only pills to manage the symptoms, Kashif went on a journey to heal himself by understanding the root cause of his health issues through his own DNA, which inspired him to start The DNA Company.Together, Tracy and Kashif explore the outdated healthcare system and the overwhelming impact of environmental toxins on our hormones and overall health. Kashif breaks down the science of how genetics determine our response to these toxins, causing some individuals to be more susceptible to issues like perimenopause, infertility, and even breast cancer. He debunks the myths surrounding the BRCA gene, explaining the real genetic pathways that can lead to cancer and how it is all predictable and preventable. They also discuss how our unique DNA wiring predisposes us to anxiety, trauma, and even determines our personality and superpowers.If you feel stuck with your health and want to stop the guesswork, listen to this episode to understand the root cause of why you feel the way you do.Connect with Kashif:Website: thednacompany.comInstagram: instagram.com/thednaco/Connect with Tracy:Website: https://tracyduhs.com/Hydration shop: https://sanctuarysd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyduhs/Flow FAM community: https://tracyduhs.com/join-flow-fam/
Today's episode is called “Rebirth from Cancer & Trauma” and I'm joined by the radiant Dr. Neja Zupan . Over a decade ago, she was diagnosed with aggressive, hormone-dependent cancer and given only a 5% chance of survival. Carrying the BRCA gene, with a family history stacked against her, Neja made a bold choice: she said no to conventional treatments—and yes to deep energetic alignment, soul remembrance, and full-body coherence. What unfolded wasn't just healing. It was a true rebirth. She broke cycles of inherited trauma, recalibrated her frequency field, and stepped fully into her mission: helping high-achieving, intuitive women live and lead from vibrant vitality and multidimensional power—without burnout or disconnection. In this conversation, you'll hear Neja's powerful healing journey, the energetic keys to decoding trauma, and even experience a hands-on recalibration tool you can use right away. This is one of those episodes that will leave you inspired, grounded, and ready to remember what's possible. At the conclusion Neja offers a free ebook on seven steps for energetic alignment to help listeners practice these techniques as a gift to “Call IT in With Dar' listeners Support the showFull Show Notes can be found at CallITInPodcast.comPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card DeckTake Dar's Archetype Quiz
In episode 92 of the Summits Podcast, co-hosts Vince Todd, Jr. and Daniel Abdallah are joined by Joyce Irwin, President/CEO of the Community Health Network Foundation. Tune in as Joyce shares the genetic testing that led to her double mastectomy, her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and how she's giving back through her work at the Community Health Network Foundation.
JCO PO author Dr. Alison M. Schram at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shares insights into her JCO PO article, “Retrospective Analysis of BRCA-Altered Uterine Sarcoma Treated With Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors.” Host Dr. Rafeh Naqash and Dr. Schram discuss relevant genomic and clinical features of patients with BRCA-altered uterine sarcoma and the efficacy of PARPis in this population. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Hello and welcome to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations, where we bring you engaging conversations with authors of clinically relevant and highly significant JCO PO articles. I'm your host, Dr. Rafeh Naqash, podcast editor for JCO Precision Oncology and associate professor at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. Today, we are excited to be joined by Dr. Alison Schram, Associate Attending Physician and Section Head of Oral Therapeutics with Early Drug Development and Gynecologic Medical Oncology Services at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the senior author of the JCO Precision Oncology article titled, "Retrospective Analysis of BRCA-Altered Uterine Sarcoma Treated With Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors." At the time of this recording, our guest's disclosures will be linked in the transcript. Dr. Schram, thank you for joining us today. I am excited to be discussing this very interesting, unique topic based on what you published in JCO PO. Dr. Alison Schram: Thank you for having me. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: What we like to do for these podcasts is try to make them scientifically interesting but at the same time, keep them at a level where our trainees and other community oncology professionals understand the implications of what you've published. So I'd like to start by asking you, what is leiomyosarcoma for those of us who don't necessarily know a lot about leiomyosarcoma, and what are some of the treatment options for these uterine sarcomas? Dr. Alison Schram: Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare subtype of uterine cancer, and it represents about 1% of all female cancers in the reproductive tract. This is a rare malignancy that arises from the myometrial lining of the uterus, and it is generally pretty aggressive. In terms of the standard therapy, the standard therapy for uterine leiomyosarcoma includes chemotherapy, generally combination chemotherapy, but despite a few regimens that tend to be effective, the duration of effectiveness is relatively short-lived, and patients with advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma eventually progress and require additional therapy. I will say that localized uterine leiomyosarcoma can be treated with surgery as well. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for that description. Now, there are two aspects to what you published. One is the sarcoma aspect, the leiomyosarcoma, and the second is the BRCA mutation. Since we are a precision medicine journal, although we've discussed BRCA a couple of times before, but again, for the sake of our listeners, could you highlight some of the aspects of BRCA and PARP sensitivity for us? Dr. Alison Schram: Yes. So BRCA is a gene that's important for DNA repair, and BRCA mutations can be either inherited as a germline mutation, so one of your parents likely had a BRCA mutation and you inherited one copy. In patients who have an inherited BRCA mutation, the normal cells tend to have one abnormal copy of BRCA, but if a second copy in the cell becomes altered, then that develops into cancer. And so these patients are at increased risk of developing cancers. Specifically, they are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and a few others. These cancers are considered BRCA-associated tumors. Alternatively, some patients, more rarely, can develop BRCA-altered cancers completely sporadically. So it's a mutation that happens in the tumor itself, and that can lead to impaired DNA repair and promote cancer progression. And those patients are not, they don't have any inherited risk, but just a random event caused a BRCA mutation in the tumor. The reason this is important is because, in addition to it being potentially important for family members, there are certain treatments that are more effective in BRCA-altered cancers. And the main example is PARP inhibitors, which are small molecule inhibitors that inhibit the PARP enzyme, and there is what we call synthetic lethality. So PARP is important for DNA repair, for single-stranded DNA repair, BRCA is important for double-stranded DNA repair, and in a patient that has a cancer that has a BRCA mutation, that cancer becomes more reliant on single-stranded DNA repair. And if you inhibit it with a PARP inhibitor, the cancer cells are unable to repair DNA, and the cells die. So we call that synthetic lethality. PARP inhibitors are FDA approved in several diseases, predominantly the BRCA-associated diseases I mentioned: breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: That was very beautifully explained. Honestly, I've heard many people explain BRCA before, but you kind of put it in a very simple, easy to understand format. You mentioned this earlier describing germline or hereditary BRCA and somatic BRCA. And from what I gather, you had a predominant population of somatic BRCA, but a couple of germline BRCA as well in your patient population, which we'll go into details as we understand the study. You mentioned the second hit on the germline BRCA that is required for the other copy of the gene to be altered. In your clinical experience, have you seen outside of the study that you published, a difference in the sensitivity of PARP for germline BRCA versus a somatic BRCA that has loss of both alleles? Dr. Alison Schram: So we will get into what's unique about uterine sarcomas in just a minute. In uterine sarcomas, what we have found is that the BRCA mutations tend to be somatic and not germline, as you mentioned. That is in contrast to the other diseases we mentioned, where the vast majority of these tumors are in patients that have germline BRCA alterations. So one thing that's really unique about the uterine sarcoma population and our paper, I believe, is that it is demonstrating an indication for PARP inhibitors in a population that is not characterized by germline BRCA alterations, but truly these by somatic BRCA alterations. If you look at the diseases that PARP inhibitors are validated to be effective in, including the, you know, the ones I mentioned, the BRCA-associated tumors, there's some data in specific context that suggests that perhaps germline alterations are more sensitive to PARP inhibitors, but that's not universal, and it's really tricky to do because the genetic testing that we have doesn't always tell you if you have two hits or just one hit. So you need more complex genetic analysis to truly understand if there is what we call a biallelic loss. And sometimes it's not a second mutation in BRCA. Sometimes it's silencing of the gene by hypermethylation or epigenetics. Some of our clinical trials are now incorporating this data collection to really understand if biallelic loss that we can identify on more complex genetic testing predicts for better outcomes. And we think it's probably true that the patients that have biallelic loss, whether it be germline or somatic biallelic loss, are more likely to benefit from these treatments. That still needs to be tested in a larger cohort of patients prospectively. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: In your clinical experience, I know you predominantly use MSK-IMPACT, but maybe you've perhaps used some other NGS platforms, next-generation sequencing platforms. Have you noticed that these reports for BRCA alterations the report mentioning biallelic loss in certain cases? I personally don't- I do lung cancer, I do early-phase lung cancer as well, but I personally don't actually remember if I've seen a report that actually says biallelic loss. So after this podcast, I'm going to check some of those NGS reports and make sure I look at it. But have you seen it, or what would be a learning point for the listeners there? Dr. Alison Schram: Exactly. And they usually do not. They usually do not explicitly say, “This looks like biallelic loss,” on the reports. The exception would be if there's a deep deletion, then that implies both copies of the gene have been deleted, and so then you can assume that it's a biallelic loss. But oftentimes, when you see a frameshift alteration or a mutation, you don't know whether or not it's a biallelic loss. And you may be able to get some clues based on the variant allele frequencies, but due to things like whole genome duplication or more complex tumor genomics, it's not clear from these reports, and you really do need a more in-depth bioinformatic analysis to understand whether these are biallelic or not. So that is why I suggest that this really needs to be done in the context of a clinical trial, but there is definitely a theoretical rationale for reporting and treating patients with biallelic losses perhaps more so than someone who has a variant of unknown significance that seems to be monoallelic. The other tricky part, as I mentioned, is the fact that there could be epigenetic changes that silence the second copy, so that wouldn't be necessarily evident on a DNA report, and you would need more complex molecular testing to understand that as well. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Sure. Now, going to your study, could you tell us what prompted the study, what was the patient population that you collected, and how did you go about this research study design? Dr. Alison Schram: It's actually a great story. I was the principal investigator for a clinical trial enrolling patients regardless of their tumor type to a combination of a PARP inhibitor and immunotherapy. And this was a large clinical trial that was being done as a basket study, as I mentioned, for patients that have either germline or somatic alterations with advanced solid tumors that had progressed on standard therapy. And the hypothesis was that the combination of a PARP inhibitor and immunotherapy would be synergistic and that there would be increased efficacy compared to either agent alone and that patients who had BRCA alterations were a sensitive population to test because of their inherent sensitivity to PARP inhibitors and perhaps their increased neoantigen burden from having loss of DNA repair. So this large study, it's been published, really did show that there was efficacy across several tumor types, but it didn't seem to clearly demonstrate synergy between the immunotherapy and the PARP inhibitor as compared to what you might expect from a PARP inhibitor alone, and in addition to a couple of cases, perhaps attributable to the immunotherapy. So maybe additive rather than synergistic efficacy. However, what really struck me looking at the data was that there were three patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma with BRCA deletions who had the best responses of anyone on the study. So incredible, durable responses. One of my patients with a complete response that continues to not have any evidence of cancer eight years after the initiation of this regimen. And for those of us that treat uterine leiomyosarcoma, this is unheard of. These patients generally, as I mentioned, respond, if they do respond to chemotherapy, it's generally short-lived and the cancer progresses. And so a complete response nearly a decade later turns heads in this field. The other interesting thing was that these uterine leiomyosarcoma patients had somatic alterations rather than a germline alteration with a second hit, and the diseases that are best validated for being responsive to PARP inhibitors include the BRCA-associated diseases, the ones that you're at increased risk for if you have a germline BRCA mutation, including breast, pancreas, prostate, and ovarian. And so it was very interesting that this disease type that seemed to be uniquely sensitive to PARP inhibitors with immunotherapy was also different in that patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma don't tend to have a high frequency of BRCA alterations, and in patients that are born with a BRCA alteration, there doesn't seem to be a clearly increased risk of uterine sarcomas. So this population really jumped out as a uniquely sensitive population that differed from the prior indications for PARP inhibitors. Given this patient and these couple of patients that we observed on the combination, in addition to some other case reports and case series that had started to come out in small numbers, we wanted to look back at our large cohort of patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering to see if we could really get a better sense of the numbers. How many patients at Sloan Kettering with uterine sarcomas have BRCA alterations? Are they generally somatic or germline? Are there unique features about these patients in terms of their clinical characteristics? How many of them have received PARP inhibitors, and if so, is this just luck that these three patients did so well, or is this really a good treatment option for patients with BRCA-altered uterine sarcomas? And so we did this retrospective analysis identifying the patients at Sloan Kettering who met these criteria. So in total, we found 35 patients with uterine sarcomas harboring BRCA alterations, and the majority were leiomyosarcoma, about 86% of them had leiomyosarcoma, which is interesting because there are other uterine sarcomas, but it does seem like BRCA alterations tend to be more often in the leiomyosarcomas. And 13 of these patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma were treated with PARP inhibitors in the recurrent or metastatic setting with about half of those patients having an overall response, so that's a significant tumor shrinkage that sustained, and a clinical benefit rate of 62%. And if we look at the patients that had these BRCA2 deep deletions, which was the patient I had that had this amazing response, the overall response rate jumped to 60% and the clinical benefit rate to 80%. And we defined clinical benefit rate as having maintained on the PARP inhibitor without evidence of progression at six months. So this is really impressive for patients with a difficult to treat disease. And we couldn't do a randomized controlled trial comparing it to chemotherapy, but looking retrospectively at outcomes on chemotherapy studies, this was very favorable, particularly because many of these patients were heavily pretreated. So to get a sense of, you know, how this might compare to chemotherapy, we tried to use patients as their own internal controls, and we looked at how long patients were maintained on the PARP inhibitor as compared to how long they were on the treatment just prior. And we used a ratio of 1.3 to say if they were on the PARP inhibitor for 1.3 times what their previous treatment was or longer, that is pretty clearly better, more of a benefit from that regimen. And the majority of patients did meet that bar. So 58% had a PFS ratio greater than 1.3, and the average PFS ratio was 1.9, suggesting, you know, you would expect the the later lines of therapy to actually not work as well, but this suggests that it's actually working better than the immediately prior line of therapy, to me, suggesting that this is truly a good treatment option for these patients. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Very interesting. And you mentioned that individuals with tumors having deep deletions were probably more responsive. How did you figure out that there was biallelic loss or deep deletions? Was that part of an extended analysis that was done subsequently? Dr. Alison Schram: So the deletions reported on our report, if it's a biallelic deletion, that is the one biallelic molecular alteration that would be reported. So those are, by definition, biallelic, and I think that that may be one of the reasons that's a good biomarker. But also, what's interesting is that if you have both copies deleted of BRCA, you can't develop reversion mutations. So one of the the known mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitors in patients who have BRCA alterations are something called a reversion mutation where, if you have a frameshift alteration, for example, in BRCA that makes BRCA protein nonfunctional, you can develop a second mutation that actually puts the DNA back in frame, and a functional protein is now made. And so a mechanism of resistance to PARP inhibitors is actually reverting BRCA to a wild-type protein, and then BRCA's synthetic lethality no longer makes sense and is no longer effective. But if you've deleted both copies of BRCA, you don't have the ability to restore the function, and you can't develop reversion mutations. And that's perhaps why, you know, my patient and others have had these prolonged responses to PARP inhibitors because you don't have the same ability to develop that mechanism of resistance. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: I remember thinking a year and a half back, I had an individual with prostate cancer and with BRCA2, and using liquid biopsy, I had a reversion mutation that we caught. In your practice, have you seen the utility of doing the serial liquid biopsies in these individuals to catch these reversion mutations? Dr. Alison Schram: Yes, absolutely. And in patients that have the ability to develop a reversion mutation, serial cell-free DNA can catch it, but the caveat is that it doesn't always. So if you see an acquired reversion mutation in cell-free DNA, that can be helpful, particularly if you're planning on putting the patient on another line of therapy that might require a dysfunctional BRCA. So if you're putting them on a clinical trial with a PARP combination and the rationale is that they're sensitive because they don't have a functional BRCA, you would want to know if they developed a reversion mutation, and serial cell-free DNA can definitely identify these reversion mutations. Some of the major clinical trials in ovarian cancer have done serial cell-free DNA and have demonstrated the utility of that approach. The caveat is that some of these reversion mutations are not readily caught on cell-free DNA because they're more complex reversion mutations, or they're not, the part of the gene that develops the reversion mutation is not tiled on the panel. And so it doesn't always catch the reversion mutations. Also, depends on the cell-free DNA shedding, depends on the tumor volume and other factors. And we published a related paper of a patient, it was a really interesting case of a patient with prostate cancer who was on a PARP inhibitor and developed what appeared to be a single reversion mutation on one sample, had negative cell-free DNA, single reversion mutation in a tissue biopsy, and then developed disease progression. And we did an autopsy, and the patient kindly consented to an autopsy, and at the time of autopsy, there were 10 unique reversion mutations identified across 11 metastases. So almost each metastasis had a unique reversion mutation, and only one of them had been seen premortem on a tissue biopsy and not on a cell-free DNA. But that autopsy really drove home to me how much we're missing by doing clinical testing in real time and we really don't know the entire genomic complexity of our patients by doing single samples. And theoretically, cell-free DNA can catch DNA from all the metastases, so you might think that that would be a solution, and it definitely can catch reversion mutations that are not seen in a single biopsy, but you really need to do it all. I mean, you need to do the tissue biopsy sampling, you need to do cell-free DNA, and probably one cell-free DNA test is not enough. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you, again, for that very nice explanation. Now, one quick provocative question. I remember when I was training, the lab that I used to work in, they used to do a lot of phosphorylation markers for DNA damage response, like phospho NBS, RAD51. Have you seen anything of that sort on these biallelic BRCA mutations where tumors are responding, but they also have a very high signature on the phosphorylation side, and it may or may not necessarily correspond to HRD signatures, but have you noticed or done any of that analysis? Dr. Alison Schram: I think that it would be great to do that analysis. And some of the work we're doing now is actually trying to dig a little bit deeper in our cohort of patients to understand are these HRD-positive tumors? Does HRD positivity correlate with response to BRCA alterations? In terms of the functional assays, I would love to be able to do a functional assay in these samples. One of the challenges is that this was a retrospective study and many of the patients were previously treated as standard of care or off-label with these agents, and so we didn't have prospective tissue collection, and so we're really limited by the tissue that was collected as part of standard of care and the consent forms that the patient signed that allow us to do genomic and molecular testing on their samples. So, I think that is hopefully future work that we will do and others will do. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Sure. Shifting gears to your career trajectory, I'd like to spend a couple of minutes there before we end the podcast. So Dr. Schram, you've obviously been a trailblazer in this space of drug development, early-phase trials. Can you give us a brief synopsis of your journey and how you've successfully done what you're doing and what are some of the things that drive you? Dr. Alison Schram: Well, thank you for saying that. I don't know if that's true, but I'll take the bait. I've been interested in oncology since college and was always very interested in not only the science of oncology but of course, treating patients. And in medical school, I did basic science research in a laboratory and it was very inspiring and made me want to do research in oncology in addition to clinical care. When I became an oncology fellow, I was presented with a very difficult question, which is, “Do you want to be a lab PI and be in the lab, or do you want to do clinical care and clinical research?” And I couldn't choose. I found a mentor who thankfully really had this amazing vision of combining the two and doing very early drug development, taking the data that was being generated by labs and translating it into patients at the earliest stage. So, you know, phase one drug development in molecularly targeted therapies. And so I became very interested as a fellow in early drug development and this ability to translate brand new molecular insights into novel drugs. And I joined the- at Sloan Kettering, there was the Early Drug Development, it was actually a clinic, it was called something different, and it was very fortuitous. My last year of fellowship, the clinic became its own service with the ability to hire staff at Sloan Kettering, and I was the first ever hire to our Early Drug Development Service. And that really inspired me to try and bring these drugs to patients and to really translate the amazing molecular insights that my colleagues here at Sloan Kettering are discovering, and you know, of course, at other institutions and in pharma. And you know, there 's been an amazing revolution in in drug development over the last several years, and I feel very grateful that I've been here for it. You know, I've been able to take the brilliant insights from my colleagues and put these drugs in patients, and I have the amazing privilege of watching patients in many cases that benefit from these treatments. And so I do mostly phase one drug development and molecularly targeted therapies, and truthfully, I am just very fortunate to be around such brilliant people and to have both patients and labs trust me to be able to deliver these new drugs to patients and hopefully develop better drugs that move forward through FDA approval and reach patients across the country. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you so much. That was very nicely put. And hopefully our trainees and junior faculty find that useful based on their own career trajectories. Thank you, Dr. Schram, for joining us today. Hopefully, we'll see more of your subsequent work in JCO PO. Thank you for giving us all these insights today. Dr. Alison Schram: Thank you for having me. Dr. Rafeh Naqash: Thank you for listening to JCO Precision Oncology Conversations. Don't forget to give us a rating or review and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can find all ASCO shows at asco.org/podcasts. 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. Dr. Alison Schram Disclosures Consulting or Advisory Role Company: Mersana, Merus NV, Relay Therapeutics, Schrodinger, PMV Pharma ,Blueprint Medicines, Flagship Pioneering, Redona Therapeutics, Repare Therapeutics, Endeavor BioMedicines Research Funding Company: Recipient: Your Institution Merus, Kura, Surface Oncology, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Pfizer , Black Diamond Therapeutics, BeiGene, Relay Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines, Repare Therapeutics, PMV Pharma, Elevation Oncology, Boehringer Ingelheim Travel, Accommodations, Expenses Company: PMV Pharma
In this compelling episode, host Melissa Berry continues the series "Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight" with a heartfelt conversation with Krista Brown, also known on Instagram as the Cancer Prevention Coach. Krista, an oncology nurse navigator and breast cancer survivor, shares her journey of living with an ATM gene mutation and the empowering role of genetic testing in her life. Together, they explore the importance of education, nutrition, and self-advocacy in managing hereditary cancer risks. Tune in to discover how Krista's personal experiences have shaped her mission to fill gaps in patient education and support others on their cancer prevention journeys. Special thanks to AstraZeneca for making this episode possible.
Wenn in einer Familie plötzlich mehrere Menschen früh an Krebs erkranken, stellt sich schnell die Frage: Ist das noch Schicksal – oder liegt es in den Genen? In dieser Hörgang-Episode spricht Medizinjournalistin Johanna Wolfsberger mit Prof. Dr. Jochen Geigl, einem der führenden Experten für erbliche Tumorerkrankungen in Österreich. Er erklärt, warum junge, gesunde Frauen zur genetischen Beratung kommen, was hinter Begriffen wie BRCA, Lynch-Syndrom und Penetranz steckt – und wie moderne Genanalysen Leben retten können.
Ellevate Podcast: Conversations With Women Changing the Face of Business
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In this raw and real conversation, we sit down with a therapist and mom of three who opens up about what it was like to fall apart just when everything looked “fine.” She shares the unexpected crash of antenatal depression during her third pregnancy, the challenge of diagnosing herself when she's supposed to be the expert, and how she finally got the help she needed. We talk about receiving a BRCA+ diagnosis after her mother's cancer, deciding to undergo a preventive mastectomy (with a hysterectomy still to come), and grieving the loss of future fertility. Julia also reflects on how her view of G-d has shifted from religious anxiety and bargaining to a more grounded kind of faith, and why posting honestly on social media became her lifeline. If you've ever felt pressure to “hold it together,” questioned your faith, or wondered how anyone survives the chaos of being human—this episode is for you. Topics include: - What antenatal depression can actually look like (even when you're a therapist) - Getting a BRCA+ diagnosis and making hard decisions - Letting go of the fantasy of more children - Religious anxiety, fear, and finding balance - How humor and public storytelling became part of her healing - Control, or lack thereof—and learning to live with it Mentions: Sharsheret and Chai Lifeline More about Julia Makowsky: Grew up in Los Angeles moved to New York for school where I was set up with my husband. I have a masters degree in social work and have been working in the field for over 13 years. I am a mom of 4 children and reside in the five towns. Recently I was diagnosed with BRCA1 where I have been navigating what is the best course of action for myself and my family. Connect with Julia: - Follow her on Instagram Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn
In this episode, Dr. William Gradishar reviews key data on PARP inhibitors in breast cancer, including early insights from the OPERETTA and CompLEEment trials. He explores emerging combination strategies with immunotherapy and DNA-damaging agents, the potential to reduce chemotherapy use, and new tools to better identify candidates for targeted treatment. Let us know what you thought of this week's episode on Twitter: @physicianswkly Want to share your medical expertise, research, or unique experience in medicine on the PW podcast? Email us at editorial@physweekly.com! Thanks for listening!
This episode discusses the Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health Biomarker Working Group updates to the original 2018 BEST Resource in 2021, including the understanding and classification of biomarkers like BRCA1 and BRCA 2. This presentation highlights how these changes affect cancer risk diagnostics and provides a resource for evidence-based application of specific genetic testing in the pharmacist's clinical practice. CE for this episode expires two years after its original publication date. The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter. The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.
Today we have Jade on the podcast! She is a passionate advocate for genetic awareness and preventative healthcare. In December 2023, she learned she carries the BRCA genetic mutation, a discovery that profoundly impacted her life and sparked a journey of emotional processing, decision-making, and self-advocacy.Today we discuss:How she found out about the BRCA genetic mutationHer options and preventative surgeryMastectomy surgeryResources that helped herConnect with Jade on Instagram here PEARL & PETAL CO. SHOP HERE & Instagram hereMy self-discovery & manifestation journal hereMy Self-Love Gratitude Journal on Amazon hereShop my adult sexual products hereJoin my free Facebook group hereMERCH HEREConnect with me on Instagram & Twitter and TikTok please follow/like/subscribe/rate. Thank you for listening to this podcast! ENJOY!
In the heart of the Valley, a community is rallying together to build a sanctuary where families can say their goodbyes in a peaceful, home-like setting. Katie's Comfort House is a tribute to Katie Teets, a vibrant neurotrauma intensive care nurse whose life was tragically cut short by breast cancer at the age of 26. Her family's mission is to create a place that bridges the gap between hospital care and the comfort of home, allowing families to be with their loved ones in their final days. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Julie Teets, Katie's mother, and Brandon Teets, Katie's brother. Also joining them is Micah Howard & the Southern Ghost. The conversation revolves around an upcoming country music festival designed to benefit Katie's Comfort House. Julie opens up about Katie's life—a soccer player, neurotrauma intensive care nurse, and fighter who was diagnosed with triple-negative BRCA breast cancer. Katie's journey through treatments, relapses, and her eventual passing in the comfort care room of Winchester Medical Center paints a vivid picture of resilience and family unity. "Katie was treated very well at the hospital, but there were limitations. We want to help others walk away from this tragic time with more comfort," Julie explains. Thus, Katie's Comfort House was born—a place with all the amenities of a medical facility but the feel of home. The facility aims to offer a nurturing environment complete with individual rooms that open to the outdoors, communal spaces for families, and the necessary medical equipment to support end-of-life care. The goal is to make saying goodbye a little easier for everyone involved. Fundraising efforts have been robust, with the community responding warmly. Brandon recounts how Katie's house idea came to life less than a month after her passing. Their board, composed of close friends and family, got quickly to work. Concerts, car shows, and other community events are integral to their fundraising efforts. The upcoming country music festival on July 25th at The Monument in North Loudoun Street is a significant milestone in their journey. Micah Howard, an integral part of the concert, shares his admiration for the Teets family. He never knew Katie but feels a strong connection through her family and their cause. "Katie's spirit has made something remarkable; it's built this really tight community," Micah says. His blend of southern rock and grunge adds a unique flavor to the event, promising an entertaining night for all attendees. Julie shares an unforgettable story showing Katie's lively personality. "Katie couldn't dance; it was so awkward and uncomfortable to watch her," she laughs, recounting a night where Katie took out a ceiling fan at Piccadilly Brew Pub. Serendipitously, the contractor they hired for home renovations turned out to be the bouncer who helped Katie back up. Such coincidences have strengthened the family's belief that Katie is still with them, guiding their efforts. While the community fundraises to bring Katie's Comfort House to life, Julie and Brandon continue their professional lives. Julie is a real estate agent, and Brandon is a home inspector. "Our foot's on the gas pedal, and we're not letting off," Julie asserts, sharing hopes for significant announcements in the coming months. The journey hasn't been easy, but the Teets family is driven by Katie's spirit and the community's overwhelming support. Katie's Comfort House is not just about providing a facility; it's about creating a lasting legacy for a woman who touched many lives. You can support Katie's Comfort House by attending their events, spreading the word, or visiting their Facebook page and website. As Brandon says, "We're setting ourselves up for the future. Katie's Comfort House will last a lifetime and be for everyone."
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal and Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching discuss important advances in the treatment of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers that were presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Hello, and welcome to the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I am Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, your guest host of the ASCO Daily News Podcast today. I am the director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program and a professor of medicine at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute and editor-in-chief of the ASCO Daily News. I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching, a GU medical oncologist and the clinical program director of the GU Center at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Virginia. Today, we will be discussing some key abstracts in GU oncology that were presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode. Jeanny, it is great to have you on the podcast. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Oh, thank you so much, Neeraj. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Jeanny, let's begin with some prostate cancer abstracts. Let's begin with Abstract 5017 titled, “Phase 1 study results of JNJ-78278343 (pasritamig) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.” Can you walk us through the design and the key findings of this first-in-human trial? Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Yeah, absolutely, Neeraj. So this study, presented by Dr. Capucine Baldini, introduces pasritamig, a first-in-class T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody that simultaneously binds KLK2 on prostate cancer cells and CD3 receptor complexes on T cells. KLK2 is also known as human kallikrein 2, which is selectively expressed in prostate tissue. And for reference, KLK3 is what we now know as the PSA, prostate-specific antigen, therefore making it an attractive and specific target for therapeutic engagement. Now, while this was an early, first-in-human, phase 1 study, it enrolled 174 heavily pretreated metastatic CRPC patients. So many were previously treated with ARPIs, taxanes, and radioligand therapy. So given the phase 1 nature of this study, the primary objective was to determine the safety and the RP2D, which is the recommended phase 2 dose. Secondary objectives included preliminary assessment of antitumor activity. So, pasritamig was generally well tolerated. There were no treatment-related deaths. Serious adverse events were rare. And in the RP2D safety cohort, where patients received the step-up dosing up to 300 mg of IV every 6 weeks, the most common treatment-related adverse events were low-grade infusion reactions. There was fatigue and grade 1 cytokine release syndrome, what we call CRS. And no cases of neurotoxicity, or what we call ICANS, the immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, reported. Importantly, the CRS occurred in just about 8.9% of patients. All were grade 1. No patients required tocilizumab or discontinued treatment due to adverse events. So, this suggests a favorable safety profile, allowing hopefully for outpatient administration without hospitalization, which will be very important when we're thinking about bispecifics moving forward. In terms of efficacy, pasritamig showed promising activity. About 42.4% of evaluable patients achieved a PSA50 response. Radiographic PFS was about 6.8 months. And among patients with measurable disease, the objective response rate was about 16.1% in those with lymph node or bone metastases, and about 3.7% in those with visceral disease, with a median duration of response of about 11.3 months. So, altogether, this data suggests that pasritamig may offer a well-tolerated and active new potential option for patients with metastatic CRPC. Again, as a reminder, with the caveat that this is still an early phase 1 study. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Thank you, Jeanny. These are promising results for a bispecific T-cell engager, pasritamig, in prostate cancer. I agree, the safety and durability observed here stand out, and this opens the door for further development, possibly even in earlier disease settings. So, shifting now from immunotherapy to the evolving role of genomics in prostate cancer. So let's discuss Abstract 5094, a real-world, retrospective analysis exploring the prognostic impact of homologous recombination repair gene mutations, especially BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Can you tell us more about this abstract, Jeanny? Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Sure, Neeraj. So this study was presented by Dr. David Olmos, represents one of the largest real-world analyses we have evaluating the impact of homologous recombination repair, or what we would call HRR, alterations in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. So, this cohort included 556 men who underwent paired germline and somatic testing. Now, about 30% of patients had HRR alterations, with about 12% harboring BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and 16% having alterations in other HRR genes. Importantly, patients were stratified via CHAARTED disease volume, and outcomes were examined across treatment approaches, including ADT alone, doublet therapy, and triplet therapy. The prevalence of BRCA and HRR alterations were about similar between the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and the metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, with no differences observed, actually, between the patients with high volume versus low volume disease. So, the key finding was that BRCA and HRR alterations were associated with poor clinical outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. And notably, the impact of these alterations may actually be even greater in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer than previously reported in metastatic CRPC. So, the data showed that when BRCA mutations are present, the impact of the volume of disease is actually limited. So, poor outcomes were observed across the board for both high-volume and low-volume groups. So, the analysis showed that patients with HRR alterations had significantly worse outcomes compared to patients without HRR alterations. Median radiographic progression-free survival was about 20.5 months for the HRR-altered patients versus 30.6 months for the non-HRR patients, with a hazard ratio of 1.6. Median overall survival was 39 months for HRR-altered patients compared to 55.7 months for the non-HRR patients, with a hazard ratio of 1.5. Similar significant differences were observed when BRCA-mutant patients were compared with patients harboring non-BRCA HRR mutations. Overall, poor outcomes were independent of treatment of ARPI or taxanes. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Thank you, Jeanny. So, these data reinforce homologous recombination repair mutations as both a predictive and prognostic biomarker, not only in the mCRPC, but also in the metastatic hormone-sensitive setting as well. It also makes a strong case for incorporating genomic testing early in the disease course and not waiting until our patients have castration-resistant disease. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Absolutely, Neeraj. And I think this really brings home the point and the lead up to the AMPLITUDE trial, which is LBA5006, a phase 3 trial that builds on this very concept of testing with a PARP inhibitor, niraparib, in the hormone-sensitive space. Can you tell us a little bit more about this abstract, Neeraj? Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Sure. So, the AMPLITUDE trial, a phase 3 trial presented by Dr. Gerhardt Attard, enrolled 696 patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and HRR gene alterations. 56% of these patients had BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Patients were randomized to receive abiraterone with or without niraparib, a PARP inhibitor. The majority of patients, 78% of these patients, had high-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, and 87% of these patients had de novo metastatic HSPC. And 16% of these patients received prior docetaxel, which was allowed in the clinical trial. So, with a median follow-up of nearly 31 months, radiographic progression-free survival was significantly prolonged with the niraparib plus abiraterone combination, and median was not reached in this arm, compared to abiraterone alone, which was 29.5 months, with a hazard ratio of 0.63, translating to a 37% reduction in risk of progression or death. This benefit was even more pronounced in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 subgroup, with a 48% reduction in risk of progression, with a hazard ratio of 0.52. Time to symptomatic progression also improved significantly across all patients, including patients with BRCA1, BRCA2, and HRR mutations. Although overall survival data remain immature, early trends favored the niraparib plus abiraterone combination. The safety profile was consistent with prior PARP inhibitor studies, with grade 3 or higher anemia and hypertension were more common but manageable. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events remained low at 11%, suggesting that timely dose modifications when our patients experience grade 3 side effects may allow our patients to continue treatment without discontinuation. These findings support niraparib plus abiraterone as a potential new standard of care in our patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with HRR alterations, and especially in those who had BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Thank you, Neeraj. This trial is especially exciting because it brings PARP inhibitors earlier into the treatment paradigm. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Exactly. And it is exciting to see the effect of PARP inhibitors in the earlier setting. So Jeanny, now let's switch gears a bit to bladder cancer, which also saw several impactful studies. Could you tell us about Abstract 4502, an exploratory analysis from the EV-302 trial, which led to approval of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for our patients with newly diagnosed metastatic bladder cancer? So here, the authors looked at the outcomes in patients who achieved a confirmed complete response with EV plus pembrolizumab. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Sure, Neeraj. So, EV-302 demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free and overall survival for patients previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer, I'll just call it metastatic UC, as a frontline strategy, establishing EV, which is enfortumab vedotin, plus pembro, with pembrolizumab as standard of care in this setting. So, this year at ASCO, Dr Shilpa Gupta presented this exploratory responder analysis from the phase 3 EV-302 trial. Among 886 randomized patients, about 30.4% of patients, this is about 133, in the EV+P arm, and 14.5% of the patients in the chemotherapy arm, achieved a confirmed complete response. They call it the CCR rates. So for patients who achieved this, median PFS was not reached with EV+P compared to 26.9 months with chemotherapy, with a hazard ratio of 0.36, translating to a 64% reduction in the risk of progression. Overall survival was also improved. So the median OS was not reached in either arm, but the hazard ratio favored the EV+P at 0.37, translating to a 63% reduction in the risk of death. The median duration of complete response was not reached with EV+P compared to 15.2 months with chemotherapy. And among those patients who had confirmed CRs at 24 months, 78% of patients with the EV+P arm remained progression-free, and around 95% of the patients were alive, compared to 54% of patients who were progression-free and 86% alive of the patients in the chemotherapy arm. Safety among responders were also consistent with prior reports. Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events occurred in 62% of EV+P responders and 72% of chemotherapy responders. Most adverse events were managed with dose modifications, and importantly, no treatment-related deaths were reported among those who were able to achieve complete response. So these findings further reinforce EV and pembro as the preferred first-line therapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma, offering a higher likelihood of deep, durable responses with a fairly manageable safety profile. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Thank you for the great summary, Jeanny. These findings underscore the depth and durability of responses achievable with this combination and also suggest that achieving a response may be a surrogate for long-term benefit in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. So now, let's move to Abstract 4503, an exploratory ctDNA analysis from the NIAGARA trial, which evaluated perioperative durvalumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. So what can you tell us about this abstract? Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Absolutely, Neeraj. So, in NIAGARA, presented by Dr. Tom Powles, the addition of perioperative durvalumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, gem/cis, significantly improved event-free survival, overall survival, and pathologic complete response in patients with cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Recall that this led to the U.S. FDA approval of this treatment regimen on March 28, 2025. So, a planned exploratory analysis evaluated the ctDNA dynamics and their association with clinical outcomes, which was the one presented recently at ASCO. So, the study found that the incidence of finding ctDNA positivity in these patients was about 57%. Following neoadjuvant treatment, this dropped to about 22%, with ctDNA clearance being more common in the durvalumab arm, about 41%, compared to the chemotherapy control arm of 31%. Notably, 97% of patients who remained ctDNA positive prior to surgery failed to achieve a pathologic CR. So, this indicates a strong association between ctDNA persistence and lack of tumor eradication. So, postoperatively, only about 9% of patients were ctDNA positive. So, importantly, durvalumab conferred an event-free survival benefit regardless of ctDNA status at both baseline and post-surgery. Among patients who were ctDNA positive at baseline, durvalumab led to a hazard ratio of 0.73 for EFS. So, this translates to a 27% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, progression, or death compared to the control arm. In the post-surgical ctDNA-positive group, the disease-free survival was also improved with a hazard ratio of 0.49, translating to a 51% reduction in the risk of recurrence. So, these findings underscore the prognostic value of ctDNA and suggest that durvalumab provides clinical benefit irrespective of molecular residual disease status. So, the data also supports that ctDNA is a promising biomarker for future personalized strategies in the perioperative treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Thank you, Jeanny. It is great to see that durvalumab is improving outcomes in these patients regardless of ctDNA status. However, based on these data, presence of ctDNA in our patients warrants a closer follow-up with imaging studies, because these patients with positive ctDNA seem to have a higher risk of recurrence. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: I agree, Neeraj. Let's round out the bladder cancer discussion with Abstract 4518, which reported the interim results of SURE-02, which is a phase 2 study evaluating neoadjuvant sacituzumab govitecan plus pembrolizumab in cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Can you tell us more about this abstract, Neeraj? Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Sure, Jeanny. So, Dr Andrea Necchi presented interim results from the SURE-02 trial. This is a phase 2 study evaluating neoadjuvant sacituzumab govitecan plus pembrolizumab, followed by a response-adapted bladder-sparing treatment and adjuvant pembrolizumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. So, in this interim analysis, 40 patients were treated and 31 patients were evaluable for efficacy. So, the clinical complete response rate was 38.7%. All patients achieving clinical complete response underwent bladder-sparing approach with a repeat TURBT instead of radical cystectomy. Additionally, 51.6% of patients achieved excellent pathologic response with a T stage of 1 or less after neoadjuvant therapy. The treatment was well tolerated, with only 12.9% of patients experiencing grade 3 or higher adverse events without needing dose reduction of sacituzumab. Molecular profiling, interestingly, showed that clinical complete response correlated with luminal and genomically unstable subtypes, while high stromal gene expression was associated with lack of response. These results suggest that sacituzumab plus pembrolizumab combination has promising activity in this setting, and tolerability, and along with other factors may potentially allow a bladder preservation approach in a substantial number of patients down the line. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Yeah, agree with you, Neeraj. And the findings are very provocative and support completing the full trial enrollment and further exploration of this strategy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in order to improve and provide further bladder-sparing strategies. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Agree. So, let's now turn to the kidney cancer, starting with Abstract 4505, the final overall analysis from CheckMate-214 trial, which evaluated nivolumab plus ipilimumab, so dual checkpoint inhibition strategy, versus sunitinib in our patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Yeah, absolutely, Neeraj. So, the final 9-year analysis of the phase 3 CheckMate-214 trial confirms the long-term superiority of nivolumab and ipilimumab over sunitinib for first-line treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma. So, this has a median follow-up of 9 years. Overall survival remains significantly improved with the combination. So, in the ITT patient population, the intention-to-treat, the hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.71. So, this translates to a 29% reduction in the risk of death. 31% of patients were alive at this 108-month follow-up compared to 20% only in those who got sunitinib. So, similar benefits were observed in the intermediate- and poor-risk groups with a hazard ratio of 0.69, and 30% versus 19% survival at 108 months. Importantly, a delayed benefit was also seen in those favorable-risk patients. So, the hazard ratio for overall survival improved from 1.45 in the initial report and now at 0.8 at 9 years follow-up, with 35% of patients alive at 108 months compared to 22% in those who got sunitinib. Progression-free survival also favored the nivo-ipi arm across all risk groups. At 96 months, the probability of remaining progression-free was about 23% compared to 9% in the sunitinib arm in the ITT patient population, 25% versus 9% in the intermediate- and poor-risk patients, and 13% compared to 11% in the favorable-risk patients. Importantly, at 96 months, 48% of patients in the nivo-ipi responders remained in response compared to just 19% in those who got sunitinib. And in the favorable-risk group, 36% of patients who responded remained in response, although data were not available for sunitinib in this subgroup. So, this data reinforces the use of nivolumab and ipilimumab as a durable and effective first-line effective strategy for standard of care across all risk groups for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Thank you, Jeanny. And of course, since ipi-nivo data were presented, several other novel ICI-TKI combinations have emerged. And I'm really hoping to see very similar data with TKI-ICI combinations down the line. It is really important to note that we are not seeing any new safety signals with the ICI combinations or ICI-based therapies, which is very reassuring given the extended exposure. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Absolutely agree with you there, Neeraj. Now, going on and moving on to Abstract 4514, which is the KEYNOTE-564 trial, and they reported on the 5-year outcomes of adjuvant pembrolizumab in clear cell RCC in patients who are at high risk for recurrence. Can you tell us a little bit more about this abstract, Neeraj? Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Sure. So, the KEYNOTE-564 trial established pembrolizumab monotherapy as the first adjuvant regimen to significantly improve both disease-free survival and overall survival compared to placebo after surgery for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. So, Dr Naomi Haas presented the 5-year update from this landmark trial. A total of 994 patients were randomized to receive either pembrolizumab or placebo. The median follow-up at the time of this analysis was approximately 70 months. Disease-free survival remained significantly improved with pembrolizumab. The median DFS was not reached with pembrolizumab compared to 68.3 months with placebo, with a hazard ratio of 0.71, translating to a 29% reduction in risk of recurrence. At 5 years, 60.9% of patients receiving pembrolizumab remained disease-free compared to 52.2% with placebo. Overall survival also favored pembrolizumab. The hazard ratio for OS was 0.66, translating to a 34% reduction in risk of death, with an estimated 5-year overall survival rate of 87.7% with pembrolizumab compared to 82.3% for placebo. Importantly, these benefits were consistent across all key subgroups, including patients with sarcomatoid features. In addition, no new serious treatment-related adverse events have been reported in the 3 years since treatment completion. So, these long-term data confirm pembrolizumab as a durable and effective standard adjuvant therapy for patients with resected, high-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Thank you for that wonderful summary, Neeraj. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: That wraps up our kidney cancer highlights. Any closing thoughts, Jeanny, before we conclude? Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: It's been so wonderful reviewing these abstracts with you, Neeraj. So, the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting showcased a lot of transformative data across GU cancers, from first-in-class bispecifics to long-term survival in RCC. And these findings are already shaping our clinical practices. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: I agree. And we have covered a broad spectrum of innovations in GU cancers with strong clinical relevance. So, thank you, Jeanny, for joining me today and sharing your insights. And thank you to our listeners for joining us. You will find links to the abstracts discussed today in the transcript of this episode. If you find these conversations valuable, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to the ASCO Daily News Podcast wherever you listen. Thank you so much. 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 speakers: Dr. Neeraj Agarwal @neerajaiims Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching Follow ASCO on social media: @ASCO on Twitter ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Neeraj Agarwal: Consulting or Advisory Role: Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Nektar, Lilly, Bayer, Pharmacyclics, Foundation Medicine, Astellas Pharma, Lilly, Exelixis, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, Eisai, Seattle Genetics, EMD Serono, Janssen Oncology, AVEO, Calithera Biosciences, MEI Pharma, Genentech, Astellas Pharma, Foundation Medicine, and Gilead Sciences Research Funding (Institution): Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda, Pfizer, Exelixis, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Calithera Biosciences, Celldex, Eisai, Genentech, Immunomedics, Janssen, Merck, Lilly, Nektar, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Crispr Therapeutics, Arvinas Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching: Honoraria: Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Astellas Scientific and Medical Affairs Inc., Pfizer/EMD Serono Consulting or Advisory Role: Algeta/Bayer, Dendreon, AstraZeneca, Janssen Biotech, Sanofi, EMD Serono, MedImmune, Bayer, Merck, Seattle Genetics, Pfizer, Immunomedics, Amgen, AVEO, Pfizer/Myovant, Exelixis, Speakers' Bureau: Astellas Pharma, Janssen-Ortho, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Astellas/Seattle Genetics
218: In this episode, I'm covering one of the most requested and controversial topics in women's health—whether breast cancer survivors can safely use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To help answer this complex question, I'm joined by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society certified practitioner, and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Menn brings a powerful blend of clinical expertise and lived experience. She's a 23-year breast cancer survivor, BRCA gene carrier, and went through premature menopause herself. We cover what the research really says about HRT after breast cancer, risks versus benefits, the reality of estrogen deprivation, and why “it depends” is the only honest answer. Topics Discussed: → Can breast cancer survivors safely use HRT? → Is hormone therapy after breast cancer risky? → What are the benefits of estrogen for cancer survivors? → Does HRT increase breast cancer recurrence? → Are there safe hormone options for BRCA carriers? Sponsored By: → Timeline | Head to timeline.com/DRTYNA and get 20% off with code DRTYNA → Nutrisense | Head over to nutrisense.io/drtyna to get 30% off your Nutrisense plan. Code TYNA at checkout → LVLUP | Head over to LVLUPHealth.com and use code DRTYNA at checkout to get 20% off your order sitewide. → Manukora | Head to manukora.com/DRTYNA to save up to 31% & $25 worth of free gifts in Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar. → BIOptimizers | Go to bioptimizers.com/tyna and use promo code TYNA10 to order Masszymes now and get 10% off any order → Dr Tyna's Brain spark | Go to store.drtyna.com/products/brainspark and use code BRAINSPARK10 for 10% On This Episode We Cover: → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:04:51 - Dr. Menn's cancer story → 00:07:09 - Estrogen loss effects → 00:11:45 - Surgical menopause → 00:15:05 - Estrogen and cancer risk → 00:25:32 - Pregnancy after cancer → 00:31:40 - Estrogen in midlife → 00:34:45 - HRT after breast cancer → 00:37:56 - Recurrence risk → 00:44:06 - Dangers of low estrogen → 00:50:34 - New HRT options → 00:58:05 - Sexual health & dryness → 01:04:02 - You don't need to suffer → 01:08:16 - Estrogen and surgery → 01:13:04 - Estrogen for tissue health Show Links: → Estrogen Matters (book) Further Listening: → EP. 199 | Hot Flashes Are a Warning Sign: The Truth About Metabolic Dysfunction | Quick + Dirty → Hormones Playlist Check Out Dr. Menn: → Instagram → Website → More Dr. Menn Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided in this blog/podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Tyna Moore. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
פרופ' אליזבט הלף, מנהלת היחידה לאיתור ומניעת ממאירות במערכת העיכול, מכון גסטרואנטרולוגיה, מנהלת המרכז הרב תחומי לגילוי מוקדם ומניעת סרטן, מנהלת מרפאת מעקב BRCA במרכז הרפואי רמב''ם עם כל מה שרציתם לדעת על תסמונת לינץ' לאור החשיפה של פרשה שהסעירה את הציבור שבמרכזה תורם זרע שמת שהפיץ מוטציה מחוללת סרטן
The Rose’s Roxann Hayford sits down with Amy Byer Shainman, also known as BRCA Responder, to discuss her passion for patient advocacy and her award-winning work as the author of “Resurrection Lily” and film producer of “Pink & Blue Colors of Hereditary Cancer” and the soon to be released film, “Love, Danielle.” She opens up about her sister’s cancer diagnosis, the missed opportunities for genetic counseling, and the ripple effects of discovering a BRCA mutation. Amy shares the emotional weight of learning you’re at higher risk, the confusion over what to do next, and the importance of certified genetic counselors. With her latest film, “Love, Danielle,” she and the entire production team, cast, and crew aim to break the silence around hereditary cancer risk with honesty and humor. Connect with Amy Byer Shainman: Website: lovedaniellefilm.com Social: @BRCAResponder Book: "Resurrection Lily" Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and why do mutations in them matter? Which cancers are linked to BRCA mutations for both women and men? How are BRCA mutations inherited within families? Does having a BRCA mutation mean you will definitely get cancer? When should someone consider genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk? What is the role of a certified genetic counselor in this process? Are direct-to-consumer genetic tests reliable for assessing cancer risk? What are the main barriers people face when considering genetic testing? How can someone prepare emotionally for the possibility of life-changing test results? Why was the film "Love, Danielle" made, and what conversations does it hope to spark? Timestamped Overview 01:35 – Roxann welcomes Amy and sets the stage for a conversation about genetic risk and advocacy. 02:15 – Amy shares her personal journey: her sister’s diagnosis, frustration with missed genetic counseling, and the start of her advocacy. 03:37 – What are BRCA genes? Amy explains how these genes work and why mutations increase cancer risk. 04:50 – The conversation shifts to the specific cancers linked to BRCA mutations, for both women and men. 05:25 – Confusion about screening and testing: When should you get a mammogram? What guidelines exist for genetic testing? 06:42 – The importance of certified genetic counselors and why primary care doctors might not be enough. 08:14 – Direct-to-consumer tests versus medical-grade testing. How to find a qualified genetic counselor. 10:26 – The pitfalls of relying solely on your regular doctor for genetic risk assessment. 11:30 – Preparing for genetic testing: managing anxiety, seeking support, and understanding your choices. 13:57 – Barriers to testing: cost, access, and the hidden fears that keep people from seeking answers. 16:17 – The power of support groups like BRCA Sisterhood and the importance of safe, private spaces. 17:34 – Amy introduces "Love, Danielle," a film about hereditary cancer risk, family, and tough decisions. 19:37 – The challenge of making a movie about cancer that’s both honest and watchable. 21:06 – How the cast and crew’s personal cancer stories shaped the film. 22:18 – Amy reflects on separating her own experience from the film’s narrative. 25:04 – The differences between Amy’s real-life choices and those faced by the film’s lead character. 26:01 – The emotional reality: fear, family, and the weight of life-changing decisions. 27:34 – The unique risks of ovarian cancer for BRCA1 carriers and the lack of reliable screening. 28:25 – Amy’s children, their awareness of her advocacy, and their contributions to the film. 29:41 – Plans for the film’s release and how listeners can follow updates. 30:27 – The risks BRCA mutations pose for men, and which populations are most affected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we continue with a special series close to my heart: Decoding Destiny: Navigating Breast Cancer with Genetic Insight. I'm joined by Kathy Baker, patient advocate and founder of My Faulty Gene to explore the power of genetic testing—particularly cascade testing—and how it can help both you and your family take control of your breast cancer risk. Kathy shares her compelling personal story and how it inspired her to launch My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit organization that provides education, emotional support, and financial assistance for genetic testing. You'll learn all about the importance of cascade testing for families, how genetic knowledge can lead to proactive screenings and preventive health measures, and how advocacy is truly paving the way for more accessible care. Whether you're facing a BRCA-positive diagnosis, considering genetic testing, or looking for support navigating hereditary cancer risk, this is one conversation that you'll want to listen to - and share with your entire family. Thank you to Merck and AstraZeneca for making this episode possible!
What do you do when cancer is always present in your family? David Mauk lost his mother, his sister, and other loved ones to breast cancer. He knows what it's like to grow up surrounded by the reality of cancer and to carry the BRCA gene. In today’s episode, you’ll hear: How genetic testing changed the choices his family made What it feels like to be a cancer advocate in Washington, D.C. Why sharing your family history can help save lives Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered What impact did breast cancer have on David Mauk's family? What is the significance of the BRCA gene in David’s family? How did David’s family talk about breast cancer while he was growing up? How did David cope with losing his mother at such a young age? Did David himself undergo genetic testing and what were the results? How does David’s family approach genetic testing and health surveillance today? What has David done as an advocate for cancer research and awareness? Why does David believe early detection and knowing your family history is so crucial? What advice does David have for those with a family history of cancer? How has cancer research and treatment changed since previous generations? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Family, Cancer, Advocacy, Gene Awareness 04:31 Air Force Headsets Linked to Tumors 07:36 "Air Force Brat’s Journey" 11:07 Cancer Society Fundraising Champions 14:11 "Make Cancer Conversations Personal" 15:41 "Missing Maternal Memories" 22:00 Family Migration Journey 22:57 Living Positively Amidst Fear 25:57 Discovering Family Through DNA Insights 29:37 Empowering Young Women Against Breast CancerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"We need to get the law changed so that developers, so that people running these kinds of wallets are protected so that we can have access to these things in the U.S." In this episode of THE Bitcoin Podcast, Walker America talks with Bitcoin developer Matt Corallo about the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA), why BRCA matters for wallet development and access in America, non-custodial wallets, Spiral, Vibe coding wallets, Bitcoin mining and mining pool centralization, the Lightning Network and other Layer 2s, Sats vs Bits vs Bitcoin, other ongoing debates in the Bitcoin community. CALL YOUR REPS: https://saveourwallets.org/ Follow Matt: X: https://x.com/TheBlueMatt Nostr: https://primal.net/mattcorallo THE Bitcoin Podcast Partners: > GET FOLD: https://use.foldapp.com/r/WALKER > SIGN UP FOR THE FOLD BITCOIN REWARDS CREDIT CARD: https://foldapp.com/credit-card?r=UZoiP > Get the BITKIT mobile wallet: https://get.bitkit.to/walker > http://bitbox.swiss/walker -- use promo code WALKER for 5% off the Bitcoin-only Bitbox02 hardware wallet. Summary: Matt from Spiral discusses the importance of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which aims to clarify regulations around non-custodial wallets and protect developers from being classified as money transmitters. The act, introduced by Representatives Emmer and Torres, seeks to amend the law so that developers of non-custodial platforms are not subject to KYC and AML requirements. Matt emphasizes the need for the Bitcoin community to pressure Congress to pass the act to prevent potential restrictions on access to innovative wallet technologies in the US. ***** If you enjoy THE Bitcoin Podcast you can help support the show by doing the following: FOLLOW ME (Walker) on @WalkerAmerica on X | @TitcoinPodcast on X | Nostr Personal (walker) | Nostr Podcast (Titcoin) | Instagram
This is a follow up of my interview with Margaret Tueller Proffitt who I spoke to after her phase one DIEP flap surgery at PRMA in San Antonio in January of 2024. I invited her back to the DiepCJourney podcast to share details of the completion of her breast reconstruction after phase two. She traveled back to San Antonio seven months after phase one for her phase two surgery. We talk about the following: · Communication and discussion with Dr. Whipple about your phase via a ZOOM call. · What did she pack for phase 2. · Who she traveled with for this phase of her surgery. · The details of what Dr. Whipple did for phase 2. · Compression garments, medical dressings, and showering. · Pain medication, bruising, and change in clothing size after fat grafting. · Flying home after surgery. Margaret is a strong advocate and voice for the BRCA and breast reconstruction community. She is a mother, wife, loves to read, travel, has pets and she is a rock star on our Foundation YouTube channel with over a thousand views of video interview of phase one surgery. She is living life, enjoying activities, travel, and family celebrations. I love success stories so I asked Margaret what she wanted to share with those listening to the interview who might be considering DIEP flap surgery. “This was a short period of hard. Go forth with confidence. I love the body I have now.” Connect with Margaret on the following platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmproffitt/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-proffitt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margaret.t.proffitt
Sara Aranda is a trail runner and outdoor adventurer who has developed a strong interest in going after FKTs, fastest known times. But her outdoor passions are about much more than setting records: Aranda's motivations are spurred by processing life and death, grief and hope, fear and joy. Aranda's passion for trail running began while she was in college. It was a space where she could process the death of her mother, who'd died after many years of fighting breast cancer. Aranda herself then had to face some tough decisions. She first decided to learn whether or not she carried the same genetic abnormality her mother and other family members had, a BRCA mutation, which puts the carrier at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She did. Aranda then had a decade to decide if she wanted to take the preventative steps that would lower her chances of getting cancer, beginning with a double mastectomy. This episode traces how running and moving through wild spaces have become intertwined with how Aranda has navigated big life questions and experiences that clarify how short this life can be. The meaningful experiences found out on the trail are integral to how she chooses to live. How to Keep Up with Sara Aranda Instagram: @oyesaranda Website: bivytales.com Mentioned in this Episode FKT Website: fastestknowntime.com Becky Croft on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/becky-croft-running-endometriosis-and-post-hysterectomy-menopause To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay PaulYudin, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. John Sweetenham shares highlights from Day 5 of the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, including data from large trials in advanced malignant melanoma and mCSPC plus a new approach to first-line treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who are not transplant eligible. Transcript Hello, I'm Dr. John Sweetenham, the host of the ASCO Daily News Podcast, with my takeaways on selected abstracts from Day 5 of the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. My disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode. The selected abstracts from this final day of ASCO25 include important new data from large, randomized trials in patients with advanced malignant melanoma and patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, as well as a new approach to the first-line treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who are not transplant eligible. Starting with LBA9500, this study was conducted in patients with completely resected stage III or IV malignant melanoma and compared the combination of relatlimab plus nivolumab versus nivolumab alone in this population. The study, named the RELATIVITY-098 trial, was presented by Dr. Georgina Long from the University of Sydney, Australia. In her introduction to the study, Dr. Long explained that the current standard of care for adjuvant therapy of resected stage III/IV melanoma is with PD-1 monotherapy with nivolumab, but that about 50% of patients will suffer from a subsequent relapse. In the first-line setting in patients with advanced or unresectable melanoma, the combination of nivolumab with the LAG-3 inhibitor, relatlimab, has been previously shown to improve progression-free survival in the RELATIVITY-047 trial. The current study evaluated this same combination in the adjuvant setting. More than 1,000 patients from 24 countries were randomized to receive either nivolumab alone (546 patients) or the combination of nivolumab with relatlimab (547 patients). Both treatments were given for a maximum of 1 year or until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. Various biomarker studies were also undertaken including LAG-3 and PD-1 expression on CD8-positive T cells. The primary endpoint of the study was relapse-free survival, and Dr. Long reported that this was the same in both arms of the study. For example, at 24 months, the relapse-free survival was 64% in the monotherapy arm compared with 62% in the combination arm. The hazard ratio was 1.01 and the P value was 0.928. Metastasis-free survival was also identical in both arms. No benefit was observed for the combination in any of the prespecified subgroups. No new toxicity signals emerged compared with the RELATIVITY-047 trial. Interestingly, the baseline surface expression of LAG-3 and co-expression of LAG-3 and PD-1 on CD8 T cells in the 098 adjuvant trial were lower than in the 047 advanced disease trial, perhaps explaining why the combination did not confer benefit over nivo alone in the adjuvant setting. This is an important result, demonstrating that results from one clinical setting cannot always be extrapolated to another. Although the combination has gained some use in the adjuvant setting, this study clearly demonstrates that more drug in this situation is no better and that monotherapy remains the current standard of care. Results from the AMPLITUDE trial for patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer with alterations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes, in LBA5006, were presented today by Dr. Gerhardt Attard from University College London, UK. This international, multicenter study evaluated the combination of the selective PARP inhibitor, niraparib, in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone. The same combination has been previously shown to improve outcomes in castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer harboring BRCA mutations in the MAGNITUDE study. The current trial included patients with castration-sensitive disease with HRR mutations including BRCA1/2. Six hundred and ninety-six patients were randomized between niraparib, abiraterone, and prednisone plus androgen deprivation therapy, or the same combination with placebo instead of niraparib. Permitted prior therapies included no more than 6 months of prior androgen deprivation therapy and the use of docetaxel, or prior palliative radiation therapy. The primary endpoint of the study was radiographic relapse-free survival. Dr. Attard reported that the risk for radiographic progression-free survival in the whole population was significantly reduced by 37% with niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone compared with the placebo arm. The radiographic progression-free survival risk reduction with niraparib in the prespecified BRCA1/2 subgroup was 48% and reached statistical significance compared with the placebo arm. The secondary endpoint of time to symptomatic progression was also improved with niraparib in the HRR population and the BRCA1/2 subgroup. There was a trend for overall survival favoring the niraparib combination. However, the overall survival data were immature at this first interim analysis and did not yet reach statistical significance. No new safety concerns emerged with the toxicity data consistent with the MAGNITUDE study. Less than 5% more of the patients on the experimental arm discontinued treatment in comparison to the control arm. The authors conclude that the AMPLITUDE study results support the use of niraparib, abiraterone, and prednisone as a new treatment option for patients with metastatic castration- sensitive prostate cancer and BRCA and homologous recombination repair gene alterations. The results certainly support this conclusion and are potentially practice-changing. Turning to hematologic malignancies, my final selection from today's presentations is Abstract 7504, presented by Dr. Hang Quach from St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, and describes a novel combination of elranatamab, daratumumab, and lenalidomide in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not transplant-eligible – the so-called MagnetisMM-6 trial part 1. Elranatamab is a novel bispecific T-cell engaging antibody directed against BCMA and CD3, which has previously been approved for certain patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. In the present study, this was combined with lenalidomide and daratumumab in newly diagnosed patients. The report today describes the dose-finding phase of this study, which was part 1, specifically addressing so-called dose level ‘G', comprising elranatamab 76mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks plus daratumumab 1800mg subcutaneously and lenalidomide 25mg given orally. Thirty-seven patients were entered at this dose level, of whom 32 were on treatment at the time of analysis. Early response data show an overall response rate of 97.3%. With median follow up of 7.9 months, the current CR rate is 27% with a VGPR rate of almost 68%. The most frequent toxicities were hematologic, with neutropenia observed in 75%. Some cytokine release syndrome was observed in about 60% of patients, but none was greater than grade 2. The authors conclude that this combination is active in untreated multiple myeloma, with manageable toxicity and evidence of responses which appear to deepen over time. The dose-finding component of this trial is continuing and will subsequently progress into a phase 3 trial based on the data from the current study. This will compare daratumumab plus lenalidomide with the same combination plus elranatamab in previously untreated patients. That concludes our special coverage from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Thanks for listening and we hope you have enjoyed listening to our top takeaways from ASCO25. 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
In this episode, Dr. Vonda Wright sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OBGYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and 23-year breast cancer survivor who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the menopause conversation. A BRCA carrier and surgical menopause patient, Dr. Menn is a fierce advocate for women navigating cancer risk, premature menopause, and hormone health. Together, they unpack the major gaps in menopause care—from the underuse of hormone therapy (only 4–5% of women use it) to the widespread misinformation among healthcare providers. Dr. Menn sheds light on how women with conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, or hereditary cancer risk are often excluded from mainstream menopause discussions and left without support. She explains why many cancer survivors can safely use hormone therapy under updated guidelines and why progesterone is still needed even after hysterectomy if endometriosis was present. This powerful conversation is a must-listen for anyone impacted by surgical or early menopause, and those advocating for more compassionate, informed, and personalized care. ••• Connect with Dr. Corinne Menn: Instagram: @drmennobgyn TikTok: @drmennobgyn Website: www.drmenn.com Alloy Website: www.myalloy.com ••• Make sure to follow Dr. Vonda Wright: Instagram: @drvondawright Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drvondawright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonda-wright-md-ms-2803374 Website: http://www.DrVondaWright.com ••• If you enjoyed this episode, Subscribe to “HOT For Your Health” for more inspiring episodes. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-for-your-health/id1055206993 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2Al27D79jCLAyzp4hKBv?si=b62b374994884eed We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your comments or join the discussion on social media using #HotForYourHealthPodcast.
In this episode of Death Clock, host Brant Franson speaks with Dr. Anne Marie McCarthy, a cancer epidemiologist from the University of Pennsylvania, to unravel the complexities of breast cancer prevention and screening. They explore the role of genetics, particularly BRCA mutations, and how family history can influence screening strategies. Dr. McCarthy shares insights into the nuanced decisions around genetic counseling, the limitations of over-the-counter tests, and why population-wide genetic screening is still a topic of ongoing debate. They also discuss broader issues like the psychological and economic costs of false positives, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment. From lifestyle factors to systemic constraints in healthcare access, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what it means to be proactive when it comes to breast cancer risk. Hope you enjoy.
In this episode, host Shikha Jain, MD, speaks with Sadie Dobrozsi, MD, about the power of information in personalized oncology care, understanding the impacts of genetic testing and more. • Welcome to another exciting episode of Oncology Overdrive 1:34 • About Dobrozsi 1:39 • The interview 2:03 • What was your path to this field of pediatric oncology, and how did you decide to focus on genetic testing? 2:33 • Can you talk about what it means to use genomics to optimize therapy and tailor precision medicine, and how you implement that in your work? 7:58 • Why is it so important to continue focusing on funding precision medicine as an advancement in cancer care? 10:34 • Can you talk about your work with BRCA research and how treatment and surgeries have evolved with our understanding of it? 14:30 • Jain and Dobrozsi on the importance of shared decision-making in oncology, and how genomics plays a role in that ongoing conversation. 20:18 • How do we navigate difficult conversations with increasingly younger patient populations, and why are we having these conversations more now than ever before? 23:55 • When it comes to genetic testing, how much knowledge is “good knowledge”? 27:05 • If someone could only listen to the last few minutes of this episode, what would you want listeners to take away? 34:31 • How to contact Dobrozsi 35:12 • Thanks for listening 35:39 Sadie Dobrozsi, MD, is a board-certified pediatric oncologist, a nationally recognized leader in complex care delivery, and the medical director of genetic testing and oncology imaging at Evolent, a leading specialty and primary care management company. 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. Dobrozsi can be reached on LinkedIn or via email sdobrozsi@evolent.com. Disclosures: Jain and Dobrozsi report no relevant financial disclosures.
In this episode, Bahar Etminan speaks with Krystal Barter, a leading advocate for women's health, to discuss her remarkable journey and the broader challenges surrounding BRCA1, breast cancer, and medically induced menopause. Krystal shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with the BRCA gene mutation, her proactive approach to managing her health, including surgeries and hormone replacement therapy, and her mission to empower women through education and support. The conversation delves into Krystal’s advocacy work with Pink Hope, her role in creating awareness around genetic testing, and her upcoming event, So Hot Right Now, which addresses menopause in a holistic and empowering way. Together, they explore the future of genomics in healthcare, legislative changes concerning genetic rights, and how women can take control of their health through knowledge and community. With insights from leading experts, this episode shines a light on the importance of open dialogue about women's health, genetic predispositions, and proactive steps towards longevity and wellness. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/S_9ZnsiC4gsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send us a textUnlock the complexities of menopausal hormone therapy for breast cancer survivors in this episode of the Speaking of Women's Health podcast. Join Host Dr. Holly Thacker and her esteemed guest, Dr. Holly Pederson, as they navigate the intricate world of genetic testing and its crucial role in guiding treatment decisions. Dr. Pederson, a leading expert in the field, emphasizes the importance of revisiting genetic tests conducted before 2013 to ensure breast cancer survivors receive the most informed care. They explore the advancements in genetic science and discuss the layers of genetic risk, revealing how these insights can revolutionize both treatment and screening practices.Their conversation further examines the challenges faced by elderly women considering hormone replacement therapy. This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the unique considerations for breast cancer survivors, especially those with BRCA mutations, and the importance of individualizing patient care.Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
Love the episode? Send us a text!Genetic tests like 23andMe are perceived as a fun and engaging way to explore family history, However, the implications of genetic testing extend beyond mere curiosity about ancestry; they touch on the very fabric of our lives and the lives of our loved ones. For those who discover they carry genes associated with increased cancer risk, like Lesser, the stakes are high. It raises questions about proactive measures, such as screenings or preventive surgeries, and how these decisions affect not only the individual but also their family members. Lesser's narrative illustrates the emotional complexity of being a previvor—someone who has not yet developed cancer but carries a genetic predisposition. The conversations around such decisions often involve family dynamics, as loved ones grapple with the implications of their own genetic risks and the potential need for testing.SURVIVINGBREASTCANCER.ORGAttend a free virtual yoga class:https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/movement-mondaysAttend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/eventsFollow us on InstagramSurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
President Trump agrees $142bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia during a trip to the Gulf. Also: new hope for patients with breast cancer BRCA gene, and Basel hosts first Eurovision semi-final.
View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and one of the nation's foremost experts in sexual health. In this episode, she shares her deep expertise on the often-overlooked topic of women's sexual health, exploring why this area remains so neglected in traditional medicine and highlighting the critical differences in how men and women experience hormonal decline with age. Rachel explains the physiology of the menstrual cycle, the complex hormonal shifts of perimenopause, and the wide-reaching health risks associated with menopause, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and recurrent urinary tract infections. She also breaks down the controversy surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly the damaging legacy of the Women's Health Initiative study, and provides guidance on the safe and personalized use of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women. With particular emphasis on local vaginal hormone therapy—a safe, effective, and underused treatment—Rachel offers insights that have the potential to transform quality of life for countless women. We discuss: Rachel's training in urology and passion for sexual medicine and women's health [3:00]; Hormonal changes during ovulation, perimenopause, and menopause: why they occur and how they impact women's health and quality of life [5:30]; Why women have such varied responses to the sharp drop in progesterone during the luteal phase and after menopause, and the differing responses to progesterone supplementation [14:45]; The physical and cognitive health risks for postmenopausal women who are not on hormone therapy [17:45]; The history of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and how misinterpretation of the Women's Health Initiative study led to abandonment of HRT [20:15]; The medical system's failure to train doctors in hormone therapy after the WHI study and its lasting impact on menopause care [29:30]; The underappreciated role of testosterone in women's sexual health, and the systemic and regulatory barriers preventing its broader use in female healthcare [35:00]; The bias against HRT—how institutional resistance is preventing meaningful progress in women's health [46:30]; How the medical system's neglect of menopause care has opened the door for unregulated and potentially harmful hormone clinics to take advantage of underserved women [53:30]; The HRT playbook for women part 1: progesterone [57:15]; The HRT playbook for women part 2: estradiol [1:05:00]; Oral formulated estrogen for systemic administration: risks and benefits [1:13:15]; Topical and vaginal estrogen delivery options: benefits and limitations, and how to personalize treatment for each patient [1:17:15]; How to navigate hormone lab testing without getting misled [1:24:15]; The wide-ranging symptoms of menopause—joint pain, brain fog, mood issues, and more [1:31:45]; The evolution of medical terminology and the underrecognized importance of local estrogen therapy for urinary and vaginal health in menopausal women [1:37:45]; The benefits of vaginal estrogen (or DHEA) for preventing UTIs, improving sexual health, and more [1:41:00]; The use of DHEA and testosterone in treating hormone-sensitive genital tissues, and an explanation of what often causes women pain [1:50:15]; Is it too late to start HRT after menopause? [1:56:15]; Should women stop hormone therapy after 10 years? [1:58:15]; How to manage hormone therapy in women with BRCA mutations, DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), or a history of breast cancer [2:00:00]; How women can identify good menopause care providers and avoid harmful hormone therapy practices, and why menopause medicine is critical for both women and men [2:06:00]; and More. Connect With Peter on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
Dr. Jonathan Herman is a New York-based OB/GYN who has delivered over 12,000 babies and spent decades championing women's health. A leader in hereditary cancer screening, Dr. Herman is known for his work with BRCA and Lynch Syndrome, helping patients understand and manage their genetic cancer risk. He has delivered over 600 lectures nationwide, appeared on The Doctors, and served as a medical advisor on the documentary Inheritance, which follows three women navigating the impact of the BRCA gene. CONNECT WITH DVORA ENTIN: Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast
Dr. Rohan Garje shares the updated recommendations for the ASCO guideline on systemic therapy for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. He discusses the systemic therapy options for patients based on prior therapy received in the castration-sensitive and non-metastatic castration-resistant settings. He emphasizes personalizing treatment choices for each individual, considering patient-specific symptoms and signs, treatment-related toxicities, potential drug interactions, cost, and access. He also reviews recommendations on response assessment. The conversation wraps up with a discussion of potential future updates to this guideline, as the guideline transitions into a “living guideline” on mCRPC. Read the full guideline update, “Systemic Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update”. Transcript This guideline, clinical tools, and resources are available at www.asco.org/genitourinary-cancer-guidelines. Read the full text of the guideline and review authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Brittany Harvey: Hello and welcome to the ASCO Guidelines Podcast, one of ASCO's podcasts delivering timely information to keep you up to date on the latest changes, challenges and advances in oncology. You can find all the shows, including this one at asco.org/podcasts. My name is Brittany Harvey and today I'm interviewing Dr. Rohan Garje from Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida, lead author on, “Systemic Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update.” Thank you for being here today, Dr. Garje. Dr. Rohan Garje: Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me, Brittany. Brittany Harvey: And then before we discuss this guideline, I'd like to note that ASCO takes great care in the development of its guidelines and ensuring that the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy is followed for each guideline. The disclosures of potential conflicts of interest for the guideline panel, including Dr. Garje, who has joined us here today, are available online with the publication of the guideline in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which is linked in the show notes. So then, to start on the content of this guideline, first, could you provide us an overview of the purpose of this guideline update? Dr. Rohan Garje: Sure. So ASCO has guidelines for prostate cancer and the specific guideline which we have updated for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer was originally published in 2014. It's almost a decade. It's been a long time due for an update. Over the last decade, we have seen a lot of advances in the treatment of prostate cancer, specifically with regards to genomic testing, newer imaging modalities, and also the treatment landscape. Now we have newer options based on genomic targets such as PARP inhibitors, we have radiopharmaceuticals, a newer variant of chemotherapy, and also some specific indications for immunotherapy which were not addressed previously. Because all these advances have been new, it was really important for us to make an update. In 2022, we did make a rapid update with lutetium-177, but these additional changes which we have seen made it an appropriate time frame for us to proceed with a newer guideline. Brittany Harvey: Absolutely. It's great to hear about all these advances in the field to provide new options. So I'd like to next review the key recommendations from this guideline. So let's start with the overarching principles of practice that the panel outlined. What are these key principles? Dr. Rohan Garje: As a group, all the panel members came up with some ground rules: What are necessary for all our patients who are being treated for metastatic CRPC? First, the founding aspect was a definition for what is metastatic CRPC. So we defined metastatic CRPC as castrate level of testosterone with evidence of either new or progressive metastatic disease on radiological assessments or patients who have two consecutive rising PSAs in the setting of existing metastatic disease. We also emphasized on the need for germline and somatic testing for patients with metastatic prostate cancer at an earliest available opportunity because it is critical to select appropriate treatment and also right treatment for patients at the right time. And we actually have a concurrent guideline which addresses what genes to be tested and the timing. The other principles are patients should continue to receive androgen deprivation therapy or undergo surgical castration to maintain castrate level of testosterone. Now the key aspect with these guidelines is personalizing treatment choices. As you can see the evolution of treatment options for prostate cancer, the drugs that were initially developed and approved for prostate cancer were primarily in castrate-resistant settings, but now most of these drugs are being utilized in castrate-sensitive. So, when these patients develop castration resistance, the challenges are there are no appropriate particular drug-specific guidelines they meet. So, it's very important for the clinicians to be aware of what treatments have been received so far prior to castration resistance so that they can tailor the treatment to patient specific situations. In addition, prior to choosing a therapy, it is important for the physicians to consider patient specific symptoms or signs, treatment-related toxicities, potential drug interactions, cost, and also access to the drugs. There may be multiple treatment options available for the patients, but for a patient specific scenario, there may be a drug that may be more promising than the others. So, it is important to tailor the drug choices based on patients' unique circumstances. The panel also recommends to early integrate palliative and supportive care teams for symptom management and also discuss goals of care with the patient as each patient may have unique needs and it's important for physicians to address those concerns upfront in the care. The panel also suggests patients to receive RANK ligand inhibitors such as denosumab or bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid to maintain the bone strength to prevent skeletal-related events. Finally, I would like to also emphasize this point about the lack of randomized clinical trial data for optimal sequencing of therapies for patients with metastatic CRPC. As I previously alluded, we have taken into account all ongoing clinical trials, prior published data, and came up with a format of preferred drugs based on prior treatments and, I think, by following these several clinical principles which I just mentioned, we can optimally choose and utilize best treatments for patients with metastatic CRPC. Brittany Harvey: Absolutely. These principles that you just outlined are important for optimal patient care, and then I want to touch on one of those things. You talked importantly about the treatments received so far. So in the next set of recommendations, the role of systemic therapy was stratified by the prior therapy received in the castration-sensitive and non-metastatic castration-resistant setting. So starting with what does the panel recommend for patients who are previously treated with androgen deprivation therapy alone in these previous settings and whose disease has now progressed to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer? Dr. Rohan Garje: There are multiple treatment options based on prior treatment received. So for patients who received only ADT for their castration-sensitive disease, the panel strongly urges to get HRR testing to check for homologous recombinant repair related changes, specifically for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, because we have three studies which have really shown significant clinical benefit for patients who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations with drugs such as the combination of talazoparib and enzalutamide or olaparib with abiraterone or niraparib with abiraterone. Unless we test for those mutations, we'll not be able to give these agents upfront for the patients. In the HRR testing, if patients have HRR alterations but they are in genes which are non-BRCA, the guideline panel recommends to utilize talazoparib and enzalutamide based combination therapies. Now, if they don't have HRR alterations then there are multiple treatment choices available. It could either include androgen receptor pathway inhibitors such as abiraterone with prednisone. We could also consider docetaxel chemotherapy. The alternate choices for androgen receptor pathways include enzalutamide or the newer agents such as apalutamide and docetaxel. So, as you can see there are multiple options available, but the panel definitely emphasizes to test for HRR testing because this gives patients access to more precision therapies at this point. There may be various scenarios where a unique drug may be available for a specific patient situation. For example, patients who have very limited disease burden and may have one or two metastatic lesions, after a multidisciplinary discussion, targeted local therapies such as radiation or potentially surgery could also be offered. In select patients who have very indolent disease where they are castrate-resistant based on slow rising PSA, low-volume disease or asymptomatic disease can consider sipuleucel-T. And in patients who have bone-only metastatic disease, we could also consider radium-223, which is primarily now utilized for patients who have symptomatic bone disease. Brittany Harvey: Great. I appreciate you reviewing all those options and talking about how important it is to tailor treatment to the individual patient. So then the next category of patients, what is recommended for those who have been previously treated with ADT and an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and whose disease has now progressed to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer? Dr. Rohan Garje: So for patients who received ADT along with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor, which we consider would be a most common cohort because most patients now in castration-sensitive setting are receiving androgen receptor pathway inhibitor. It was different in the past where five or six years back ADT alone was the most common treatment, but fortunately, with enough awareness and education, treatment choices have improved. Patients are now receiving ADT and ARPI as the most common choice of drug. Once again, at this point the panel emphasizes to consider HRR testing in there is enough data for us to suggest that patients who have alterations in the HRR pathway definitely will benefit with the PARP inhibitor. You know the multiple options, but specifically we speak about olaparib. And then if they are HRR-negative, we prefer patients receive agents such as docetaxel or if they are intolerant to docetaxel, consider cabazitaxel chemotherapy, options such as radium-223, and if they have a specific scenario such as MSI-high or mismatch repair deficiency, pembrolizumab could also be considered. The panel also discussed about the role of a second ARPI agent. For example, if patients progressed on one androgen receptor pathway inhibitor, the second androgen receptor pathway inhibitor may not be effective and the panel suggests to utilize alternate options before considering androgen receptor pathway inhibitor. There may be specific scenarios where a second ARPI may be meaningful, specifically, if alternate choices are not feasible for the concern of side effects or toxicities or lack of access, then a potential ARPI could be considered after progression on ARPI, but the panel definitely encourages to utilize alternate options first. Brittany Harvey: Great. Thank you for outlining those options as well for those patients. So then the next category, what is recommended for patients who have been previously treated with ADT and docetaxel? Dr. Rohan Garje: For patients who received ADT and docetaxel and were never treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, the panel again emphasizes on HRR testing. If they have BRCA1 and 2 mutations, the combination therapies of talazoparib with enzalutamide, olaparib with abiraterone, or niraparib with abiraterone are all good choices. If they don't have BRCA mutations but they have other HRR mutations, the panel suggests to potentially utilize talazoparib with enzalutamide. And if they do not have any HRR alterations, the options could include androgen receptor pathway inhibitors such as abiraterone or enzalutamide. I want to emphasize that these are preferred options, but not the only options. As you can see, there are multiple options available for a particular clinical situation - so the ability of the physicians to access particular combinations, the familiarity of those drugs or the patient's unique situation where they have other medications which can potentially interact with a choice of agents. So I think based on access, based on cost and patients' concurrent illness with potential drug interactions can make one particular combination of therapy better over the other options. Brittany Harvey: Absolutely. That's key to keep in mind that access, contraindications, and cost all play a role here. So then the next set of recommendations. What are the key recommendations for patients who have previously been treated with ADT, an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor, and docetaxel who now have mCRPC? Dr. Rohan Garje: Yes. In this group, the options remain, again, broad. We utilize PSMA imaging here specifically and if they are positive on PSMA imaging, lutetium-177 is a good option. If they do not have PSMA-positive disease on PSMA imaging but if they have HRR alterations, olaparib could be utilized. And if they are negative on PSA imaging, they don't have HRR alterations, then alternate options could include cabazitaxel, radium-223. And if they have MSI-high or deficiency in mismatch repair, pembrolizumab could be utilized in this setting. Brittany Harvey: Thank you for outlining those options as well. So then next the panel addressed treatment options for de novo or treatment emergent small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate. What are those key recommendations? Dr. Rohan Garje: Yes. This is a very high unmet need group because there are limited clinical trials, especially prospective clinical trials addressing treatment options for this group. Most of our current guidelines are always an extrapolation from lung small cell cancer based guidelines, but the panel recommends to utilize cisplatin or carboplatin along with etoposide as a preferred choice for this group. Also, an alternate option of carboplatin along with cabazitaxel could be considered for this cohort. The panel also encourages participation in clinical trials. There are numerous trials ongoing now in smaller phase studies and I think it's important for patients to consider these trials as well, because this will give them access to newer agents with potential biological targets. In addition to these agents in specific scenarios or potentially case by case basis, because we don't have prospective data, so we have made it as a select case by case basis to consider adding immunotherapy along with platinum-based chemotherapy followed by maintenance immunotherapy, which is currently a standard of care in small cell lung cancer. But the data is so limited in prostate cancer, so the panel suggested that it has to be a case by case basis only. The alternate options also include lurbinectedin, topotecan, tarlatamab upon progression on platinum-based chemotherapy. Brittany Harvey: Yes. It's important to have these recommendations in these unique situations where there is really a lack of data. So then the final set of recommendations I'd like to cover, what does the panel recommend for how clinicians should assess for response while patients are on systemic therapy and what scans are recommended for this response assessment? Dr. Rohan Garje: Yes. Again, this is another strong emphasis of the panel for global assessment of the patients. Traditionally, patients and physicians per se are heavily reliant on PSA as an accurate marker for response. This is in fact true in earlier phases of prostate cancer either in castrate-sensitive setting or localized prostate cancer setting. But as patients evolve into castrate-resistant, we don't want to heavily rely on PSA alone as a marker of response. The panel suggests to incorporate clinical response, radiological response, and also include PSA as a component, but not just rely primarily on PSA. So the panel also suggests that patients should get a bone scan and a CT scan every three to six months while on treatment to assess for appropriate response or for progression. And now one key important aspect, we are all aware about the evolving role of PSMA-based imaging with several of these new agents that are currently available. We do acknowledge these scans definitely have an important role in the care for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Currently, the utility is primarily to select patients for lutetium-based therapy and also in situations where the traditional scans such as technitium 99 bone scan or CT scan are equivocal, then a PSMA-based imaging can be helpful. Now we are also aware that there are newer studies coming up, prospective data coming up for the role of PSMA-based imaging for response assessment. We are hoping to update the guidelines if we get access to newer data, but currently we have not recommended the utility of PSMA-based imaging for response assessments. Brittany Harvey: Understood. And I appreciate you describing where there is data here and where there's a lack of data to currently recommend. And we'll look forward to future updates of this guideline. Coming back to – at the start you mentioned how much has changed since the last guideline update. So Dr. Garje, in your view, what is the importance of this update and how will it impact both clinicians and patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer? Dr. Rohan Garje: The updated guidelines are designed to have a significant impact on clinical practice and also patient outcomes by providing clinicians with a comprehensive evidence-based framework for managing patients with metastatic CRPC. And also, by using these guidelines can make informed decisions, can select therapies tailored to patients' unique genomic status, clinical situation, where they are in the course of the cancer based on what they received previously. Also utilizing these guidelines, we can potentially improve patient outcomes, improve survival, and importantly have efficient use of healthcare resources. Brittany Harvey: Absolutely. We're always looking for ways to improve patient outcomes and survival. I want to wrap us up by talking a little bit about the outstanding questions in this field. So earlier you had mentioned about prospective data to come about PSMA PET scans, but what other outstanding questions are there for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer? And what evidence is the panel looking forward to for future updates? Dr. Rohan Garje: We do have now rapidly evolving data specifically about the utility of the radiopharmaceutical lutetium-177 prior to chemotherapy. We are hoping that with newer data we can make some changes to the guideline based on that. We are also looking at newer drugs that are coming up in the pipeline, for example, androgen receptor degraders. We are looking at data that might potentially help based on bispecific T-cell engagers and newer radiopharmaceuticals. So I think in the next few years, we will definitely update all the guidelines again. But this time we are trying to do it more proactively. We are following a newer model. We are calling it as ‘living guidelines' where we are actually utilizing week by week updates where we look at the literature and see if there is any potential practice impacting change or publication that comes up. And we are trying to incorporate those changes as soon as they are available. That way patients and practicing physicians can get the latest information available through the guidelines as well. Brittany Harvey: That's great to hear. Yes, we'll await this data that you mentioned to continuously update this guideline and continue to improve patient outcomes for the future. So Dr. Garje, I want to thank you so much for your time to update this guideline. It was certainly a large amount of recommendations, and thank you for your time today, too. Dr. Rohan Garje: Thank you so much for having me here. And it's always nice talking to you. Brittany Harvey: And finally, thank you to our listeners for tuning in to the ASCO Guidelines podcast. To read the full guideline, go to www.asco.org/genitourinary-cancer-guidelines. You can also find many of our guidelines and interactive resources in the free ASCO Guidelines app, which is available in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. If you have enjoyed what you've heard today, please rate and review the podcast and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 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.
In this groundbreaking episode of Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn Simmons, Dr. Jenn sits down with world-renowned integrative oncologist Thomas Lodi to challenge everything you think you know about cancer, health, and healing.They expose the flaws in the traditional disease model, dive into the controversial risks of mammograms, and explore why cancer is not your enemy — but a natural response of the body. Dr. Lodi shares innovative insights into tumor biology, detoxification, metabolic therapies, and how restoring true health can dramatically change outcomes for breast cancer patients and survivors alike.Thomas Lodi, MD, MD(H) is an internationally recognized pioneer in integrative oncology. With decades of experience blending the best of conventional and alternative medicine, Dr. Lodi is known for helping patients restore health at the metabolic and cellular level. His revolutionary approach emphasizes detoxification, immune support, and empowering patients to understand and heal their bodies without fear. Follw Dr. Lodi at @drthomaslodiIn This Episode, You Will Learn:✔️ Why mammograms may cause more harm than good ✔️ The real meaning of tumor markers and SV40 in cancer risk ✔️ How estrogen receptors and hormonal balance are misunderstood ✔️ Why the ARIA test is revolutionizing breast cancer screening ✔️ The urgent need to rethink BRCA gene fears and cancer myths ✔️ How chronic inflammation, environmental toxins, and metabolic health drive disease ✔️ What true empowerment in cancer prevention and recovery really looks likeThis is the conversation every smart woman needs to hear to take back her health, challenge outdated narratives, and embrace a future of hope, power, and true prevention.✨ Hit subscribe to Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn Simmons for more life-changing conversations. ✨ Please leave a review if this episode resonates — it helps us reach and empower more women!Episode Timeline:00:00 The Journey Begins: Thomas Lodi's Origin Story09:02 The Myth of Disease: Understanding Cancer Differently12:58 Rethinking Cancer: A New Perspective on Treatment28:50 The Controversy of Screening: Mammograms and Their Impact39:15 The Genius of Tsunayo Kobayashi42:10 Understanding Tumor Markers and Cancer Staging43:40 The Role of SV40 and Immune Derangement44:57 Detoxing from Vaccines and Immune Support46:30 Estrogen Receptors and Cancer Narratives51:36 The Impact of Hormonal Imbalance on Health57:52 Restoring Balance in the Body01:10:16 Traditional Medicine and Cancer Treatment01:16:55 The Importance of Detoxification and Environmental Awareness01:21:05 Exposing the Truth About To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with RHMD, visit: https://jennsimmons.simplero.com/page/377266?kuid=327aca17-5135-44cf-9210-c0b77a56e26d&kref=vOKy0sAiorrKTo get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuideTo purchase the auria breast cancer screening test go here https://auria.care/ and use the code DRJENN20 for 20% Off.Connect with Dr. Jenn:Website: https://www.realhealthmd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons
BRCA revision mutations may explain some of the limited benefit seen in long-term follow-up studies with PARP inhibitors. Bibliography: 1: BRCA reversion mutations predict resistance. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-18-0715 2: SOLO3 Final OS Data. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00933 3: Elucidating acquired PARP inhibitor resistance in advanced prostate cancer. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2024.10.015
Linda Petticrew's battle with breast cancer at 34, and her daughter Rachel Evans' decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy at 25, reveal a narrative of resilience and proactive health decisions. Diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene, Rachel chose surgery as a precaution, influenced by her mother's experience with the disease. Their story highlights the importance of genetic testing and the strength found in family support. Key Questions Answered What is the relationship between Linda Petticrew and Rachel Evans? Linda underwent mastectomies due to being diagnosed with breast cancer, while Rachel had a prophylactic mastectomy due to testing positive for the BRCA1 gene. At what ages were Linda and Rachel when they had their mastectomies? Did anyone else in Linda's family have breast cancer prior to her diagnosis? How did Linda feel when she found out Rachel tested positive for the BRCA gene? How did the recovery experiences differ between Linda and Rachel? How did Rachel share her decision to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy and its implications? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Mother and daughter discuss their mastectomies experiences.05:16 Grateful for urging timely, crucial conversation, answers.08:32 Thankful for company benefits during hospital stay.11:32 Posted about BRCA gene on Instagram: questions followed.15:26 Shell supportive during cancer, knee replacement recovery.19:18 Mobile services provided for convenient health testing.21:40 Executive assistants supporting education, philanthropy in Houston.26:44 Podcast about breast health by The Rose. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Neja Zupan is a trailblazer in holistic health and personal empowerment, whose journey of overcoming aggressive hormone-dependent ductal breast cancer has become a source of inspiration worldwide. Diagnosed in 2013 with a grim prognosis and only a 5% chance of survival without medical intervention, she chose an unconventional path—rejecting chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy. Instead, she embraced natural healing methods, mindset transformation, and inner resilience, emerging not just as a survivor but a thriving advocate for holistic health. All her female ancestors passed away from cancer. She is the first to survive—and also the first to reject allopathic medicine. She was BRCA gene positive, with two cancer centers and one lesion. She underwent the surgical removal of two cancer centers and then began her unconventional path. Connect with Neja at www.nejazupan.com Get Dr Zupan's free E-Book www.HighFrequencyEnergyFormula.com __________ To learn more about the 10 Radical Remission Healing Factors, connect with a certified RR coach or join a virtual or in-person workshop visit www.radicalremission.com. To watch Episode 1 of the Radical Remission Docuseries for free, visit our YouTube channel here. To purchase the full 10-episode Radical Remission Docuseries visit Hay House Online Learning. To learn more about Radical Remission health coaching with Liz or Karla, Click Here Follow us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram YouTube _____ Thank you to our friends from The Healing Oasis for sponsoring this episode of the podcast. The Healing Oasis is a first of its kind in beautiful British Columbia, Canada where we encourage the body to heal from cancer using alternative therapies & cancer fighting meals at a wellness retreat center in nature. Our top naturopathic cancer doctor will prescribe a protocol tailored specifically for you. There's no place quite like it. Start your healing journey today! Learn More about The Healing Oasis by visiting these links: Website Testimonials Video Overview
This podcast is the first episode in a series featuring companies I am eager to explore and share with my community. Today, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained medical doctor, pioneering scientist, and esteemed inventor. Dr. Salzman is the Chief Medical Officer at Wonderfeel, where he applies over three decades of medical innovation. His research into DNA repair with NAD-activated enzymes led the way for a groundbreaking treatment for BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers, which he licensed to Genentech. Dr. Salzman was among the first researchers to publish papers on the gut microbiome and leaky gut syndrome in the 1980s, and he has published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and holds more than 50 patents. In our conversation today, we dive into what NAD is, its significance, why it matters, and how it impacts fertility, menopause, and sexual health. Dr. Salzman walks us through the symptoms of NAD deficiency and explains how an enzyme called CD38 can emerge when NAD levels are low, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. We explore the difference between pharmaceutical agents and nutraceuticals, examining why oral NMN is preferable and how sleep and alcohol can influence NAD levels. We cover the risk factors for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, looking at what we can do to reduce them, and we also talk about Wonderfeel and how their supplements and botanicals enhance wellness for women. This is an invaluable discussion with Dr. Salzman, so you will likely want to listen to it more than once. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How our NAD levels change as we get older The role of NAD in energy production How oxidative stress and inflammation affect NAD levels in the ovaries Why NAD is essential for sexual health Lifestyle choices that could affect NAD levels How inflammation can increase CD 38 levels and deplete NAD Why oral administration of NMN or NR is the most practical and effective method for maintaining NAD levels How alcohol affects NAD levels and increases the risk of cancer How, with Dr. Salzman's input, Wonderfeel developed a product combining NMN with botanicals to enhance NAD levels Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Andrew Salzman On the Wonderfeel website .
What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it? In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and her own battle with breast cancer. With refreshing candor and signature wit, Gila shares how her Orthodox Jewish identity shaped her experiences and how becoming a mother to four children galvanized her commitment to preventative healthcare - ultimately saving her life when a preventative mastectomy revealed aggressive cancer. Weaving together themes of resilience, authentic storytelling, and finding humor in life's darkest moments, Gila reflects on the profound significance of reaching age 50 - making her the first woman in four generations of her family to achieve this milestone. Her powerful metaphor of a broken mug still worth saving resonates deeply as she discusses her advocacy work and how sharing her story has inspired countless women to prioritize breast health. Like the cracked vessel on her book cover - weathered yet still holding precious contents - Gila's narrative embodies the beauty of imperfect survival. Gila Pfeffer is a Jewish American humor writer whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through loss, cancer, and survival with unflinching candor and unexpected hilarity. A fifteen-year breast cancer previvor and survivor, Gila's "Feel It on the First" campaign has directly led to earlier diagnoses for countless women through its tongue-in-cheek reminders about breast health. As an Orthodox Jewish mother of four who underwent preventative mastectomy at 34 only to discover early-stage cancer, Gila's writing - featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and McSweeney's - transforms tragedy into empowerment through her signature wit. She splits her time between London, New York City, and Instagram. In This Episode: (00:00) Meet Gila Pfeffer: Author of "Nearly Departed" (05:26) "Making fun of something is taking your power back" (08:12) What does authentic branding really mean? (13:07) Breaking the cycle: First to reach 50 (19:11) The delicate balance of telling your truth in memoir (23:51) How four children saved their mother's life (29:16) Beyond the pink ribbon: Rethinking breast cancer awareness (34:42) One person at a time: The impact of sharing your story (38:45) The metaphor of the broken mug (39:55) Closing thoughts Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes! Resources: https://www.gilapfeffer.com/ @GilaPfeffer on Instagram Nearly Departed Sign up for Dara's Newsletter Listen to other podcast episodes Here Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook Visit DaraLevan.com
Join us in this insightful episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast as we dive deep into the current treatment landscape of pancreatic cancer. Drs. Rohit and Rahul Gosain are joined by Dr. Emil Lou, a medical and neuro-oncologist from the University of Minnesota, to discuss the challenges and advancements in managing this complex disease. In this episode, we covered: • The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating early-stage pancreatic cancer. • The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, including the latest insights on chemotherapy regimens like FOLFIRINOX, nal-IRI and gemcitabine. • The significance of germline and next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing in personalizing treatment plans. • The current state of clinical trials and emerging therapies, including PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations and the implications of ctDNA testing. • Prognostic discussions around metastatic pancreatic cancer and the importance of managing side effects to improve patient quality of life. Key takeaways include the necessity of balancing treatment efficacy with adverse events, the critical role of genetic testing, and the need for vigilance regarding venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pancreatic cancer patients. Don't miss this comprehensive discussion that aims to shed light on the ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for patients battling pancreatic cancer. YouTube: https://youtu.be/HCKQxmOqRTI Follow us on social media: • X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/oncbrothers • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncbrothers • Website: https://oncbrothers.com/ Subscribe to our channel for more discussions on oncology and stay updated on the latest in cancer treatment!
In 2014, at the age of 51, Diane was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer with a BRCA mutation. Doctors told her she had just months to live. In this episode, Diane Doyle shares how she took control of her own healing, the challenges she faced in navigating both conventional and alternative treatments, and why she believes cannabis was the key to her survival. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-education, and never giving up hope.01:13 – Diane's initial diagnosis and how it was discovered04:35 – Reaction to being told she had only months to live06:58 – How Diane approached her healing journey from the beginning10:42 – Why she chose to combine conventional and alternative treatments14:25 – Discovering cannabis and how she began using it18:09 – The reaction from her doctors20:55 – What Diane believes made the biggest difference in her outcome24:36 – Side effects, setbacks, and how she adjusted29:45 – The emotional and spiritual aspects of healing33:10 – Where she is today, 11 years later36:22 – Advice for others facing a similar diagnosis39:00 – Final thoughts and gratitude Visit our website: CannabisHealthRadio.comFollow us on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram.Find us on Rumble.Keep your privacy! Buy NixT420 Odor Remover
One in 8 women in the United States will have her ovaries removed prior to the onset of natural menopause, and this number is growing. On top of that, each year about 600,000 hysterectomies are performed and more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, many under the age of 50. If you or someone you love experienced this kind of procedure, you may be asking “now what?”. What are the impacts on the rest of your body when you experience abrupt menopause? Do other health risks increase? And what about breast cancer? This week, we are joined by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN, a breast cancer survivor of over 23 years, and a BRCA gene carrier. Dr. Menn is using her own experience to help women navigate health challenges, especially when dealing with the impacts of being a cancer survivor or experiencing abrupt menopause. If you or someone you know has had her ovaries removed, had a hysterectomy, or even experienced breast cancer, then this episode is for you. More Resources & Links Follow Dr. Corinne Menn on Instagram Get more info about working with Dr. Menn through Telehealth on Alloy FREE Weekly Jumpstart Newsletter! Master your midlife health in just 3 minutes a week with this easy-to-read newsletter FREE 5-Day Core Tune Up - A free mini-course to dramatically improve your functional core strength, create better alignment, and relieve back and hip pain for good! Need help getting started! Get Megan's FREE 5-Day Jumpstart Tips guide! The Jumpstart 30 Program for Beginners - Jumpstart your health & fitness journey with Megan's signature 30-day program for true beginners! The Back & Hip Fix 30-day program - Reduce your chronic back & hip pain in less than 10 minutes a day! Follow Megan on Instagram Follow Megan on YouTube
Today, I am honored to connect with Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society-certified practitioner. Dr. Menn is a 23-year breast cancer and premature menopause survivor and a BRCA carrier who draws on her personal experiences to assist other women in navigating their health challenges. In our discussion, we explore the ways the Women's Health Initiative has impacted Baby Boomers and how fear-based decision-making, particularly around breast cancer risks, has shaped women's health. We discuss the timing hypothesis for hormone replacement therapy, breast cancer risks, and misleading stats and look into empowerment and the differences and biases that shape the experiences of women in perimenopause and beyond. We examine why osteoporosis is a silent disease and how hormone replacement therapy can reduce fracture risk by 30–50%, and tackle the effects of poor metabolic health, the challenges of receiving a diabetes diagnosis, and how statin therapy can influence the course of menopause and beyond. Dr. Menn also shares her personal story of resilience and empowerment. This conversation with Dr. Corinne Menn is invaluable for all women- especially those with a history of breast cancer. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the Women's Health Initiative has caused fear-based decision-making among menopausal women Why SSRI medications are inadequate in managing menopausal symptoms How the fear of litigation has impacted clinical decision-making in modern medicine The cardio-protective benefits of HRT How HRT can help avoid the risk of breast cancer Why starting HRT early is essential for cardiovascular health How racial differences impact women in menopause How early bone density screening can help prevent rapid bone loss during menopause The metabolic changes that occur during menopause How the lack of menopause education led Dr. Menn to experience premature menopause due to her breast cancer treatments Bio: Corinne Menn, DO, FACOG, MSCP Dr. Corinne Menn is a board-certified OBGYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. Dr.Menn is also a 23-year survivor of breast cancer and premature menopause, a BRCA carrier,and uses her experience to help women navigate their health challenges. She has dedicated her medical practice to menopause management, the unique healthcare needs of female cancer survivors, and those at high risk for breast cancer. Now practicing exclusively through telehealth, Dr. Menn provides women's health consultations and patient education. She is also a medical advisor and a prescribing doctor on Alloy, a menopause telehealth platform. Dr. Menn is an active member of the Menopause Society and a fellow of The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is a dedicated advocate and volunteer for the Young Survival Coalition, serving on their Council of Advisors, leading the Provider-Survivor support group, and serving on the Breast Cancer Alliance Research Grant Committee. She is a frequent speaker and podcast guest and has an active social media platform where she shares her mission of educating fellow clinicians and women on menopause and women's health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Corinne Menn On her website Instagram The Middle List Menopause and Cancer