Podcasts about dana farber cancer institute

Cancer used to be something you worried about later in life — but not anymore. More and more young adults are being diagnosed, and doctors are trying to figure out why this is happening. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with oncologist Dr. Kimmie Ng about what's behind this rise, why colorectal cancer is leading the trend, and the signs you shouldn't ignore.  You can find more information and resources at the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.    This episode was produced by Kyra Dahring.    Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong's team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong's team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong's team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

Here in the West, acupuncture often feels like something foreign, something patients approach with curiosity but no context. “I don't know anything about Chinese medicine,” they'll say. And most of the time, that's true. We didn't grow up with an uncle who prescribed herbs or a parent using needles to ease the illnesses and injuries of childhood.For Wei Dong Lu, medicine wasn't foreign at all. He grew up inside it, part of a family where healing was daily life. At sixteen, during the Cultural Revolution, he was told to learn a “practical skill.” His classmates were sent to carpentry or sewing. He was handed needles. Listen into this discussion as we trace the path that took him from Shanghai to Nebraska, from teaching at the New England School of Acupuncture to practicing oncology acupuncture at Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.What you'll hear isn't just the biography of one practitioner, but a story about how medicine travels—how it bends and blends to circumstance, how it adapts to new settings, and how something essential continues to move through it all.

If more and more young people are dying of colorectal cancer, why aren't we talking about it? Is it because we're too ashamed of our bodies?Rates of colorectal cancer are rising, especially for people under 50. But it's hard to raise awareness for a cancer that a lot of us find hard to talk about. In a recent essay for The Cut, writer Laurie Abraham described her experience of colon cancer, which included a lot of embarrassment. Talking about your bowel movements is...not fun. Can you relate?Today, Brittany is joined by Laurie and Dr. Kimmie Ng, Co-Director of the Colon and Rectal Cancer Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to get into the cultural shame around how we talk about colon cancer - and how that extends to a lack of funding and research.Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this episode, Sara Tolaney, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses sequencing strategies after progression in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. She reviews current second-line standards, considerations for patients with brain metastases, and emerging therapies in the post–T-DXd setting.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!

Dr. Lachelle Weeks is a physician-scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute working on a project to predict leukemia risk based on widely available blood samples.

Dr Jacob Sands from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, discusses recent developments with TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugates in the management of lung cancer. CME information and select publications here.

Shoot us a Text.On this Saturday, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the power of remembrance and how Carla Cosenzi and TommyCar Auto Group are connecting people in a meaninful way through the 17th Annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament.Founded in memory of Tom Cosenzi, the event supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the incredible work of Dr. Wen and his team.Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers showed up in full force to continue the mission of giving back.Carla Cosenzi on LinkedIn said “Dad, I hope you are proud of what has been built in your name… Together, we are making a difference.”Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

In today's episode, supported by Chimerix, we spoke with Patrick Y. Wen, MD, about the FDA approval of dordaviprone (Modeyso) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients at least 1 year of age with H3K27M-mutated diffuse midline glioma who have progressive disease following prior therapy. Dr Wen is the director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; as well as a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. In our conversation, Dr Wen discussed the significance of this accelerated approval across patient age groups, key efficacy and safety data that supported this approval, and the importance of biomarker testing in patients with glioma. He also highlighted potential next steps for expanding the investigation of dordaviprone in patients with glioma and emphasized the ways that multidisciplinary collaboration can provide patients with personalized, optimized care. 

Small cell lung cancer was once considered one of the most challenging diagnoses in oncology. But today, groundbreaking treatments are transforming patient outcomes and rewriting survival stories. Discover how immunotherapy, T-cell engagers, CAR T-cell therapy, and antibody drug conjugates are moving from clinical trials to standard care, offering patients years of disease control and genuine hope for the future. Featuring insights from Dr. Jacob Sands, thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and inspiring patient advocate Wendy Brooks, who shares her powerful journey from early detection through cutting-edge clinical trials, proving that advocacy and hope can change everything. Guests: Dr. Jacob Sands, Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Courtney Mantz, Program Manager II, SCLC Program, Dr. Sands' Assistant. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology Wendy Brooks, Patient Advocate Show Notes | Transcript | Watch Video

While major advances in screening, targeted treatment and immunotherapy have transformed outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer, progress against small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has lagged behind. In this episode,  Jacob Sands, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School joins us to share insights into the present state of SCLC treatment, from staging and standard therapies to new research on vaccines that could one day change the course of this aggressive disease.

Dr Sarah Sammons from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, discusses cases and reviews the current management of brain metastases in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. CME information and select publications here.

Hart and Fitzy recap a record-setting WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Why didn't the Red Sox send Nate Eaton home last night in extra innings? Could their upcoming series with the Yankees determine the season?

Hart and Fitzy recap a record-setting WEEI/Nesn Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon where we raised $5.7 million for The Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber. The Red Sox dropped a two game series to the Orioles in rough fashion after failing to convert with runners in scoring position multiple times.

Christopher Lathan, MD, Chief Clinical Access Officer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ● Dr. Christopher Lathan is the Chief Clinical Access Officer at Dana-Farber, founding Director of the Cancer Care Access Program and a clinical oncologist focusing on lung cancer. ● His research is centered on the effects of race, class, and access to care in cancer outcomes, including racial disparities in lung cancer treatment, differences in access to precision medicine by race and social class and equitable distribution of new treatment across historically marginalized populations. ● Dr. Lathan aims to bridge the gap between research in disparities and the realities of patient care by developing interventions to increase access to high quality care, developed in part through community engagement.

Emily Bailey, nurse navigator, Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Amelia “Mia” McDonough, nurse, Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ● Emily graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2018. She has been a nurse for eight years transitioning from the population of adult solid tumor oncology to pediatric oncology. ● At the Jimmy Fund Clinic, she is solid tumor nurse navigator. As a nurse navigator, she assists with guiding young patients and their families through the complex cancer diagnosis and treatment. They coordinate care and provide continuous education and support. ● In her free time, Emily enjoys running and will be running the Boston Half presented by Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund in November. About Mia McDonough ● Amelia grew up in Dedham and graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She's had multiple family members treated at Dana-Farber as adult patients and always knew Dana-Farber was a special place. ● Amelia joined the Jimmy Fund Clinic as a nurse in 2024. In the infusion room, she has anywhere from four to six patients per day - they maybe getting chemotherapy, blood products, or coming in for sick visits. She is responsible for coordinating with their providers to make sure they get all they need while they're in the infusion chair.

Christopher Lathan, MD, Chief Clinical Access Officer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ● Dr. Christopher Lathan is the Chief Clinical Access Officer at Dana-Farber, founding Director of the Cancer Care Access Program and a clinical oncologist focusing on lung cancer. ● His research is centered on the effects of race, class, and access to care in cancer outcomes, including racial disparities in lung cancer treatment, differences in access to precision medicine by race and social class and equitable distribution of new treatment across historically marginalized populations. ● Dr. Lathan aims to bridge the gap between research in disparities and the realities of patient care by developing interventions to increase access to high quality care, developed in part through community engagement.

Anne Gross, PhD, RN, FAAN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, Ning Zhao Chair of Nursing, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ● Anne is responsible for adult and pediatric nursing across all care sites at Dana-Farber, The Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services, and the Center for Clinical and Professional Development. She also oversees a variety of other clinical services, patient and family programs, and Volunteer Services. ● Since joining Dana-Farber in 2002, she has led implementations of a primary nursing care model and a residency training program for newly licensed nurses and has secured funding for programs and research to support inclusion, diversity and equity, positive practice environments, and self-care and renewal programs. She also is involved in committees, boards, and initiatives nationally and internationally and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Charlie Davies breaks down his soccer comeback after being involved in a car accident, and how his recovery and support of his wife and children led to discovering he had Liposarcoma. He has been an avid supporter of Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund.

Red Sox play-by-play broadcaster Will Flemming joins Jones and Keefe on day one of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Will thinks the Red Sox low leverage relievers need to be better. He also thinks Garrett Crochet can win the Cy Young award this season, and prospects like Payton Tolle could help the Major League team this season.

Jason Marton, Matt Yurgelun, Dan Shaughnessy, Heather, Pasi Janne, and Charlie Davies join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.

Angel Kaifer, Joaquim Bellmunt, Kate Pingeon, and Marios Giannakis join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Dr. Wolfram Goessling, Andrew Wagner, Olivia, Brittany, Joshua, and Owen Kazanjian, Hunter Henry, and Howes Products join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

HR 1: Jason Marton, Matt Yurgelun, Dan Shaughnessy, Heather, Pasi Janne, and Charlie Davies join the show HR 2: Angel Kaifer, Joaquim Bellmunt, Kate Pingeon, and Marios Giannakis join the show HR 3: Dr. Wolfram Goessling, Andrew Wagner, Olivia, Brittany, Joshua, and Owen Kazanjian, Hunter Henry, and Howes Products join the show HR 4: Greg, Alma, Emilia, and Daniel Sarantopoulos, Daniel Sentana Lledo, and Will Flemming join the show

Dan Shaughnessy has watched The Jimmy Fund evolve throughout his time in Boston sports media. He also is confident that the Red Sox are a playoff team this season.

HR 4: Greg, Alma, Emilia, and Daniel Sarantopoulos, Daniel Sentana Lledo, and Will Flemming join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Trot Nixon felt the impact of The Jimmy Fund throughout his time with the Red Sox. He is grateful for the support from The Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber as his father battles with cancer. He also feels something in the air with the 2025 Red Sox.

Derek Aube, Nadine Jackson, Charlie Jacobs, Brock Holt, James "Jim" Cichy, and Paul Richardson join on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Frank Martin explains how his battle with colon cancer inspired him to get involved with The Jimmy Fund.

Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs joins on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Jacobs talks about new Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm and how the team wants to reinvent their identity in 2025.

Roman, Steven, and Mila Capraro, Lisa Scherber, Frank Martin, and Mike Thomas join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.

Former Red Sox utility man and Co-Chair of The Jimmy Fund Brock Holt joins the show. Holt says he is still growing in his new position, but he loves the city of Boston and has seen the impact The Jimmy Fund has firsthand. He breaks down his favorite moments in Boston, and more.

Benjamin Ebert, Irene Ghobrial, and Trot and Kathryn Nixon join on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.

Taylor, Jen, and Andrew Laroche, Hadley, Matt, Jessica, and Cameron Kemmenoe, Vinny Del Negro, and Jacob Sands join the show on Day One of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Fitzy sits down with Vinny Del Negro who breaks down Dana-Farber's impact on his family after his mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.

In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, Drs. Rohit & Rahul Gosain welcome Dr. Jacob Sands, a thoracic medical oncologist from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to discuss the recent FDA approval of Dato-DXD (datopotamab deruxtecan) for previously treated EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Key Topics: •⁠  ⁠Overview of Dato-DXd and its FDA approval •⁠  ⁠Mechanism of action and study design of the TROPION Lung trials •⁠  ⁠Efficacy and safety profile of Dato-DXd •⁠  ⁠Management of side effects and clinical pearls •⁠  ⁠Treatment sequencing for EGFR-mutated NSCLC Join us as we dive into the details of the TROPION Lung trials that led to this significant approval, the mechanism of action of Dato-DXd, and the implications for patients with various EGFR mutations.  Dr. Sands shared insights on the study design, efficacy, and tolerability of this new antibody-drug conjugate, as well as important clinical pearls for managing side effects such as stomatitis, dry eyes, and interstitial lung disease (ILD). We also explored the current treatment landscape for EGFR-mutated NSCLC, including the sequencing of therapies and the potential role of Dato-DXd in clinical practice. Tune in for an informative discussion that highlights the exciting advancements in oncology and the hope they bring to patients. Follow us on social media: •⁠  ⁠X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/oncbrothers •⁠  ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncbrothers •⁠  Website: https://oncbrothers.com/ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other episodes for more insights into the world of oncology!

Dr Jacob Sands from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, discusses recent developments with TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugates in the management of non-small cell lung cancer. CME information and select publications here.

“At least some of the answer to these issues of compassion fatigue and burnout have to do making our practice environments the very, very best they can be so that nurses and other clinicians can really connect and care for patients in the ways that they want to be able to do that—and the patients need them to be able to do. I think there's a lot that is here already and will be coming, and I feel pretty optimistic about it,” ONS member Anne Gross, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, told ONS member Christine Ladd, MSN, RN, OCN®, NE-BC, member of the ONS 50th anniversary committee, during a conversation about burnout and compassion fatigue in oncology nursing. Ladd spoke with Gross and ONS member Tracy Gosselin, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, AOCN®, FAAN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY, about the history of nurse well-being and how nurses and health systems are approaching it today. Music Credit: “Fireflies and Stardust” by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0  Episode Notes  This episode is not eligible for NCPD.  ONS Podcast™ episodes: ONS 50th anniversary series Episode 315: Processing Grief as an Oncology Nurse Episode 292: What We Need to Do to Retain Today's Oncology Nursing Workforce Episode 291: Build a Sense of Belonging for Nurses and Patients Episode 264: Stop the Stressors and Improve Your Mental Health as a Nurse Episode 246: Create a Culture of Safety: Fair and Just Culture Episode 160: Build Innovative Staff Education Tools and Resources ONS Voice articles: Critical Event Debriefings Can Reduce Oncology Nurses' Risk of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout ONS Chapters and DNP Candidates Combine Forces to Support Oncology Nurse Well-Being Step Out of Reality With Virtual Breaks to Support Your Wellness at Work Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing articles: Burnout and Well-Being: Evaluating Perceptions in Bone Marrow Transplantation Nurses Using a Mindfulness Application Engaging Nurse Residents Through Poetry Strategies to Mitigate Moral Distress in Oncology Nursing ONS Nurse Well-Being Learning Library ONS Communities ONS Chapters Connie Henke Yarbro Oncology Nursing History Center Oncology Nursing Foundation Resiliency Resources To discuss the information in this episode with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities. To find resources for creating an ONS Podcast club in your chapter or nursing community, visit the ONS Podcast Library. To provide feedback or otherwise reach ONS about the podcast, email pubONSVoice@ons.org. Highlights From This Episode Gross: “I was on an oncology unit early in practice. And just like today, we were dealing with very sick patients. We were dealing with death and dying. We were administering very toxic treatments and really pushing a field forward in oncology. So there were similar challenges, but I think different from today. There weren't the kind of resources; there wasn't the body of work that's been done today around compassion fatigue and burnout, work-life balance, and things like that. There was not that body of literature and science like there is today. And so there was more of a grassroots kind of support building in the clinical environment that I think I experienced.” TS 2:35 Gosselin: “I think there's also a piece when we think about nurses in the work we do—we also have families. We have aging parents and children. And sometimes that burnout is multifactorial in that we have family obligations and other obligations that make it really hard. And for some people, they say work is their escape from some of that. Yet it's all hard to balance sometimes.” TS 8:09 Gosselin: “It's this question that people like Anne, myself, other chief nurses are saying. If we add this new technology, what are we going to take away? Do we need another alarm to ring to the phone or to their badge? How much can you ask people to do and not be distracted when they're at point of care delivering patient care? Technology should never be a distractor, nor should it tell us how to practice. The technologies we have today—I'm like, ‘Wow, I wish I had that when I started my career.' And yet there's also a double-edged sword to that. I think we have to balance when we think about care and care delivery.” TS 16:36 Gross: “There are so many resources, first of all, that ONS provides to all of us at all levels and in all points in our career and our path from novice to experts. And the needs, though, are the same. Whether you're a novice nurse or whether you're a very experienced nurse, you need to continue to learn and to get new information, and ONS is an incredible resource for that. … As I think both of us keep alluding to and emphasizing here, you also need that connection to other people. And that's what ONS provides—that opportunity to get connected to other people that might be working in some other part of the country or other part of the world but is dealing with similar things that you're dealing with. So it provides that opportunity, and then it also provides an opportunity to get involved. I think when you can get involved and be part of solving a problem, it doesn't then control you and you won't feel defeated by it.” TS 22:24

Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal and Dr. Kimmie Ng discuss the disturbing rise of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers, the unique challenges faced by younger patients, and key research that is shedding light on potential drivers of early diagnoses in colorectal cancer. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: Hello, everyone. I'm Dr. Monty Pal, and I'm a medical oncologist and professor and vice chair of medical oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. I'm really delighted to welcome you all to the ASCO Daily News Podcast as the show's new host. I'll be bringing you discussions with leaders in the oncology space on a variety of topics. I've been working hard with the ASCO team on picking the ideal topics to bring to you, and I'm really delighted to introduce my first guest, a dear friend, Dr. Kimmie Ng, to discuss this huge problem that we're seeing nowadays of early-onset GI cancers. Dr. Ng is the associate chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and she's an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. She serves as co-director of the Colon and Rectal Cancer Program. She's also the founding director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber. I'm sure we'll talk a little bit about that today.  Just to note, our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode.  Dr Ng, it's so great to have you on the podcast. Thanks so much for joining us. Dr. Kimmie Ng: Thank you so much for having me. It's great to be here. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: I'm going to refer to you as Kimmie, if you don't mind, for the rest of the podcast here. Please, we'll go by first names, if you don't mind.  Your research has really done so much to help improve our understanding of early-onset GI cancers. You've done a lot of work to increase awareness in this space. I don't think there's a couple of months that passes by when I don't see you on television on Good Morning America or other shows really broadcasting this really critical message. I think there's a certain sensitivity that we all have to this issue, right? I mean, because receiving a cancer diagnosis at any age is very challenging, but I'm sure that young patients who face a colorectal cancer diagnosis have some very unique challenges. Could you give us a sense of some of those? Dr. Kimmie Ng: I think the other reason why so many people are interested in this and feel touched by this is that it's not just gastrointestinal cancers that are increasing in young people, but actually a multitude of different cancers have been rising in young individuals. And while it is difficult at any age to receive a cancer diagnosis, we do all know that young people getting a diagnosis like this do face unique challenges. Studies have shown that over 80% have children under the age of 18 when they are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, for example, under the age of 50. And many experience career and education disruptions. They are in what we call the ‘sandwich generation,' where they're not only taking care of young families or starting to think about starting a young family, but they're also taking care of elderly parents. So it's just a very busy stage of life, and to then be facing a usually terminal cancer diagnosis, it is extremely challenging. The other factors that we've seen that seem to be unique or more prevalent in young patients is that there are higher levels of psychosocial distress, depression, and anxiety, and a majority of patients do need medical attention and treatment for those things, whether it's medication treatment or whether it's counseling or support from psychosocial oncologists. And so the other big issue is fertility. We know that so many of the treatments that these young patients receive do permanently and negatively impact fertility. And for a person who is young, who may still be trying to expand their family or again start a family, it is very important that these young patients do receive counseling about fertility preservation prior to starting treatment. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: You know, it's so interesting you bring this up, and I think about a patient who's in their 40s diagnosed with this disease. They're in the same demographic as I am, as you are. You know, I'm 44 years old, and you know, I'm thinking about my 11- and 12-year-old and my aging parents, right? I mean, the dilemmas that you highlighted are precisely what I'm facing in life, and it's so true, right? If I had to take my day-to-day and superimpose on that a colorectal cancer diagnosis, it would just be problematic in so many spheres, so many spheres. Dr. Kimmie Ng: Absolutely. And because we did think going into this, starting our Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center, that these patients will need unique supports, we did conduct a qualitative study and held some focus groups of young-onset colorectal cancer patients as well as their caregivers. And we really identified four primary themes that I think reflect a lot of the experience of patients with cancer, no matter what type of cancer when they're diagnosed young. And the first is the need, feeling overwhelmed by the healthcare system, and the need for patient navigation. As we know, a lot of these patients are previously healthy before they're facing this very serious diagnosis. The second is the need for peer-to-peer support, where they really value connecting with other young patients going through a similar experience. The third, we talked about already, the need for kind of formal psychosocial support in the form of psychosocial oncologists or psychiatrists or social workers. And the last is an interest in research. They are really very invested in getting germline genetic testing as well as somatic genomic profiling to help guide their therapy. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: That's really encouraging to hear that they themselves are interested in participating in research. I mean, obviously, that's a great way to move the field forward. I view your area of work here as being such a vexing problem because no matter what way you slice it, young-onset colorectal cancer still remains a relatively small proportion of all diagnoses. So how do you go about studying this phenomenon? I mean, it must be challenging to really sort of investigate underlying causes when ostensibly this is still a small piece of the pie. Dr. Kimmie Ng: That is such a great question and is one of the challenges me and my research team think about every single day. As you mentioned, one of the major barriers is that although these cancers are rising in young people, the absolute number of patients being diagnosed is still relatively small, and if it's going to take large scale epidemiologic studies to really understand, for example, what the dietary and lifestyle risk factors are, you need a considerable number of patients in order to have enough power to reach definitive conclusions.  And so this is where it is so important to collaborate. Any single institution is not going to see enough young-onset patients with colorectal cancer to be able to do this work on their own. And so I have really been intent on establishing an international prospective cohort study of patients with young-onset colorectal cancer so that we can increase the numbers of patients we partner with to try to answer these questions, but also so that we can study this on a global scale, because unfortunately this is not something that's just plaguing the United States. It is actually happening in multiple countries around the world. So that is one barrier.  The second, I would say, is that we think it's early life exposures to whatever environmental factor it is that's causing the rise that is likely contributing the most. And so if you imagine how difficult it would be to start studying individuals from when they're children through adolescence, through adulthood, and then all the way until a cancer diagnosis is obtained, a study like that would take too long, would cost too much, and really wouldn't be feasible. So we need to think of alternative ways to really try and answer this question of what is driving this rise in young-onset colorectal cancer. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: Honestly, Kimmie, this seems like almost an unfair question in the context of what you just mentioned, the challenges in terms of ascertaining causality, right? I'll tell you, I cheated a little bit ahead of this podcast. Kimmie and I had dinner together in Los Angeles a couple months ago. She came out to deliver a Presidential Lectureship at City of Hope. We were delighted to have her. And we did have a couple of thoughts exchanged over potential drivers of these early diagnoses, leaning on perhaps one of the things that you and I are both interested in, the microbiome. But amongst all these things, vitamin D, microbiome, etc., and I won't hold you to this, do you have at least a general sense of what might be contributing to this early-onset phenomenon? Dr. Kimmie Ng: Yeah, as we talked about during my visit there to City of Hope, we do hypothesize that it is a complex interaction between our exposome, which is everything we are exposed to in our environment, which does include diet and lifestyle factors, interacting with host immunity and antitumor immunity, and as well as the microbiome and shaping the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome that are likely interacting to increase susceptibility to colorectal cancer at a younger age. And I will say one of the biggest discoveries, if you will, about what might be driving young-onset colorectal cancer was published a few months ago in Nature. And that paper identified a specific mutational signature caused by the genotoxin colibactin, which is often produced by an organism called pks+ E. coli, as being much more prevalent in younger patients with colorectal cancer than older patients. And so while it doesn't explain necessarily all of young-onset colorectal cancer and why it's rising, it does give us a clue that the microbiome is likely very important in perhaps why this is rising in young people. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: After you mentioned it, I went back and dove deep into that paper. I was fascinated, fascinated by the content there. And this is just a massive exploration across thousands of patients worldwide. So, I mean, if there is a way to get at least some hint of what's driving this phenomenon, I suppose that's it. So thank you for pointing me in the direction of that manuscript. Now that we've addressed the issue of diagnosis, if we could just, you know, verge on the topic of treatment, right? And this is something that I struggle with. When I have my young patients with kidney cancer, I don't know necessarily that my treatment paradigm changes a whole heck of a lot. I guess what I will say is I might be a little bit more aggressive about concepts like definitive management with surgery. I suppose perhaps their treatment tolerance is a little bit higher. But tell us about the setting of young-onset colorectal cancer. Is the philosophy any different in terms of the actual sort of management of these patients? Dr. Kimmie Ng: That's a great question, and actually I was honored to participate in the first international consensus guidelines group to try to come up with uniform recommendations for how to treat young patients with colorectal cancer. And you know, the overall consensus is just as you said, the medical care of these young patients right now is really not that much different than that of an older patient with colorectal cancer. There are a couple of distinctions. One is that all young patients should get germline genetic testing, given that there is a higher prevalence of pathogenic germline variants when you are diagnosed at a young age. And the second is what we've already talked about, which is that all young patients should be referred for counseling about fertility preservation prior to starting treatment. But otherwise, the chemotherapy regimens recommended, you know, surgery, radiation, all of that seems very similar to older patients. I will say that because most of our young patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed with left-sided cancers, including rectal cancers, where some of the treatment may be morbid and result in lifelong complications, we do consider de-escalation of therapy and try to consider the long-term implications when it's safe to do so and won't compromise outcomes. The other concerning thing is that younger patients don't necessarily have a better prognosis than older patients. And multiple studies have shown this, that even though we both often treat younger patients more aggressively – they more often receive multi-agent chemotherapy, and more often undergo surgery and radiation – their survival is not necessarily correspondingly better than an older patient with colorectal cancer. So that suggests to us that maybe these cancers are indeed biologically different and perhaps more aggressive or perhaps less responsive to treatment. And so that is some of the focus of our research too, to understand what is actually different about these cancers and how they respond to treatment. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: It's such a paradox, isn't it, right? Because you just brought this to my mind. I guess on the one hand, our younger patients may be able to tolerate perhaps a greater amount of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. But you're absolutely right. I mean, they do sort of have these lingering issues with side effects that may persist for much longer than the 80- or 90-year-old that we're treating in the clinic. I mean, these tend to be sort of lifelong consequences and sequelae that they're dealing with. So that really does evolve to be a challenge. You've kind of changed my mindset there a little bit. Dr. Kimmie Ng: Yeah, I do think survivorship issues and long-term complications of therapy do need to be considered, especially for a young person who we hope will live a very, very long time. And so part of the work that our Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center is doing, we are participating in a pilot navigation study where we navigate patients to survivorship earlier than we typically would, perhaps, for an older patient. And that's so we can get a head start on addressing some of those potential complications of therapy and hopefully mitigate them so that they don't become an issue long term. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: Do you think there's a role for de-escalation studies formally in these young populations of patients? Dr. Kimmie Ng: I think de-escalation studies are important overall, and specifically for locally advanced rectal cancer, which again is one of the most common types of colorectal cancer diagnosed in our young patients, there are certain populations that may be able to forgo the radiation treatment to the pelvis, for example, and there's more and more patients who now may become candidates for non-operative management where they may not necessarily need to have their rectal cancer surgically removed. And elimination potentially of both of those modalities of treatment can really avoid some of the most serious and morbid complications that often occur with these treatments. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: Really interesting. Now, this is not and will never be a political podcast, but you know, obviously we're dealing with the consequences of changes on funding and so forth that have evolved over time. And I think it's worth sort of speculating how the landscape of research may change on account of that. Could you comment perhaps a little bit on how some of the funding cuts that we've seen recently at the NIH might affect the body of work that you're so integrally involved in? Dr. Kimmie Ng: I am honestly very worried about the current funding environment. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States and globally, and when you combine men and women together, the second leading cause of cancer death. But proportionally, we receive much less funding for colorectal cancer compared to other cancer types. And my thoughts have always been that perhaps this is because there is this stigma around colorectal cancer and maybe some of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer. And so on top of that, to have additional challenges in obtaining funding, I worry what it will do to the pace of progress for especially young patients with this disease. Also, because of some new stipulations that perhaps international collaborations are being discouraged, I also worry about that aspect of it because young-onset colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal cancers in general is a global phenomenon happening in multiple countries around the world. And if we are to understand what the environmental factors are affecting the different rates of rise in these different countries, we do so much need that international collaboration. So yes, I am worried, and I do hope that conversations like this will spark an awareness of the need for more funding and continued funding into this disease. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: I will say that, and the audience can't see this because this is an audio program, but I'm wearing my Southwest Oncology shirt here, a SWOG, and it's one of the National Cancer Institute-funded cooperative groups. And you know, I was recently dismayed to find that, you know, funding got cut for international collaborations and enrollment in South America and Latin America. And this was traditionally actually a mainstay of our enrollment for many trials, including trials in rare cancers that present themselves in younger patients in the GU space. So, I completely agree with you. We've got to do something to address this funding issue to make sure that this body of work, both yours and mine, continues, without a doubt. Kimmie, this has been a delightful conversation. I really want to thank you for, you know, leading the charge in the young-onset colorectal cancer space, and you've done so much tremendous work here. Dr. Kimmie Ng: Thank you for having me. Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: If you value the insights that you hear on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And again, thank you for joining us today. 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. Sumanta (Monty) Pal @montypal Dr. Kimmie Ng @KimmieNgMD Follow ASCO on social media:    @ASCO on Twitter   ASCO on Bluesky  ASCO on Facebook    ASCO on LinkedIn    Disclosures:   Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal: Speakers' Bureau: MJH Life Sciences, IntrisiQ, Peerview Research Funding (Inst.): Exelixis, Merck, Osel, Genentech, Crispr Therapeutics, Adicet Bio, ArsenalBio, Xencor, Miyarsian Pharmaceutical Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Crispr Therapeutics, Ipsen, Exelixis Dr. Kimmie Ng: Honoraria: Seagen, GlaxoSmithKline Consulting or Advisory Role: CytomX Therapeutics, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Abbvie, Bayer, Pfizer, Agenus, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Etiome, AstraZeneca Research Funding (Inst.): Pharmavite, Janssen Other Relationship: JAMA

It's been a decade since PJ Branco's testicular cancer diagnosis in 2015. In early August 2025, he completed his third year as a participant in the PanMassChallenge⁩ with his personal goal to raise $10,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The two-day race covers 186 miles, and PJ is one of 1,000 living proof cyclists and volunteers who have been previously or are currently being treated for cancer. All the money raised in this charity event goes directly to cancer care at this treatment center.PJ was the third member of his family to survive cancer. His mom learned she had breast cancer in 2005, and his father received his colon cancer diagnosis a few years later when PJ was in college. In 2015, PJ had his right testicle removed, and three months later, when a scan showed an inflamed lymph node in his back, he underwent chemotherapy. He compares his cycling stamina in 2025 to a time during 2015. After the removal of his right testicle and chemotherapy, PJ considered it an accomplishment to walk up and down his driveway. Now, 10 years later, he talks about life with his wife and four-year-old son, and his dedication to giving back to the cancer institute that treated him and his mother. As he explained in the podcast, "I now give back to those who helped save my life." He shares his story in this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation.  Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

i3 Health recently launched an exciting new online educational activity, “What's New with HER2: Charting New Paths in NSCLC Care.” This two-part series dives deep into the evolving role of HER2 in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a special interview, Dr. Julia Kathleen Rotow—Clinical Director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School—shares the latest breakthroughs in treating HER2-mutated NSCLC. She highlights why ongoing medical education is crucial in this fast-changing field and offers her insights on where HER2-targeted therapies are headed next. Stay tuned after the interview to listen to Module 1 of this accredited activity! Click below to complete the claim your CE credit: Module 1: https://bit.ly/49NCaQu Click below to complete the next Module in this series, Current and Emerging Treatments for HER2-Mutated NSCLC Module 2: https://bit.ly/405xEJO

i3 Health recently launched an exciting new online educational activity, “What's New with HER2: Charting New Paths in NSCLC Care.” This two-part series dives deep into the evolving role of HER2 in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a special interview, Dr. Julia Kathleen Rotow—Clinical Director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School—shares the latest breakthroughs in treating HER2-mutated NSCLC. She highlights why ongoing medical education is crucial in this fast-changing field and offers her insights on where HER2-targeted therapies are headed next. Stay tuned after the interview to listen to Module 1 of this accredited activity! Click below to complete the claim your CE credit: Module 2: https://bit.ly/405xEJO Click below to complete the Module 1 from this series, HER2 in NSCLC: Actionable Insights and Testing Recommendations Module 1: https://bit.ly/49NCaQu

Prof Susana Banerjee from The Institute of Cancer Research in London and Dr Ursula Matulonis from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston discuss important efficacy and safety data from the past year related to the management of ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers.CME information and select publications here.

Hear Christopher McKim's journey with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and the latest clinical trial results from dermatologist, Dr. Christine Cornejo. Join this discussion with moderator Archie Franklin as Christopher McKim, a BMS employee living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and Dr. Christine Cornejo, Director and US Medical Engagement Lead for Dermatology and Rheumatology at BMS, offer a patient and physician's perspective on treating plaque psoriasis from the inside. Listen as Chris presents his journey along with Dr. Cornejo addressing effectiveness and safety information with clinical trial results for a prescription oral treatment option. The intent of this episode is to encourage those who have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis to work with their health care provider to find a treatment option that is right for them. This episode is sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. For more information view Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide . ·       (0:00)   Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome to Bristol Myers Squibb employee and patient Christopher McKim and Dr. Christine Cornejo, Director and US Medical Engagement Lead for Dermatology and Rheumatology at Bristol Myers Squibb. ·       (2:15)  Where the journey to finding the right treatment option for Chris and his moderate to severe plaque psoriasis began.  ·       (3:09)   The decision by Chris and his provider to try an oral systemic medication. ·       (3:28)  The effects and impact of an oral systemic treatment for Chris and his plaque psoriasis. ·       (4:09)   Dr. Cornejo addresses efficacy and clinical trials results. ·       (5:58)   Common side effects and safety concerns for the treatment Chris and his health care provider decided to try.   ·       (6:28)   Health considerations patients and providers should discuss prior to using a systemic treatment.    ·       (6:54)   What to do should side effects occur. ·       (7:10)   How Chris feels with clearer skin after making a change in treatment. ·       (8:14)   Indication and Important Safety Information. Key Takeaways: ·       Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis is a systemic disease.    ·       If you're ready to treat from the inside there is a treatment option that may help.   ·       Work with a health care provider to find the right treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.   ·       Be proactive by taking steps to learn about treatment options including effectiveness, side effects, safety concerns, and what should be discussed with a health care provider before beginning a new treatment for plaque psoriasis.  Guest Bios:   Christopher (Chris) McKim joined BMS in June of 2022. In his current role he is a Regional Marketer for the dermatology division, prior to that he provided support for 9 Therapeutic Area Specialists for the Pacific South District in the GI division.  Prior to joining BMS, Chris worked at Sanofi, J&J, Leo Pharma, and Sun Pharma in various field and home office roles. Chris resides in beautiful San Diego with his family Susan (wife), Morgan 18, Maddy 16, Mason 14 and two Golden Retrievers and enjoys traveling, cooking and anything associated with the ocean (Deep Sea Fishing, S.C.U.B.A. diving, snorkeling, and boogie boarding). Dr. Christine Cornejo joined Bristol Myers Squibb in 2024 as Director, Medical Engagement Lead for Dermatology and Rheumatology. Prior to joining BMS, she practiced dermatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, where she specialized in melanoma and high-risk skin cancer management and served as the Director of Confocal Microscopy. She also served as an Instructor at Harvard Medical School and led the Immunology and Infectious Diseases course for 1st year medical students. Resources: Current Oral Systemic Treatments For additional questions about treatment options contact the NPF Patient Navigation Center

Dr Ajay K Nooka from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and Dr Paul G Richardson from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, discuss recent updates on available and novel treatment strategies for multiple myeloma. CME information and select publications here.

Early-onset gastrointestinal cancers, typically defined as occurring in patients younger than age 50, are increasing worldwide. A recent JAMA Review summarizes current data on early-onset colorectal, pancreatic, and esophagogastric cancers. Coauthor Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS to discuss. Related Content: Early-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancers Screening for Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer First-Line Sugemalimab Plus Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

What happens when cancer strikes in your 20s or 30s? How do you navigate life-changing diagnoses during the most formative years of your life? In this powerful episode of All Talk Oncology, Kenny Perkins speaks with Dr. Venkataraman, a young adult cancer specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who is deeply committed to caring for patients with rare cancers like sarcoma. From the emotional trauma of delayed diagnoses to the complexities of survivorship, Dr. V shares how he supports patients not just through treatment—but through rediscovering their lives afterward. Key topics discussed: Why young adults are often diagnosed late—and what we can do about it How sarcoma differs from other cancers and why it's so misunderstood Treatment challenges: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and their impact Why survivorship care is just as important as treatment The mental health struggles cancer patients rarely talk about The role of personalized care: meeting patients where they are Advances in sarcoma research, clinical trials, and treatment protocols Empowering patients to take charge of their own journey Creative outlets for physicians: how Dr. V uses reflective writing to process the emotional weight of oncology   Immortalize your voice by being an ALL TALK ONCOLOGY GUEST! Just fill-out this FORM.   SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: All Talk Oncology: Instagram & Facebook JOIN OUR FREE COMMUNITY: Facebook Community WEBSITE: https://www.alltalkoncology.com

In this inspiring episode of the Fathers of the Future Podcast, host Luke Kayyem sits down with his coaching client and friend, Jesse Mufasa Goldsmith, to discuss Jesse's remarkable transformation. Previously known as "Big Cat," a nickname tied to his 385-pound frame and party-heavy lifestyle, Jesse shares how he shed 135 pounds, embraced sobriety, and completed the Boston Marathon. The journey began 18 months ago after a serendipitous meeting with Luke on a golf course, followed by a pivotal moment of hitting rock bottom. Jesse's story highlights his shift from a self-destructive identity to one of resilience and purpose, embodied in his new persona, "Mufasa," inspired by his commitment to being a strong, protective father to his daughter, Sophie.Jesse recounts key milestones, including adopting intermittent fasting, quitting alcohol, and training for two half-marathons and the Boston Marathon, all while overcoming a relapse and battling physical and mental challenges. With Luke's guidance, Jesse rebuilt his confidence, rekindled his competitive drive as a commercial real estate broker, and inspired his family and colleagues. The episode culminates in Jesse's emotional Boston Marathon finish, a testament to his dedication and the support of his community, leaving listeners with a powerful message about transformation, legacy, and inspiring others.Guest: Jesse Mufasa Goldsmith, commercial real estate broker at Newmark, former college tennis player, and father to Sophie.Key Themes:Identity Shift: From "Big Cat," a persona tied to excess and self-destruction, to "Mufasa," symbolizing strength and protection for his daughter.Transformation Journey: Losing 135 pounds naturally, quitting alcohol, and completing the Boston Marathon.Rock Bottom Moment: A wake-up call during a daddy-daughter trip in Salt Lake City, leading to sobriety and commitment to change.Coaching Impact: Luke Kayyem's non-judgmental approach helped Jesse rebuild his life through small, consistent changes.Boston Marathon: Ran for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising $17,000, and finished in 5:27:55, just two minutes before the sweep.Highlights:Meeting Luke on a golf course in Flagstaff, facilitated by mutual friend Riyadh Naza.Overcoming a relapse during a golf trip, recommitting to sobriety and training.Emotional family reunion in Boston, with Jesse's parents, wife, and daughter supporting him.Upcoming documentary, Road to Boston, focusing on mental health awareness, set for release around July 4, 2025, on YouTube.Resources:Luke Kayyem's Website: https://www.lukekayyem.com/Schedule a Call with Luke: https://www.lukekayyem.com/scheduleLuke's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukekayyemLuke's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukekayyem