Cancer Straight Talk

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

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Top 10 Cancer Straight Talk Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Cancer Straight Talk episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Cancer Straight Talk for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Cancer Straight Talk episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

What’s the Hash on the Little Green Plant and Cancer?

Cancer Straight Talk

04/20/22 • 20 min

What makes a good pain remedy – chemically, mentally, legally? Is it better as an edible, oil or vapor? And how does one even begin to figure out dosing? These are the questions Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes explores in this discussion with MSK’s Director of Pediatric Integrated Medicine, Dr. Nirupa Raghunathan, and cancer survivor and winner of TV’s “Survivor: Africa”, Ethan Zohn. In this episode, Dr. Raghunathan and Ethan break down the chemical components of one of nature’s best pain remedies and outline what we still don’t know about the little green herb that’s going from taboo to commonplace on prescriptions across America.

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Finding Hope and Acceptance in a Cancer Diagnosis: One Couple's Advice

Cancer Straight Talk

07/25/22 • 18 min

You’ve received a cancer diagnosis. Now what? For George Kolasa, it was obvious: use his glioblastoma diagnosis for good. “I’ve been chosen,” he says. Since February, George has been spreading his message of hope, acceptance and overcoming adversity on social media, while husband Justin has taken on his new role as caretaker with military-grade precision and organization.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with George and Justin on their journey to accepting a life they never planned for, plus what advice they have for families going through the same thing.

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How Does Cycling Fight Cancer? Dave Linn & Ethan Zohn on the Power of Cycle for Survival

Cancer Straight Talk

01/10/22 • 22 min

Every year, tens of thousands of people across the country hop on stationary bikes to raise money for rare cancer research through Cycle for Survival, MSK’s largest fundraising event of the year. With the help of founding partner Equinox, Cycle for Survival has raised nearly $300 million since 2007. But how does pedaling raise money? And who is that money helping? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with the cofounder of Cycle for Survival Dave Linn, as well as rare cancer survivor and one of the movement’s biggest cheerleaders (and actual winner of TV’s Survivor: Africa), Ethan Zohn, to hear about their personal cancer stories and the power of Cycle for Survival.

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The Day I Couldn't Sing: Rock Star Andrew McMahon on Surviving the Identity Crisis of Cancer

Cancer Straight Talk

03/14/22 • 21 min

In 2005, Andrew McMahon was on top of the world: His rock band Something Corporate had three albums under its belt, and Andrew was busy recording the debut soon-to-be smash album under his new solo moniker, Jack's Mannequin. Then, suddenly, he couldn't sing. At just 22, Andrew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with Andrew and his wife, Kelly, about their struggle to save not just Andrew's life but also their marriage, sense of purpose, and identities beyond the patient and caregiver roles they had gotten so used to.

Learn more about MSK's Survivorship Programs.

Learn more about MSK's Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers.

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The Cost of Cancer: Advice on Insurance, Planning and Paying for Treatment

Cancer Straight Talk

05/25/22 • 23 min

The negative impact of medical expenses on patients is known as financial toxicity. It’s one of the most universal and devastating side effects among cancer patients and their families, and it’s growing. Is there any hope on the horizon? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes gets answers and advice from two champions of this issue: Dr. Fumiko Chino, radiation oncologist and inaugural winner of the ASCO Excellence in Equity Award; and Dr. Emeline Aviki, gynecologic surgeon and former head of the Affordability Working Group. Dr. Chino and Dr. Aviki share tips for choosing the right insurance plan, oral versus IV treatments, planning ahead with your loved ones and resources for aid.

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Breakthrough Rectal Cancer Drug Trial: What It Means For You

Cancer Straight Talk

06/24/22 • 18 min

A recent clinical trial for rectal cancer headed up by Memorial Sloan Kettering has grabbed the attention of medical oncologists and cancer scientists around the world. Like a miracle, in a subset of patients with the right genetic makeup, an IV infusion of an immunotherapy caused a complete remission. The doctors were shocked. The cancer disappeared in every single patient enrolled on trial. The results are so impressive they were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and featured at the nation’s largest gathering of clinical oncologists in June 2022.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with the designers of this study, Drs. Andrea Cercek and Luis Diaz, on what this groundbreaking news means for cancer patients and the scientific community moving forward.

Learn more about MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer

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"Mis hijos fueron mi motivación": la lucha de una madre para mantenerse viva

Cancer Straight Talk

03/30/22 • 22 min

Spanish episode #1 | Episodio #1 en español

En la víspera de Navidad de 2004, Belkis Chalas se enteró de que tenía cáncer del intestino delgado en etapa 4 y apenas meses de vida. Como madre de dos hijos, no pudo evitar preguntar: "¿Por qué yo?" Luego encontró Memorial Sloan Kettering. En este episodio, la Dra. Diane Reidy-Lagunes habla con Belkis, ahora una de sus pacientes más queridas. Conversaron sobre cómo manejó su devastador diagnóstico hace 18 años y pudo continuar construyendo una vida satisfactoria a pesar de las incógnitas diarias. La enfermera de Belkis, Elizabeth Cruz, también se une al programa para compartir ideas sobre cómo se propaga el cáncer, qué podemos hacer para prevenirlo y su filosofía de atención compasiva.

Vea todos los episodios de Cancer Straight Talk en Español.

“My Children Were My Motivation”: One Mother’s Fight to Stay Alive

On Christmas Eve 2004, Belkis Chalas learned she had stage 4 cancer of the small intestine and months to live. As a mother of two, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why me?” Then she found Memorial Sloan Kettering. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to Belkis – now one of her dearest patients – about how she handled her devastating diagnosis 18 years ago and went on to build a fulfilling life despite the daily unknowns. Belkis’ nurse, Elizabeth Cruz, also joins the show to share insights into how cancer spreads, what we can do to prevent it, and her philosophy of compassionate care.

See all episodes of Cancer Straight Talk en Español.

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Gratitude, Grief and Why You Don't Have to Choose

Cancer Straight Talk

12/17/21 • 20 min

How does one find gratitude while living with cancer? Can gratitude and grief exist at the same time? What are some tools for managing the two? Join us as Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes and MSK clinical psychologist Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal hear from past guests of the podcast – patients, caregivers and clinicians – on how they're finding gratitude this holiday season.

Read "Coping With Grief: 7 Things to Remember When Dealing with Loss"

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A Man's Guide to Sex and Cancer

Cancer Straight Talk

02/14/22 • 24 min

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. John Mulhall, director of Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at MSK and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, to discuss the impacts of cancer and its treatment on men’s sexual health. Dr. Mulhall gives advice to help men regain their sexual function, both physically and emotionally, and provides insights on the latest therapies, products, and myths surrounding the subject. Some content may not be suitable for children.

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Reducir el riesgo de cáncer con una dieta saludable

Cancer Straight Talk

08/19/22 • 17 min

Spanish episode #2 | Episodio #2 en español

Somos lo que comemos, y no hay duda de que ciertos estilos de vida aumentan el riesgo de padecer cáncer. Entonces, ¿cómo nos ayuda la comida a reducir ese riesgo? ¿Dónde puedo obtener ayuda para encontrar alimentos saludables? ¿Y qué debo comer si tengo cáncer? Médica oncóloga Diane Reidy-Lagunes habla con sus colegas de MSK, la nutricionista Karla Giboyeaux y la gastroenteróloga Delia Calo, sobre cómo formar buenos hábitos en nuestra vida diaria para reducir el riesgo de cáncer — incluso qué comprar y cocinar y la programación de exámenes regulares para la detección de cáncer.

Programa tu examen de detección de cáncer aquí.

Obtén más información sobre el Centro Ralph Lauren aquí.

Vea todos los episodios de Cancer Straight Talk en Español.

Lowering Your Cancer Risk with a Healthy Diet

We are what we eat, and there’s no doubt that certain lifestyles increase the risk of developing cancer. So how does food help us reduce that risk? Where can I get help finding healthy food? And what should I be eating if I have cancer? In this episode, medical oncologist Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with her MSK colleagues, nutritionist Karla Giboyeaux and gastroenterologist Delia Calo, about building good habits in our daily lives to reduce the risk of cancer — from grocery shopping and cooking to scheduling regular screenings.

Schedule your cancer screening here.

Learn more about the Ralph Lauren Center here.

See all episodes of Cancer Straight Talk en Español.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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