Having Your Say: Advanced Directives
In today’s episode, we discuss advanced directives and how they support patients at the end stages of life. We describe the historical context of advanced directives and explain how doctors solely made end-of-life decisions until the recognition of patients’ rights in the 70’s. We outline the consequences of not having an advance directive. We also […]
Denial
Tom joins us today to discuss denial and why it is a fundamental part of the human experience. He describes how denial, while unhealthy in some situations, can be a healthy coping strategy when facing difficulties. He also explores different strategies to overcome unhealthy denial, underscores the power of having a trusted supporter when facing […]
Why All the Blood Tests?
Dr. Bradley Heraly joins us today to delve into the world of blood tests in cancer clinics. We demystify the reasons for frequent testing, clarify the misconceptions about the information they provide, and discuss the present and potential future role of these tests in cancer treatment. We discuss how routine blood tests help doctors determine […]
Chemo through College
Alisa and Mary Jo join us today to share their story of resilience, familial support, and the power of hope and love in the face of adversity. They describe Alisa’s journey through breast cancer and how her diagnosis impacted her fertility. They explain how the cancer diagnosis and treatment brought them closer together and illustrate […]
Cancer During COVID
Chris joins us today to share her cancer treatment journey while facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide quarantines. We discussed why she chose to attend her care appointments in person instead of virtually and the challenges many cancer doctors faced in treating patients during the quarantines. We discuss how Chris leveraged her […]
Clinical Trial Myths
Dr. Brian Burnette joins us again today to discuss the myths surrounding clinical trials. We debunk some of the biggest myths around clinical trials and cancer research and why doctors are required to request a patient’s informed consent prior to starting any treatment. We discuss how the enactment of the Affordable Care Act impacted patients’ […]
Quality vs Quantity
In this episode of Cancer Covered: Dr. Mitch Winkler and Dr. Kamal Abbi delve into the complex dynamics of cancer treatment in the palliative setting, exploring the struggle between curative goals and the potential toll aggressive therapies can take on a patient’s quality of life. Kamal highlights the challenges patients and physicians face in understanding […]
Bleeding Breakthrough
In this episode of Cancer Covered: Highlighting the impact of gene therapy on Mason’s life and the potential for this treatment to revolutionize the lives of individuals with bleeding disorders, Dr. Mitch Winkler, Andrea Miller, Dr. Matthew Ryan, and Mason Buxton discuss the Hemophilia Outreach Center and the advancements in gene therapy for Hemophilia B. […]
Scans: When, Why & Which One?
This week on Cancer Covered: Why oncologists need to order scans How scans help doctors diagnose, treat, and monitor cancer Common misconceptions about getting follow-up scans after a cancer diagnosis Only three cancer diagnoses that early detection has been proven to change the survival rate of patients The difference between PET scans and CT scans […]
How to Talk to Your Doctor
“Communication is a collaborative endeavor. It requires clarification, resetting, and recalibration all theway through the therapeutic relationship, at every level of where you connect with your healthcare team.”– Dr. Mitch Winkler Good healthcare starts with good communication. But despite good intentions, patients often visit their oncologists with a huge knowledge gap and a lot of […]
