Dr. Steve Akman has spent more than four decades in the field of hematology-oncology, helping hundreds of women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode, he  talks about the importance of breast cancer screening, how to assess your breast cancer risk, and current approaches to breast cancer treatment. Splitting his time between MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and more rural clinics within the system, Dr. Akman also shares how MUSC Health is helping bring healthcare excellence to the furthest reaches of the state.

Maintaining a healthy weight can feel like an impossible challenge, especially for those who suffer with complex medical issues that can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Chronic weight issues are often linked to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, posing additional health risks. While healthy diet and exercise will always be foundational to maintaining physical health, new weight management medications are showing promising results for many. In this episode, board-certified nurse practitioner Amanda Clark from MUSC Health Primary Care Forest Drive in Columbia discusses the latest weight loss management options available at MUSC Health such as GLP-1 medications and weight loss surgery. 

The MUSC Health Amyloidosis Center of Excellence offers a multidisciplinary approach to cardiac amyloidosis, with expertise from specialists such as Dr. Jan Griffin. Treatments have greatly advanced in recent years for this rare and life-threatening condition. In this episode, Dr. Griffin discusses these advancements and therapies available to treat this condition as well as ongoing research on this condition.

There's a science behind how to stay hydrated during physical activity, and it isn't always as simple as drinking water when you feel thirsty. In this episode, Alaine Mills, MS, RD, LD, shares insights on how athletes keep their bodies hydrated, and how you can maintain a healthy optimal hydration. She is an MUSC Health registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics at the MUSC Health and Wellness Institute.

Eye problems, while often benign, can sometimes be the first sign of a serious health condition. Peter Tang, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmologist at the MUSC Health Storm Eye Institute, where he specializes in retina surgery and ocular oncology, or cancer in and around the eye. In this episode, Dr. Tang discusses Storm Eye’s collaborative and holistic approach to eye care, the latest innovations in treating ocular oncology, and the connection between eye health and overall health.

Breast cancer survival rates are higher than they’ve ever been. For patients requiring surgery, high-quality breast reconstruction that is both aesthetic and safe can be crucial to long-term well-being. Advances in technology and surgical techniques at MUSC are leading to more natural options for reconstruction, allowing women to look and feel more like themselves following surgery. Joining the show is Dr. Andrea Abbott, a surgical oncologist at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. She specializes in advanced surgical techniques for breast cancer patients that improve cosmetic outcomes without compromising care.

We are marking Colon Cancer Awareness Month with a valuable discussion about the importance of early detection of colorectal cancer as well as the latest treatments that can offer hope and improved outcomes for patients. In this episode, two colorectal surgeons from MUSC Health Midlands division, Dr. Kasim Mirza and Dr. Jarrott Moore, discuss MUSC’s multidisciplinary approach and full spectrum of treatment options for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the Midlands Division.

Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. While older Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it has been on the rise in people under the age of 50 in recent decades. In this episode, Dr. Maggie Westfal discusses details on new screening recommendations aimed to catch the disease in younger people. Dr. Maggie Westfal is a MUSC Health colon and rectal surgeon and a member of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

Spine issues, which often result in neck, mid-back, or low-back pain, can make every day a challenge. In fact, spine-related pain is one of the most common reasons people contact a doctor. In this episode, MUSC Health neurosurgeon Adam Back, MD, shares new approaches and personalized treatment plans available to MUSC patients with spinal issues. Dr. Back talks about surgical and non-surgical ways to alleviate back and neck problems, which can also improve your overall quality of life.

More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before yet, the statistic remains that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In this episode, Dr. Abi Siva, a MUSC Health breast oncologist, explains the latest offerings in treatment and early detection from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, that are helping more women live longer, healthier lives after a breast cancer diagnosis.