In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, talks with Marilyn Mahan and Karl Frees, members of Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together (PIVOT) – KU Cancer Center's patient research advocacy group – and co-chairs of the PIVOT Educational Task Force. They discuss PIVOT, an initiative bringing patients, survivors, caregivers, and researchers together to enhance cancer research. Marilyn and Karl share how PIVOT integrates patient perspectives into research, the ways advocates collaborate with researchers, and the program's impact on studies and researcher motivation. Both guests recount their personal cancer journeys and their dedication to influencing cancer research to become more patient-centered and effective. They stress the importance of patient advocacy, the empowerment that comes with shared knowledge, and the future goals of expanding PIVOT's reach and impact.

00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside

00:18 What is PIVOT?

02:03 How PIVOT Advocates Collaborate with Researchers

04:15 Impact of Patient Involvement on Research

06:34 Personal Cancer Journeys

13:53 Future Goals for PIVOT

18:58 Encouraging Advocacy and Involvement

21:17 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

Links from this Episode:

· Learn more about PIVOT and how to join

· Learn about Lynch Syndrome

· Learn about oral cancer

· Follow PIVOT on Instagram

To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Ronald Chen, chair of Radiation Oncology and associate director for Community Outreach and Engagement at KU Cancer Center. Dr. Chen shares his personal and professional journey from growing up in Topeka to Harvard and a career on the East Coast and back to Kansas, focusing on his motivation to return home and how his work impacts rural communities. He discusses his efforts in cancer care, telehealth and clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of bringing skills back to Kansas to improve local healthcare.

00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside

00:47 Meet Dr. Ron Chen

01:33 Dr. Chen's Educational Journey

03:41 Returning to Kansas

05:40 Advice for Young Kansans

07:19 Midwest Reflections

09:50 Addressing Rural Healthcare Challenges

12:35 Community Engagement and Partnerships

14:46 Balancing Clinical Care and Research

17:02 Future of Cancer Care at KU

19:30 Conclusion and Farewell

Links from this Episode:

· Learn more about Dr. Ronald Chen

· Read this Q&A with Dr. Chen focused on eliminating health disparities

· Learn more about community outreach and engagement at KU Cancer Center

· Read about the Masonic Cancer Alliance

To ensure you get our latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is joined by Dr. Anthony Sung and Dr. Jennifer Klemp, leaders in cancer survivorship research. They discuss their personal motivations, the importance of comprehensive survivorship care starting from diagnosis, and the innovative programs and research efforts at the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by cancer survivors, the need for individualized care, and the role of community support and research in improving survivor outcomes. The episode emphasizes KU Cancer Center's mission to become a national leader in patient-oriented survivorship care and research.

00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside

00:33 Exploring Cancer Survivorship

01:09 Personal Motivations in Cancer Research

04:21 Defining Cancer Survivorship

07:40 Vision for the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient Oriented Research

13:29 Future of Cancer Survivorship Research

26:45 Conclusion and Resources

Links from this Episode:

· Learn more about Dr. Anthony Sung

· Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Klemp

· Learn more about the KU Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research

To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In the season six premiere of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with his friend and colleague Dr. Gary Doolittle, medical director of the Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) and melanoma expert. Dr. Doolittle shares his personal and professional experiences in oncology, including his own cancer diagnosis and how it has influenced his approach to patient care. They discuss the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing cancer treatment and the role initiatives like the Masonic Cancer Alliance and telemedicine play in improving care accessibility. Dr. Doolittle offers insights from his dual perspective as a physician and a cancer survivor, emphasizing the importance of empathy, swift patient management and building trust in healthcare systems.

00:00 Introduction to Bench to Bedside

00:33 Meet Dr. Gary Doolittle

01:29 Dr. Doolittle's Personal Cancer Journey

03:01 Impact on Patient Care

06:36 Challenges in Rural Cancer Care

12:59 Telemedicine and the MCA

18:50 Advice for Patients and Physicians

21:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links from this Episode:

· Learn more about Dr. Gary Doolittle

· Learn more about the Masonic Cancer Alliance

· Learn more about the MCA's community outreach and engagement efforts

For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with Dr. David Akhavan, a physician-scientist pioneering cell therapy research for brain cancer. Dr. Akhavan discusses the revolutionary potential of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating cancers like glioblastoma, the complexities involved and the innovative approaches his team is employing, such as smarter engineered T-cells and nanoparticles. Highlighting the collaboration within KU Cancer Center, Dr. Akhavan also shares personal insights into his motivation and the future of cancer treatment.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about cell therapy at KU Cancer Center
• Learn more about brain cancer
• Read more about Dr. Akhavan's work on the KU Cancer Center blog, "Exploring Immunotherapy Treatments to Treat Brain Cancer"
• Learn about Head for the Cure
• Read how physician-scientists at KU Cancer Center bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is joined by two special guests: Paul Seyferth, a stage IV lung and prostate cancer survivor and creator of the Wall of Hope Project at KU Cancer Center, and Rebecca Keunen, clinical case manager lead at the cancer center and a cancer survivor herself. They discuss Paul's emotional journey through his diagnosis and the creation of the Wall of Hope installation, which features cancer patients' photos, videos and stories to inspire hope. Rebecca shares her involvement in the project and her perspective on the importance of personal connections in cancer care. Both guests offer valuable insights and advice for cancer patients and survivors, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and support systems in the survival journey.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about the Wall of Hope and view videos from participants
• Learn more about survivorship care at KU Cancer Center
• Find information about Paul's book, "Will to Live: A Deep Survival Guide to stage IV Lung Cancer"
• Learn more about the Brandmeyer Patient Resource Center at KU Cancer Center

In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with Dr. Rebecca Whelan, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas and member of KU Cancer Center's Cancer Biology research program. The discussion focuses on the limitations of the CA125 blood test for ovarian cancer detection and Dr. Whelan's groundbreaking research, which reveals new insights into the structure of the CA125 protein. Dr. Whelan explains how new DNA sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence, specifically the Alpha Fold program, have helped her team improve the understanding and detection of ovarian cancer. Additionally, Dr. Whelan talks about collaborative efforts to identify new biomarkers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and shares advice for young scientists interested in making a difference in medicine through chemistry.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Whelan's research into CA125
• Learn more about ovarian cancer
• Read about ovarian cancer screening and diagnosis at KU Cancer Center
• Learn more about Dr. Rebecca Whelan

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, discusses the critical topic of alcohol consumption and its link to cancer risk with Dr. Lauren Nye, medical oncologist at the cancer center and associate professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. They delve into the recent advisory from the US Surgeon General highlighting the increased cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption, explore how alcohol can promote cancer development through various mechanisms, and offer practical advice for reducing alcohol intake. Dr. Nye underscores the importance of public awareness and the role of healthcare professionals in disseminating this information, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable lifestyle changes.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Read the US Surgeon General's Advisory "Alcohol and Cancer Risk"
• Read "Understanding Breast Cancer Prevention" by Dr. Lauren Nye on the KU Cancer Center blog
• Learn about cancer prevention and risk reduction on the KU Cancer Center website

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is joined by Dr. Lisa Harlan-Williams, associate director for education at the cancer center, to discuss the variety of careers involved in the field of cancer care and research, beyond doctors and nurses. Dr. Harlan-Williams shares her own career path and talks about various initiatives at KU Cancer Center to attract and train for the oncology workforce. They highlight the importance of early exposure to different career opportunities and the educational programs available, including shadowing professionals and summer research internships. The discussion also touches on the growing demand for cancer care professionals due to increasing cancer cases and workforce shortages.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about educational opportunities and programs for students considering a career in cancer research at KU Cancer Center
• Learn about the Accelerate Cancer Education summer research program at KU Cancer Center
• Read about the C-CLEAR summer internship program at KU Cancer Center
• Learn more about the Jewell Summer Research Training Program at KU Cancer Center

In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, hosts Dr. Marc Hoffmann, associate professor specializing in Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center and medical director of the lymphoma program at KU Cancer Center, where he also serves as medical director for quality improvement initiatives. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Hoffmann has contributed significantly to research in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and he actively participates in national cooperative group clinical trials. Dr. Hoffmann shares his career path into the field of oncology, innovations in lymphoma and CLL treatments, as well as the unique aspects of KU Cancer Center's lymphoma program. The conversation also covers Dr. Hoffmann's Peace Corps experience in West Africa, his involvement in clinical trials, and advice for medical students interested in hematology and oncology.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at [email protected], and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about the lymphoma program at KU Cancer Center
• Learn about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Learn more about CAR T-cell therapy at KU Cancer Center
• Learn more about Dr. Marc Hoffmann
• Watch a video of Dr. Hoffmann explaining how blood cancer is diagnosed