Cancer Connections

Healing is both a scientific and a spiritual journey, states Kelly Noonan Gores. She's the writer, director, and producer of "Heal," a documentary feature about the mind-body connection and the body's innate ability to heal. In this wide-ranging discussion, we touch on a lot of the topics covered in previous episodes of Cancer Connection, including cases of exceptional healing (see episode 2 with Dr. Jeffrey Rediger) and the rewards that come from acknowledging our mortality (see episode 3 wi...

Welcome to "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll," a multi-part series where we talk with experts about three topics that often do not get discussed during treatment.In this final installment of the series, we talk to surgeon, musician, and author Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth about the role music can play in a patient's journey. Dr. Nagarsheth is the author of "Music and Cancer: A Prescription for Healing," and since 2008 has performed in the band N.E.D. (no evidence of disease) as part of an ongoing cam...

This episode is Part 2 of our two-part conversation about the use of two drugs in a person's cancer journey which may be considered alternative to many people, cannabis and psilocybin. In this second episode we focus on psilocybin by talking to Mark Geyer, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences Emeritus at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), who directs the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit of the VISN 22 Veterans Administration Mental Illness Research, Clinical, a...

This episode is Part 1 of our two-part conversation about the use of two drugs in a person's cancer journey which may be considered alternative to many people, cannabis and psilocybin. In this first episode we focus on cannabis by talking to Dr. Carey Clark, PhD, RN, and Chair of the Medical Cannabis Certificate Program at the Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego. Dr. Clark is also the former president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, and an expert on the many ways i...

Welcome to "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll," a multi-part series where we talk with experts about three topics that often do not get discussed during treatment.This episode is Part 2 of our two-part conversation about sex after cancer. We talk to Leslie Heron, a nurse and a nurse practitioner with over 37 years of direct patient care experience. Leslie is board certified in family practice, and as a nurse coach, she works with individuals as well as community and professional groups on issue...

Welcome to "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll," a multi-part series where we talk with experts about three topics that often do not get discussed during treatment.To begin with, we're talking about sex and sexuality after cancer, which our participants tell us are very important topics for them but that they struggle to discuss with others. We’re dedicating two episodes to approach the subject of Sex and Cancer with two thought leaders who share their experience and the guidance they’ve given t...

Clinical trials are critical for advancing more effective treatment options for cancer, and participating in a clinical trial can be one of the most impactful steps a patient can take in the course of their treatment. That's why the team at Clearity works to educate women diagnosed with ovarian cancer about clinical trial availability, enrollment, and participation.Fortunately, many others share this commitment and partner with us to help spread the word and demystify the world of clinical tr...

Ever feel like someone else has taken over your brain? Ever wonder why sometimes you can be so focused and methodical and other times the complete opposite? The cancer experience can sometimes fell like a roller coaster with stress and uncertainty around each turn. Sometimes it’s hard to show up the way you’d like.In this episode, Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., Harvard-trained neuroanatomist and author of the best-selling memoir My Stroke of Insight, explains concepts from her most recent book, Wh...

Cancer Connections introduces “The Cancer Roadmap, Part 2,” the second of two episodes exploring the shared experience many cancer patients have.Understanding the Cancer Roadmap may help to normalize the feelings and emotions associated with a cancer diagnosis as well as help patients know what to expect. Many people describe the feeling of not knowing, of dealing with the mystery of cancer, as being such a difficult aspect of their diagnosis. The Cancer Roadmap may help shine some light on t...

Cancer Connections introduces “The Cancer Roadmap, Part 1,” the first of two episodes exploring the shared experience many cancer patients have. Understanding the Cancer Roadmap may help to normalize the feelings and emotions associated with a cancer diagnosis as well as help patients know what to expect. Many people describe the feeling of not knowing, of dealing with the mystery of cancer, as being such a difficult aspect of their diagnosis. The Cancer Roadmap may help shine some light on t...