Cancer for Breakfast

Cancer for Breakfast

By Cancer for BreakfastComedyScienceHealth & Fitness
Download on the App Store

Cancer for Breakfast episodes

  • The Ann of Podcasts

    Amy’s got some gall! Gall bladder problems, that is…or does she? When Carmen SanDiego isn’t available, we attempt to solve our own medical mysteries. Where have our once healthy and simple bodies gone? From channeling Maris to vibing with …her? Turns out we’ve made a huge mistake (by not getting into webinars sooner!!). Then, Stef just can’t wait to die…we mean DYE. The gals talk art therapy, the art of talk therapy, and a sweet scarf gesture for a friend.  Listener letters want to know just what we have against body farming, anyway. Long time listener Rudy (thatcancerlife.com) says it’s helpful and economical and ya know what? We agree. He wonders, too: is there a better way of saying “after cancer,” when you’re admitted to Club NED? Also, a pair of Lymphomies have weathered ups and downs together all over the globe, but how do you deal when you’re on the up and your cancer bestie is still in the sh*t? Survivor guilt is real, but so is real community. RATS has antioxidants on the agenda, with a new supplement called Mito-Q. It’s promising and pricey, but there’s always money in the banana stand.

    Here’s our friend Lowry!

    For more info on MitoQ, check out these links:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33499262/
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/6/1516

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts,  you can do that RIGHT HERE!  

    Follow us on Instagram @cancerforbreakfast

    or Twitter @cancerbreakfast

    e-mail us at [email protected]


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 12 min
  • The Center for Dreams and Nightmares

    Red rover, red rover, send Stef’s therapist on over... to the cancer-adjacent club no one wants to be in. When our care providers’ loved ones get cancer, do they also get the keys to our kingdom…or is it an excuse to bail? Then: we’ve got dream fever, dream weavers. Prodromal, premonitions, or plain old nightmares—is this how our unaddressed ailments have tried to reveal themselves? And would you believe we have a Sister Act, too? We’re Back in the Habit—of analyzing the complications of cancer-related family drama. Come for the sisterly love and her angel’s advocate; stay for the on-air surprise during RATS. Whoopi! Speaking of angels: do Fido and Lassie hold the secret to oncology diagnostics? Only the dog’s nose knows. Ruff, ruff!

    (Thank you, Liz!!)

    To read about the RATS (and see the cancer sniffing dog vid) in this episode, visit: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/dogs-are-teaching-machines-to-sniff-out-cancer-68469

    To learn more about prodromal dreams, visit: https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/can-a-dream-warn-you-about-cancer

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts,  you can do that RIGHT HERE!  

    Follow us on Instagram @cancerforbreakfast

    or Twitter @cancerbreakfast

    e-mail us at [email protected]


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 6 min
  • Punk, Monk, Cancer

    Sometimes you just want to take a break from life at the cancer clinic™️, but everything aligns to kill your vibe! What does Stef have to do to get a little cryoablation around here? Luckily, a nurse saves the day by sharing a picture of their crispy lady. Meanwhile, Amy has a very zen beer with a smooth headed spiritual stranger. F/M/K? FML! How messed up IS it that some of us actually…kinda…find comfort in getting treatment? A surprise reunion with the chemo chair has Amy looking back fondly on her old stoop. We say it’s normal and talk about why. A listener letter from a real, live thanatologist has a hot tip on how to use cremains. We promise it’s lit, light, and not at all creepy. RATS does a deep dive into treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. There’s a promising new drug that Amy’s mom is graciously testing out for us (just kidding—we love you, Margaret!).

    For more info on the RATS in this episode: https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/astrazeneca-calquence-cll-2/

    Susan's letter mentions these folks here.

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts,  you can do that RIGHT HERE!  

    Follow us on Instagram @cancerforbreakfast

    or Twitter @cancerbreakfast

    e-mail us at [email protected]

    Catch us soon on Bad with Money with Gaby Dunn.





    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  • The Chicken is OK: One Year of Cancer for Breakfast

    It’s our birthday, and we’ll cry (in our nightgowns) if we want to! Happy tears, that is, because today our podcast turns ONE! So grab a slice of cake and cuddle in, dear listeners. We’re taking some time to acknowledge just how far we’ve come, AND offer big gratitude to the Cancer for Breakfast community; y’all put so much gas in our tank. As a present to our producer, we’re giving him the day off—that’s one day off a year, folks—and this entire episode is coming to you unedited, so pardon the coughs, the rambles and the spontaneous poultry drama. Really, no chickens were harmed in the recording of this podcast, but would it even BE Cancer for Breakfast if we didn’t ruffle a few feathers? Then, the theme marches on with a RATS that’ll have you mailing friendship bracelets to your cancer besties and support group leaders. Finally, a birthday present to us all? For the first time ever on the podcast, we air our entire theme song—by Vyvyvyr—in full, beautiful glory at the end of the show.

    And before you head to the mall to buy a bday gift for us, save your Kohl’s cash. All we REALLY want is for you to leave us a review here. It makes all the difference.

    Read the RATS covered in this episode here: https://web.archive.org/web/20170813132716id_/http://www.isdbweb.org/documents/file/1154_10.pdf

    Get info about signing up for that Keytruda/Lynparza trial here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05156268

    +     +     +     +     +

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts! 

    Follow us on Instagram @cancerforbreakfast

    or Twitter @cancerbreakfast

    e-mail us at [email protected]


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  • Johnny California’s Hyperbolic Chamber

     Amy’s not letting medical trauma ruin her relationship with her ear nose and throat doctor. She has a method to banish the anxiety and intrusive thoughts that now appear at “normal” appointments. And on a related note, if a sinus surgery falls in the forest and it’s not cancer, does it even really matter? Move over Ebert, Stef’s been dipping toes in some death-themed TV shows and she’s ready to share her reviews. Then, what’s the deal with the health care money grab of concierge medicine and pay-to-play clinics? We once again are asking, who does it leave out? Two thumbs down. Next: if you’re anything like Amy, you’ll be blown away (with extra oxygen) when you learn whose dad was a pioneer of the Hyperbaric Chamber. In letters, one listener has a Dan addiction while another just can’t get enough chrysanthemum. RATS lands on the Moonshot and the gals are aboard! Is Uncle Joe’s big idea legit or just a pet project? In closing, send us your reputable fucodian sources! Right now!

    Cancer Moonshot info: https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts! 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  • On Becoming Lava Lamps

    Alternative Death: it’s not just an underground music genre! We’re talking death rites, honeys, so cover your mirrors!  Whether you’ve prepaid for a satin lined coffin or you’re a green-curious pre-deceased, we’ve got hot tips on the right heat for human composting. Stef also has the score on death doulas, aquamation (not just for cadavers anymore!), and a dinner date to detail your death wishes. Pass the salt! Amy’s ready to bring her “living graveyard” idea to market—maybe even in her own yard (is that legal? We’ll let you know). In any case, there’s no escaping the inevitable, so why not learn about options before you’re one foot in the grave? There’s no sugar coating this one, so if you’re feeling death-shy, skip it, with our love. However, we promise this conversation is 0% sad and 100% interesting.

    Here are some of the things mentioned in the episode:
    Recompose (human composting)
    Green Burial Council
    Death Over Dinner
    The Guardian on aquamation (and Desmond Tutu)

    Cancer for Breakfast is hosted by Amy Dials and Stefanie LeJeunesse, and is produced by Nathan McGehee.

    Our theme music is by Vyvyvyr. RATS theme song is by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals. 

    Want to support the podcast? We’re on BuyMeACoffee and Patreon. We appreciate it so much when you rate, review or subscribe on Apple Podcasts! 

    Follow us on Instagram @cancerforbreakfast

    or Twitter @cancerbreakfast

    e-mail us at [email protected]


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 9 min
  • Carebears Bare All
    Caregivers: how are you holding up? This one goes out to you. With cancer people, it’s nothing but me, me, me (at least on this podcast!), and we guess it’s about time our spouses, family, and best friends got their due. But first, Amy is shocked to find out how much her post-chemo hair is worth, and Stef’s getting a cancer tattoo for no reason at all. Does the milestone or the money mean more pressure? The gals revisit a part-time bodybuilder, full-time smart guy who’s helping to develop ErSO, the MBC miracle drug that’s spawned Facebook groups and conspiracy theories. Research fellows: we stalk their social media so you don’t have to. Then, we finally hear from the beleaguered co-survivors who fetch our pills and fluff our pillows. As goat amputee-rescuer Kelly Clarkson said, “[our lives] would suck without you.”

    Here’s the grief circle/ring theory we mentioned: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-hope-preventing-suicide/201705/ring-theory-helps-us-bring-comfort-in?amp

    Yet another update on ErSO—since we recorded this episode, another paper was published! We’re finding it hard to find a full linkable version but it’s posted in the public Facebook Group ErSO Activism for Breast Cancer, under the files tab. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1003821677141066/?ref=share

    UT’s Care for the Caregiver program is here: https://utcaregivers.org

    Our Facebook group for Caregivers is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/447845883434998/?ref=share

    For more info about St Jude’s hoard, listen to our Season 2, episode one: Back on Our Bullsh*t.

    Buy us a Coffee if you want! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amyandstef

    Rate, review, and/or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, won’t you? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cancer-for-breakfast/id1556379623

    Many thanks to our musicians,  Vyvyvyr (theme music), and Jessica Boudreau of Summer Cannibals (RATS theme song)! 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 18 min
  • Winter’s Bone(heads)
    Merry Christmas and F*** Cancer to all who celebrate! Right off the bat, CW: there have been some huge losses in the MBC community and we address this early in the episode; feel free to skip ahead a bit if you need. Then, Amy’s talkin’ bout Pollyanne from Spokane and her psychic (or just practical?) friend. Speaking of friends, Muggles: they say the darndest things! (And the gals have the letters AND Facebook fights to prove it.) RATS wraps things up with the skinny on Fucoidan—is it too good to be true, or the gift we’ve been waiting for? Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all (except for you, Dan.) See you next year!


    Theme music by Vyvyvyr: https://vyvyvyr.bandcamp.com/releases
    RATS theme song by Jessica Boudreaux:
    http://jessicaboudreaux.bandcamp.com/

    Support us by snagging your own bottle of Claws Out’s new F*** CANCER color! All of their polishes benefit a different rad cause.

    Buy us a coffee if you’d like, or support us on Patreon.  And as always, rating, reviewing, and subscribing are free ways to support Cancer for Breakfast.  Thanks!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  • Now That’s What I Call Bitchfest Vol. 2
    May the airing of grievances commence, bitches! It’s the second edition of Cancer for Bitchfest and our listeners didn’t hold their tongues. From chemo’s metal mouth to friends who siphon your trauma for likes, this episode is jam-packed with WTF moments. When the hurt goes further than skin deep and you need more than a moisturizer, how do you keep looking in the mirror? And when your treatment spares your hair, who will spare you the imposter syndrome? Then: all hail the patron saint of CfB—the cancer person who survived a bear attack (let us weep). Okay, Ashleys assemble! Are you tired of us dissing you? We’re sorry! But speaking of tired: RATS talks fatigue. It’s a plague on all our houses. Wow! Now that’s what I call Music—I mean Bitchfest— Volume 2

    To learn more about cancer and fatigue, check out this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4664449/ and don’t forget to listen to The Cancer Pod episode on fatigue!

    Theme music by Vyvyvyr: https://vyvyvyr.bandcamp.com/releases
    RATS theme song by Jessica Boudreaux:
    http://jessicaboudreaux.bandcamp.com/

    Until 12/31/21, we’re sponsored in part by Myriad Genetics MyRisk. Learn more at https://myriad.com/survivor

    Support us by snagging your own bottle of Claws Out’s new F*** CANCER color! All of their polishes benefit a different rad cause.

    Buy us a coffee if you’d like! And as always, rating, reviewing, and subscribing are free ways to support Cancer for Breakfast.  Thanks! 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 20 min
  • Reoccurring Nightmare
    What’s that weird scratching noise nobody else can hear? It’s FEAR OF RECURRENCE. Because for some people? That scratching actually IS a hook-handed murderer. This week, the gals are getting real about medical PTSD, random pains, and faking your way through celebratory shots with your muggle friends. If you’re officially NED but still on a first name basis with the schedulers at your hospital, this episode is for you. Survivorship isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be—could it even be MORE stressful than treatment? For some cancer people, the answer is…kinda, yeah, in fact. Then, RATS breaks down the toll cancer takes on us long after we ring that bell. Sleeplessness, anxiety, stalled careers, oh my…

    A link to the article discussed in RATS, as well as a link to the other article discussed in RATS!

    RATS theme song by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals.

    Send your Cancer for Bitchfest submissions to:  [email protected]

    Our website and socials are here:
    https://linktr.ee/CancerForBreakfast









    #cancerpodcast #cancer 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 9 min

About Cancer for Breakfast

From the publisher's feed

“If Car Talk was about cancer and hosted by two millennial women.”-Stef’s Oncologist’s Husband

“It’s honest, vulnerable, and unexpected.” -Portland Monthly 

Climb in, honey, we’ve…