Cancer Straight Talk

In this episode (part 2 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to explore the complexities of breast cancer treatment and life afterwards. Breast medical oncologist Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello and nurse Jenna Galinsky explain chemotherapy and hormone therapy, their potential side effects, and ways they can be alleviated. Nurse Adriana Olivo discusses how survivors can cope with emotional challenges, like the fear cancer will come back. Breast cancer patients and survivors offer advice on asking for support while navigating life during and after cancer treatment.

Listen to episode 52 "Breast Cancer Treatment Part 1: Surgery, Radiation and Reconstruction"

Listen to episode 39 "How to Manage Side Effects During Cancer Treatment: Fatigue, Hair Loss, Skin Care and More"

Listen to episode 12 "A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"

Episode Chapters:
1:44 - Why use some treatments over others?
2:55 - Types of breast cancers & their treatments
4:50 - Patient testimonial on self-advocacy
6:02 - Length of treatment & why it can change
7:38 - Quality of life advice during treatment
9:10 - Mitigating chemotherapy side effects
9:57 - Maintaining sexual health during treatment
10:46 - When is taking estrogen a bad idea?
13:07 - Quality of life concerns & when to switch meds
16:16 - Mitigating hormone therapy side effects
17:32 - Patient testimonial on finishing treatment
18:22 - Managing fear & life after treatment
19:34 - Mitigating long-term side effects of treatment
21:24 - Patient testimonial on fear of recurrence
22:49 - Why scanning for recurrence isn't recommended
26:25 - The reason for all this: live your life!

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, Hadley Maya and Natalie Santos, about how parents who've been diagnosed with cancer can talk to their children. They offer compassionate guidance on being honest with kids to prepare them for changes in family routines or treatment side effects, helping them feel more secure during a difficult time. With practical tips and real-life examples, this conversation offers advice for parents navigating one of the hardest discussions imaginable, while making sure their children feel supported and can continue being kids.

Learn more about MSK’s Talking with Children about Cancer program

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
Red Door Community
CancerCare
Bright Spot Network

Episode Chapters:
1:14 - Should I tell my child I have cancer?
3:01 - Should it be one conversation or more?
4:16 - Advice from a mother with cancer
5:27 - Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry?
8:30 - How do I explain side effects like hair loss?
10:36 - Advice from a mother who lost her hair
11:43 - How do I tell my child I may die from cancer?
14:24 - Advice from a mother with months to live
16:02 - Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids
21:30 - Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks
22:39 - Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother
24:32 - What if my teenager doesn't respond well?
25:32 - Advice for the surviving parent
26:17 - Resources to help parents with cancer
28:09 - A note on trusting your child

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK physician-scientist Dr. Karuna Ganesh and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy about the troubling rise in cancer rates among younger generations, specifically people born in the 1980s (Gen X) and 1990s (Millennials). The latest research suggests prenatal exposures, environmental toxins, and various lifestyle factors may be contributing to the alarming trend of young people getting cancer earlier in their lives than previous generations. These insights could reshape our understanding of cancer risk and impact our approach to screening and treatment in the future.

Learn more about how MSK is finding solutions through the Lisa and Scott Stuart Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers and MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Episode Chapters:
2:01 - In utero and early life exposures
5:38 - Microbiome risk factors
8:15 - Environmental chemicals
9:56 - Cross-generational research methods
11:40 - Are young adult cancers unique on a cellular level?
14:02 - Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset
15:37 - What is the exposome and why is it promising?
17:01 - Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors?
20:19 - Updating screening guidelines

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with MSK’s Dr. Neil Iyengar, a nationally recognized expert on the relationship between obesity, metabolic health, and cancer. Together, they discuss the intriguing connection between a new class of weight loss drugs, called GLP-1 agonists, and cancer risk reduction. They explore how medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others, which were originally designed for diabetes, are not only effective for weight loss but may also lower the risk of developing obesity-related cancers. They explain how those drugs work within the body to deliver potential benefits, the limitations of current studies, and what weight loss drugs mean for both cancer prevention and treatment.

Episode Chapters:
1:35 - How do these drugs cause weight loss?
3:08 - What cancers could these drugs help prevent?
4:29 - How exactly do they prevent cancer?
6:10 - Should people with cancer take these drugs?
7:42 - What happens when you stop taking them?
10:56 - Potential side effects
12:25 - Limitations of recent study and breast cancer prevention
14:36 - 3 lifestyle tips to prevent and treat cancer

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes is joined by Dr. Erica Lee, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at MSK, to discuss misconceptions around who can get skin cancer, how it presents on different skin types, and practical sun safety tips to help prevent skin cancer. They break down the different types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. They also hear from Jocelyn, a Hispanic melanoma survivor who shares her surprise of being diagnosed with melanoma despite her Hispanic background, emphasizing the importance of routine skin checks for people of all skin types.

Episode Chapters:
1:30 - Types of skin cancer
4:39 - Who's most at risk?
7:13 - Warning signs to look out for
10:25 - What darker skin populations need to know
13:25 - Sun protection myths and tips

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In this episode (part 1 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to demystify three breast cancer treatment options: surgery, radiation, and reconstruction. Breast surgeon Dr. Tracy-Ann Moo explains the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy, and why one isn’t always better than the other. Radiation oncologist Dr. Michael Bernstein discusses the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Michelle Coriddi describes various breast reconstruction and preservation techniques, which can help patients maintain a positive body image after treatment.

Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk to be notified when Part 2 airs, covering chemotherapy, hormone therapy and survivorship for people with breast cancer.

Episode Chapters:
1:27 - Surgery options: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy
2:32 - Family history, genetics, and BRCA mutation
3:30 - Which surgery has the best outcomes?
5:16 - Surgery patient testimony 
6:46 - Nipple-sparing mastectomy
7:36 - What is radiation?
8:49 - Why is radiation needed?
10:11 - What does a typical radiation plan entail?
11:19 - Radiation patient testimony
12:38 - Radiation side effects & how to mitigate them
14:25 - Exercise during treatment and recovery
15:10 - Reconstruction options after surgery
18:22 - Recovery after reconstruction
19:10 - Insurance coverage for breast reconstruction
19:31 - Reconstruction patient testimony
20:58 - Nipple tattoos and 3D areola reconstruction
22:00 - Surveillance and risks of breast implants
23:02 - Advice for patients

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, author of "All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Health and Why It Matters Today." They discuss ways to empower women to advocate for their health when talking to doctors, and how a historic gender bias in medical research has influenced practices today. Tune in for an insightful conversation on tackling stigmas and reshaping the narrative around women's health.

Listen to Episode 12: "A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"

Listen to Episode 30: "Achieving Excellent Healthcare for All: A Candid Conversation with MSK’s President & CEO, Dr. Selwyn Vickers"

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with 3 women breaking new ground in the field of cancer research: Dr. Karuna Ganesh studies metastasis and how cancer spreads, Dr. Chrysothemis Brown is unlocking secrets of our immune system to fight cancer, and Marie-Josée Kravis has donated generously to support women in cancer research. Together, they discuss their pioneering research, the importance of mentorship in science, and the critical role philanthropy plays in the biggest breakthroughs.

Learn more about the work of women at MSK.

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregivers Clinic at MSK, about the need to support cancer caregivers. She shares her own experience with her father and offers practical advice on navigating the healthcare system. This episode includes tips for managing intense emotions like anger, grief and guilt felt by people caring for a loved one with a serious illness. The challenge can be difficult and heartbreaking, but Dr. Applebaum says it’s possible to find profound meaning in the experience of being a cancer caregiver.

For more caregiver tips and support, listen to Episode 13: "Cancer and Caregivers: Navigating Stress, Worry and Other Challenges."

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes has a meaningful conversation with Dr. Alan Carver, an MSK neurologist specializing in end-of-life and palliative care, and Hadley Vlahos, a hospice nurse with over 1 million social followers and author of "The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments." Together, they offer advice for both patients and caregivers about transitioning to hospice care, managing fear, and finding peace in one's final days. Sharing their own experiences, families describe how “joy and grief can walk together.”

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