Cancer Straight Talk

Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes shares some personal news.

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In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Jun Mao, Chief of MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service, and Jason Hou, herbalist and acupuncturist at MSK, to break down the facts about alternative medicine—an approach that combines conventional cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, chemo, immunotherapy and targeted treatments, with holistic therapies like acupuncture, mindfulness, natural herbs and supplements. They tackle common misconceptions about alternative medicine, explaining what the science says, what’s safe, and what to avoid. Offering guidance on how these natural therapies can complement other cancer treatments – and how to recognize misleading claims – this episode empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their cancer care and the use of alternative therapies. 

Resources:
MSK's "About Herbs" Database
MSK's Meditation Library
MSK's Integrative Medicine at Home Program

Episode Chapters:
2:05 - Integrative vs. Alternative medicine
3:14 - Which integrative therapies are right for me?
6:29 - Do these therapies actually treat/kill cancer?
7:59 - The very real benefits of human connection
9:36 - Ivermectin
10:18 - Cannabis oil and Castor oil
11:55 - Vitamin C
13:53 - Turmeric
14:30 - Medicinal mushrooms
14:59 - Ashwagandha
15:42 - Traditional Chinese medicine
18:25 - The dangers of "Why not try?"
21:49 - Resources: herbs, meditation, yoga, music, etc.

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In this empowering episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks to a panel of onco-fertility experts about preserving fertility during cancer treatment. MSK oncologists Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello and Dr. José Flores discuss the timing and options for patients who want to have biological children without delaying life-saving cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy. Dr. Lucky Sekhon, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at RMA of New York, explains the safety, success rates, and evolving technologies used to freeze eggs and bank sperm. A nurse from MSK's fertility preservation program, Lauren Martino, explains what patients should know about the cost and the importance of early referrals. Emotional stories from cancer survivors, new parents, and patient advocates offer hope to anyone, man or woman, who faces cancer and wants to have a baby someday.

Episode Chapters:
2:26 - Timeline from diagnosis to preservation
3:17 - Why fertility preservation is recommended
4:27 - Preservation options for women
5:58 - Egg retrieval success rates
7:31 - Testing embryos for cancer-causing genes
9:12 - Breast cancer patient testimonial
10:23 - Embryos or eggs: Which is better to freeze?
12:39 - Testicular cancer patient testimonial
13:26 - Preservation options and timeline for men
14:43 - Will the preservation process delay my treatment?
16:14 - Will the preservation process worsen my cancer?
17:25 - Preservation options during/after treatment
19:25 - Pregnancy success rates for various methods
22:40 - Cost of sperm banking
23:16 - Cost of egg and embryo freezing
24:41 - Insurance and financial grants
28:23 - It takes a village

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In this special episode, MSK patients, caregivers and clinicians share the miracles they’ve witnessed, even in the darkest of times. From life-saving medicine to gratitude for caregivers and a surprise romance, these stories remind us of the power of human connection.

Episode Chapters:
1:15 - A Marathon Bond
5:09 - 2000 Miles Apart, United by a Breakthrough
7:55 - Showing Up for the Little Things
9:42 - Love After Loss, With Help from Two Angels
13:10 - More Time, More Memories: Marley’s Gift
14:57 - A Village for Ryan: MSK’s Creative Care
19:39 - The Healing Touch: Cecilia’s Miracle
22:13 - Cancer Hits Home for Dr. Reidy
23:28 - The Gift of Meaning: Michael's "Revelation"

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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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