As research continues, what more have we learned about Human Papilloma Virus? Several interviews have opened my eyes, and I encourage you to listen and learn more, too. The 2 vaccines that the FDA has approved to prevent HPV infection are highly effective with HPV types 16 and 18, two high-risk HPVs that cause about 70% of cervical and anal cancers. I was shocked to hear that only 36% of girls and 10% of boys have been vaccinated in the U.S. HPV vaccination could reduce cervical cancer deaths around the world as much as two-thirds, and to prevent anal cancer in males and females. Guests: Dr. Andy Trotti, Moffitt Cancer Center, head and neck and cutaneous malignancies (also associated with HPV virus), and Dr. Anna Giuliano, Moffitt Cancer Center, HPV progression to cancer, newly identified viruses and cancer, including non-melanoma skin. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

This is a split show that discusses advances/research in: 1st) Dr. Rob Wenham, Director of Clinical Research in Gynecologic Oncology. He has been the lead principal investigator of one of the largest prospective cancer tissue and data trials ever conducted that is setting the foundation for discovery in the epidemiology, detection and treatment of gynecological malignancies. 2nd) Dr. Amod Sarnaik, surgical oncologist and cancer researcher specializing in melanoma surgery and immunotherapy research. He is an expert in the emerging technology of adoptive cell immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, associated with a 20% complete response rate in treated patients that is unmatched when compared to existing treatments. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer are among the most difficult to treat and the most difficult to survive for patients. Every study, every step towards progress is so critical. Several studies were recently cited at ASCO 2014. Dr. Khaldoun Almhanna, Dept. of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center: Research incl. trials using personalized targeted therapy for esophageal and gastric cancer. Dr. Amit Mahipal, Dept. of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center: Studies to develop biologic markers to identify patients who will obtain therapeutic benefit from specific drugs to provide personalized treatment for cancer, incl. pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Many states are legalizing medical marijuana, but leaving "next steps" in the dust. Patients, caregivers and researchers get stuck in the middle. Researchers have to walk a fine line in discovering the full potential of marijuana use, including cancer, seizures, arthritis, PTSD and brain illnesses such as dementia and Parkinson's. Only 6% of studies on marijuana analyze its medicinal properties. Sick patients in a state where medical marijuana is legalized often have to "fill their prescription" through drug dealers. It's like lawmakers are saying, "You want it and have proved the point that medical marijuana is beneficial. Now you...patients and medical community...figure it out." Expert guest Michael Bloom, Caregiving Without Regret™, and I discuss the impact on families, caregivers and patients. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Emmy®-award winning chief med. correspondent, recently focused on U.S. federal laws that consider marijuana a drug with no medicinal value and serious scientists who say they're wrong. Shockingly, Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, grouped with heroin, LSD and PCP. Schedule II drugs -- still considered to have high abuse potential but with accepted medical uses and considered safe for use under medical supervision -- include cocaine, morphine and methamphetamine. That's right, federal law considers marijuana more dangerous than meth. Really? Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

To PSA or not to PSA? There is no doubt that PSA prostate cancer screening has saved lives. So, it's disturbing that physicians are backing away from recommending PSA screening...especially if they don't offer anything else! There have been a lot of mismatched treatments....over-treatment, under-treatment, misdiagnosis. Risk factors should definitely be considered. Is it better to do the PSA or do nothing at all? Prostate Health Index (phi) is a new blood test that results in a “phi score.” This score gives you more accurate information on what an elevated PSA level might mean, and the probability of finding cancer on a biopsy, reducing unnecessary biopsies. Guest: Mary Anderson, co-founder Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina. Prostate cancer is a major health issue in N.C. The death rate from prostate cancer in N.C. is one of the highest in the nation; African-American men in N.C. have one of the highest death rates from prostate cancer in the world. The PCCNC Website offers excellent tools to help with awareness, early detection, and "best practices" care. Knowledge is key, whether you had a high PSA score, are facing a biopsy, or have been definitively diagnosed with prostate cancer. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Every person is individual in every way down to the cellular level. That's a given, including how a person responds to a medication such as the effectiveness of treating a disease and drug side effects. The science of personalized medicine is fascinating, and it's promise for the future of medicine is critical. Just as we are all individual, our individuality follows through to our genetics....even down to our looks. Where does this connect, when you define the best protocol to not only save the patient, but also to improve their quality of continuation of that life? It requires a huge database of information, that may not have been available before, but is thankfully becoming available now through the efforts of key research from individuals such as Dr. Howard McLeod, Clinical Pharmacogenetics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. "You can't be patient centered, if the patient is not in the center." Co-host Dr. Melissa Stewart. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com.

The world of breast cancer screening is changing on a consistent basis. There are facets of the screening differences that are very important to your health and wellbeing. So, who needs to be screened and how often? Did you know that breast density can impact the effectiveness of mammogram screening? Are you aware that there are 2D and 3D mammography? When is ultrasound necessary? Guest: Dr. Jennifer Drukteinis, Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Co-host Dr. Melissa Stewart, Practical Patient Literacy. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Sexuality doesn't have to be a casualty of caregiving between the caregiver and care receiver. Having been a front line caregiving spouse, I understand that life comes first. However, intimacy lends a sense of love and normalcy to any relationship. In the midst of talking about treatment, illness and just working as a couple to stay alive, intercourse is such a small part of an intimate relationship. Regular guest expert, Barbara Musser, Sexy After Cancer, discusses the "little things" that can mean a delicate, loving balance for couples going through difficult times. How do you keep the intimate part of your relationship alive, because caregiving can last for many years, even decades? Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Jackie Water’s and her sister Tracy wanted to pay it forward for all the good that people did for them while Tracy fought her rare brain cancer. "When you find something that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning, but yet keeps you up at night trying to figure it out, you have found it!" The "IT" is definitely advocacy. Help Your Hero was created to provide a platform for children to create their own hero story, and to share their Superhero persona with their friends, family and a network of Superheroes. Through her own cancer journey, Tracy found a way to deal with her medical condition by putting some fun into it by creating her Superhero persona: Superwoman T-Si. "Becoming Superwoman T-Si was a blessing to her and her loved ones, and with the creation of Help Your Hero, we are able to give the experience of becoming a Superhero to many more who deserve the title." Traces of a Hero is a memoir of Tracy's life, and it offers a look at how she lived with a Don't Stop Believin' attitude for many years and encourages each of us to do the same. Guest: Jackie Waters in honor of her sister, Tracy, who lost her battle. Co-host Chris Jerry, www.emilyjerryfoundation.org. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com

Research discussion on the treatment of childhood and young adult sarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer in soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues of the body connect, support, and surround other body parts and organs, such as fat, bone & cartilage, muscles, nerves, etc. Sarcoma may be found anywhere in the body, and sometimes leads to amputation. In children, the tumors form most often in the arms, legs, or trunk (chest and abdomen). Guest: Dr. Damon Reed, Assoc. Medical Director Sarcoma Department Adolescent & Young Adult Program Leader at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Listen live M-F 2:00 pm ET www.W4CS.com, Joni at www.JoniAldrich.com