Life on Pause

As a part of life, people often face new situations that take them out of their comfort zones. A unique experience like traveling to a foreign country can be exciting, but unfamiliar circumstances can also cause significant unease, especially when they are due to health complications. And while a first-time cancer diagnosis may feel like uncharted territory, experiencing cancer treatments in an unfamiliar country can bring on even more challenges. 

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speaker Cecilia Kanga shares her experience receiving treatment for her cancer diagnosis in the United States and how she maintains positivity far away from her home in Zambia. As a traveler with a love of new experiences, Cecilia explains how her mindset and background have affected how she is experiencing her cancer journey in an unfamiliar land.

Introducing Cecilia (0:30)

The podcast begins with host Casey introducing the episode’s special guest speaker, Cecilia Kanga, who shares a bit of information about her background, her love of traveling, and her diagnosis. Cecilia is originally from Zambia, and since receiving her cancer diagnosis last year, she has experienced various challenges with her health and undergoing treatments in a new environment.

The Challenge of Change (3:52)

Battling cancer is already extremely challenging. But for Cecilia, being in a different country and experiencing her treatment in an entirely new environment added a new level of difficulty to her cancer journey. Cecilia describes the challenges of her treatment situation, like communication, and how that transpired with her care professionals.

The Hardest Challenges (5:54)

Cecilia cites that the most difficult part about her cancer journey was accepting her health condition. Being in a foreign land away from her loved ones and lacking control and knowledge about her diagnosis made it hard for her to wrap her mind around it. Her cancer also caused physical setbacks, as she experienced bodily changes and fatigue from chemo. Cecilia explains how she worked through these issues by gaining knowledge and receiving help from her community.

Seeking Treatment in a Faraway Land (11:14)

Cecilia has been receiving treatment for her cancer within the United States which, to her, is a foreign territory. While learning the terms and details behind a cancer diagnosis can feel like learning a new language altogether, Cecilia had to experience life as a patient far from her home. Being an avid traveler, she explains how she received treatment in the U.S. and how her family came together to support her throughout her health battle.

Hope and Motivation Through Cancer (18:39)

Cancer comes with challenges, both physical and mental. For Cecilia, hope and faith helped motivate and inspire her throughout her treatment and health difficulties. She describes how connections with other patients within the cancer community and her religion enabled her to gain perspective and feel supported throughout the physical changes and mental obstacles.

Comfort Foods (23:14)

Medication, treatments, and physical changes can all affect how a cancer patient feels. But seeking out comfort foods and other small pleasures can help patients experience positivity throughout their days in treatment. Cecilia describes the comfort foods she enjoys from home and how she has been adjusting to their absence during her time in America.

Losing Count (26:27)

Going through treatment for cancer can mean spending some time admitted to hospitals and other times doing outpatient treatments. Cecilia tells listeners how her chemotherapy programs and treatment plans change based on how she feels. She explains the difficulties of scheduling and rescheduling appointments and experiencing a constantly changing schedule.

Fear and Hope (27:43)

Health complications like cancer force patients to face the unknown, which can cause significant discomfort and fear. For Cecilia, her fear of death has caused her to consider the dreams she holds for her future and the aspirations that she still wishes to experience. Rather than avoiding the thought of her mortality, Cecilia explains that holding on to hope and faith has enabled her to maintain a semblance of positivity throughout her darkest times.

Finding Meaning in Challenges (31:09)

The podcast concludes with host Shelly asking Cecilia about what advice she would give to another young person experiencing a cancer diagnosis and the fears and uncertainties that come with it. Cecilia explains how taking life one day at a time, accepting their diagnosis, and seeking out a personal meaning toward the challenges they face can help people feel more in control of their health situation.

Society generally expects people to maintain behaviors and attitudes considered "appropriate" for the situations they face. But when a person is experiencing cancer, acting according to other people's expectations can be incredibly detrimental to their mental health. Toxic positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset across all situations and that, regardless of a situation's difficulty, people are expected to dismiss their negative emotions brought on by their distress. This belief is often pushed upon people experiencing difficult health journeys like cancer. However, toxic positivity is a belief that causes more harm than good.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speakers share their experiences with cancer and how they handled the expectations that others had of them due to their diagnosis. Additionally, they discuss how others reacted to their condition and the effects of grief tourism and society's glamorization of cancer. Young adults with cancer can undergo transformative experiences throughout their health journeys, and this episode dives into how these situations can have a lasting impact on their lives.

Introducing Chelsea (0:30)

Our host Corene starts the episode with an introduction for a special guest speaker, Chelsea Gomez. Chelsea is a two-time Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, crazy, talented artist, and founder of #OhYoureSoTough. She hosts a youtube channel where she discusses her cancer experience and her Etsy shop where she creates gifts for cancer patients. She has also authored two books, "Cancer is an A*Hole" and "Stickers On A Bald Head." 

How Do You Deal with Toxic Positivity? (1:56)

There cannot be light without dark, and negative emotions are necessary for people to experience positive emotions. Cancer survivors know this well, as they have had to deal with the ups and downs of their diagnosis. However, some people like to push the unhealthy idea of toxic positivity and insist that people maintain a positive mindset while rejecting negative emotions. Today's speakers discuss their encounters with toxic positivity and how they have dealt with people who push this inauthentic optimism.

What Do You Say? (10:11)

It can be challenging to navigate relationships when diagnosed with cancer. Many people don't know what to say when faced with the reality of knowing someone with this diagnosis. Our guests discuss how their experiences with other people changed as a result of their cancer. Additionally, they discuss the difficulty and emotional exhaustion that comes with sharing their authentic selves with others while they are experiencing cancer.

Handling People and Personal Growth (18:55)

Young adults with cancer carry a heavy burden, and many others their age fail to comprehend the concept of experiencing such a life-altering diagnosis. As such, dealing with others can come with unique challenges for people impacted by cancer. Our speakers discussed times when they noticed their differences in perspective compared to their peers and how cancer led to their personal changes and growth.

Putting on a Facade and the Grief Timeline (28:30)

Toxic positivity can be viewed as putting on a facade to lead others into believing you are happy. This show of happiness is especially expected in cancer survivors. But even after someone is in remission, they can still be experiencing grief and other negative emotions brought on by their cancer journey. From near-death experiences to traumatic formative years, our guests share how their cancer effects have had long-lasting impacts on their lives and outlooks.

Therapy and Advice (33:50)

Therapy and other helpful resources can provide support for young adults undergoing cancer. But while organizations that raise money for cancer can have good intentions, they often fall into the traps of toxic positivity or grief tourism. Within this part of the episode, our speakers share the pieces of advice that they would offer to groups and individuals trying to support people impacted by cancer.

Grief Tourism for Breast Cancer (40:35)

Breast cancer is a diagnosis that society often glamorizes. However, the races and pink ribbons do not portray the actual experiences of breast cancer patients and can be viewed as performative. Guest Shana shares her thoughts on supporting the right organizations and ensuring that your donated money goes to the right cause. Our speakers discuss the subject of glamorization in cancer fundraising.

The Ripples of Cancer (44:47)

There is more to cancer than the treatment, as it can impact various areas of a patient's life, even after remission. The authentic cancer experience includes the many ripple effects of the diagnosis that affect their personal lives. We end this episode with a discussion on the ripple effects of cancer and how unapologetically being your authentic self can help young people and persist throughout these experiences. 

Life constantly presents people with new scenarios that can be challenging, causing them to seek the security of their comfort zones. Young adults who experience cancer often face significant challenges regarding their treatments and health. Yet, it is common for people to find solace in the things that bring them comfort through difficult times. So how should young adults impacted by cancer manage their desires to seek safety in their comfort zones and still remain open to the challenges of taking on new experiences?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speakers talk about their experiences at their annual retreat for young adult cancer survivors at Gretna Glen. Throughout the retreat, participants experienced activities that made them look inward at how they approach the world and how their cancer experience has affected their willingness to take on new challenges. Speakers discuss the theme of comforts vs. challenges and share their thoughts on the lessons they learned from the retreat and throughout their lives.

Comfort vs. Challenge (0:30)  

The episode begins with each speaker introducing themselves and discussing their preferred settings on the continuum from comfort to challenge. Each speaker shares their own comfort zones and challenges and how these themes show up in their lives.

Bringing Comfort and Grounding (4:38)

Cancer treatment can be a challenging and emotional experience, and it is essential to find things in life to bring peace during this time. Next, speakers discuss what they consider to be things that bring them comfort and ground them within their lives.

Silence of Meditation (8:59)

The Gretna Glen retreat involves various activities for young adults impacted by cancer to pull them from their comfort zones and enable them to take on new experiences. One of these activities was meditation, but for some, being silent in your thoughts can be an uncomfortable experience. Our speakers share their thoughts on the discomfort of silence and being in your own head.

Dragons in Uncharted Territory (15:27)

In folklore, dragons are a threat often found in uncharted territory. Our speakers talk about the “dragons” they have come face to face with recently and have had to tackle and conquer. This includes tough challenges and obstacles relating to their cancer and other factors in their personal lives.

Getting Yourself Safe (21:39)

While stepping out of your comfort zone can allow you to expand your abilities and experience new situations, our minds and bodies sometimes tell us to seek safety instead. The speakers share their personal experiences of times when they extended themselves grace and allowed themselves to enjoy the safety of their comforts rather than take on new challenges.  

Moving Forward (23:23)

The retreat provided many eye-opening experiences for our speakers who participated regarding fears of what-ifs, comfort zones, and themselves. In concluding this podcast episode, they discuss the lessons they learned during their time at Gretna Glen and how they plan to carry this knowledge forward and apply it to their lives.

As if dating as a young adult wasn’t complicated enough, cancer survivors must navigate additional circumstances surrounding their past and current health. Unfortunately, this can make several aspects of the dating process tricky, like disclosing your past diagnosis to potential partners, determining the qualities you look for in a partner, and overcoming anxieties involved with dating as a survivor. As a young person who has experienced cancer, what is the best way to navigate the dating world?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speakers talk about their experiences dating after experiencing cancer. They share their perspectives and personal stories about dating as cancer survivors and discuss topics like seeking romantic partners and entering new relationships. Finally, they provide their dating advice to young adults who have had cancer to help them approach this important area of life.

Introducing Our Speakers (0:31)

Today on Life on Pause, we are joined by cancer survivors Corene, Bradley, Valarie, Diana, and Elizabeth. To begin the episode, each speaker introduces themselves and shares a bit about their lives and where they are in their cancer journey.

Disclosing Your Diagnosis (2:22)

Dating new people means opening up your life to them, which includes your past. For cancer survivors, it can be challenging to determine the best way to inform new or potential partners about your previous experience with a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments. Our guests share their own stories and advice about disclosing this sensitive subject.

Selectiveness in Partners (4:44)

As Elizabeth speaks about her experiences with sharing her cancer diagnosis with potential partners, she introduces the idea of selectiveness in dating. She and the other speakers talk about how they determine whether a partner is worthy of pursuing a relationship for the long haul, considering the circumstances surrounding their health.

Concerns with Post-Cancer Dating (11:20)

Our speakers discuss their personal concerns with dating post-cancer, like poor self-confidence due to hair loss from cancer, the stress of creating dating profiles, pressure on specific age groups to find partners, and the fear of dating with cancer if they experience a relapse. 

Does Cancer Change the Qualities You Look for in Partners? (17:55)

Experiencing cancer can change your perspectives on relationships and life in general. As a result, some cancer survivors have found that they seek out new qualities in their potential partners than they did before. Our guests discuss this idea and share their experiences in finding partners post-cancer and the qualities they look for in a partner.

Dating Advice for Young Cancer Survivors (25:31)

Speakers bring their perspectives to the table to share with listeners their own advice for dating as cancer survivors. They also discuss the things they try to remind themselves of when they experience difficult days to brighten their spirits.

For those who have not gone through cancer treatments before, many aspects of experience may be unknown. This can mean that new cancer patients feel surprised and caught off guard by the processes and side effects of various cancer treatments, especially in the case of radiation therapy. So what should new radiation therapy patients be aware of to prepare them for their treatment?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speakers talk about their experiences with radiation therapy to treat their cancer. Together our speakers reveal the less-commonly-discussed aspects and effects of what it is like to undergo radiation therapy for cancer and share their personal stories regarding their treatments. Listen in to hear first-hand experiences regarding the radiation therapy process for cancer, so new patients can learn what to expect from their treatments.

Listen to our guest speakers discuss the cancer treatment experience for patients going through radiation therapy:

Introducing Our Speakers (00:30)

We begin today’s podcast by letting the guest speakers introduce themselves and share a bit about their experiences with cancer and radiation treatments. 

Unknown Aspects of the Radiation Experience (3:19)

Going into radiation therapy for the first time can be scary and nerve-wracking and may involve unexpected experiences and previously unknown aspects. The podcast guests describe some of the aspects of radiation treatments that intimidated them when they began their treatments and break down some of the physical effects and medical processes that they underwent as a part of their radiation and following their treatments.

Symptoms From Radiation (9:18)

People can have various symptoms from radiation treatments, including food sensitivity, hair loss, and even experiencing particular smells. The speakers in this part of the episode discuss the unique symptoms that they went through as a result of their radiation and describe the things they did to cope.

Taking Preventative Measures (14:56)

While radiation cancer treatments can be uncomfortable for patients, our speakers share tips and tricks for taking preventative measures to help them avoid the unfortunate effects of radiation. This includes physical protective actions and suggestions for keeping spirits high.

“Sleeping” Tumors and Radiation Cancer Timelines (16:57)

Treatments during and after radiation are individualized for the patient’s particular needs, with some radiation cancer treatments spanning more extended periods than others and affecting patients of different ages. Listen as our speakers discuss their timelines for their cancer treatments.

Anxiety and After Effects (23:58)

Even after radiation treatments have ended, it is normal for patients to experience some physical and psychological after-effects. Our speakers share their own stories about their radiation-induced effects, including pulmonary fibrosis, hypothyroidism, occasional short-term memory loss, anxiety, and more.

Memory Triggers (29:05)

Sometimes a particular sound, scent, or taste can bring us back to a time in our life when those triggers were present. Our speakers share the reminders they experience in their daily lives that remind them of their time undergoing radiation therapy, like the music they listened to, the smells they experienced, and the tastes they frequented throughout their treatments.

What I Wish I Knew (32:12)

To conclude today’s episode, our podcast guest speakers provide listeners with suggestions and final thoughts. They share what they want listeners to know about the cancer radiation experience and what they wished they knew before their own treatments.

The cancer experience can be challenging, painful, and even traumatic. Still, there are healthcare professionals who have experienced cancer themselves and make it their mission to help other patients overcome their health battles. So what makes someone want to work in the healthcare field after surviving cancer, and in what ways does their own past health experience affect their professions?

Today's episode of Life On Pause is about the experience of being both a cancer survivor and a health care worker. These individuals choose to care for patients despite their own complex past health issues and cancer treatments. But in this work, they gain the opportunity to help others and provide first-hand insights from their health journeys. Listen to this episode as four speakers discuss their thoughts on working in healthcare as cancer survivors.

Listen to former cancer patients speak about their experiences as healthcare professionals:

Introductions (00:30)

To begin this episode of Life On Pause, our guest speakers introduce themselves and provide listeners with a bit of background about their experiences with their cancer diagnosis and their current profession in the healthcare field. Our episode features four speakers, including Abby, Ali, Corene, and Kasara, who have taken the time to discuss their experiences as cancer patients in healthcare professions.

Careers in Healthcare (1:43)

There are many reasons for deciding to pursue a career in the healthcare sector, which can be influenced by past experiences interacting with healthcare professionals as a patient. Host Ali asks our guest speakers whether their cancer diagnosis influenced their decisions to go into the healthcare field and what led them to choose their healthcare careers.

How Cancer Impacted Your Profession (8:58)

A cancer diagnosis can significantly impact people's lives, and their cancer journey often leaves them with lasting insights and lessons gained throughout their experience. Our speakers discuss whether they believe that their past experiences with cancer positively affected their ability to perform as healthcare professionals.

Fulfillment and Making a Difference (13:59)

As former patients, our guest speakers share their thoughts on whether they find their healthcare professions to bring them a sense of personal fulfillment after having had their own cancer histories. Our speakers discuss whether their experiences with a cancer diagnosis make their career feel more or less empowering.

Disclosing Your Cancer History at Work (19:14)

One's medical history is a personal aspect of their life, and people often choose not to disclose details about their medical past in their work settings. But having careers in the healthcare field, our speakers discuss whether they have had experiences discussing their cancer histories with coworkers, patients, or other people in the workplace.

Managing Work Trauma Triggers (23:45)

Experiencing a cancer diagnosis and treatments can be emotionally challenging. But working in the healthcare field can bring up many reminders of this time. Our guests speak about their thoughts on coming into contact with cancer reminders and triggers in their healthcare professions.

Helping Others Understand (28:54)

As individuals who have experienced cancer, our guests have personal insights into the cancer experience, unlike other health care professionals who may not have experienced a chronic illness or a severe health problem first-hand. Together, they share the wisdom they would like to provide other healthcare workers they gained throughout the cancer journey.

Cancer can come in many forms and may involve different patient treatments. There is no typical cancer journey, and factors like interpersonal relationships, treatment methods, and individual coping strategies can influence a patient’s experience. Young adults with cancer may have to learn to address challenging situations like maintaining parental responsibilities through treatments and waiting for medical transplant opportunities.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, host Bradley Lucas is joined by guest speaker Cameron Benjamin, a cancer patient battling myelodysplastic syndrome. Cameron has recently undergone a bone marrow transplant and has had to find ways to cope with his diagnosis and navigate treatments with his family. Together Bradley and Cameron discuss his journey with cancer, including how he communicated about his treatments with his young son, his ways of coping with his diagnosis, and his experience with receiving a bone marrow transplant.

Listen to Brady and Cameron discuss the cancer experience for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome:

Introducing Cameron (0:30)

Host Brady Lucas introduces Cameron Benjamin, a patient at Penn State Health Cancer Institute receiving treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome. Cameron shares a bit about his diagnosis, treatment milestones, and current situation having received a bone marrow transplant 51 days prior to this interview. 

The Bone Marrow Transplant Process (2:13)

The process of receiving a transplant from a donor can be lengthy, and challenging, and Cameron experienced this first hand as a result of his diagnosis. Cameron walks listeners through the process of a bone marrow transplant procedure from the perspective of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Family Feelings and Cancer Treatment (7:31)

As a brother, husband and father, Cameron had to learn to navigate his cancer treatment while still maintaining healthy relationships with his family. Cameron describes how his family members reacted to his diagnosis, and how he helped them to understand his treatment process.

Parenting Young Children through the Treatment Process (12:36)

Children are intuitive, and it can be challenging to know how much to share with young children when battling health factors like cancer and making treatment plans. Cameron explains how he made the decision to include his son in care decisions and treatment planning in a way that would help him feel involved and stay informed.

Coping Methods for Children of Cancer Patients (16:53)

Coping methods and resources can offer much help to parents and child caregivers battling diseases like cancer. Cameron and his wife turned to the help of a child life specialist to explain the cancer diagnosis and disease to their son in a way that he would be able to comprehend.

Looking Toward the Future (20:13)

Cameron is making a conscious effort to maintain optimism when considering the future for the sake of his family and mental health. He shares a resource that has helped him update his loved ones on his medical journey, and explains how writing about his illness has helped him cope. He is currently writing a book about his experience with cancer, and he hopes to educate others on bone marrow transplants and expand the National Bone Marrow Registry and to help people of color and minorities.

How Donors Can Help Cancer Patients (24:55)

Bone marrow donors can make contributions to save the lives of individuals battling cancer. Cameron explains the process to become a bone marrow donor including submitting specimens for approval, and how the bone marrow registry connects donors to potential recipients.

Advice for Young Adults in Cancer Treatment (26:11)

To conclude this episode, Cameron shares the biggest piece of advice he would give to a young adult going through cancer treatment or battling cancer. He highlights the importance of mental health and seeking help from others when you need it. He also shares his biggest piece of advice as a parent with cancer, and how to address and demystify the cancer process for children.

Cancer affects many lives in different ways, leaving survivors and their loved ones with unique experiences and stories. And while it is essential to support cancer patients currently battling cancer, recognizing the effort and strength of cancer survivors is deeply important. For this reason, Penn State Children's Hospital hosts Survivorship Day each year in June to commemorate National Cancer Survivor Month and honor recent graduates.

Today's episode of Life On Pause is part one of our two-part series featuring recordings from the 2022 Survivorship Day event. Host Elizabeth is joined at Survivorship Day by her mother, father, and event attendee Timmy Ward where they share their stories and converse about the cancer journey. Together they discuss cancer support, the caregiver experience, and the important lessons they learned along the way.

Listen to Survivorship Day event attendees speak on the cancer experience:

Survivorship Day (0:33)

Host Elizabeth joins us on this episode to speak about her experience at Survivorship Day 2022, hosted by Penn State Children's Hospital as a commemoration of National Cancer Survivor Month. The event honors cancer survivors and provides them with the opportunity to gather together, share their stories, and discuss topics surrounding cancer survivorship .

Introducing the Speakers (1:42)

Elizabeth and several other attendees gather at Survivorship Day to share their thoughts and cancer experiences. Elizabeth is 18 and recently finished treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and she shares her plans to attend Fairfield University to study nursing this fall. Elizabeth participated in the event with her mother, Kim Zachary, a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, and her father, Chris Zachary. She is also joined by another event attendee, Timmy Ward, a Rutgers University student who also experienced Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

Timmy's Story (2:52)

After experiencing a range of symptoms, Timmy Ward was diagnosed with cancer as a junior in high school. He shares his personal experiences with cancer and how the physical effects of his illness changed his life. He explains that while he received support throughout his journey, the treatment process still significantly impacted him in a short amount of time.

Different Perspectives (4:43)

Elizabeth's mother, Kim, had experienced cancer herself and acted as a caregiver when her daughter was diagnosed. Kim discusses each of these experiences and how important it is to have a strong support system throughout the cancer journey.

A Caregiver's Role (6:12)

Survivorship Day welcomes cancer survivors and those who supported them throughout their journeys. Chris takes the stand to speak about what it was like to act as a support system for both his wife and later his daughter.

Mental Health and Cancer (9:05)

Cancer can impact a patient's physical health and mental wellbeing. Elizabeth, Chris, and Timmy speak about the importance of maintaining focus and positivity and how continuing to stay active and seek joy in life have helped them throughout their treatments.

Part One Conclusion (11:53)

Elizabeth concludes this episode of Life on Pause and part one of the Survivorship Day Exploration series. Be sure to check back in for the next segment featuring speakers and stories from the Survivorship Day event.

As if young adulthood wasn’t challenging enough, experiencing cancer at this stage of life can cause one to feel disconnected from their peers. It is common for cancer patients to lack a sense of belonging with others, especially in settings like school or work. So how can young adults with cancer cope with feeling out of place and like they don’t fit in due to their diagnosis?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, host Kayla is joined by guest Allison to discuss the idea of not “fitting in” with others while having cancer. Allison describes her own experience with cancer and how the changes brought on by her diagnosis affected her relationships with others. She also shares her advice to young adult listeners as someone who has gone through the cancer journey as a teenager in college and came out the other side.

Listen to Kayla and Allison discuss the cancer experience:

Introducing Allison (0:30)

Allison, also known as Ally, was diagnosed with stage two cancer at just 18, at the start of her college experience. Now at 22, she is finishing nursing school and plans to become an emergency room RN this fall.

Taking on New Roles (1:17)

Being diagnosed and going through treatment can make you feel out of place or like you don't necessarily belong. Allison shares her story of adjusting to the changes that came with her diagnosis and taking her place in her new role as a college student with cancer. She explains how her diagnosis made her reevaluate and rethink her relationships and time.

Relationship Changes (3:46)

Throughout her cancer journey, Allison experienced changes in her relationships. While she felt encouraged and supported by some people in her life, her diagnosis brought unexpected developments to her relationships with her boyfriend and her parents. She explains how cancer forced her to reevaluate her values, rekindle value relationships that were important to her, and let go of those that weren't.

Cancer as a Teen (6:16)

Experiencing cancer as a teen wasn't easy for Allison, especially as she compared her life to those of her peers in college. But, constantly aware of the differences between herself and her seemingly carefree classmates, she eventually learned to place less focus on these thoughts. Instead, she highlights the importance of discovering who you are under the surface rather than who you think you should be.

Getting Through It (10:17)

Coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, especially considering all the adjustments involved with the cancer journey. For Allison, sharing her story through the podcast was one way to cope with her situation and connect with others. She also reflects on her past choices regarding honesty and openness with others about her diagnosis and treatment.

Allison’s Advice (12:55)

Life is ever-changing, and according to Allison, you must be comfortable and ready to change your life. Allison shares her advice for young adults experiencing change due to a cancer diagnosis and speaks on the importance of finding positivity throughout the cancer journey.

Exercise plays a vital role in our quality of life. But for cancer patients focused on recovery, many are uninformed on healthy exercise practices for people in treatment. Unfortunately, exercise oncology is still an underserved area in medical science, and while recent progress has been made in the field, we still have a long way to go. So what should cancer patients know about exercise and treatment?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, hosts Casey and Abbey are joined by guest speakers Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru, two specialists working in the field of exercise oncology. Together they discuss the importance of proper exercise during treatment and encourage patients to participate in healthy activities to maintain their physical function. Additionally, our guests discuss the physical and mental benefits of physical activity throughout treatments and the many ways that exercise oncology research can help patients throughout their cancer journeys.

Listen to Casey, Abbey, Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru discuss exercise and the cancer experience:

Guest Introductions (0:30)

Who better to talk about exercise and cancer than specialists in the fields of exercise oncology? Hosts Casey and Abby introduce their guest speakers, Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru, who each provide a bit of background regarding their profession.

Dr. David Mizrahi is from Sydney, Australia. He is currently a research fellow at the Daffodil Center at the University of Sydney, living in the US during a Fulbright Future Fellowship at the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Dr. Maxime Caru is an exercise physiologist and a psychologist in pediatric oncology who works primarily with children, adolescents, and young graduate patients with cancer and survivors.

Exercise During Treatment (4:07)

To begin this episode's discussion, Casey introduces the topic of physical exercise during cancer treatment. Unfortunately, cancer treatments may cause physical conditions and ailments that discourage patients from exercising. However, Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru share their thoughts on finding the right exercise plan that will be physically achievable for a patient in treatment without being too challenging. They also discuss how patients of different ages may find gamified physical activities more motivational.

Clinical Intervention and Motivation (8:30)

Clinical interventions can encourage cancer patients to exercise. Dr. Caru discusses the importance of motivating cancer patients to exercise and move past their fear of experiencing pain as a result of participating in physical activity. Additionally, Dr. Mizrahi explains why proper exercise education is critical for youths and can help them maintain a higher quality of life throughout adulthood.

Inpatient - Not Inactive (12:52)

Abbey spent many months throughout her inpatient cancer experience, which led to her becoming deconditioned. She asks guests what kind of resources they are planning for patients experiencing deconditioning. The guest specialists speak about their need for support from medical teams and for more centers to encourage exercise during treatment

Adherence and the Pandemic (14:33)

Any activity that involves physical exercise can help cancer patients to maintain their physical health and can even provide benefits to mitigate the side effects of their treatment. Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru share some of their preferred exercise activities and highlight how adherence is key to maintaining a healthy exercise regime. The hosts and specialists also touch on the pandemic's effect on exercise and its growing popularity.

Best Exercises for Cancer Patients? (22:04)

No one exercise plan will work for every person, especially when you consider their differing ages, body types, health status, and more. But with the pandemic making it more difficult for immunocompromised patients to exercise in gyms safely, what do exercise oncology specialists recommend they do to stay active and improve their physical function? As Dr. Mizrahi and Dr. Caru explain, finding an exercise that patients enjoy and can do is a key part of the process, along with maintaining a slow and patient transition into starting physical activity.

Exercise Expectations (28:10)

Cancer patients' primary concern should be recovery, and cancer treatments can often cause side effects that make physical activity difficult. Rather than be discouraged, our guests explain that patients should adjust their expectations and try to enjoy their exercise activities instead of feeling burdened by them.

Misconceptions and Advice (32:58)

Finally, Casey and Abbey ask our guests about the biggest misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding exercise for cancer patients. Additionally, our guests share the tips they recommend to cancer patients interested in incorporating exercise into their lives, and speak on the mental health benefits of exercise throughout the cancer experience.