Is inflammation the silent culprit behind the two most deadly global diseases—cancer and cardiometabolic disorders?

In this episode of Medicine for Good, Dr. Julieta Gabiola welcomes Felix Oen and Dr. Han Chong Toh to explore the powerful link between chronic inflammation, cancer, and cardiometabolic diseases. Research shows that persistent low-grade inflammation weakens the immune system, increases cancer risk, and fuels conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

The discussion highlights AI’s transformative role in healthcare, enabling early disease detection, precision medicine, and remote monitoring. Dr. Toh and Oen explain how AI-driven tools improve diagnostics and identify high-risk patients before symptoms appear, offering game-changing advancements in patient care.

Another key focus is the epidemic of fatty liver disease, which affects one in three people worldwide and significantly raises risks for cirrhosis, liver cancer, and metabolic disorders. The conversation also explores repurposed medications like aspirin, metformin, and statins in reducing cancer risk.

As the episode concludes, the guests emphasize a holistic approach to healthcare, stressing the importance of AI integration, lifestyle interventions, and early screenings in managing chronic diseases.

About Felix Oen

Felix Oen is a biomedical entrepreneur and co-founder of TikaHealth, a bioinformatics platform designed to enhance personalized healthcare, precision medicine, and patient data management. With a background in integrative medicine, AI, and machine learning, he has led multiple ventures in digital health, focusing on predictive analytics and early disease detection, particularly for cancer and liver diseases. Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, TikaHealth is now utilized by clinicians across cities to improve patient care, health literacy, and accessibility. Beyond his professional career, Felix is deeply involved in community initiatives, supporting marginalized groups and children-at-risk in Singapore and the region. Known for his leadership, strategic planning, and analytical expertise, he is committed to driving innovation in global healthcare.

About Dr. Han Chong Toh

Dr. Han Chong Toh is a distinguished medical oncologist with over 25 years of experience in clinical care and translational cancer research. As the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), he leads strategic initiatives and the development of innovative cancer therapies. He is also a tenured professor at Duke-NUS Medical School and an Adjunct Principal Investigator at the Singapore Immunology Network and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. His research spans cancer immunology, immunotherapy, inflammation, and health policy, earning him multiple accolades, including the National Senior Clinician Scientist Award. Committed to advancing cancer treatment, he champions academic-industry collaborations, innovation, and impactful healthcare solutions.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking leap in cancer detection—one that may save millions of lives through early screening. Imagine a world where a single blood test could detect over 50 types of cancer, including those that are often diagnosed too late, like pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers. The Galleri Test, developed by GRAIL, offers a revolutionary approach to identifying cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

Dr. Gabiola, who tragically lost her husband to pancreatic cancer at just 46, takes us through her deeply personal connection to this issue. She shares how her experiences led to a quest for better early detection methods, especially for cancers that hide until they’re advanced. Now, the Galleri test, a non-invasive blood test, presents new hope for patients, detecting cancer signals long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Josh Ofman, the President of GRAIL, explains how the Galleri test uses advanced AI to detect cancer DNA in the blood, offering a 90% accuracy rate for identifying the origin of the cancer signal. This multi-cancer screening is set to complement existing tests like mammograms and colonoscopies, but its broad scope may significantly reduce cancer mortality rates in the future. For those at risk or over the age of 50, this test represents a monumental shift in preventive care.

Listen in as we unpack the science behind this innovation, the future of early cancer detection, and the impact it could have on individuals and their families.

Mentioned in the Show:

1. GRAIL's Website (Galleri Test Information): Dr. Ofman referenced that patients and providers can learn more about the Galleri test on GRAIL's website. He also mentioned that individuals can order the test through telemedicine providers from this site: GRAIL (Galleri Test) 
2. Quest Labs: For those who order the Galleri test, they can visit a Quest Labs location to have their blood drawn for the test: Quest Diagnostics

About Dr. Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS

Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS, is President at GRAIL. Josh also serves on the Board of Directors of Cell BT, Inc, an immuno-therapy company focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapeutics. Previously, Josh spent more than 15 years at Amgen, where he most recently held the role of Senior Vice President, Global Value, Access and Policy. 

Prior to that, Josh was a faculty member in the Department of Medicine and Health Services Research at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as well as Senior Vice President of Zynx Health Inc., a subsidiary of Cerner Corp. 

Josh holds a BA in history and philosophy of science from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MD from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Josh also has an MSHS from the UCLA School of Public Health.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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What if a simple blood test could detect cancer early enough to save lives?

In today’s Medicine for Good episode, Beyond the Signal, we delve into the inspiring and hopeful story of Roger Royse, a Silicon Valley startup lawyer diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Unlike many others, Roger’s cancer was detected early thanks to a groundbreaking Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test, Galleri by GRAIL. While 70% of cancers do not have standard screening options, Roger's proactive approach highlights the power of these new diagnostic tools, particularly for elusive cancers like pancreatic cancer, which often go undetected until it's too late.

Roger shares his emotional journey—from the initial shock of the diagnosis to his aggressive chemotherapy regimen and the experimental cancer vaccine that led him to remission. His resilience is evident as he recounts his determination to seek out life-saving technologies, even when faced with medical roadblocks.

Despite having no symptoms, Roger's decision to pursue the MCED test was pivotal in catching the disease early. He challenges the outdated notion that cancer screening should only be done when symptoms arise.

In this episode, we also touch on the broader implications of multi-cancer detection technology. Early detection through blood tests could revolutionize cancer care, reducing late-stage diagnoses and improving patient outcomes. Roger’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about advocacy. He’s now using his platform to promote the importance of being proactive about health, even when you feel healthy. For him, the key takeaway is clear: Early detection saves lives.

Join us as we explore the future of cancer detection, the human side of a high-tech medical breakthrough, and how a simple blood test gave Roger a second chance at life.

Mentioned in the Show:

1. Galleri Test by GRAIL: Roger took the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, which played a crucial role in detecting his stage 2 pancreatic cancer early. This test screens for multiple types of cancer from a single blood sample. You can learn more about the Galleri test on their official website here​.
2. Prenuvo MRI: After receiving the cancer signal from the Galleri test, Roger quickly arranged for a private MRI scan with Prenuvo, a company that offers advanced full-body MRI scans. Prenuvo provides detailed insights into health status, including cancer detection. More details about Prenuvo can be found on their official website here​.
3. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): Roger is actively involved with PanCAN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. PanCAN raises funds for research and advocates for legislation to improve early detection and treatment. More information about PanCAN can be found here.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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No more bloating, cramping, and irritability every month. 

No more migraines every period. No more birth control pills. 

No more worries about diapers, teenage children, and no more worries about getting pregnant, especially during these uncertain times.

No more menstruation. 

Yes, menopause is the time when another door opens. It is the time when we can pursue what has been stalled during our time of raising children, where we were always laid in with guilt when work interferes with the time we want to spend with our children. It is a time when we realize our wants and are now ready to pursue them.

It is the time when we can operationalize or actualize what we always planned for ourselves, but we're halted by marriage, pregnancy, and raising a family. It may be even time for probably a second career! Time to be better. 

So menopause - despite all its consequences - should not be viewed as a midlife crisis. It is a normal physiologic change in our bodily functions as we women grow older.

So let us now fear menopause - let us embrace it!

Memorable Quotes:

• Menopause is such a destabilizing time in a woman's life. It's nice to know that we have so many options for different particular symptoms depending on severity and importance to women. - Dr. Julieta Gabiola
• The average age of menopause is 51. By the early forties, most women are already starting to be in perimenopause and may be experiencing some of these symptoms. - Dr. Mindy Goldman
• For women that are within 10 years of the onset of menopause, the benefits of hormone therapy outweigh the risks. - Dr. Mindy Goldman
• People do not have to feel like they have to suffer from menopause. I want them to realize that there are alternatives to hormones. There are lifestyle changes, an integrative approach, botanical and herbs - all things that can help out in managing menopausal symptoms. - Dr. Mindy Goldman

About the Guest:

Mindy Goldman is an Ob/Gyn who worked at UCSF for the past 29 years. Based on a personal experience helping her dearest friend battle breast cancer she changed the focus of her career to bridging gynecology and breast oncology. At UCSF she directs the Gynecology Center for Cancer Survivors and At-Risk Women helping women navigate menopause and other side effects of treatment. She recently joined Midi Health as their Chief Clinical Officer to help achieve her goals of scaling the type of care that she provides. At Midi, she helps develop the clinical protocols for guiding care and will be helping launch a cancer survivorship platform.    

Learn more about Dr. Goldman here.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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Have you ever had a broken heart? We have always been told stories about lovers or devastated individuals dying because of their shattered hearts. Maybe their pain and anguish were too much for their hearts to bear. But is this something that could truly happen, or are these just false tales?

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or also known as the “Broken Heart Syndrome” has been linked to significant emotional stresses and physical stresses that an individual may have experienced and stressful conditions and intense emotions can cause this disease. Though this is a temporary heart condition, unfortunately, data shows that women are more likely prone to this disease.

This week we are highlighting this topic as I’ve invited Dr. Annabelle Santos Volgman, a Professor of Medicine and Senior Attending Physician at Rush Medical College and Rush University Medical Center to share with us this cardiovascular disease, its causes, risk, and what we can do to prevent it.

Dr. Anabelle also shares valuable statistics about this disease in men vs women and why we need to be knowledgeable about it to decrease the mortality rate through the help of lifestyle modification and awareness. Don’t miss it!

Memorable Quotes:

• Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of most people in the world, especially in the United States. - Dr. Annabelle Santos Volgman
• Increasing awareness can make a difference. Increasing awareness of the depressants - of all of these risk factors that can be prevented so we could prevent obesity and hypertension, all these cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer with lifestyle modification. - Dr. Julieta Gabiola

About the Guest:

Annabelle Santos Volgman is a Professor of Medicine and Senior Attending Physician at Rush Medical College and Rush University Medical Center. She is the Medical Director of the Rush Heart Center for Women and the recipient of the Madeleine and James McMullan-Carl E. Eybel, MD Chair of Excellence in Clinical Cardiology. She received her undergraduate degree with honors from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

Annabelle is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics and my Cardiology and Clinical Electrophysiology Fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology.  

Follow Annabelle on:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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

In the medical industry, innovation is an integral part of the process to enhance systems and boost efficiency and productivity inside the facility while also improving patient outcomes.

Helmet-based ventilation isn’t something new in the medical field yet through creative applications it can provide practical solutions even with the pandemic we are experiencing today.

In Episode 39, we are learning more about NIV or Non-Invasive Ventilation as I’ve invited Aurika Savickaite, a registered nurse who is part of the team led by Dr. Bakhti Battelle who produced a training program for professionals highlighting the use of Helmet-based ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Aurika shares with us the parts, benefits, and importance of this helmet in the medical community, as well as its role to prevent intubation among patients and reduce their mortality rate. 

Don’t miss Episode 39 to learn more about how this old technology can be brought to modern medical care and improve the workload in your facility!

Memorable Quotes:

• Every innovation leads to a new thing,  but not every new thing is innovation. - Dr. Jette Gabiola
• In a helmet, the aspiration chance is close to zero because the air is not pushing your stomach content into your lungs. - Aurika Savickaite

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Comparison of Helmet NIV, Face Mask and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation
• Online Training Course
• Effect of Noninvasive Ventilation Delivered by Helmet vs Face Mask on the Rate of Endotracheal Intubation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

About the Guest:

Aurika Savickaite is a registered nurse, Master of Science in Nursing – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree at Rush University College of Nursing, and was actively involved in a three-year project and testing of helmet-based ventilation in the ICU at the University of Chicago.

Led by Dr. Bakhti Battelle, Aurica and her team produced a training program for professionals highlighting the use of Helmet-based ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Her goal is to create and provide the medical community with the training necessary for the use of helmet-based ventilation.

Follow Aurika on:

• Website
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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

Becoming parents for the very first time can be quite scary. Fear, anxiety, and overwhelm are some of the challenges you will face. Whether you’re an expectant mother, in your postpartum stage, or overcoming a miscarriage or loss, you’ll definitely need someone whom you can trust, provide support and inform you about the options and decisions you’ll have to make.

You might consider hiring your very own doula.

Doulas are trained, non-medical companions who can help you before, during, and after birth, as well as in the early postpartum period. They are trained to provide you emotional, physical, and educational support especially to new and expectant parents for them to have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable birthing experience.

This week, I’ve invited Suzanne Ledbetter, a certified birth doula who can share with us what a doula is and the benefits they provide for parents. She discusses the difference between birth doula and midwives, the different types of doula, and how someone can become an effective doula.

If you’re a family looking for the perfect doula to match your lifestyle and expectations or if you’re a doula who looks for families to support, click here.

Memorable Quotes:

• Giving our service to others is being able to connect with others in a much deeper way. - Dr. Jette Gabiola
• Contribution to life beyond oneself is a fulfilling service and can be in any form. - Dr. Jette Gabiola
• Everybody has the ability to be a doula, it's a matter of learning what's out there and learning the different options. - Suzanne Ledbetter
• There's a group called “evidence-based birth”, who does the research and has the information. We give that to our clients a lot so that they can make their decision evidence-based. - Suzanne Ledbetter
• Part of postpartum depression is that you get so overwhelmed with all of the hormonal changes. - Suzanne Ledbetter

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Open Arms
• Doula Match

About the Guests:

Suzanne Ledbetter is a birth doula, a mother of three, and a birth photographer in Seattle. She is passionate about helping families have the very best experience in welcoming their newborns.

Follow Suzanne Ledbetter on:

• Doula Profile

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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

Dealing with cancer is a very challenging battle that no one deserves to go through. Cancer can affect not only your physical health but also your mental well-being. Living with it may not only give you depression and distress, but it can also cause struggles that impact life in general.

As a parent, seeing your child suffering from cancer or any other illness is the most heartbreaking experience. Witnessing their pain doubles the amount of emotional pain we feel to a point where we’d rather be in their position instead. 

In this episode, we will talk about the bravery amidst the suffering of a little kid named Pio, who was diagnosed with a very rare disease at the age of five. We have with us Dr. Arthur Gallo, Dr. David Purger, and Dr. Jay Nathan to help us understand Clival Chordoma and how this can be treated. Listen to Episode 37 to learn more!

Memorable Quotes:

• Art is really an important method for kids to express themselves. - Dr. David Purger
• Kids have a tremendous capacity to understand and have emotional capacity. - Dr. Jay Nathan
• Honesty is really appreciated by patients and art medicine itself is an art. - Dr. Arthur Gallo
• All living creatures on the earth are interconnected. - Aedan Pio Zapanta

About the Guests:

Aedan Pio Zapanta is a 10-year-old artist diagnosed with Chordoma at the age of five. He is the ambassador of bravery to kids with cancer.

Follow Aedan Pio Zapanta on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

Dr. Arthur Gallo, MD, is a Medical Doctor and a Thoracic Surgeon at Philippine General Hospital and Chief Medical Officer at ABC's for Global Health.

Dr. David Purger, MD, PhD., is currently a resident physician in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University and active in medical student mentorship, recently co-authoring an updated Medical Student Guide for Applying to Neurosurgery. Click here for his full profile.

Dr. Jay Nathan, MD, specializes in degenerative spinal disease, cervical and lumbar disorders, and spinal tumors. Along with these, he is also involved in health policy, quality improvement and outcomes, and patient safety at a national level. He is also a licensed pilot and enjoys his quality time traveling with his wife. Click here for his full profile.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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

Art is found in almost everything. It can be the songs you listen to while you drink your morning coffee, the scenery outside your window, the packaging of your family’s favorite cheese, or even this beautiful description you are reading. Art is everywhere.

With all the challenges we face in life, we tend to develop anxiety and depression where we lose inner peace. During these times, we need to remember that there is art - always ready to comfort us.

Art Therapy helps us explore our emotions, improve our self-esteem, and relieve stress. It involves creative techniques such as drawing to help us express ourselves artistically. With the guidance of art therapists, we can delve into the nonverbal messages through art which can help us better understand our feelings and behavior and aid the healing process.

Today, we are joined by the well-known author and art therapist, Dr. Patricia Isis, to share with us the beauty and power of art. She’s been practicing Art Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling for over 40 years in South Florida, providing full-time clinical art therapy services in public schools, and offers an array of Mindfulness training in her private office. Get to know her and art therapy on Episode 36.

Memorable Quotes:

• Art Therapy is a mental health profession designed to help all sorts of people, ages, and ranges of disorders. - Dr. Patricia Isis
• It's so hard to refocus nowadays, so I hope people could use art therapy or therapeutic art to help them thrive, not just to survive. - Dr. Jette Gabiola

Other Resources:

• www.MiamiArtTherapy.com
• The Mindful Doodle Book: 75 Creative Exercises to Help You Live in the Moment.

About the Guests:

Dr. Patricia Isis, Ph.D., ATR-BC, LMHC-QS, ATCS has been practicing art psychotherapy for over 41 years with multiple populations and settings throughout her career. She offers services in public schools with youngsters labeled with emotional and behavioral disabilities and holds a private practice offering art therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She is also the author of The Mindful Doodle Book: 75 Creative Exercises to Help You Live in the Moment.  Click here for her full profile.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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

It’s been two years since the pandemic forced us to isolate ourselves, pivot, and even transform our lifestyles. We had no choice but to adapt and find ways to continue our lives despite the limitations COVID has caused us. As the cases go down and solutions arise, a new variant is becoming more prolific and has quickly spread with vengeance, leading to more uncertainty. 

The Omicron variant goes around with its name sounding ‘ominous’. It spreads much easier compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 and other variants, plus, breakthrough infections to those vaccinated are likely to occur. But compared to the global situation last 2020, we can say that our defenses have improved and we are much wiser than before.

In this episode, Nicole Zamignani joins us again to talk about Omicron as the new contagious variant of COVID-19. This variant is spreading globally at the same time during the flu season in some countries. Listen and gain valuable information about the Omicron variant from Dr. Julieta Gabiola and Nicole Zamignani to keep you safe during this pandemic.

Memorable Quotes:

• Rapid home testing is another layer of protection and another way to make wise decisions. - Dr. Julieta Gabiola
• Take care of yourself, boost your immune system, and be compassionate. - Dr. Julieta Gabiola
• It is winter time and it’s flu season and everyone might get a little bit worried about getting the flu. It’s better to get tested frequently to be safe. - Nicole Zamignani

About the Guests:

Nicole Zamignani is the secretary for ABCs for Global Health. She is taking a master’s degree in Global Health at the University of California San Francisco. Most recently, she is a Fellow of Stanford’s Clinical Observation and Medical Transcription (COMET) post-baccalaureate program at Stanford Express Care Clinic.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

About ABC's for Global Health:

ABCs for Global Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding practical​ solutions to the health problems of disadvantaged and underserved communities. Their programs include telemedicine, research on nutrition and healthcare, and disaster response.

Visit these links if you'd like to support either by volunteering or sharing your resources:

• Get Involved
• Donate

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