Managing MS means staying focused not only on your MS but also on your overall health. That includes getting routine health screenings to stay ahead of potential complications. Recent research has shown that, compared to healthy people, people with MS are more likely to develop some cancers. 

Clinician-scientist Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie joins me to discuss which cancers pose a greater risk to someone with MS, why you need to make those appointments for cancer screenings, where you can find low-cost or no-cost cancer screenings, and things you can do to further minimize your risk of developing cancer.

Dr. Marrie is a professor of medicine and the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair at Dalhousie University in Canada. She's a past recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research and is recognized as one of the world's leading MS experts.

We'll also explain how and why we're going to be discussing the impact of those devastating federal budget cuts and mass layoffs in the federal agencies responsible for healthcare and MS research on this podcast.

We'll tell you about the FDA's decision to grant priority review to Tolebrutinib. (We'll also explain why Tolebrutinib isn't just another DMT. We're even sharing the projected date when the FDA will make its approval decision!)

And you'll learn what happened when a research team set out to identify the diversity-related characteristics of the MS population in Canada.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

How we'll be talking about the impact of public policy on people affected by MS (and why we must)  :22

Hear what's on the minds of some of the attendees at last week's National MS Society Public Policy Conference  3:55

This Week: The importance of cancer screenings for people with MS  12:52

Tolebrutinib, an investigative DMT from Sanofi, is granted priority review by the FDA  13:44

What happened when researchers set out to identify the diversity-related characteristics of the MS population in Canada  17:56

Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie discusses the importance of cancer screenings for people living with MS  20:02

Share this episode  30:03

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  30:23

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/396

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

Become an MS Activist Web: https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Email: [email protected]

VIDEO: Tolebrutinib and Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS with Dr. Robert Fox https://realtalkms.com/tolebrutinib1

VIDEO: Tolebrutinib and Relapsing-Remitting MS with Dr. Jiwon Oh https://realtalkms.com/tolebrutinib2

VIDEO: RealTalk MS 2025 ACTRIMS Forum YouTube Playlist https://realtalkms.com/actrims

STUDY: Characterizing the Diversity of the Multiple Sclerosis Population in Canada: A Scoping Review https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20552173251321814

STUDY (PLAIN ENGLISH VERSION): Characterizing the Diversity of the Multiple Sclerosis Population in Canada: A Scoping Review https://tremlettsmsresearchexplained.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/characterizing-the-diversity-of-the-multiple-sclerosis-population-in-canada-a-scoping-review-explained

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 396 Guests: Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie

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When you look at a list of the typical symptoms associated with perimenopause, you'd think you were looking at a list of MS symptoms. And, for women living with MS, that's where the confusion begins. With an estimated 30% of the current MS population now in peri- or post-menopause, researchers are beginning to focus on how menopause and MS interact and the best ways to treat symptoms.

Dr. Riley Bove, a neurologist and founding director of the Sex and Gender-Enriched (SAGE) Neurology Program at the University of California San Francisco, joins me to talk about the things you need to know when you're managing MS while you're managing menopause.

We'll also tell you about this year's winner of the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research.

We'll share a deeply personal poem written by a friend who's been living with MS since 1988.

And we'll tell you about the results of a study that should be a reminder of the importance of starting disease-modifying therapy and the value of early intervention.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: We're in Washington, D.C., at the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference  :22

Dr. Amit-Bar-Or is the winner of the 2025 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research  2:26

Magician Wayne Dobson's poem  7:07

STUDY: Cognitive impairment is prevalent among people living with untreated MS  10:23

Dr. Riley Bove talks about the things you need to know when you're managing MS while you're managing perimenopause and menopause  14:18

Share this episode  32:56

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  33:16

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/395

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

Become an MS Activist Web: https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Email: [email protected]

RealTalk MS 2025 ACTRIMS Forum YouTube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLATxgj1uHpxNEoc2-9_7-Wzmr96B7wt2C

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 395 Guests: Dr. Riley Bove

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Next week, a couple of hundred MS activists will gather in Washington, D.C. for the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. As we're seeing devastating cuts in funding for MS research, layoffs in every major governmental agency that impacts our healthcare, including the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, CDC, Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and even Medicaid funding is at serious risk, advocacy has never been more important than it is right now. 

I'm devoting this entire episode to a conversation with Steffany Stern, the National MS Society's Vice President for Advocacy, who joins me to assess the current legislative climate in Washington, D.C., and give us a preview of the issues that will take center stage at this year's Public Policy Conference. 

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Is there anything more urgent and important to discuss than advocacy?  :22

Steffany Stern discusses the current legislative climate in our nation's capitol, and gives us a sneak peek at next week's National MS Society Public Policy Conference  2:16

Share this episode  25:40

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  26:08

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/394

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

Become an MS Activist Web: https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Email: [email protected]

RealTalk MS 2025 ACTRIMS Forum YouTube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLATxgj1uHpxNEoc2-9_7-Wzmr96B7wt2C

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 394 Guests: Steffany Stern

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Kristine Werner Ozug lives with MS and, full disclosure, she's a member of the RealTalk MS team. After the ACTRIMS Forum, Kristine shared her impressions of the conference.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims08

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Kristine Werner Ozug

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Dr. Emanuelle Waubant is a neurologist who specializes in treating patients with MS, and she is the Director of the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center.

At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Waubant about advances in pediatric MS treatment and care, and the importance of the International Women in Multiple Sclerosis organization.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims07

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Dr. Emanuelle Waubant

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Dr. Mikael Simons is a neurologist and researcher at Technical University Munich and the Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Munich, Germany, and he's this year's recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research.

At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Simons about his research in myelin repair.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims06

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Dr. Mikael Simons

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Dr. Daniel Reich is a neurologist and neuroradiologist. He is the Director of the Translational Neuroradiology Section at the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In his clinical practice, Dr. Reich cares for people living with MS and other neurological diseases, and he leads several clinical trials focused on multiple sclerosis.

At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Reich about myelin repair, how improvements in imaging have impacted diagnosing and treating MS, and what he sees in MS research today that has him excited.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims05

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Dr. Daniel Reich

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Dr. Christina Azevedo is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Southern California.

At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Azevedo about updates to the McDonald criteria, which are the criteria used to diagnose MS, and the benefits of getting an early MS diagnosis.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims04

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Dr. Christina Azevedo

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Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum.

Dr. Peter Calabresi is the Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology and the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, focusing on the diagnosis and management of MS. He is the principal investigator on several clinical trials and oversees research projects focused on creating new anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective therapies for MS.

At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Calabresi about updates to the criteria used to diagnose MS, the importance and benefit of identifying biomarkers for MS, and what he sees in MS research today that has him excited.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/actrims03

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Bonus Episode Guest: Dr. Peter Calabresi

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It's MS Awareness Week, and the National MS Society is asking everyone in the MS community to tell MS exactly what they think of it. We're kicking off MS Awareness Week by introducing you to two difference-makers in the MS community who have each found their own way of talking back to MS.

Case Jernigan is an experimental animator, narrative gamemaker, and educator. His short animated documentary, Noggin, is currently making the rounds of the film festival circuit, raising awareness of how Case reacted and responded to his early symptoms of MS.

Suni Conway is an MS activist who has lived with MS for nearly 13 years. Suni uses her social media platform to raise awareness about MS diagnosis and treatment, and the need for healthcare reform. 

Be sure to follow RealTalk MS all week long, as we celebrate MS Awareness Week with bonus episodes featuring conversations with leading MS experts from the 2025 ACTRIMS Forum!

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: It's MS Awareness Week!  :22

Case Jernigan explains how his short animated documentary, Noggin, reflects the early parts of his MS journey  1:02

Suni Conway discusses the motivation behind her social media efforts and why advocacy is so important     12:05

Share this episode  35:52

Don't miss RealTalk MS bonus episodes all week long during MS Awareness Week!  36:12

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  36:32

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/393

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS

VIDEO: Noggin https://vimeo.com/casejernigan/noggin

Suni Conway on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunisideupproject

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 393 Guests: Case Jernigan and Suni Conway

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