In this educational episode of The Cancer Project, we are joined by Niek Schreuder, the Chief Scientific Officer of LEO Cancer Care. Niek received a masters in medical physics from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa before coming to the United States pursuing proton radiation advancement.

Niek joins host David Raubach, their professional relationship dating back over a decade working in the proton therapy space.

Niek provides a detailed explanation on the science behind how proton therapy is possible and how the treatment works in the body. This episode also gives an in-depth look at the origins of modern proton centers and the revolutionary advancements that made proton therapy more accessible for health care providers, and therefore, the public.

As proton therapy continues to become more accessible to patients, the questions surrounding the treatment also continue to grow.

What is proton therapy?

How does it work?

How do centers collect and utilize a proton to treat cancer?

In this episode of The Cancer Project, we answer all these questions and more about proton therapy!

Episode Resources:

Oklahoma Proton Center

https://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter

The Cancer Project Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

Former Oklahoma Proton Center patient David Bush joins the Cancer Project Podcast for a candid conversation about his prostate cancer journey. After being diagnosed in December 2023, David and his wife Melody found themselves asking what options they had for treatment. 

After a quick internet search, David found the Oklahoma Proton Center and sought out answers on if he would be a good candidate for proton therapy. With over 6,000 acres of land and wheat harvest season approaching, he could not believe the lack of side effects from treatment that enabled him to complete his harvest. Melody would drive David the 147 miles each way to Oklahoma City for his treatment at 8:30 am, and once home David would complete a full day's work on the farm.

In this episode, David Bush shares his experience at the Oklahoma Proton Center, what his day-to-day life was like during treatment, and his advice for other men battling prostate cancer. 

Episode Resources:

Oklahoma Proton Center

https://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter

The Cancer Project Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

In this episode of perseverance and faith, Caitlin Tharp shares her family’s journey after her father’s sudden glioblastoma diagnosis. In this vulnerable episode, Caitlin details the six month period from the day of diagnosis to her father’s passing.

Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor, characterized by its rare and aggressive nature, Caitlin outlines her dad’s treatment, her fond memories of her ‘superhero’ father, and how she uses her experience and faith to help others.

Episode Resources:

Oklahoma Proton Center

https://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter

The Cancer Project Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

Cancer advocate and TV personality Britney Haynes rejoins The Cancer Project Podcast in wake of the tragic passing of James Van Der Beek.

American actor James Van Der Beek was known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues”. James was only one year within screening guidelines when a change in his bowl movements prompted him to get screened. While primarily private about his cancer journey, James became a strong advocate for cancer screening and following screening guidelines.

On this episode, Britney and host David Raubach explore the rising incidence rate of colorectal cancer in younger populations, potential causes of the dramatic increase, colorectal cancer screening guidelines, and James Van Der Beek’s battle with colon cancer.

This podcast is made possible by the Oklahoma Proton Center, where precision meets compassion in care. To learn more about the Oklahoma Proton Center please visit the listed resources below.
Episode Resources:Colorectal Cancer & Screening Guidelineshttps://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about.html
Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterThe Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

Cancer advocate and TV personality Britney Haynes rejoins The Cancer Project Podcast in wake of the tragic passing of James Van Der Beek.

American actor James Van Der Beek was known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues”. James was only one year within screening guidelines when a change in his bowl movements prompted him to get screened. While primarily private about his cancer journey, James became a strong advocate for cancer screening and following screening guidelines.

On this episode, Britney and host David Raubach explore the rising incidence rate of colorectal cancer in younger populations, potential causes of the dramatic increase, colorectal cancer screening guidelines, and James Van Der Beek’s battle with colon cancer.

This podcast is made possible by the Oklahoma Proton Center, where precision meets compassion in care. To learn more about the Oklahoma Proton Center please visit the listed resources below.
Episode Resources:Colorectal Cancer & Screening Guidelineshttps://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about.html
Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterThe Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

After years of experiencing and hearing the same question: How do I help my loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer? Ovarian cancer survivor and seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller, utilized her personal experience to create a new patient-driven resource in cancer support.

Last Summer, Shannon began work on SaltoHealth.com, a free resource that allows cancer patients or their loved ones to create a registry of items as they navigate cancer diagnosis and treatment. This brand new digital platform aids in guiding the non-medical side of the cancer journey, including providing ‘starter pack’ options that can help guide the creator through what may be typically needed based on their type of cancer treatment. In addition to the registry, there is an extensive content hub curated to provide educational resources in the cancer space.

Salto Health is designed to ensure family and friends have one site they can reference if they would like to purchase needed items from a loved ones registry, updates on the patient’s health battle, and express support.

For more information about this free resource, please visit SaltoHealth.com. 

This podcast is made possible by the Oklahoma Proton Center, where precision meets compassion in care. To learn more about the Oklahoma Proton Center please visit the listed resources below.

Episode Resources:

Salto Health

https://www.saltohealth.com/pages/home

https://www.instagram.com/saltohealth/

https://www.facebook.com/saltohealth

Oklahoma Proton Center

https://www.okcproton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/

https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter

The Cancer Project Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126

https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy

On this episode of The Cancer Project, David Raubach sits down with Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar for a powerful conversation that goes beyond basketball. From covering one of the NBA’s most exciting teams to witnessing a championship culture up close, Brandon shares what it is really like behind the scenes with the Thunder organization.But this episode takes a deeper turn as Brandon opens up about his father, Gary’s battle with lung cancer. He shares how the diagnosis impacted his family, what those final years looked like, and the meaningful moments they were able to create together. Through strength, humor, and resilience, his dad left behind a legacy that continues to shape Brandon’s life today.Oklahoma Proton CenterWebsite: www.okcproton.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/okprotoncenter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=25ace143-931d-4fae-b6d0-ae5ed18d7bf2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oklahoma-proton-center/

On this episode of The Cancer Project, David Raubach sits down with Rahul Mahadevan, founder and CEO of We’re in This Together (WiTT), a platform helping cancer patients receive financial and emotional support during treatment. Rahul shares his own stage four prostate cancer diagnosis, the life-changing question that led to its discovery and the difficult treatment decisions that followed.Rahul also explains how his experience as both a cancer survivor and healthcare executive revealed a major gap in cancer care: patients are often forced to choose between getting treatment and meeting basic daily needs like gas, food, childcare, housing and pet care. That realization led him to build a platform designed to connect local communities with real patient needs in practical ways.We're in This Together (WiTT)To Donate: https://www.wittforever.com/donateWebsite: https://www.wittforever.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wittforeverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wittcancersupportregistry/Oklahoma Proton CenterWebsite: www.okcproton.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/okprotoncenter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=25ace143-931d-4fae-b6d0-ae5ed18d7bf2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oklahoma-proton-center/

Lindsay Clark was only thirty-three years old when she felt a lump that would change her life. Within weeks, she was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer that had already spread to her bones and liver. What followed was a whirlwind of biopsies, scans and chemotherapy as she began the fight for her life.In this conversation with David Raubach, Lindsay shares what it was really like to receive that diagnosis, how quickly treatment began, and how she has continued to live and thrive while navigating metastatic. Lindsay also explains why she calls herself a breast cancer thriver rather than a survivor.Through Project31, Lindsay has found a powerful community of women who are walking the same road. These women support each other through treatments, grief, difficult conversations and the realities of living with stage four cancer. Learn more about Project31: https://project31.com/Oklahoma Proton CenterWebsite: www.okcproton.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/okprotoncenter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=25ace143-931d-4fae-b6d0-ae5ed18d7bf2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oklahoma-proton-center/

Tarah Green is the founder and executive director of Tenaciously Teal, an organization sending care packs to people fighting cancer across Oklahoma and nationwide. In this episode, David Raubach sits down with Tarah to talk about her journey from a stage four ovarian cancer diagnosis to building a movement of care and support for patients facing treatment.To support Tenaciously Teal, learn about hosting a care pack party, donating supplies like fuzzy socks, sponsoring care packs through monthly giving or requesting a care pack for yourself or someone you love, visit www.tteal.orgEPISODE RESOURCESTenaciously TealLinktree: https://linktr.ee/tteal_inc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=47e710fd-4f63-44cf-87ca-1803615193afWebsite: www.tteal.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenaciouslytealInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tteal_inc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenaciously-teal/posts/?feedView=allOklahoma Proton CenterWebsite: www.okcproton.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/okprotoncenter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=25ace143-931d-4fae-b6d0-ae5ed18d7bf2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oklahoma-proton-center/