A diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming. There are oncologists and treatment options to consider, plus the physical discomforts and emotional strain. A cancer diagnosis also takes a toll on loved ones. On The Point, we talk with a doctor and his patient, about coping medically and emotionally with a serious diagnosis.

Development pressures in our region are putting agricultural land in danger. We talk about efforts to preserve and protect farmland and collaborations between non profits and municipalities to acquire farmland and keep it in production.

Growth and development put pressure on open space, farmland, and the character of towns and villages. Smart growth planning is an important tool for towns to plan development around the needs and resources of the community. On The Point, we talk about smart growth plans on Cape Cod.

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week. His guests include Geoff Spillane of the Cape Cod Times; Tim Wood of the Cape Cod Chronicle; Josh Balling of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror; Ann Wood of the Provincetown Banner; George Brennan of the Martha's Vineyard Times, and Mike Rausch of the Bourne Enterprise.

Schools are seeing a significant increase in the number of children with social and emotional challenges, often manifesting in disruptive behavior. Think Kids is a program developed at the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Hospital to train parents and educators to work cooperatively with children to solve behavior issues. On The Point, we talk with one of the architects of the Think Kids program, and adjustment counselors at local school districts who have initiated the training.

This month on our books program, we talk about translation. Reference Librarian Jill Erickson and Author Peter Abrahams join Mindy Todd in The Point studio to discuss their favorite examples of translated books, and we hear from callers throughout the region. Click here for a list of books we talked about on today's program.

What makes a good poem? What role can an editor play in the creative writing process? Our WCAI Poetry Sunday Advisory Board join us on The Point to discuss writing and answer questions about submitting poetry. They are Lorna Knowles Blake , Barry Hellman , and Justen Ahren . Mindy Todd hosts.

In the tradition of Thoreau’s Walden , Will Dowd wrote Areas of Fog over the course of a year, using the weather as the opening scene. The essays veer off from there, exploring numerous and diverse themes. We talk with Will Dowd about overcoming writers block and, after an MFA and years of editing and critique, staying true to his voice. Mindy Todd hosts.

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week. His guests include Cindy McCormick of the Cape Cod Times; Tim Wood of the Cape Cod Chronicle; Ed Miller of the Provincetown Banner; and Mike Rausch of the Bourne Enterprise.

On The Point, psychiatrist Dr. Marc Whaley and psychologist Dr. Michael Abbruzzese join host Mindy Todd for a discussion about conspiracy theories.