Cancer Straight Talk Podcast from MSK

The negative impact of medical expenses on patients is known as financial toxicity. It’s one of the most universal and devastating side effects among cancer patients and their families, and it’s growing. Is there any hope on the horizon? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes gets answers and advice from two champions of this issue: Dr. Fumiko Chino, radiation oncologist at MSK and inaugural winner of the ASCO Excellence in Equity Award; and Dr. Emeline Aviki, gynecologic surgeon and head of the Affordability Working Group at MSK. Dr. Chino and Dr. Aviki share tips for choosing the right insurance plan, oral versus IV treatment, planning ahead with your loved ones and resources for aid. 

What makes a good pain remedy – chemically, mentally, legally? Is it better as an edible, oil or vapor? And how does one even begin to figure out dosing? These are the questions Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes explores in this discussion with MSK’s Director of Pediatric Integrated Medicine, Dr. Nirupa Raghunathan, and cancer survivor and winner of TV’s “Survivor: Africa”, Ethan Zohn.

On Christmas Eve 2004, Belkis Chalas learned she had stage 4 cancer of the small intestine and months to live. As a mother of two, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why me?” Then she found Memorial Sloan Kettering. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to Belkis – now one of her dearest patients – about how she handled her devastating diagnosis 18 years ago and went on to build a fulfilling life despite the daily unknowns. Belkis’ nurse, Elizabeth Cruz, also joins the show to share insights into how cancer spreads, what we can do to prevent it, and her philosophy of compassionate care.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with Andrew and his wife, Kelly, about their struggle to save not just Andrew’s life but also their marriage, sense of purpose, and identities beyond the patient and caregiver roles they had gotten so used to.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. John Mulhall, director of Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at MSK and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, to discuss the impacts of cancer and its treatment on men’s sexual health. Dr. Mulhall gives advice to help men regain their sexual function, both physically and emotionally, and provides insights on the latest therapies, products, and myths surrounding the subject. Some content may not be suitable for children.

Every year, tens of thousands of people across the country hop on stationary bikes to raise money for rare cancer research through Cycle for Survival, MSK’s largest fundraising event of the year. With the help of founding partner Equinox, Cycle for Survival has raised nearly $300 million since 2007. But how does pedaling raise money? And who is that money helping? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with the cofounder of Cycle for Survival Dave Linn, as well as rare cancer survivor and one of the movement’s biggest cheerleaders (and actual winner of TV’s Survivor: Africa), Ethan Zohn, to hear about their personal cancer stories and the power of Cycle for Survival. 

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes and MSK clinical psychologist Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal hear from past guests of the podcast – patients, caregivers and clinicians – on what they’re grateful for this holiday season. How does one find gratitude while living with cancer? Can gratitude and grief exist at the same time? And what are some tools for managing the two? Join us as we discuss.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with Dr. Sawyers about what’s next in the field of cancer pharmaceuticals. Is another silver bullet on the horizon?

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with journalist, author and stage-four melanoma survivor, Mary Elizabeth Williams, to discuss what it was like being part of a phase-one clinical trial, how clear communication can affect health outcomes, how guilt often accompanies survival, and what not to say to a cancer patient.

Did you know lung cancer is more deadly than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined? Yet it gets less than half the funding. Why is that? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with thoracic surgeon and attending physician at MSK, Dr. Bernard Park, and chair of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Reina Honts, to discuss why one of the most common cancers is also the most stigmatized.