Cancer Interviews
195 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -It is our sincere hope that however cancer may be impacting you or your loved ones, that you will find the Cancer Interviews podcast and our interviews with amazing cancer survivors, caregivers, oncology professionals and others, helpful, informative and encouraging! Our guests share their stories with things like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplants, bone marrow transplants, the emotional ups and downs of being a cancer patient, being a caregiver for a loved one fighting cancer, as well as cancer nutrition and allow them an opportunity to tell us about their life before, during and after their cancer journey. We do not provide medical advice on this podcast. Please remember, you are not alone and we invite you to be a part of our team, where together, everyone achieves more! We are sharing the journey together and we wish you the very best possible outcome, with your cancer journey!
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Episodes
113: Kevin Jerge - Survivor of Head and Neck Cancer - Jackson, Tennessee, USA
March 07, 2024 09:00 - 28 minutes - 40.8 MBFor Kevin Jerge, what began as a sore throat in 2013, led to the removal of his tonsils, and that led to a diagnosis of Stage IV head and neck cancer. Kevin’s oncologist said Kevin didn’t have to undergo chemotherapy but did require radiation treatment to attack cancerous lymph nodes. He said the regimen made his throat feel like sunburn, pain which lingered months after the conclusion of his treatment. He also lost his ability to taste. However, Kevin survived, can once again taste food...
112: Mandy Basson - Sarcoma Patient Advocate - Perth, Australia
February 16, 2024 09:00 - 26 minutes - 37 MBAfter Mandy Basson’s teenager passed away from Ewing’s Sarcoma, she was inspired to establish a support group for a rare cancer that has at least 175 variations. This is her story.
111: Anna Tower-Kovesdi - Leukemia Survivor - Longmont, Colorado, USA
February 06, 2024 09:00 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBAnna Tower-Kovesdi went to an urgent care facility when she noticed bruises on her leg and felt unusually fatigued. That led to a diagnosis of leukemia. Thanks to a regimen of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, plus a positive attitude and tireless support from her husband, Anna achieved survivorship. She goes on long walks and each week makes several trips to the gym. This is her story.
110: Harriet Cabella - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor - West Hempstead, New York, USA
February 03, 2024 09:00 - 20 minutes - 29.2 MBHarriet Cabelly went to an emergency room because she felt dehydrated; but her visit led to a CT scan, which led to a biopsy, which led to a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Thanks to six rounds of chemotherapy and a positive attitude, Harriet achieved survivorship. She has returned to a healthy lifestyle, which includes taking up ballroom dancing.
109: Pete Hill, Bowel Cancer Survivor - Ware, United Kingdom
January 31, 2024 09:00 - 28 minutes - 40.9 MBFor Pete Hill, a colonoscopy led to a diagnosis of bowel cancer. His treatment regimen included a temporary stoma bag and chemotherapy, but he achieved survivorship. Having a stoma bag required some radical changes in his diet and its removal required still more changes, but says his health is “80 percent” of what it was before the diagnosis. This is his story.
108: Rob Caruano - Pancreatic Cancer Survivor - New York, New York, USA
January 27, 2024 09:00 - 24 minutes - 34.7 MBRob Capuano woke up one night with a severe pain in his stomach. He wanted to be seen at an urgent care, but due to COVID, the facility couldn’t admit him. When he was seen, he had to insist on an MRI, which resulted in his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Between surgery and chemotherapy, Rob achieved survivorship. He is also thankful that the hospital where he was treated was sensitive to issues tied to his being a married gay man, because, says Rob, not all health care facilities have ...
107: Cindy Carter - Cervical Cancer Survivor - Germiston, South Africa
January 20, 2024 09:00 - 27 minutes - 39.4 MBFor Cindy Clark, fatigue led to a doctor’s appointment, which led to a biopsy and a diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, thanks to a regimen of radium and chemotherapy, Cindy achieved survivorship. She has been cancer-free since 2006. Cindy now works as an advocate for the Cancer Association of South Africa.
106: Steffan Tubbs - Skin Cancer Survivor - Parker, Colorado, USA
January 12, 2024 09:00 - 18 minutes - 27.1 MBAfter years of sunburn as a kid, in his twenties, Steffan Tubbs noticed an unusual-looking mole on his chest. After two failed attempts to surgically remove it, some thirty years later, he was diagnosed with melanoma. A third procedure removed the cancer in its entirety. When he goes outdoors, he takes a series of precautions to limit his exposure to the sun and tells everyone to make sure that with regularity they are seen by a dermatologist.
105: Matthew Rosenblum - Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer Survivor - Hazel Park, Michigan, USA
December 30, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBWhat began as an obstruction of Matthew Rosenblum’s bile duct became a diagnosis of Stage Four pancreatic cancer, of which he learned via his cellphone. After two clashes with chemotherapy and two surgical procedures, Matthew leads a healthy lifestyle. Going forward, he wants to be an advocate for others diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is his story.
104: Raphaela Ilgenfritz - Rectal Cancer Survivor - London, United Kingdom
December 11, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 36.2 MBWhen fifty-something Raphaela Ilgenfritz started feeling tired all the time, she thought her fatigue was tied to menopause. That led to a serious of doctor visits, which led to a colonoscopy, which led to a diagnosis of rectal cancer, or, as it is more commonly in the United Kingdom, where she lives, bowel cancer. She had to be outfitted with a colostomy bag, a challenge she immediately embraced. Raphaela founded Stoma4life, a support group for those with below-the-belt cancers, which gre...
103: Cinde Dolphin - 3x Breast Cancer Survivor - San Luis Obispo, California, USA
December 07, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 34.6 MBWhen Cinde Dolphin survived lung cancer, she thought cancer was in her past; but then she went on to be diagnosed with three different types of breast cancer. Cinde not only survived them but invented an improvement of a long-used fluid drainage device. In addition to working to help others diagnosed with cancer, she has resumed her active lifestyle, which includes hiking, running and surfing.
102: Chris White - Mucosal Melanoma Survivor - Dallas, Texas, USA
December 04, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 42.6 MBWhen Chris White noticed a bump on his rectum, he thought it was nothing more than a pimple. Not only did the bump turn into a diagnosis of a rare type of skin cancer, but the cancer metastasized to his brain. In addition, to get the treatment he needed, Chris faced barriers from his insurance carrier and the windows for the much-need clinical trial, but he overcame everything in his path. He has resumed snowboarding and skateboarding and travels the country as an inspirational speaker.
101: Claudia Tatum - Kidney Cancer Survivor - Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
December 02, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 40.7 MBIt was only when Claudia Tatum was being checked for a chronic cough that it was discovered she had a rare form of renal cell carcinoma. Removal of a kidney required a radical hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, a procedure that led to survivorship. Claudia puts her journey and her experience as an oncology nurse together to help others through the Kidney Cancer Association.
100: Tim Sohn - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Survivor - Shohola, Pennsylvania, USA
November 14, 2023 09:00 - 18 minutes - 26.3 MBWhen Tim Sohn spotted some unusual bruises on one of his legs, he sought medical attention. This led to hospitalization and a subsequent diagnosis of a form of blood cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia. With the aid of two types of oral chemotherapy, Tim survived. His experience inspired him to help others diagnosed with cancer, in the form of a book and a live podcast. This is his story.
099: Elise Fourie - Follicular Thyroid Cancer Survivor - Pretoria, South Africa
October 31, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 44.9 MBWhen Elise Fourie went to get checked out for mouth ulcers, she soon found herself diagnosed with follicular thyroid cancer. Two treatment rounds of radioactive iodine led to survivorship, but she faces occasional challenges that come without having a thyroid. That doesn’t stop her from being a highly active volunteer with the Cancer Association of South Africa.
098: Josh Tehan - Pediatric Cancer Caregiver - Boyce, Virginia, USA
October 10, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 36.3 MBWhen Josh Tehan’s four-year-old son, Ethan, started feeling tired all the time while complaining of lower back pain, that led to a hospital visit. Shortly thereafter, Josh was stunned with the news his son had been diagnosed with leukemia. As Ethan underwent a regimen that included chemotherapy, Josh spearheaded in-home care for Ethan that included numerous family members. Ethan survived leukemia, and now as a teenager, he is a straight-A student who plays basketball and hosts a podcast. ...
097: Sayen Gates - Lung Cancer Caregiver - Columbia, South Carolina, USA
October 05, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 34 MBSayen Gates’ training as a medical assistant came in handy when her aunt was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. This is the story of how she combined her expertise and her compassion to address the challenges that came with leading her family’s care for her aunt.
096: Dale De Steno, RIP - Former Lung Cancer Survivor - Maple Grove, Minnesota, USA
September 29, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 34.7 MBA kickboxer and an ultramarathoner in his early forties, Dale De Steno was in excellent health. That’s why he was stunned to be diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Thanks to a targeted therapy regimen, he survived, but 18 months later, the cancer returned. In the Autumn of 2023, Dale passed away, but his family and friends still want you to hear his story
095: Jeff Knapp - Tongue Cancer Survivor - New York, New York, USA
September 20, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 45.4 MBJeff Knapp twice survived a form of tongue cancer. His journey was arduous and multi-faceted. It included radiation, chemotherapy, his jaw being cut in half and the removal of part of his tongue, ending his career as an actor. But Jeff’s life is as full as can be, including travel and marathon running with his wife, Robin.
094: Andrew McPherson - Lung Cancer Survivor - Woodbury, Minnesota, USA
September 18, 2023 08:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBWhen Andrew McPherson, in his late twenties, saw blood in his phlegm when he coughed, he thought it was no big deal; but a friend encouraged him to get his cough checked out by a doctor. A series of tests revealed a Stage 2A cancerous nodule in his left lung. Even though he was able to avoid chemotherapy, phases of his treatment regimen following a sleeve lobectomy were quite painful. Nonetheless, thanks to early detection, Andrew survived, has returned to his job, has returned to the gol...
093: Molly Lindquist - Breast Cancer Survivor - Portland, Oregon, USA
September 11, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 35.8 MBWhen Molly Lindquist detected a lump in her left breast, she didn’t think it was a big deal. After all, she was 32 years old and in good health. But a trip to the doctor triggered a chain of events that culminated with a bilateral mastectomy. Molly survived breast cancer and immediately wanted to take action to help others. She joined Manta Cares, an organization that seeks to provide those diagnosed with breast cancer with a roadmap to make their journey as smooth as possible.
092: Kathy Kuhl - Ependymoma Survivor - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
September 01, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 31.6 MBKathy Kuhl survived a bout with ependymoma, a rare type of cancer associated with a tumor of the spinal cord. However, once she was in post-treatment mode, she discovered sources of support were difficult to find. That’s when she and her husband found Walk Talk Connect, a support group for those diagnosed with tumors of the brain and spinal cord. This is her story.
091: Harvey Singer - Breast Cancer Survivor - Laguna Niguel, California USA
August 28, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 40 MBWhat began as a sharp pain in his left nipple led to a diagnosis of breast cancer for Harvey Singer. A regimen including twelve weeks of chemotherapy led to survivorship, but Harvey learned the health care system offered little in the way of support for a man diagnosed with breast cancer. His experience inspired his establishment of an organization which helps men all over the world as they seek guidance in the fight against breast cancer.
090: Erica Neubert Campbell - Pediatric Cancer Patient Advocate - Edina, Minnesota, USA
August 18, 2023 08:00 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBThe courageous and compassionate actions of a dying nine-year-old cancer patient inspired the founding of the Minnesota-based Pinkyswear Foundation. Through the years, the Foundation has donated millions to families with pediatric cancer patients. Erica Neubery Campbell is Pinkyswear’s executive director, who shares a heartwarming story.
089: Don Melillo - Liver Cancer Survivor - West Chester, Ohio, USA
August 17, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 32.5 MBWhat began as stomach pains for Don Melillo became a 2012 diagnosis of liver cancer. To compound this bad news, Melillo was told his only life-saving option was that of a full liver transplant. He underwent the procedure, achieved survivorship and now leads an active lifestyle. This is his story.
088: Teresa Davis-Mills - Colon Cancer Survivor - Jacksonville Beach, Florida USA
August 14, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 44.1 MBWhen Teresa Davis-Mills underwent a colonoscopy, it revealed two polyps, but one of them turned out to be cancerous. Teresa combined a healthy diet with a simultaneous regimen of radiation and chemotherapy, which led to survivorship. Physically she can do whatever she was able to do before her diagnosis but wants to help others through a book she wrote that lists the mistakes she made during her cancer journey in hopes that those who read the book can avoid those same mistakes.
087: Rachel Rump - Cervical Cancer Survivor - South Bend, Indiana, USA
July 14, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBNot long after Rachel Rump was diagnosed with Stage II Cervical Cancer, her home was severely damaged by a burst pipe, and her dog died, all while raising a toddler as a single mom. But she was able to stare down the stress from all of the above and achieved survivorship. This is her extremely inspirational story.
086: Boyd Dunleavy - Blood Cancer Survivor - Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
July 03, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 32.5 MBComplications from treatment that helped Boyd Dunleavy survive two bouts of Acute Myeloid Leukemia resulted in subsequent brain and spinal cord issues. Through a successful stem cell transplant, faith and dogged determination, Boyd started from scratch to become a distance runner, competing in more than 30 marathons and half marathons. This is his story.
085: Neal Augenstein - Lung Cancer Survivor - Washington, DC, USA
June 28, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 49.6 MBWhen Neal Augenstein started coughing, he thought it would soon go away, like any cough; but one test led to another, and Neal, who had never smoked a cigarette, soon learned he had Stage Four lung cancer. Instead of chemo or radiation, he was put on a targeted therapy regimen. Thanks to that, and a subsequent surgical procedure, he has survived advanced lung cancer.
084: Gregory Proctor - Multiple Myeloma Survivor - San Antonio, Texas, USA
June 26, 2023 08:00 - 34 minutes - 48.9 MBGregory Proctor first experienced lower back pain, which worsened to the point to which he could no longer walk. An MRI revealed a mass on his upper right hip, which became a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and a warning from his doctor that he should “get his affairs in order.” However, through an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, a stem cell transplant and his faith, Gregory is now in remission. This is his story.
083: Mark Kageyama - Metastatic Prostate Cancer Survivor - Granada Hills, California, USA
June 12, 2023 08:00 - 38 minutes - 54.3 MBAfter Mark Kageyama was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer, he learned the disease had spread to his bones and lungs. Severely weakened and his weight dropping to 120 pounds, Mark combined chemotherapy and natural remedies to get the upper hand on cancer. His weight has returned to 170, and his health is very close to its pre-diagnosis level. This is his story.
082: Naniki Seboni - Skin Cancer Survivor - Johannesburg, South Africa
May 22, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 38 MBWhen Naniki Seboni had a dermatologist check out an unusual-looking mole on her leg, she was shocked to learn she had Stage III malignant melanoma. Thankfully, through a surgical procedure the mole was removed and so was the cancer. She survived and now gives back by advocating for others diagnosed with skin cancer.
081: Paoola Sefair, Cancer Patient Advocate, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 05, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 34.6 MBOnce Paoola Sefair survived papillary thyroid cancer, she wanted to help others. She learned from her own cancer journey that the journey includes an emotional piece that often goes unaddressed. That’s when she co-founded My CareCrew, a support group featuring a free app that enables cancer patients, caregivers and their family and friends to craft a personalized care plan with an eye toward making the cancer journey’s emotional component go as smoothly as possible for all concerned.
080: Erin Gratsch - Breast Cancer Survivor - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
April 24, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 31.9 MBA marathon runner, Erin Gratsch, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She thought the treatment cured the cancer, but six years later, a more aggressive form of breast cancer returned. Erin countered with an aggressive treatment plan, including chemotherapy and radiation. That, plus a positive attitude and the mental toughness of a marathoner, has brought Erin to survivorship.
079 - Asa Newell - Testicular Cancer Survivor - Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA
April 03, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 32.6 MBWhen 17-year-old Asa Newell felt acute pain in a testicle, pain that reached around to his back, first he hesitated, but then he went to get it checked out. It didn’t take a doctor long to determine that Asa had testicular cancer. Asa wanted to minimize or eliminate the possibility of it spreading or returning, so he chose an aggressive, chemotherapy-based treatment regimen. That, along with a positive attitude resulted in survivorship.
078 - Brenda Farris - Breast Cancer Survivor - Yuma, Arizona, USA
March 29, 2023 08:00 - 39 minutes - 55.1 MBIn 2015, Brenda Farris was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy on her left breast and a powerful regimen of anti-cancer diet and exercise, she survived her diagnosis. However, seven years later, she was again diagnosed with breast cancer. Incredibly, the cancer was in the same area of her first diagnosis, had not spread, and was fully operable, a development she attributes to her anti-cancer regimen. While continuing on her cancer journey, Brenda is a tireless advocate for o...
077: Anne Shimabukuro - Pancreatic Cancer Survivor - Potomac, Maryland, USA
March 27, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 41.7 MBWhen Anne Shimabukuro, a healthy mother of two, noticed a sharp pain in her left side in 2005, one that manifested itself when she ate, she immediately sought medical attention. That led to a diagnosis of a malignant tumor in her pancreas. She wasted no time in getting part of her pancreas removed. It required a surgical procedure, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Anne survived pancreatic cancer and today enjoys a healthy lifestyle.
076: Derrill Holly - Prostate Cancer Survivor - Houston, Texas, USA
March 12, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 36 MBOnce Derrill Holly saw his Gleason scores were high, he ran not from, but toward the prospect of a prostate cancer diagnosis. He was diagnosed Stage IV and opted for a prostatectomy. He followed that up with an implant procedure and enjoys an active lifestyle, which includes being a happy husband and grandfather.
075: Patty Pittala - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor - Westford, Vermont, USA
February 06, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 37.6 MBWhat began as a severe skin rash for Patty Pittala became a diagnosis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Thanks to a positive, proactive attitude, and a no-nonsense treatment regimen, Patty attained survivorship. She enjoys a healthy lifestyle that includes her taking up kayaking. This is her story.
074: Tom Tressler - Cancer Advocate - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
February 04, 2023 09:00 - 20 minutes - 29.1 MBFor many who survive cancer, once their treatment ends, another chapter begins, and that chapter can be rough. That’s why Tom Tressler co-founded Move Beyond Surviving, a support group that believes in the power of exercise and exploring nature as a way to ease and enhance the survivorship journey.
073: Stephanie Smith - Breast Cancer Survivor - Montpelier, Vermont, USA
February 02, 2023 09:00 - 22 minutes - 31.8 MBDuring a breast self-examination, 29-year-old Stephanie Smith discovered what turned out to be a 4cm tumor. This while she was carrying a child. The surgeon who saw her was reluctant to perform a biopsy on the tumor because of her pregnancy, but Stephanie insisted. While she was expecting, Stephanie dealt with chemotherapy and radiation, but she survived breast cancer and in 2019 gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
072: Curtis Snyder - Colorectal Cancer Survivor - Boulder, Colorado, USA
December 17, 2022 09:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBEarly detection made all the difference for Curtis Snyder in his journey with colorectal cancer. He tells Cancer Interviews about the importance of self-advocacy and getting a colonoscopy, and shares how life is virtually the same as it was, pre-diagnosis.
071: Karla Chavez - Cervical Cancer Survivor - Siguatepeque, Honduras
October 29, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBKarla Chavez had just had her thyroid removed after a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, when she was jolted with more bad news: a diagnosis of Stage II Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, a rare form of cervical cancer. After a battle that included eight rounds of chemotherapy and her learning she would have to wear a colostomy bag, Karla has resumed her career as a civil engineer in her native Honduras. She is also actively involved with Cervivor, a US-based cervical cancer support group.
070: Rachel Bretbrunner - Bone Cancer Survivor - Halsey, Oregon , USA
October 12, 2022 08:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBRachel Bretbrunner sought medical attention after a pain trip and fall while hiking. That led to a diagnosis of bone cancer, a rare form of sarcoma. Rachel loves hiking and camping. She survived the diagnosis and while she can no longer hike, she is still able to camp.
069: Annie Parrish - Thyroid Cancer Survivor - Brighton, Colorado, USA
October 09, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBAnnie Parrish underwent a procedure resulting in the removal of her thyroid, but survived thyroid cancer and has gone on to flourish as a mom and a nurse. This is her story.
081: Gillian Lichota - Breast Cancer Survivor - Washington, DC, USA
September 28, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 46.8 MBGillian Lichota saw her life flash before her eyes when she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer…while she was carrying a child. Not only did she survive cancer and give birth to a healthy son, but Gillian founded the iRise Above Foundation, a DC-based breast cancer support group.
068: Gillian Lichota - Breast Cancer Survivor - Washington, DC, USA
September 28, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 46.8 MBGillian Lichota saw her life flash before her eyes when she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer…while she was carrying a child. Not only did she survive cancer and give birth to a healthy son, but Gillian founded the iRise Above Foundation, a DC-based breast cancer support group.
067: Jeff Moreau - Thyroid Cancer Survivor - St. Albans, Vermont, USA
September 16, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 40.4 MBWhen Jeff Moreau detected a lump on the right side of his neck, he saw a doctor. That visit led to his being diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. Jeff survived and has been free of cancer since 2007, but that didn’t stop him from taking an enormous step to help others. He is the Executive Director of the Vermont Cancer Support Network. This is his story.
080: Jeff Moreau - Thyroid Cancer Survivor - St. Albans, Vermont, USA
September 16, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 40.4 MBWhen Jeff Moreau detected a lump on the right side of his neck, he saw a doctor. That visit led to his being diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. Jeff survived and has been free of cancer since 2007, but that didn’t stop him from taking an enormous step to help others. He is the Executive Director of the Vermont Cancer Support Network. This is his story.
066: Mike Craycraft - Testicular Cancer Survivor- Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
August 30, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBMike Craycraft survived Stage One testicular cancer, then took a major proactive step to help others diagnosed with the disease. He founded the Cincinnati-based Testicular Cancer Society. Its web address is testicularcancersociety.org.