PancChat Podcast with Alisyn Camerota

What's on the horizon for pancreatic cancer treatment and earlier detection? In this episode, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Andrew Ko, professor of medicine and associate chief of hematology oncology at UC San Francisco, to explore the most promising advances in the field.Dr. Ko breaks down the current state of pancreatic cancer vaccines and explains why they're showing promise for earlier stage patients following surgery. He also discusses the landscape of immunotherapy, the excitement around RAS inhibitors, and emerging targets. The conversation also covers early detection, including blood-based screening tools and the potential role of AI in identifying pancreatic cancer before symptoms appear.Links:Let's Win Pancreatic CancerPanCANPanCAN Patient Services Let's Win Clinical Trial Finder PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder 

Where does pancreatic cancer research stand today — and what does it mean for patients and families right now?In this episode, host Alisyn Camerota sits down with Dr. Emil Lou, physician scientist and medical oncologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, to break down the latest developments in pancreatic cancer research. From KRAS-targeted therapies and the challenge of drug resistance, to the role of AI in early detection and treatment response, Dr. Lou offers an accessible and honest look at where we are, what's promising, and why research funding has never been more critical.This episode is sponsored by Revolution Medicines.For more information and resources, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org. Use the Let's Win and PanCAN clinical trial finders to explore options. Links:Let’s Win Clinical Trial FinderPanCAN Trial Finder PanCAN Patient Services 

In this continuation of our conversation about clinical trials, host Alisyn Camerota and Martin D Hynes, III, discuss the real obstacles patients face when pursuing clinical trials. Marty, a chemist and pancreatic cancer survivor, explains that while clinical trials require additional testing beyond standard of care, pharmaceutical companies cover these costs, including scans, blood work, and often travel expenses and lodging for patients and caregivers.He addresses concerns about leaving established care teams and emphasizes the importance of having an advocate to coordinate communication between medical teams. Marty and Alisyn discuss the complexities of genetic and tumor testing required for trial eligibility, the challenges patients face when too ill to travel, and privacy concerns around medical data sharing. Despite these barriers, Marty is optimistic about improvements in trial access through organizations like Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN, which offer trial finders and patient navigation services. He shares that his recent checkup showed normal CA19-9 levels and clear scans, and encourages patients not to give up hope as treatments continue to improve. Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial FinderPanCAN Clinical Trial Finder PanCAN Patient ServicesLet’s Win Doctor Finder 

January is Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Awareness Month. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Martin D Hynes, III, a chemist who spent much of his career in the pharmaceutical industry, including years with Eli Lilly developing Gemzar, a chemotherapy drug used to treat pancreatic cancer.In 2021, Marty was diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer and found himself on the patient side of clinical trials for the first time. Despite his extensive professional experience, Marty faced significant barriers to enrolling in a clinical trial. He discusses common misconceptions that prevent patients from participating in trials, including fears about receiving placebos and concerns about being a "guinea pig." Marty explains that pancreatic cancer clinical trial participants always receive standard-of-care treatment, and he reframes clinical trial participation as a way to be a pioneer in breakthrough treatments. This is part one of a two-part conversation about the challenges patients face when seeking to join clinical trials. Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.To learn more about pancreatic cancer clinical trials, visit Let’s Win and PanCAN. Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial FinderPanCAN Clinical Trial Finder  

In Episode 12 of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, about global advocacy, differences between UK and US approaches, and the power of collaboration through the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition.Learn how awareness campaigns, patient voices, and international partnerships are helping drive progress in pancreatic cancer research, diagnosis, and care.Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org. Resources:letswinpc.orgpancan.org

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Kerry McKean Kelly, founder of Kelly's Heroes, about the power of collaboration in pancreatic cancer advocacy.Kerry shares her personal journey after losing her husband Steve to stage IV pancreatic cancer and how she channeled her grief into global advocacy work. As outgoing chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer (WPCC) Day Committee, Kerry discusses the importance of clinical trial awareness, how the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition unites 100+ organizations worldwide, why patient empowerment matters across all healthcare systems, and the progress being made in pancreatic cancer survival rates."We are stronger together than we are alone." - Kerry McKean KellyResources mentioned:- Kelly's Heroes: http://www.kellysheroes.ngo/ - World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition: www.hellopancreas.com - PanCAN: www.pancan.org - Let's Win: www.letswinpc.org Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org. 

Join host Alisyn Camerota as she welcomes Dr. Asaf Maoz from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to explore the science behind genetic mutations in pancreatic cancer. Building on Episode 9's discussion of the genetic testing journey, this episode dives into hereditary risk and the specific types of mutations patients and families may encounter. Dr. Maoz, an attending physician in the Division of Genetics and Prevention and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, explains why genetic testing is now the standard of care, identifies the most common hereditary mutations linked to pancreatic cancer, and discusses what results mean for patients and their families — including when no actionable mutations are found. Learn about the critical role of family history in understanding pancreatic cancer risk.

Join host Alisyn Camerota as she welcomes Jessica Everett, MS, CGC, Senior Research Strategy Director at UC San Diego's Moores Cancer Center, to discuss the critical role of genetic testing in pancreatic cancer. Since becoming part of the standard of care in 2018, genetic testing is now recommended for all pancreatic cancer patients.Jessica, a genetic counselor specializing in pancreatic cancer, explains why patients should get tested, how genetic counselors guide patients through the testing process, and addresses common fears and misconceptions. Learn how to navigate conversations with family members about inherited risk and what genetic test results mean for relatives.

In Episode 8 we continue our discussion of pancreatic cancer surgery. Host Alisyn Camerota welcomes Dr. Nipun Merchant, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Miami, Florida, to learn more about the evolution of surgical techniques for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Merchant explains the differences between open surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, and robotic surgery, and shares how surgeons determine the best approach for each patient and tumor. He also outlines the additional surgeries that may be part of comprehensive pancreatic cancer treatment.Links:Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer PanCAN PanCAN Patient Services Understanding Distal PancreatectomyWhipple Procedure

Join host Alisyn Camerota as she sits down with Dr. Niraj Gusani, a board-certified surgical oncologist at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida, to discuss the role of surgery in pancreatic cancer treatment. In this episode, we learn how doctors determine if a patient is a candidate for curative surgery, the impact of tumor location on surgical approach, and dive deep into the two main procedures: the Whipple procedure for tumors in the head of the pancreas and distal pancreatectomy for tumors in the tail. Dr. Gusani also explains why many patients receive chemotherapy before surgery and what patients can expect during recovery.Learn More: Let's Win Pancreatic CancerPanCANPanCAN's Patient ServicesThe Anatomy of a Whipple Procedure Understanding Distal Pancreatectomy 

How do doctors decide when to use standard chemotherapy, explore immunotherapy, or recommend a clinical trial? In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Dr. Andrew Hendifar about how tumor sequencing, genetic testing, and emerging KRAS-targeted therapies are reshaping pancreatic cancer care. They discuss the challenges patients face navigating clinical trials, why timing and advocacy are critical, and why — despite the daunting diagnosis — there’s more reason for hope today than ever before.Dr. Andrew Hendifar heads the Gastrointestinal Disease Research Group and founded their Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He works with SWOG and the NIH’s Neuroendocrine Tumor Task Force., Dr. Hendifar is a member of PanCAN’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Learn more about how clinical trials work on the Let’s Win What Is a Clinical Trial? Page or PanCAN’s Clinical Trials page.You can explore available clinical trials through the Let’s Win’s Trial Finder or the PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder. For a personalized search, PanCAN’s Patient Services is also here to help. 

When facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patients and families are often met with difficult choices. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Dr. Michael Pishvaian about what “standard of care” really means, the role of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and why clinical trials remain such a critical -- yet underutilized -- option. Together, they unpack the treatment options and barriers to clinical trials.Dr. Michael Pishvaian is the director of Gastrointestinal, Developmental Therapeutics, and Clinical Research Programs for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in the Greater Washington D.C. area and an associate professor at the School of Medicine. He is the Vice Chair of PanCAN’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board and a member of the Let’s Win Scientific Advisory Board. For more information about treatments visit Let’s Win’s Treatment Options section and PanCAN’s Pancreatic Cancer Treatment page. PanCAN’s Patient Services can also provide free,  personalized information about treatments.Sponsored by Revolution Medicines. 

Who should be screened for pancreatic cancer, and when should it start? In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with leading experts Dr. Michael Goggins (Johns Hopkins) and Dr. Anirban Maitra (MD Anderson / NYU Langone) about identifying higher-risk individuals and creating personalized surveillance plans. From genetic mutations like BRCA to family history, pancreatic cysts, and new-onset diabetes — the doctors break down what puts someone at increased risk — and how that translates into screening recommendations. They discuss the importance of working with specialized centers, the role of annual MRIs and endoscopic ultrasounds, and why starting surveillance around age 50 (or earlier for some genetic conditions) can be potentially life-saving. Whether you have a family history, carry a genetic mutation, or are navigating risk assessment for yourself or a loved one, this episode offers expert guidance to help you make informed decisions about pancreatic cancer surveillance. Don’t forget to follow PancChat to get new episodes — delivered twice a month — right in your podcast feed. Available on all major platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.Resources:letswinpc.orgpancan.org

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota is joined by Dr. Michael Goggins and Dr. Anirban Maitra for an in-depth discussion about the risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Together, explore lifestyle, inherited, and disease-related risks, explain how genetics and new-onset diabetes may signal increased vulnerability, and share proactive steps listeners can take to manage their risk. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a patient, or simply interested in cancer prevention, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable guidance for early detection and monitoring. Tune in to learn more about the latest research and resources available from Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer and PanCAN. 

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Dr. Anna Berkenblit, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at PanCAN, and Dr. Allyson Ocean of Weill Cornell, co-founder of Let’s Win and chair of its Scientific Advisory Board.They discuss the current state of pancreatic cancer treatment, including promising developments in KRAS inhibitors and cancer vaccines, as well as the practical challenges patients face in accessing clinical trials. The conversation also explores how advocacy, research, and early detection efforts are shaping the future of care. For more information, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org

Welcome to the PancChat Podcast! Journalist Alisyn Camerota sits down with Let’s Win CEO Cindy Price Gavin and PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman  in the premiere episode of PancChat. Together, they explore the evolution and impact of advocacy in the fight against pancreatic cancer and why the time was right to launch a collaborative podcast between Let’s Win and PanCAN.From our nearly nine years as a chat on Twitter/X to increasing federal research funding and improved patient survival rates, this episode explores how advocacy has transformed the landscape. Hear how collaboration, education, and unrelenting dedication are shaping the future of how we communicate about pancreatic cancer.