Cancer Out Loud: The CancerCare Podcast

Before her cancer diagnosis, Valarie worked in human resources. After being diagnosed with both multiple myeloma and breast cancer, Valarie’s life took a different path- one of advocacy and patient education.  As her goals shifted, she focused on educating others about the disease while shedding light on health inequities. In the penultimate episode of Season 6, Valarie shares how advocating for herself led to empowering others to find their voice.

When Judy was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer almost a decade ago, many emotions ran through her mind: shock, fear, disbelief and curiosity. Judy, a research scientist by trade, wanted to know more about her diagnosis and was disappointed by the lack of literature and research available. Join us for a story of hope, perseverance, and gratitude as Judy shares the highs and lows of navigating a rare cancer diagnosis. 

Healing looks different for everyone. Often, the expressive arts can create an outlet to understand and process difficult emotional experiences- this includes creative writing, music, crafting, painting, etc.  This episode takes a deeper dive into the different tools that can be used to cope with a cancer diagnosis. Listen in as Chris speaks with her oncology social worker, Sara, about the challenges she has faced throughout her cancer experience. Chris is no stranger to gratitude and her story is one that many can relate to- in Chris’ words, “Just know you can ride these waves, but you will find your feet on the shore again- it’s always possible.”

A cancer diagnosis is incredibly disruptive and unpredictable. At the time her 32-year-old husband was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer, Whitney was starting a doctoral program while building her private therapy practice. Whitney is no stranger to the world of chronic illness as she has managed her own for many years. With her husband’s diagnosis, she learned to take on a different role all together. Join us as Whitney shares her experience as a young adult caregiver and what it has been like to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the past 16 months.

In the opening episode of Cancer Out Loud Season 6, we meet Kouichi. A passionate father, environmental activist, editor and a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor. Listen in as Kouichi speaks with his oncology social worker, Cassie, about navigating his cancer experience. Kouichi shares a passionate story of hope, survivorship and the power of fatherhood.

Listen in as Marlee Kiel, CancerCare’s Young Adult Program Manager, and Sarah Paul, CancerCare’s Director of Clinical Programs discuss the unique barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ population when navigating a cancer diagnosis. We recognize the need to continue conversations that increase access to equitable healthcare and promote cultural competency. For more LGBTQ+ educational materials, information and resources, visit our website.  Additional resources: National LGBT Cancer Network National LGBT Cancer Project The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, Cancer in Our Lives

June is National Cancer Survivor Month. In this episode, we meet Joy- a 13 year stage IV cancer survivor, an author, podcast host and all around renaissance woman. Listen in as Joy shares how she was able to take the fear out of her cancer experience while embracing realistic optimism to ultimately find joy. You can find Joy on Twitter or Facebook!

In the opening episode of season five and in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Joe speaks with CancerCare’s Director of Clinical Programs, Sarah Paul, about his diagnosis of colorectal cancer, the community support network he has helped to grow and how he has channeled his voice to encourage more men to get screened for cancer. Listen in as Joe shares his insight on coping with colorectal cancer and how his diagnosis led him on the path to advocacy. Visit Joe on Facebook and Instagram.

In the final (and bonus) episode of Cancer Out Loud, we asked current and future guests to share their most significant takeaways from the past year. This collaboration of voices paints a powerful picture of the lasting impact of a cancer diagnosis. Cancer Out Loud will return in early 2022 for Season 5. 

In part II of Se’Nita and Samantha’s conversation, Se’Nita shares the importance of putting your health first, no matter what the barriers to care may be. She talks about the love involved in finding her voice, sharing her story and advocating for those who have yet to be heard. Se’Nita’s story is not just one of advocacy in the face of healthcare disparities, but one of hope and inspiration for those seeking the courage to find their voice.

This week we want to tell a different story: one from not only the perspective of a cancer survivor, but also a long-time oncology social worker at CancerCare. Rick Dickens began his oncology social work career over 25 years ago; his experience as a patient provided him with unique insight and the passion to positively impact those affected by cancer. Listen in as he discusses the trajectory of his career and how he has been able to navigate inherent challenges faced by providers and patients alike. We thank Rick for sharing his knowledge, curiosity and compassion with CancerCare staff and clients over the last 25 years!

This week we are joined by Darlene, a woman who embodies the term “advocate” and encourages others to take the road less traveled (as long as it is right for you!). Listen in as Darlene openly discusses barriers that she faced after her colon cancer diagnosis. In this story of courage, Darlene shares the journey of finding her voice and a treatment plan that felt just right. This episode discusses complementary and alternative medicine; speak with your treating health care team to determine what treatment approach is most appropriate for you.

Eileen was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018. She shares her story through the lens of an artist, approaching each new challenge with curiosity. Eileen experienced the loss of identity and sense of self. It was these series of losses that were the catalyst for her project, “Can you make hair for me?” Eileen shares how this project allowed her to explore multiple identities while creating important connections within her community. Listen in as we take a deep dive into how the act of creating can provide a necessary outlet for processing and understanding the cancer experience. To learn more about Eileen’s project, visit her Instagram @canyoumakehair.

In this episode, Se’Nita speaks with CancerCare social worker Samantha Fortune, LMSW, about being diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks before her 38th birthday. She talks about feeling “like a number” and about being shocked by the bias and insensitivity of certain medical professionals. Se’Nita pursued a second opinion from a doctor who was a woman of color, like herself, who reaffirmed the importance of being seen and heard in a medical setting. In Se’Nita’s experience, older generations in the Black community rarely talk about cancer and other health concerns, sharing, “We won’t even know that they had gone through anything, because no one talks about it. I want to change that for this generation. The more we talk about it, the more we speak about it, people can get diagnosed at earlier stages and save lives.” Join us later in the season for the second part of Se’Nita and Samantha’s conversation.

Gracias a nuestros trabajadores sociales y miembros del personal bilingües, CáncerCare se enorgullece de ofrecer muchos servicios tanto en inglés como en español. El episodio de esta semana presenta una conversación entre Lucia Fanjul, LMSW, una de las trabajadoras sociales bilingües de CancerCare, y Rossana, una persona que vivió con cáncer del cerebro. Rossana describe los cambios internos que sucedieron cuando ella fue diagnosticada de cancer en el cerebro. Rossana comparte el trayecto de su experiencia emocional. Ella habla de como enfrento sus sentimientos de asolamiento y miedo durante su tratamiento de cancer. Rossana tambien comparte como adaptarse al cambio, y como el miedo que ella sintió, lo pudo usar para convertirlo en un empujo para pedir ayuda emocional. Thanks to our bilingual social workers and staff members, CancerCare is proud to offer many services in both English and Spanish. This week's episode features a conversation between Lucia Fanjul, LMSW, one of CancerCare's bilingual social workers and Rossana, a person diagnosed with brain cancer. Rossana describes the internal changes that happened when she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Rossana shares the journey of her emotional experience. She talks about how she coped with her feelings of devastation and fear during her cancer treatment. Rossana also shares how to adapt to change and how she used her fear as a push to ask for emotional help.

On this week’s episode, Richard details his wife Marcia’s experience with metastatic pancreatic cancer and their conversations about illness, death and dying, which Richard compares to jumping into water: “You go under water for a while, and then you surface.” The aesthetics and flow of water, which Marcia loved, proved a vital resource in their life, love and journey together. The imagery of a “smooth river” became symbolic of their approach to Marcia’s cancer and end of life. It brought calmness, openness and a sense of direction to their dialogues and their insistence on living in the present. A guiding force, the smooth river also serves as the namesake of Richard’s forthcoming book, The Smooth River: Finding Inspiration and Exquisite Beauty during Terminal Illness. Learn more at www.smoothriver.org.

In the opening episode of season four and in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Alice talks with her CancerCare social worker Marlee about her road to diagnosis and treatment for lymphoma. As a young adult in the throes of medical school, Alice shares how she has navigated her diagnosis and her unique perspective of being both a medical student and a patient. Listen in as Alice and Marlee discuss all things YA cancer and why it’s important to always take naps!

All cancer experiences are complex: they are nuanced, ever-evolving and even sometimes contradictory. In the final season 3 episode of Cancer Out Loud, we asked current and future guests to describe their cancer experience in one word, and we’re excited to share what they had to say. Cancer Out Loud will be back with new episodes in fall 2021!

The last year has changed all of our lives: in big ways, small ways, and ways we never could have expected. In the first of two special bonus episodes, current and future Cancer Out Loud guests share how the pandemic has impacted their cancer experiences.

When Allie was in middle school, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Following an extended period of remission, her mother’s cancer returned when Allie was in graduate school. Allie joins the podcast to explore how she navigated caregiving and grief in different contexts and stages of her life, all while following her mom’s insistence that she not miss out on the opportunities of young adulthood. She talks about how she found a balance between living her life and supporting her mother, even as she experienced the anxiety of living “scan to scan.” Speaking of her grief, she shares, “It’s not sadness, because it’s deeper than that; you can be happy and still be feeling grief.” Through it all, Allie turned to her support network: “A lot of my friendships got stronger and deeper after going through a loss like that. My sister and my dad and I all stayed close… we all go through the same emotions at the same time every day.” This is the last full episode of Cancer Out Loud, Season 3. Stay tuned for bonus episodes through the end of June!