Behind the Breakthroughs
The Your Stories Podcast

Hear directly from people conquering cancer – patients, doctors, family members, and friends. 

Judith Kaur Alan Kaur
Your Stories
The Kaur Method
Before Judith Kaur, MD, the self-proclaimed “Mother of the YIA” became Conquer Cancer’s first grant recipient more than 35 years ago, she was a wife, a teacher, then a stay-at-home mom. Going to med school and becoming a research pioneer was just a daydream.

“When I came home, she always had a scientific book in front of her that she was reading,” said Alan Kaur, Judith’s husband. 

One night during dinner, Alan proposed the idea of med school to Judith. 

She said yes.

A Second Act

Though Judith had her husband’s support, some schools had reservations about a 30-something woman entering med school. But she persisted.

“I was the first selected young investigator award for ASCO,” said Dr. Kaur,  “which led to the Conquer Cancer Foundation efforts to try to support a lot of young and aspiring researchers.” 

Alan managed the bulk of home and family matters, as Judith had done when he was establishing his career as an actuary. 

At 38, Dr. Kaur began her job as an oncologist and researcher.

Trial and Error

The Kaurs prove marriage works best with a scientific approach. If the researchers closely study their subjects, accept new information, and course correct when prompted by the heart and the mind - the discoveries can change lives.

Today, Dr. Kaur specializes in breast and cervical cancer and palliative care. She dedicates her career to advancing care for Native Americans. Alan has also contributed to cancer research as a volunteer for an important prostate cancer prevention clinical trial. 

The Kaur method has been working for more than 50 years.

 

Disclaimer

The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The podcast is provided on the understanding that it does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests who speak in a podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions. Neither Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundations, nor any of its affiliates endorses, supports or opposes any particular treatment option or other matter discussed in a podcast. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy on a podcast should not be construed as an endorsement.

Your Stories
Marriage and Medicine

The Kaurs vow to advance cancer research. 

If we can show that such an intervention does improve the landscape of the organ and thereby reduce the likelihood of developing cancer, I think we'll be standing in a place where we can make significant clinical impact.
Dr. Judith Kaur