Until now, patients with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S, have had few avenues for personalized treatment beyond standard care. For more than 10 years, Dr. Byers, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has worked to detect biomarkers.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:

•    Tips for navigating cancer care as an AYA patient 
•    The importance of health literacy in the oncology space
•    Why Dr. Lewis encourages patients to record their visits

Targeting the tumor-protective effects of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA1) with emerging tools is helping doctors personalize care for patients with cervical cancer. High levels of SCCA1 are a predictor of poor prognosis in this patient population.

Many patients with multiple myeloma and other blood cancers initially respond well to treatment, but, inevitably, most patients face relapse. Dr.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE: 

•    Ways to advocate for yourself while in treatment
•    Candid accounts of side-effects during and after treatment
•    Advice on navigating health care systems
•    Insight on making decisions about fertility while in treatment

Targeting ACC with treatments that shut off NOTCH1 – a cancer-causing gene – is showing promise for patients with ACC, a rare and aggressive head and neck cancer. Risk factors for ACC remain unknown.

Patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) – a type of blood cancer – face barriers in reaching ideal outcomes and have few avenues for care. Most AML drugs are especially toxic on the body, and it can be challenging to find treatments that are easier to endure.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE: 

•    Ways to navigate feelings of survivor’s guilt 
•    Advice on adoption as a cancer survivor 
•    Tips for supporting patients and families through grief 
•    The benefits of seeking support in the cancer community