About This Episode
Travis, a patient with metastatic bladder cancer, has discovered new meaning in life since learning his cancer was incurable. The 50-year-old shares a perspective that left hosts Laura and Patrick speechless — and nearly everyone in tears. Travis credits his WashU Medicine oncologist, Melissa Reimers, MD, for focusing on his treatment so he can focus on “living his best life” — including by dressing up as Santa to bring joy to kids diagnosed with cancer. Travis and Dr. Reimers’ uplifting relationship and Travis’s unique approach to the season remind us of the unexpected gifts found even during life’s most challenging times.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, everything changes — except your kids still need dinner, stories, clean clothes and someone to kiss them goodnight. In this episode, Faith shares how she and her husband navigated her stage 4 cancer diagnosis while raising two young daughters. With support from her care team and community, they worked to keep routines steady, emotions honest, and hope alive.
Joined by WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologist Andrea Hagemann, MD, and WashU Medicine clinical psychologist Amaris Tippey, PhD, we explore the emotional toll of parenting through illness, the power of honest conversations with kids, and how love, support and boundaries can carry a family through the unimaginable. This is an episode about resilience, community and the kind of strength that grows in the hardest places.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
Humor, silence, avoidance and isolation — each is a common response to a cancer diagnosis. But these traits, particularly common in men, can harm their mental health as they fight the disease. This episode thoughtfully explores the experiences of co-host Patrick, two-time cancer survivor Mellve and other men who have shared their stories on our podcast. Wash U Medicine clinical psychologist David Morris, PhD, highlights starting points to identify emotions and self-regulate, as well as other beneficial mental health practices. Together we confront the cultural norms that urge men to bottle things up and discuss how opening up becomes a strength.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
At 49, Jeremy never imagined testicular cancer — but experiencing sharp pain sent him to the doctor, and a Stage 3 diagnosis prompted him to change providers and go to Siteman. He and his wife, Robyn, open up about the grueling treatment journey, the tough side effects, and how WashU Medicine oncologist Dr. John Visconti adapted care to keep Jeremy on track. Dr. Visconti also shares a simple way every man can take charge of his testicular health.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
Former NHL player Kelly Chase is known as one of the toughest guys to wear a St. Louis Blues jersey, racking up more than 2,000 penalty minutes in his career. But when his Washington University oncologist Ramzi Abboud, MD, diagnosed him with acute myeloid leukemia in 2023, Chase learned he was facing an opponent different than anything he challenged on the ice – one needing more than brute force.
Listen as Chase and Dr. Abboud share the intense and taxing treatment plan needed to overcome Chase’s rare cancer and what Chase learned about himself during his time at Siteman Cancer Center.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
In January of his senior year of high school, Thomas was stretching and noticed a painless bump on his right hamstring. The three-sport athlete thought nothing of it. But by spring, the lump had grown to the size of a baseball. Thomas was immediately directed to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where Washington University pediatric oncologist Dr. Amy Armstrong confirmed the mass was a sarcoma. Listen as Thomas; his mom, Amelia; and Dr. Armstrong describe the long, intense treatment plan that delayed his plans for college football and the mental grit and community it took to return to the sport he loved. Thomas also shares advice for other young athletes in similar situations.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
After a diagnosis, every Siteman patient and their team develops a treatment plan. And every treatment plan becomes as unique as the patient it supports. Chuck learned how to tailor a treatment plan firsthand as he acted as a caregiver to his son and then when he faced a cancer diagnosis himself. In the episode Chuck shares his experience and is joined by Tate Rondot, Siteman’s Manager of Support Services. Both are involved in Siteman’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a group dedicated to helping every patient create the plan they need during their cancer care. They offer considerations and resources that personalize patients’ treatment from diagnosis to hospice and every stage in between.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
When patients describe their nurse, they often use words such as caregiver, teacher, counselor or friend. Three nurses at Siteman Cancer Center (Shannon, Pam and Julie) join the podcast to share their passion for taking care of cancer patients. Hear what inspired each of these nurses to get into the field – and the advice they share with patients.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
It wasn’t Pam’s first cancer diagnosis. In fact, because of a rare genetic disorder she has, Pam and her husband, Charlie, expected she would be diagnosed more than once. Together, they faced routine screenings and tests. But pancreatic cancer wasn’t expected. An evening call in the fall of 2021 began Pam and Charlie’s journey. While she received treatment, he supported her. Washington University medical oncologist Kian-Huat Lim, MD, PhD, and Washington University gastroenterologist Koushik Das, MD, explain how clinical trials, chemotherapy, surgery and new daily medication make surviving pancreatic cancer possible.
“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
About This Episode
Do I need to have my breast removed? Will I lose them both? What about my nipples – will I get to keep them? How long before I can get reconstruction? Will I ever feel the same again? The unknowns women face after getting a breast cancer diagnosis are staggering. Our Season 2 premiere launches into the physical and emotional toll that breast cancer survivors endure. The experience and honesty they share took two whole episodes to convey. In Part 1, survivors Melanie and Tamara open up about their mastectomies, the challenges they were prepared for and the impact(s) they didn’t expect.
Award-winning “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.
