In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with two physician-scientists researching vaccines and novel immunotherapies, Dr. Vinod Balachandran and Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin. They discuss the power of the body’s immune system to prevent and treat cancers, the difference between preventative and therapeutic vaccines, which cancers are treatable with vaccines, and the challenges that lie ahead. Read more about Dr. Balachandran’s recent research into a vaccine for pancreatic cancer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. After losing her first husband to colon cancer in 1997, Katie made history when she received her first colonoscopy on-air as host of the Today show, inspiring millions of Americans to do the same in a phenomenon known as the Couric Effect. Her role as the “screen queen” has continued ever since, taking on new meaning last year when she revealed her own breast cancer diagnosis. Learn more about breast cancer screening Learn more about colon cancer screening Watch the extended conversation with Katie on MSK's YouTube channel  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks to pain management physician Dr. Neal Rakesh, and neurologist Dr. Anna DeForest, about the many options patients and doctors have to treat pain, including different therapies, safely managed painkillers, injections, and the possibility (and effectiveness) of psychedelics in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating the dating world after a cancer diagnosis can be tricky. From the fear of disclosing a diagnosis to insecurities around bodily changes, to the emotional baggage patients feel they’re bringing into a relationship, diving back into the dating pool comes with its challenges. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sheds light on the universality of these fears with advice from MSK psychologist Talia Zaider and cancer survivor Irene Dimatulac. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they provide a nuanced look at the dating experience for cancer survivors and offer guidance for how to move forward with readiness and self-love. Listen to our episode on Women’s Sexual Heath and Cancer. Listen to our episode on Men’s Sexual Heath and Cancer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes welcomes MSK exercise scientist Dr. Lee Jones back to the show to discuss the most recent findings about the effects of exercise on cancer prevention, treatment and recovery. Dr. Jones provides advice for patients to stay physically fit and battle fatigue, as well as the most effective training regimen for anybody, with or without cancer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the holidays are meant to be a season of celebration, reflection and spending time with family and friends, it can also be a time of anxiety, grief or loneliness for those living with the reality of cancer. How does one find peace and meaning in the swarm of emotions that cancer brings up? In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes and MSK chaplain Brian Kelly share their thoughts on what makes life meaningful and how to find your light in the darkest of times. Listen to last year’s conversation with MSK psychologist Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal on gratitude and grief at the holidays. Read "Coping With Grief: 7 Things to Remember When Dealing with Loss"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spanish episode #3   |   Episodio #3 en español Un reciente ensayo clínico para el cáncer de recto dirigido por Memorial Sloan Kettering ha captado la atención de médicos oncólogos y científicos del cáncer alrededor del mundo. Como un milagro, en un subconjunto de pacientes con la composición genética adecuada, una infusión intravenosa de inmunoterapia provocó una remisión completa. Los médicos se sorprendieron. El cáncer desapareció en todos los pacientes inscritos en el ensayo clínico. Los resultados son tan impresionantes que se publicaron en The New England Journal of Medicine y se presentaron en la reunión de oncólogos clínicos más grande del país en junio de 2022. En este episodio, la Dra. Diane Reidy-Lagunes habla con los diseñadores de este estudio, los Dres. Andrea Cercek y Luis Diaz, sobre lo que significa esta noticia innovadora para los pacientes con cáncer y la comunidad científica en el futuro. Más información sobre el Centro para el cáncer colorrectal y gastrointestinal de aparición temprana de MSK. Vea todos los episodios de Cancer Straight Talk en Español.   Breakthrough Rectal Cancer Drug Trial: What It Means For You A recent clinical trial for rectal cancer headed up by Memorial Sloan Kettering has grabbed the attention of medical oncologists and cancer scientists around the world. Like a miracle, in a subset of patients with the right genetic makeup, an IV infusion of an immunotherapy caused a complete remission. The doctors were shocked. The cancer disappeared in every single patient enrolled on trial. The results are so impressive they were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and featured at the nation’s largest gathering of clinical oncologists in June 2022. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with the designers of this study, Drs. Andrea Cercek and Luis Diaz, on what this groundbreaking news means for cancer patients and the scientific community moving forward. Learn more about MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer See all episodes of Cancer Straight Talk en Español.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent research has shown that most, if not all, high grade serous ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes. With no pronounced symptoms or tests to catch it early, ovarian cancer is usually detected in women with an average risk of cancer and in highly advanced stages. In this episode, gynecologic surgeons Kara Long-Roche (MSK) and Rebecca Stone (John Hopkins) join Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes to discuss a procedure that substantially decreases a person’s lifetime risk of developing the most common and deadly type of ovarian cancer: a salpingectomy, or removal of the fallopian tubes. Because of the simplicity of this procedure, Drs. Long-Roche and Stone are advocating for salpingectomies to become routine in women who are seeking permanent birth control, and opportunistic at the time of other abdominal surgeries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Selwyn Vickers was named President and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in September 2022. His vision of a future with equal access and better outcomes for all has inspired the faculty and staff at MSK. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes gets to know Dr. Vickers’ philosophy on achieving health equity, from restoring trust in the system, to overcoming racial bias in the clinic, to improving people’s access to top hospitals like MSK. Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk from MSK to be notified of new episodes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Lewis was inspired to become a cancer doctor after living through the highs and lows of his father’s cancer journey. On day one of his oncology fellowship, Mark developed an abdominal pain and was suddenly diagnosed with the very same cancer that took his father; a cancer, he learned, that can be passed down to his children as well. In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes chats with Dr. Mark Lewis, Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Intermountain Healthcare, about how his diagnosis has changed the way he practices medicine, and what every person should know about genetic testing and hereditary cancers. Hear more from Dr. Mark Lewis on his weekly podcast, "Is It Serious?" Make an appointment with MSK's Clinical Genetics Service here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.