For many cancer patients, talking about the disease is at times as difficult as dealing with its many treatment paths, complications, side effects and risk factors.
A new podcast from USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, called “The Cancering Show,” aims to break down barriers that confront patients and demystify the disease.
“We’re going to discuss every aspect of the cancering journey, from people trying to prevent cancer in their families all the way to families that are coping with an imminent loss,” says Jennifer Young Pierce, M.D., M.P.H., host of the podcast.
Pierce serves as a gynecologic oncologist and leader of cancer control and prevention at the Mitchell Cancer Institute.
For all those credentials, on the air she is simply known as “JYP.”
“We want the listener to think of cancer as not just a moment in time — a moment of being better than you were before, living better, turning cancer from a negative into a positive for not just the patient, but the whole community,” Pierce says.
The podcast offers interviews with cancer survivors, family members, physicians and scientists who share their stories and offer hope. Listeners are invited to share theirs.
“Cancer is just something that we all have to recognize, acknowledge, cope with, live with, struggle with, rage upon, crush, and even thrive with,” JYP tells listeners. “This show is more than knowing and fighting or beating cancer. It’s more than just relaying science, hope and technology. It’s a platform for knowledge, stories, coping advice, life tips, inspiration, humor, jokes and even smiles.”
The first three episodes of The Cancering Show Season 1 can be found on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes and wherever podcasts can be found. Listeners can subscribe to receive new episodes in their inbox and find the show on Facebook @canceringshow.