CancerSpeak: A podcast from CANCER, a journal of the American Cancer Society

The VOICES of Black Women Study: Expanding Representation in Cancer Research

Black women have long been underrepresented in large-scale cancer studies, leaving critical gaps in our understanding of the factors influencing cancer risk and outcomes. The VOICES of Black Women Study, launched by the American Cancer Society, is leading efforts to close these gaps by examining a range of health and social determinants to better understand their impact on cancer and other health conditions experienced by Black women. 
In this episode of CancerSpeak, Cancer Disparities Research Section Editor Dr. Camille Ragin speaks with Dr. Lauren McCullough, one of the study’s principal investigators and the lead author of a newly published editorial in Cancer that explores the rationale behind the VOICES study and its potential to drive meaningful change in cancer prevention and care. 
Read Dr. McCullough’s editorial in Cancer: https://bit.ly/VOICESofBlackWomenEditorial  
Learn more about the VOICES of Black Women study: https://bit.ly/VOICESofBlackWomenInfo 
Explore the American Cancer Society report “Cancer Statistics for African American and Black People, 2025” referenced in this episode: https://bit.ly/AAandBPStats2025  
Music by Ivymusic, obtained from Pixabay.  

The Power of Social Capital: Tackling Gender Inequalities in Academic Medicine

In this episode of CancerSpeak, host Dr. Ruth O’Regan, Deputy Editor and Breast Disease Section Editor of Cancer, is joined by Dr. Jennifer Grandis of the University of California San Francisco to discuss her team’s recent review article in Cancer on gender disparities in academic medicine. Tune in for a fascinating conversation between Dr. O’Regan and Dr. Grandis that explores how social capital and networking inequalities shape career advancement, the critical role of sponsorship, and strategies to create a more inclusive professional landscape.
Read Dr. Grandis’s article: https://bit.ly/SocialCapitalAndNetworking 
Music by Ivymusic, obtained from Pixabay.

CHIP, mCAs, and Cancer Risk: What We’re Learning

CANCER Section Editor and Host Dr. Courtney DiNardo welcomes Dr. Pinkal Desai, Dr. Koichi Takahashi, and Ms. Nehali Shah to discuss new research on the impact of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) on the risk and mortality of solid tumors like breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Dr. Desai highlights findings from her recent study published in CANCER, while Dr. Takahashi and Ms. Shah share perspectives from their accompanying editorial. The episode explores the potential impact of these findings on clinical care and future research directions.
Read Dr. Desai’s article: https://bit.ly/CHIPandmCAsonSolidTumorRisk
Read the editorial by Dr. Takahashi and Ms. Shah: https://bit.ly/CHIPandmCAsEditorial
Music by Ivymusic, obtained from Pixabay.

Key Highlights from ESMO 2024 – Shaping the Future of Clinical Oncology

In this special edition of CancerSpeak, CANCER Editor-in-Chief Dr. Suresh Ramalingam is joined by Dr. Gil Morgan (Social Media Editor for CANCER), Dr. Jason Luke (Melanoma and Skin Section Editor for CANCER), and patient advocate Deborah Collyar to discuss key takeaways from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2024 Congress. From advances in melanoma and immunotherapy, to the role social media plays during clinical oncology meetings and in patient advocacy, this episode explores emerging developments that have the potential to impact clinical oncology practice and patient care.
Learn more about Free Format submission with CANCER: https://bit.ly/CANCERFreeFormatSubmission
Read an introductory editorial about Direct to CANCER: https://bit.ly/DirectToCANCER
Music by Ivymusic, obtained from Pixabay.

Top Advances in Cervical Cancer: A Year in Review

In this episode of CancerSpeak, Dr. Linda R. Duska, lead author of the recent article "Top Advances of the Year: Cervical Cancer," joins host Dr. Akinyemi Ojesina and special guest Linda Ryan, a cervical cancer survivor and patient advocate, to discuss the latest breakthroughs in cervical cancer treatment. They explore the uniqueness of the SHAPE surgical de-escalation trial, the importance of increasing racial and geographical diversity in clinical trials, and key takeaways for patients with cervical cancer and their families.
 
Read the article: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.35334
 
Music by Ivymusic, obtained from Pixabay

Cancer in LGBTQ+ populations: New insights on cancer risk factors and screening

In this episode of CancerSpeak, host Tyler Kratzer MPH is joined by coauthors Jessica Star MA, MPH; Scout MA, PhD; and Monique Gary DO to discuss the groundbreaking findings from the American Cancer Society's latest report, "Cancer in People who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Gender-nonconforming." This landmark study is the first to provide a comprehensive national analysis of cancer risk factors and screening within LGBTQ+ populations. Listen in as the investigators delve into the unique challenges and disparities faced by LGBTQ+ communities and explore critical steps needed to improve cancer prevention and care.
For the full text of the featured article, visit: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.35355
Learn more about Welcoming Spaces: https://cancer-network.org/welcoming-spaces/
Music by Ivymusic from Pixabay

Top Advances of the Year in Ovarian Cancer with Dr. Linda Duska, Dr. Melissa Lumish, Dr. William Tew, and Annie Ellis

In this CancerSpeak episode, CANCER Editorial Board Member Dr. Linda Duska is joined by Dr. Melissa Lumish and Dr. William Tew to discuss the latest advances in epithelial ovarian cancer research, including results demonstrating improved survival and outcomes of negative trials. Annie Ellis, a 19-year ovarian cancer survivor and research advocate, also joins to provide a patient perspective. 
Access the article at https://bit.ly/OvarianCATopAdvances
Music: Ivymusic from Pixabay

Assessing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on cancer diagnosis with Dr. Serban Negoita and Dr. Ahmedin Jemal

In this CancerSpeak episode, our Editor-in-Chief Dr. Suresh Ramalingam is joined by Dr. Serban Negoita and Dr. Ahmedin Jemal to discuss part 2 of the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, which features the largest study to date on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on new cancer diagnoses in the United States.
Read the full report at: bit.ly/AnnualReportPart2
Find cancer screening locations at: getscreened.cancer.org
Music: Ivymusic from Pixabay

Episode 4, Part 4 of 4: Patient Navigation Perspectives from the National Navigation Roundtable

In Part 4, the Roundtable members discuss the operational support needed to support distinct types of patient navigation delivery. We also hear their perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care and the roles that patient navigators played during the height of the pandemic.
Read "A Decade Later: The State of Patient Navigation in Cancer” at https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/10970142/2022/128/S13. 
Music by Ivymusic from Pixabay.

Episode 3, Part 3 of 4: Patient Navigation Perspectives from the National Navigation Roundtable

In Part 3, the Roundtable members examine the most pressing questions in patient navigation. Do all patients have access to patient navigation services? Why did job postings for patient navigators triple between 2010 and 2015?
Read "A Decade Later: The State of Patient Navigation in Cancer” at https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/10970142/2022/128/S13. 
Music by Ivymusic from Pixabay.